Labour selects candidate for Gorton and Denton by-election
The Labour Party has confirmed Angeliki Stogia as its candidate for the Gorton and Denton by-election scheduled for February 26, following the decision to bar Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham from standing, reports BritPanorama.
The announcement comes after Burnham expressed disappointment over being blocked from the nomination, stating he felt “uniquely positioned” to contest the election but has accepted the ruling of Labour’s National Executive Committee.
Andrew Gwynne vacated the seat for health reasons, prompting the need for a by-election. Stogia, a Manchester city councillor for Whalley Range, emerged victorious over Bury council leader Eamonn O’Brien to secure the Labour candidacy.
The forthcoming by-election is viewed as a significant indicator of political trends in the UK. It poses questions about the viability of Reform UK, which has been polling strongly, and assesses the potential for the Green Party to establish itself as a serious alternative to Labour on the Left.
Campaign dynamics are further complicated by the presence of other candidates, including Matt Goodwin representing Reform UK, local campaigner Jackie Pearcey for the Liberal Democrats, and Hannah Spencer running for the Greens. In the previous election, Gwynne secured the seat with over half of the votes, highlighting the competitive nature of the upcoming contest.
As local elections loom in May, the performance of Labour in Gorton and Denton could have significant repercussions for the party, especially concerning the leadership of Sir Keir Starmer amid ongoing pressures from within the party.
The by-election represents not just a local contest but a broader test of political allegiances in contemporary British politics.
In summary, the selection of Stogia underscores a pivotal moment for Labour and the implications this may have for the political landscape in the UK ahead of critical local elections.
