Nigel Farage to ‘throw everything at beating Labour in by-election’ as PM faces battle with Andy Burnham
Nigel Farage will launch a huge campaign to defeat Labour in the upcoming Gorton & Denton by-election, Reform UK has confirmed.
The Manchester constituency, which was a once-staunch Labour seat, could soon become a three-way contest after ex-Health Minister Andrew Gwynne quit earlier today.
Despite chasing down an 18,000-vote majority, a recent More in Common poll suggested Reform UK would snatch the seat in a knife-edge race.
A spokesman for Mr Farage’s party said: “If the by-election happens, then Reform will throw everything at it.
“It’s a huge ask for anyone to beat Labour in Manchester, but we will give it our all.”
Reform needs a swing of 18.4 per cent to win the Manchester constituency, marginally higher than the 17.4 per cent required when Sarah Pochin won in Runcorn & Helsby last year.
However, Sir Keir Starmer is also facing a challenge from Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.
Mr Burnham today insisted he had been kept “in the dark” about Mr Gwynne’s decision to step down.
“I’ve had no contact on this issue with Andrew or anyone close to him,” Mr Burnham said.
“I know him of old, of course, but I’m as in the dark about this as anyone. People shouldn’t rush to conclusions.”
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister remained hesitant about who would contest the seat as Labour’s candidate, instead maintaining the process is in a “very early stage”.
Sir Keir added: “Andy Burnham is doing an excellent job as mayor of Manchester. We work very closely together.
“Last year, we were responding together to the terrible attack on a synagogue in Manchester. More recently, we were working together on Northern Powerhouse Rail.
“I think Andy would acknowledge that working with this Government has been much better than the experience he had of working with previous governments.”
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Britain should ‘never’ have opened migrant hotels, says Home Secretary
Britain should “never” have housed asylum seekers in hotels, the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has said as the first group of migrants moved into a former military barracks in East Sussex.
Some 27 men have been housed at Crowborough training camp, where the Home Office plans to accommodate up to 500 men as it bids to end the use of asylum hotels.
The move has sparked opposition from neighbours of the camp, and the local authority, Wealden District Council, has said it is considering legal action. While visiting the site, Ms Mahmood vowed to defend any legal challenge “vigorously”.
“I understand the strength of feeling, but I do also believe that getting out of asylum hotels is absolutely crucial for the country,” Ms Mahmood said during her visit.
“We should never have used asylum hotels to house illegal migrants into this country.”
Reform pledges to ‘give it our all’ to challenge Andrew Gwynne’s seat
Reform UK have pledged to “give it our all” in challenging Andrew Gwynne’s Greater Manchester seat if a by-election is called.
“If the by-election happens, then Reform will throw everything at it.
“It’s a huge ask for anyone to beat Labour in Manchester but we will give it our all,” the party promised.
Labour hits out at Reform following Andrew Gwyne’s resignation
The Labour party has reacted to the resignation of Andrew Gwyne Gorton and Denton seat in Greater Manchester with a barb at Reform UK.
“We look forward to local residents in Gorton and Denton soon having the opportunity to get the representation they deserve with a new Labour MP.
“While Reform fill their ranks with more and more Tories who failed the country, people living in Gorton and Denton will soon have the opportunity to elect a local champion and Labour MP who will be relentlessly focused on tackling the cost of living, cutting NHS waiting lists and bringing investment and jobs to the local community,” a spokesman said.
Andrew Gwynne confirms he will resign from his Greater Manchester constituency
Suspended Labour MP Andrew Gwynne has confirmed he will stand down from his Gorton and Denton constituency, citing health reasons.
In a post on Facebook, the MP wrote: “It has been the honour of my life to have been an elected representative for almost exactly three decades, representing my home community firstly as a Denton West Councillor on Tameside Council and then in the House of Commons as MP for Denton and Reddish and more recently for Gorton and Denton.
“Over those years I haven’t got everything right and I’ve certainly made mistakes, but I’ve always tried my very best and I have helped tens of thousands of constituents with their issues along the way. Indeed it’s been helping people that’s given me the greatest pleasure in these jobs.”
Sir Keir Starmer: ‘Andy Burnham is doing an excellent job as Mayor’
Sir Keir Starmer praised Any Burnham’s record as Manchester Mayor
| GB NEWS
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Andy Burnham was doing an “an excellent job as Mayor” when asked on whether he would support the former MP returning to Parliament.
Speaking to broadcasters about the prospects of a by-election in Gorton & Denton, the Prime Minister said: “It is a very early stage, and the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party will set out the process in the usual way, as it always does for by-elections.
“Andy Burnham is doing an excellent job as Mayor of Manchester. We work very closely together.
“Last year, we were responding together to the terrible attack on a synagogue in Manchester.
“More recently, we were working together on Northern Powerhouse Rail.
“I think Andy would acknowledge that working with this Government has been much better than the experience he had of working with previous governments.”
Andy Burnham speaks out on claims of plan to run as an MP
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has claimed he is “in the dark” over suggestions Andrew Gwynne is set to resign as an MP.
However, the 56-year-old did not deny he could stand for parliament in such a scenario.
Asked about a return to Parliament, the Manchester mayor said he was “very focused” on his current role.
Speaking on claims Mr Gwynne will imminently quit the House of Commons, Mr Burnham said: “It’s not been confirmed to me. I’ve had no contact on this issue with Andrew or anyone close to him. I know him of old, of course, but I’m as in the dark about this as anyone.
“People shouldn’t rush to conclusions.”
Reform UK says ‘establishment is running scared’ as Nigel Farage vows to ‘fight’ in High Court over cancelled elections
Reform UK said the “establishment is running scared” as Nigel Farage has pledged to “fight” in the High Court over Labour’s decision to postpone local elections.
The Clacton MP said: “Today, Keir Starmer has colluded with Labour and Tory councils to cancel 30 council elections on May 7.
“Millions of people’s right to vote has been taken away. Reform UK are fighting this denial of democracy in the High Court.”
Keir Starmer and Danish PM to discuss ‘vital steps’ towards security in Arctic
Keir Starmer and Mette Frederiksen met at Chequers today
| POOL
Sir Keir Starmer said he and his Danish counterpart would discuss how to “take the vital steps” towards security in the Arctic, as he credited “pragmatism” for Donald Trump’s withdrawal of tariff threats.
Ahead of private talks with Mette Frederiksen at Chequers, the Prime Minister said: “We welcome you here as a friend and close ally of the United Kingdom for a very, very long time, never closer than now.
“Of course a close ally in Europe and in Nato, the single most effective military alliance the world has ever seen.
“We both share the objective of making sure Nato is strong and united. So it’s very good to welcome you here, and obviously we can talk about a number of really important issues today: Greenland, obviously, Ukraine, obviously.
“Our position on Greenland has been set out now a number of times in recent days.
“And in terms of recent developments and the withdrawal of the threat of tariffs, I see that as a reflection of pragmatism, common sense and sticking to our values and our principles.
“The hard yards now finding a better way forward on the issue that we all agree on, which is security in the Arctic, is the next chapter here, and I look forward to discussing with you how we take the vital steps down that path.”
Labour council leader loses no confidence vote over local election delays
Chris Watkins has been removed from his post following a vote of no confidence
| NUNEATON AND BEDWORTH BOROUGH COUNCIL
The leader of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council has been removed from his post following a vote of no confidence.
Councillors passed the motion against Labour Councillor Chris Watkins at an extraordinary council meeting yesterday.
It comes after Councillor Watkins voted to request elections due to be held in May be pushed back.
The now-deputy leader argued it would not be a “prudent use of resources”, the BBC reports.
Councillor Watkins has been replaced as council leader by Councillor Steve Hey.
Labour rule book exposes big hurdle Andy Burnham could face if he plans to become MP
Andy Burnham could face a big hurdle standing in the way of a potential bid for a Westminster seat.
Under the Labour Party 2026 rule book, the Greater Manchester mayor would have to seek express permission by the National Executive Committee before seeking nomination.
The committee is chaired by Shabana Mahmood and lead by Sir Keir Starmer.
The rule book states: “Directly Elected Mayors and Police and Crime Commissioners must seek the express permission of the NEC/SEC/WEC (as applicable) before seeking nomination as Labour candidates for the Westminster Parliament.
“The NEC/SEC/WEC’s decision shall be final.”
