Gorton and Denton result live : Labour , Greens and Reform wait to see who has clinched vital by - election win

independent.co.uk · Feb 27, 2026 · Collected from GDELT

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LiveupdatedThe Labour Party has appeared to concede the Gorton and Denton by-election, while the Green Party was confident of a victory as counting was underway in the crucial by-election. The party's deputy leader, Lucy Powell, said the Greens “have managed to win that argument that they were best placed” to keep Reform UK out of the Manchester Central constituency.Zack Polanski’s party said “things are feeling positive”, while Labour sources suggested the Greens “have been able to turn out support” in the contest, widely seen as a major test of Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership.However, with the vote a three-way race between Reform, Labour and the Tories, it is expected to be extremely tight when results are declared from 4am.Despite Labour having won the seat at the 2024 general election with more than 50 per cent of the vote, Sir Keir’s party is currently the third favourite amid a surge in support for Mr Polanski’s party on the left and the march of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK on the right.If the Greens win tonight, it would be the party’s first-ever victory in a parliamentary by-election, with a party source predicting a “seismic moment” in UK politics.Alisha Rahaman Sarkar27 February 2026 03:05Breaking: Labour admits defeat in Gorton and DentonThe Labour Party has admitted defeat in the Gorton and Denton by-election, amid speculation that the Greens may have won.In a damning admission at around 3am, the party's deputy leader, Lucy Powell, said the Greens “have managed to win that argument that they were best placed” to keep Reform UK out of Gorton and Denton.It came after Zack Polanski’s party said “things are feeling positive” for the Greens in the Labour stronghold. Alisha Rahaman Sarkar27 February 2026 02:55Analysis: What would a Green victory mean for Sir Keir Starmer?While it is too early to call the result in a race that is expected to be extremely tight, the Green Party appears to be confident in tonight's by-election, with a party source predicting a “seismic moment” in UK politics.If the Greens win tonight, it would be the party’s first-ever victory in a parliamentary by-election.A Labour defeat in the party’s long-time stronghold would be a major blow to Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership, which has been the subject of speculation for months amid devastating approval ratings and questions over the direction of government.The party has sought to pitch itself as the only option for anti-Reform voters, but a loss would undermine that claim in future elections. Instead, it would boost the Greens’ credibility on that front and chip away at Labour's ailing support base even further. Millie Cooke in Manchester27 February 2026 02:48Greens confident as counting underway in Gorton and DentonThe Greens appeared confident that they were in the lead as counting was underway in the Gorton and Denton by-election.A Labour defeat in the party's long-time stronghold in Gorton and Denton would be a major blow to Sir Keir Starmer's leadership.Labour sought to pitch itself as the only option for anti-Reform voters, but a loss would undermine that claim in future elections and instead boost the Greens' credibility on that front.A Green Party source said, "Things are feeling positive."Whatever happens, I think it's fair to say that Greens are here to stay now as a progressive voice in British politics."I think it's a seismic moment in British politics where Greens are showing that they're a party that can protect the country from the threat of Reform, and that Labour's not up to the job."Labour sources sounded more downbeat, telling the Press Association: "Early signs at the count indicate the Greens have been able to turn out support in a way they wouldn't be able to replicate at a general election."Labour Party chairwoman Anna Turley earlier said she was "really optimistic" about Labour's chances, but cautioned: "Of course incumbent government always find it difficult to fight by-elections." Alisha Rahaman Sarkar27 February 2026 02:39Labour expresses concerns over voting in by-electionLabour want the authorities to look into claims of high levels of “family voting” in the Gorton and Denton by-election, with the party’s chairwoman describing the findings as “very concerning”.Anna Turley was among the political leaders to react to a report by election observer group Democracy Volunteers that claimed to have witnessed the illegal practice in 68 per cent of 22 polling stations monitored.“Family voting” – where two voters either confer, collude or direct each other on voting – was made illegal by the Ballot Secrecy Act 2023.More here.Alisha Rahaman Sarkar27 February 2026 02:20Alisha Rahaman Sarkar27 February 2026 02:20Labour MP says Starmer 'must own this catastophe'A Labour MP has told Sky News that Sir Keir Starmer “must own this catastrophe" as the Greens appear to edge ahead in Gorton and Denton by-election.The MP, who was not named by the broadcaster, said: "We can’t out right wing Reform whilst at the same time try out left winging the Greens. Labour should perhaps just be Labour."Truth is McSweeney forced Starmer into the room with the NEC to block the most popular Labour politician in England in Andy Burnham. That showed weakness not strength."Keir has got away, for too long, with saying he hadn’t been involved when decisions taken have gone wrong. This time he, Keir, must own this catastrophe."The Greens with a foothold in Manchester is nothing less than a disaster for the Party. We can fight Reform on policy but we cannot appear more progressive than the Greens. Not under this leadership." Alisha Rahaman Sarkar27 February 2026 02:15Labour MP from Rusholme confident of party win in Gorton and DentonAfzal Khan, the Labour MP for the neighbouring Rusholme constituency in Manchester, appeared confident as he arrived at the by-election count.Mr Khan said he was encouraged by the number of people he had seen going to the polls and his party's "ground" operation to get out the vote.He said: "People are coming out to vote. Despite the rain, fasting and everything. I think they're coming out."Earlier in the day, Labour said they had 1,000 activists out in the constituency.Mr Khan said: "Probably a record number. I've never seen so many in 25 years."Asked how he felt the vote would go for Labour, he replied: "I think we should..." nodded and smiled.He added: "Let me go in there once, and then I'll have a better idea. Thank you." Alisha Rahaman Sarkar27 February 2026 02:10Counting underway for Gorton and Denton by-election Party observers watch as votes are counted for the Gorton and Denton by-election at Manchester Central (Peter Byrne/PA) (PA Wire)Ballot boxes begin arriving before votes are counted for the Gorton and Denton by-election at Manchester Central (Peter Byrne/PA) (PA Wire)Alisha Rahaman Sarkar27 February 2026 02:00What is family voting?“Family voting” is where two voters either confer, collude or direct each other on voting. It was made illegal by the Ballot Secrecy Act 2023 as part of an attempt to prevent electoral coercion, and polling stations typically have signage to discourage the practice.But Democracy Volunteers, an elections monitoring group which raised concerns over high levels of family voting at the Gorton and Denton by-election, said they found these signs at just 45 per cent of polling stations they observed. The organisation said it attended 22 of the 45 polling stations in the constituency, spending 30 to 45 minutes in each, and witnessed family voting in 15 of the 22 polling stations observed.Millie Cooke in Manchester27 February 2026 01:59