Reform and Greens eye major by-election scalp amid Burnham row

Reform UK and the Green Party are eyeing triumph successful 2026's archetypal parliamentary by-election, arsenic Sir Keir Starmer faces interior revolt implicit the determination to artifact Greater Manchester politician Andy Burnham from lasting for Labour.

The Gorton and Denton by-election is to instrumentality spot connected 26 February.

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It was called aft suspended Labour MP Andrew Gwynne decided to basal down, and galore saw it arsenic a accidental for ambitious and fashionable Mr Burnham to instrumentality to Westminster.

But Labour's ruling National Executive Committee has decided not to let him to tally for the seat, which is located successful Greater Manchester, truthful ending - for present astatine slightest - immoderate accidental of a enactment bid.

The premier curate defended the decision, saying it would person diverted enactment resources distant from May's section elections, and perchance unit different by-election for Mr Burnham's mayoralty.

Sky's chief governmental analogous Jon Craig said successful a gathering of the Parliamentary Labour Party connected Monday night, the lawyer wide - a cardinal state of Sir Keir - had to bat disconnected "plenty of gripes" from MPs astir the decision.

Craig said galore judge the premier curate "has bungled this badly", treating Mr Burnham "unfairly" and besides "made himself weaker".

Attorney General Lord Hermer told colleagues helium did not underestimate the situation the enactment faced, but insisted the government's policies volition "take hold" and "chance this state for the amended and for the long-term".

What happened past time?

Labour won the Gorton and Denton spot with a bulk of 13,413 successful the 2024 wide predetermination - implicit fractional the vote.

Reform came 2nd connected 14.1%, and the Greens were 3rd with 13.2%.

Both judge they tin triumph erstwhile voters spell to the polls adjacent month.

Labour look 'anti-Starmer vote'

Nigel Farage said his enactment volition denote its campaigner today, and that "an anti-Keir Starmer vote" volition beryllium crucial.

"There would person been a pro-Burnham anti-Starmer vote, that won't beryllium determination immoderate more, and I deliberation the anti-Starmer ballot volition travel to us," helium said.

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Sky's political analogous Alexandra Rogers understands the Greens volition denote a campaigner connected Sunday, but person Zack Polanski won't beryllium standing.

While helium has a assertion to bluish roots (he was calved successful Salford), Polanski lives successful Hackney, northbound London, and it's understood he's much apt to tally for a spot successful the capital.

But helium is expected to sojourn the constituency this week.

A enactment root said: "We're throwing the room descend astatine this, and judge we tin win."