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Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer addressed the House of Commons during Prime Minister’s Questions in London on February 25, 2026. — Reuters
– A recent defeat intensifies the scrutiny facing unpopular Prime Minister Starmer.
– Labour has dropped to third place in a seat once considered a safe stronghold.
– The Green Party secures its first-ever parliamentary by-election victory.
Manchester: Labour leader Keir Starmer’s party faced a humiliating loss to the Green Party in a Manchester constituency they have historically dominated for nearly a century. This upset highlights the growing instability in Britain’s traditional two-party system.
The loss of Gorton and Denton, one of Labour’s most secure seats in this key electoral contest — the first in nearly a year — adds to the mounting pressure on Starmer to justify his leadership amid ongoing political turbulence and calls for his resignation.
Hannah Spencer of the Green Party claimed victory in the vacant Gorton and Denton seat, following the resignation of longtime MP Andrew Gwynne. Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party finished second, with Labour trailing behind in third place.
Labour Party chair Anna Turley described the outcome as “disappointing.” Renowned pollster John Curtice called this result a “seismic shift,” suggesting that the trajectory of British politics is more uncertain now than at any point since World War II.
Starmer invested significant effort in this by-election, including preventing popular Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham from running and personally campaigning in the constituency — a move considered risky as British leaders typically avoid campaigning in districts where they might lose.
The defeat follows recent turmoil including some Labour MPs questioning Starmer’s leadership over his decision to appoint veteran politician Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington, despite Mandelson’s controversial connections to Jeffrey Epstein.
### Pressure Mounts on Starmer Ahead of May Elections
In the 2024 general election, Labour secured just over 50% of the vote in Gorton and Denton. However, rising unpopularity, sluggish economic growth, scandals, and policy reversals have severely eroded support for the party.
Results from Friday’s by-election saw the Green Party capture 40.7% of votes, driven by issues such as opposition to NATO and support for the legalization of recreational drugs. Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, came in second with 28.7%, while Labour garnered 25.4%.
While by-elections typically favor the governing party, Labour’s significant loss to the Greens places increased pressure on Starmer, who has dismissed calls for him to step down and insists he will continue fighting.
Insiders suggest Starmer might not face immediate repercussions unless his party performs poorly in upcoming local and regional races scheduled for May, including elections for Wales and Scotland.
### Voters Shift Political Allegiances, Fracturing Longstanding Loyalties
Gorton and Denton, which encompasses areas once home to the Gallagher brothers of Oasis fame, was part of Labour’s historic “Red Wall”—a belt of industrial districts across England once deemed unassailable. This election underscored the unpredictable nature of the current political landscape, marked by waning loyalty and rising support for outsider parties on both the right and the left.
This election marked the Green Party’s first victory in a parliamentary seat in northern England, boosting their total in the House of Commons to five out of 650 seats. Nationwide, five parties—including the Greens, Reform, and the Liberal Democrats—are polling in double digits, challenging the long-standing Labour-Conservative duopoly.
Reform UK, which has only a handful of seats, has led national polls for over a year but faces challenges in winning in diverse urban areas. Their candidate, Matt Goodwin, faced criticism for previously making controversial statements about British Muslims, stirring concerns in communities with significant Muslim populations, including Gorton and Denton. Farage criticized the election outcome, labeling it “a victory for sectarian voting and cheating,” particularly in an area with active debates around Palestinian support.
This election underscores the fluidity of national politics, with traditional loyalties continuing to fracture as new parties gain ground and voters seek alternatives beyond the established two-party system.
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