Starmer Pledges to Continue Amid Labour's By-Election Humiliation
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has defiantly vowed to "keep on fighting" despite Labour's humiliating third-place finish in the Gorton and Denton by-election, a result he acknowledged was "disappointing" and reflected voter "frustration". The Greater Manchester constituency, previously a rock-solid Labour stronghold, was won decisively by the Green Party's Hannah Spencer, with Reform UK pushing Labour into an unprecedented third position.
A Watershed Victory for the Greens
Thursday's by-election saw Green candidate Hannah Spencer, a local councillor and plumber, secure a landmark victory with 14,980 votes, delivering a commanding majority of 4,402. This historic win marks the Green Party's first by-election triumph, fundamentally reshaping the political landscape in a traditionally Labour-dominated area. The result has sent shockwaves through Westminster, intensifying pressure on Sir Keir to either dramatically shift his party's direction to the left or consider resigning from leadership.
Internal Labour Rebellion and Calls for Resignation
The defeat has ignited a fierce internal rebellion within Labour ranks, with MPs, trade unions, and campaign groups demanding immediate change. Former deputy leader Angela Rayner described the outcome as a "wake-up call", urging colleagues to "be braver" and recommit to a genuine Labour agenda. More stark criticism came from Norwich South MP Clive Lewis, who labelled the result "a punch in the face" for both the party and Sir Keir, warning that without a "clean break", Labour risked losing the country for a generation.
Trade union leaders have been particularly vocal in their condemnation. TSSA general secretary Maryam Eslamdoust demanded Sir Keir resign "immediately", while Unite's Sharon Graham called for the party to "ditch the gimmicks and get back to being Labour". Fire Brigades Union chief Steve Wright issued a stark warning, predicting "heavy losses" in the upcoming May local and devolved elections unless the party changes course without delay.
Starmer's Defiant Response and Political Rivals' Reactions
Confronted by reporters and directly asked if he had considered resigning, Sir Keir remained resolute. He stated, "I came into politics late in life to fight for change for those people who need it. I will keep on fighting for those people for as long as I've got breath in my body." He further pledged to combat political extremes on both the left and right, which he argued threatened to "tear our country apart".
Green leader Zack Polanski, celebrating his party's breakthrough, declared the result represented "an existential crisis for the Labour Party". He asserted that voters could now choose the Greens as a positive alternative, rather than settling for the "least-worst option" to block other parties. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, whose candidate finished a distant fourth with only 706 votes, seized the opportunity to claim Sir Keir's premiership was "finished", accusing him of being "in office but not in power".
Uncertain Future and Leadership Dilemma
Despite the widespread discontent and calls for his departure, some Labour MPs suggest Sir Keir may temporarily retain his position due to a lack of a clear, unifying successor. One anonymous MP told the Press Association that the current potential replacements would take the party backwards, creating "the worst of all worlds". This leadership vacuum, coupled with the impending crucial elections in May, leaves Labour at a critical crossroads, with warnings that Sir Keir's tenure in Number 10 could be numbered unless the party's fortunes see a rapid and significant improvement.
