Labour Deputy Leader Appears to Concede By-Election Defeat in Manchester
Labour's deputy leader, Lucy Powell, has seemingly acknowledged the party's loss in the Gorton and Denton by-election, a significant blow to Sir Keir Starmer's leadership. In an interview with Sky News, Powell indicated that the Greens had successfully argued they were best positioned to prevent Reform UK from gaining ground in this Manchester constituency.
Powell's Remarks on the Election Outcome
'I wanted Angeliki Stogia to be my colleague in Parliament,' Powell stated, referring to Labour's candidate. 'But I think what is really clear is that there is a big majority in this constituency that hasn't voted for Reform. And on the day the Greens have managed to win that argument that they were best placed to do that.' She added, however, that this dynamic might not fully translate to a general election scenario.
Powell emphasized that midterm by-election losses are common for governing parties, noting, 'parties of government too often lose by-elections midterm like this.' She argued that in a general election, the national choice between a Reform or Labour government would shift voter focus.
Implications for Labour and Leadership
A defeat in Gorton and Denton, a traditional Labour stronghold where the party secured over half the vote in 2024, represents a major setback for Starmer's premiership. Despite this, Powell firmly denied any leadership contest, asserting that Starmer is committed to reinforcing Labour's core values. 'We've got to, of course, take stock, as we always do, and show humility and that we are hearing what people are saying,' she remarked.
Green Party Confidence and Election Context
Meanwhile, the Greens, led by Zack Polanski, expressed optimism about their performance, with Polanski stating, 'things are feeling positive.' The mood at the count suggested a likely victory for Green candidate Hannah Spencer over Labour's Angeliki Stogia. The official result is anticipated to be announced early Friday morning.
This by-election highlights shifting political dynamics in Manchester, with the Greens capitalizing on anti-Reform sentiment to challenge Labour's dominance. As Powell conceded, the outcome underscores the need for Labour to reassess its strategy and reconnect with voters ahead of future elections.
