Reform MP Lee Anderson has faced ridicule from Labour after making a spectacular blunder at the start of campaigning for a crucial by-election, posting pictures from the wrong constituency.
A crucial by-election battle
Voters in Gorton & Denton will go to the polls on February 26 to decide who will replace former MP Andrew Gwynne, who stepped down on health grounds last week. According to bookmakers, the race is shaping up to be a tight contest between Reform UK – who came second in the seat during the 2024 general election – and the surging Green Party under new leader Zack Polanski.
The campaign launch controversy
As campaigning kicked off last weekend, Anderson posted three photos on social media platform X, showing him with a crowd of campaigners outside Stanley House Function Rooms. He captioned the images: ‘Gorton & Denton. A cold but productive day in what will be a hotly contested seat.’
However, Stanley House Function Rooms are not actually located within the Gorton & Denton constituency boundaries. The venue sits just across the boundary in the neighbouring Ashton-under-Lyne constituency, which is represented by former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.
Political reactions and rebuttals
Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Rayner criticised Anderson's geographical error, stating: ‘Local residents in Gorton & Denton deserve a local MP who is focused on delivering on local residents’ priorities like tackling the cost of living.’
She added pointedly: ‘That’s what Labour will be speaking to voters about every day on streets across Gorton & Denton while [Reform leader Nigel] Farage gets round to finally learning how to use Google Maps and actually work out where they live.’
Anderson later pushed back strongly against suggestions he didn't know where he was when posting the pictures, describing such claims as ‘absolute rubbish’.
Writing on X, he explained: ‘Over 100 volunteers turned up to campaign in the constituency. A Labour constituency that has had no representation in Parliament for nearly a year. Our volunteers came from far and wide and a location with a big enough car park to accommodate our volunteers was chosen just outside the constituency.’
He continued: ‘All volunteers then left to campaign in the constituency. There is nothing to see here other than desperation from a desperate party.’ In a final jab, Anderson added: ‘Angela doesn’t even know which house she lives in.’
Labour's challenges in holding the seat
Labour faces a difficult battle to retain the seat it won at the 2024 election, despite the controversy surrounding Anderson's campaign launch. Former MP Andrew Gwynne was suspended from the party last year over offensive WhatsApp messages, creating additional complications for Labour's campaign.
On Sunday, the party's ruling committee confirmed it would not allow Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to stand as a candidate – despite some viewing him as Labour's best chance of securing victory in the by-election.
The Gorton & Denton by-election represents a significant test for all parties involved, with Reform UK seeking to capitalise on their strong 2024 performance and Labour attempting to defend a seat amid internal challenges. The geographical blunder has provided early drama in what promises to be a closely watched political contest.
