Denton's Discontent: A Forgotten Town's Political Shift Amid Byelection Turmoil
Residents of Denton, a town in the Tameside area of Greater Manchester, are voicing a profound sense of neglect, describing their community as "the forgotten little town." This sentiment is palpable as the 26 February byelection approaches, with Reform UK's turquoise posters dominating windows, walls, and garden posts across the area. The division within the Gorton and Denton constituency, where Labour and the Greens are locked in a tight race on one side, is creating a unique opportunity for Nigel Farage's party to capitalize on local disenchantment.
High Street Decline and Economic Struggles
Ian Singleton, a 68-year-old army veteran and former builder, has witnessed Denton's high street deteriorate over the past three decades. He laments the loss of social spaces, replaced by an abundance of hairdressers, nail shops, takeaways, and barbers. "You've only got two pubs left," he said, attributing the decline to government policies that he believes have stifled small businesses. His wife, Irene, a 66-year-old former textile worker, adds that rising costs have exacerbated the situation, making it difficult for their adult children to afford homeownership.
The economic challenges are compounded by infrastructure woes. Denton has been bypassed by Greater Manchester's Metrolink system, suffers from congested bus routes, and its railway station was recently named Britain's least-used, with just one weekly return service. Council tax increases have not translated into better services; instead, residents face reduced bin collections, pothole-ridden roads, and fly-tipped rubbish. These issues contribute to a pervasive feeling of being left behind, as one resident noted on Facebook, highlighting the absence of seasonal decorations that other towns enjoy.
Political Landscape and Reform UK's Opportunity
While the Gorton half of the constituency has experienced rapid gentrification, with median house prices in Levenshulme rising at twice Manchester's overall rate from 2013 to 2023, Denton remains starkly different. This disparity has led to a political split, with Labour and the Greens competing fiercely in Gorton, potentially leaving an opening for Reform UK's candidate, Matt Goodwin, to gather votes in Denton. Goodwin has positioned himself as a vocal advocate for residents, promising to address their neglected concerns.
Ian Singleton, once a staunch Labour supporter, now feels the party has turned its back on working-class people. However, he expresses discomfort with the nationalist sentiment sometimes associated with Reform UK, noting that St George's flags displayed in the area can be linked to racism. Another anonymous resident supports Reform primarily due to economic frustrations but admits sacrificing some beliefs, such as environmental policies and immigration stances, to back the party. He even hid his poster to avoid being labeled a bigot.
Community Tensions and Electoral Uncertainties
The Green candidate, Hannah Spencer, challenges the notion that Reform UK has a lock on Denton's voters, emphasizing that no party can take any area for granted. She points out that assuming white working-class communities will automatically support Reform is a mistake. Meanwhile, in Manchester, Reform UK flags have sparked tensions, with some residents in Levenshulme expressing hostility online, arguing that such symbols make people feel unsafe.
Despite this, gentrification in areas like Levenshulme has pushed some toward Reform UK, with one resident criticizing newcomers as "weirdo Chorlton wannabes." In local pubs, drinkers voice support for Nigel Farage, citing a need for change and frustration with what they perceive as liberal lefties. However, Robert Ford, a political science professor at the University of Manchester, notes that Reform UK faces logistical challenges in mobilizing its base, as canvassing may yield more hostility than support.
Ford suggests that Reform UK could potentially win through a divided vote if Labour and the Greens split evenly, but he cautions that predicting the outcome is nearly impossible. Ultimately, Ian Singleton views Goodwin as a potential voice for working people, hoping for political change in a town that feels increasingly isolated. As the byelection nears, Denton's fate hangs in the balance, reflecting broader national trends of political realignment and community disillusionment.
