What do local residents think of move to block Andy Burnham from running in Gorton and Denton by-election? | Politics News
The part of Manchester I call home has suddenly found itself thrust into the political spotlight.
Gorton and Denton is the seat where Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham wanted to run as Labour’s Westminster candidate – before being swiftly blocked by the party’s executive, triggering an internal crisis.
For a long time, these parts have been Labour through and through – the former constituency of Manchester Gorton was one of its safest seats in the whole country. It would have been unthinkable for another party to have a chance of winning here – until now.
Josh Marsden
“I would probably lean to the Greens – I’m a Green member”, says Josh Marsden, who lives in Levenshulme, to the west of the constituency.
It’s an area that has been attracting left-leaning young professionals in increasing numbers over the past decade, many who have been priced out of upmarket areas like Chorlton and Didsbury.
With them has come growing support for the Green Party. But Mr Marsden says if Mr Burnham had been allowed to stand, Labour would have won his vote instead.
“I think that he understands the constituency – he understands Greater Manchester,” he says. “I think we want a local candidate who understands our wants and needs.”
Inside the Station South cycle cafe, his views are echoed by several other Levenshulme locals who have come out for brunch. For them, no Burnham means their votes will go to the Greens.
“The idea of the Greens and Labour being against each other really stresses me out,” says one diner.
“Being in a local Facebook group, seeing stuff out on the street, there is absolutely a Reform presence here. And so I do think there’s an opportunity for them. Which, personally, would make me consider whether I want to continue living here.”
The constituency as a whole is incredibly diverse. The current boundaries bring together several different areas with very different voters between them.
Over in Denton, just 15 minutes drive to the east of Levenshulme, the political mood seems miles apart. Locals talked of growing up in families that had voted Labour for generations – but are now being tempted by Reform.
For Danny Armour, who manages Firwood Carpets on the high street, blocking Mr Burnham from standing was the wrong decision.
He says: “If you want to stand as an MP, you should stand as an MP.
“Why block someone that wants to go all the way? Have they got something to hide?”
Although he’s not convinced on Reform leader Nigel Farage – who he says “mouths off about everything” – the party’s candidate might still get his vote in the upcoming by-election.
“It’s all to do with the people coming in the country because there’s not enough room for them” he says. “[Farage] tells people what they like to hear, thinks he’s a man of the people, sat there drinking a pint with everybody.
“It does appeal to a lot of people.”
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Outside on the street, another man tells us his family has always voted Labour – and he’s the first to go elsewhere.
“The Labour government that’s in, I’ve not got any faith in them whatsoever,” he says. “There’s a lot of things I’m not happy with from Reform – but I think they are up and coming.”
Gorton and Denton is also home to a large Muslim population – concentrated in areas like Longsight, at the northern tip of its boundary.
Firebrand politician George Galloway had suggested he might also stand here – attempting to pull votes from Labour to his Workers Party of Britain through a platform focused on Gaza.
But for those we talked to, it wouldn’t be enough to sway them.
“I’ve met George Galloway, he’s nice, he is a lovely man”, says one woman shopping for fruit and veg on the main drag on Stockport Road.
“But I think with his past record, that’s where the downfall is with him. With everything going at the moment, I’ll probably just stay with Labour – I’ve always been Labour.”
Sir Keir Starmer is already facing a tricky situation, managing the fallout from blocking Mr Burnham’s bid to stand in the seat.
But for voters here, a Labour victory is no longer the certainty it once was – which could make things much trickier, indeed.
