Nigel Farage will launch a huge campaign to defeat Labour in the upcoming Gorton & Denton by-election, Reform UK has confirmed.
The Manchester constituency, which was a once-staunch Labour seat, could soon become a three-way contest after ex-Health Minister Andrew Gwynne quit earlier today.
Despite chasing down an 18,000-vote majority, a recent More in Common poll suggested Reform UK would snatch the seat in a knife-edge race.
A spokesman for Mr Farage’s party said: “If the by-election happens, then Reform will throw everything at it.
“It’s a huge ask for anyone to beat Labour in Manchester, but we will give it our all.”
Reform needs a swing of 18.4 per cent to win the Manchester constituency, marginally higher than the 17.4 per cent required when Sarah Pochin won in Runcorn & Helsby last year.
However, Sir Keir Starmer is also facing a challenge from Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.
Mr Burnham today insisted he had been kept “in the dark” about Mr Gwynne’s decision to step down.
“I’ve had no contact on this issue with Andrew or anyone close to him,” Mr Burnham said.
“I know him of old, of course, but I’m as in the dark about this as anyone. People shouldn’t rush to conclusions.”
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister remained hesitant about who would contest the seat as Labour’s candidate, instead maintaining the process is in a “very early stage”.
Sir Keir added: “Andy Burnham is doing an excellent job as mayor of Manchester. We work very closely together.
“Last year, we were responding together to the terrible attack on a synagogue in Manchester. More recently, we were working together on Northern Powerhouse Rail.
“I think Andy would acknowledge that working with this Government has been much better than the experience he had of working with previous governments.”
