In today’s pivotal by-election, voters are expressing uncertainty, describing the outcome as “too close to call” due to an intense three-way contest.
The election outcome in Gorton and Denton could potentially jeopardize Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership if Labour fails to maintain their historically secure seat.
Even with a significant presence from ministers, MPs, and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham in the Labour bastion, a noticeable number of voters are reportedly shifting their support to the Reform party.
There is also criticism directed towards the Green Party over their “unconventional” proposals to legalize drugs.
Kirsty Jones, a 33-year-old shopper, shared her change of heart after leaving a large Tesco in Gorton, stating, “I voted Labour last time, but now I’m casting my vote for Reform.”
She added, “They are the ones who will bring about the change this country needs.”
‘I definitely don’t want the Greens to get in after reading what they are all about.
‘They have just come across as bonkers with their idea to legalise drugs like crack cocaine.
Kirsty Jones, 33, voted Labour last time but is switching to Reform as she is put off by the Greens’ ‘bonkers’ plans to legalise drugs
Retired lorry driver Peter Myers, 75, pictured with his dog Benji, believes Reform are ‘the only ones who are going to sort out the country’
Supermarket worker Lynn Leahy, 57, still wasn’t sure who she is going to vote for as she’s ‘sick of Labour’s lies’ while the Greens are ‘a bit too out there with their plans to legalise drugs’
‘It’s crazy. But they might get a lot of support with the Muslim vote.
‘But I think Labour are just about going to win.
‘This is a Labour area after all.’
Retired hospital worker Ellen Scanlon, 68, said: ‘I have voted Labour all my life but I’m going to vote Reform now.
‘Labour isn’t the party of the working class any more.
‘Reform are the ones who stand up for people now.
‘We have too many people come here on boats now and we have open borders.’
Retired council worker Eric Knight, 72, said: ‘I really don’t know who is going to win.
‘I hope it is Labour. I have voted for them all my life and I’m not going to stop now despite Starmer.
‘But it’s going to be very close.’
Labour won Gorton and Denton in 2024 with more than half the vote, but polling suggests a tight three-way contest this time
The closely-fought contest in Greater Manchester has been beset by allegations of dirty tricks
Supermarket worker Lynn Leahy, 57, said: ‘I’m not sure who I’m going to vote for.
‘I’m not convinced by any of them and I’m sick of Labour’s lies.
‘They promise things then don’t deliver.
‘I don’t know whose going to win. The Greens seem a bit too out there with their plans to legalise drugs.
‘I mean we have enough drugs around here.
‘A lot of people seem to be going to vote for Reform.’
Retired lorry driver Peter Myers, 75, said: ‘I’m going to vote Reform.
‘They are the only ones who are going to sort out the country.
‘They are just too many migrants here and it has got worse under Starmer.’
Chef Jeremy Wells, 63, said: ‘I hope Reform don’t get in but they might as Labour seem to be in a bit of a mess.
‘I have voted Labour in the past but I’m not too keen on Starmer.
‘He has put a lot of people off.’
Bookmakers have made the Greens the favourites to win the seat, saying Labour’s chances of clinging on had ‘evaporated’.
Manchester mayor Andy Burnham – who was blocked from standing in the contest by Sir Keir – out canvassing with candidate Angeliki Stogia today
Green Party candidate Hannah Spencer is hoping to pull off a shock win today, despite alarm at her party’s hard-Left policies
Reform is also well in contention, with Nigel Farage on the streets urging people to help him ‘stop the boats’
New supporters include mother-of-two Emma Hill, 32, who said: ‘I would have voted Labour if they had allowed Andy Burnham to stand.
‘Labour would have won with him.
‘But I’m going to vote Greens now as I think they can stop Reform.’
Unemployed Claudie Miskovicova, 31, who is originally from the Czech Republic, revealed she had been bombarded by political canvassers at her home.
She said: ‘I have had 15 come to my house asking for my vote.
‘It’s crazy but it just shows how close it is.
‘But none really convinced me. I’m not sure who I’m going to vote for but certainly not Labour.
‘I voted Conservative last time but they have become a shambles like Labour.’
Bookmakers William Hill said Green candidate Hannah Spencer remained the favourite, with the odds shortening today.
‘The Green Party account for almost half of all bets we have taken on the market, which includes a four-figure bet at 4/6 last night,’ spokesman Lee Phelps said.
He said bets on Reform had been ‘on the drift since polling opened’, while confidence in Labour had ‘evaporated’, with the party’s candidate Angeliki Stogia at 5/1 to win most votes.
