Labour unveils candidate for crucial by-election after Burnham blocked
Labor has nominated Manchester councilor Angeliki Stogia for the Gorton and Denton by-election as it looks to defend the seat and avoid an embarrassing defeat.
The selection of the relatively unknown candidate comes just days after Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham was refused permission to stand for the party; This sparked anger among Labor backbenchers and raised fears the party would struggle to hold on to the seat.
Critics accused Sir Keir Starmer and his allies of blocking Mr Burnham’s candidacy for factional reasons and feared a leadership challenge from the mayor as both Labor’s poll ratings and personal approval ratings faltered.
The Manchester councilor from Whalley Range was announced as the party’s candidate for the seat on Saturday afternoon, saying he was running to become MP for Gorton and Denton to “unite our community and stand against the divisive policies of Reformation”.
Ms Stogia, flanked by Labor leader Anna Turley and deputy leader Lucy Powell, told a crowd of Labor activists at her launch event in the constituency on Saturday that she was a “proud Mancunian woman”, adding: “I have walked the streets of this constituency.”
As Labor looks to field a straight fight with Reform UK, Ms Stogia also said: “This is about Manchester. Manchester is a united city, we refuse to be divided. I look forward to getting on the doorstep and winning this for Labour.”
Reform UK has chosen UK News presenter and former academic Matt Goodwin to run for the seat; This candidate has since also been supported by far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
Meanwhile, councilor and plumber Hannah Spencer is the Greens candidate, while the Liberal Democrats have chosen local campaigner Jackie Pearcey.
In a statement, Ms Stogia said: “I have dedicated my life to working and campaigning for Manchester and its people. In the last 12 years alone, I have campaigned for better homes, better transport and a greener Manchester.
“I am now ready to be your Member of Parliament to unite our community and stand against the divisive policies of Reformation.”
He added: “This is a choice moment for Gorton and Denton between a community standing united and politics that divides neighbor from neighbor. I stand for unity, justice and hope.”
The by-election was prompted by the resignation of former MP Andrew Gwynne, who resigned citing health reasons. Mr Gwynne was sacked as health minister and suspended from the Labor Party in February last year over offensive comments made in a WhatsApp group.
Labor won the seat in 2024 with more than half the votes (18,555), while Nigel Farage’s Reform UK came second with 5,142 votes, narrowly edging out the Greens with 4,810 votes.
The race is expected to be closely contested by all three parties, although Sir Keir Starmer insists it is a “direct fight” between Mr Farage’s party and his own.
But following the decision to block the Manchester mayor’s candidacy, it has emerged that desperate Labor MPs are reluctant to campaign in the crucial by-election because they fear the party could face an embarrassing defeat amid growing concerns about the prime minister’s leadership.
Sir Keir’s MPs have been given strict instructions to offer their support in the constituency and they are all expected to campaign in the seat at least once before the vote next month, amid growing fears that Reform UK or the Green Party could snatch the historically safe seat.
But some backbenchers said Independent They are reluctant about the prospect of going to Gorton and Denton, especially after Mr Burnham was prevented from standing in the seat.
“We would win with Andy Burnham but I know activists in my constituency are not very inspired to go out there and campaign at the moment,” said one MP.
