With less than a week to go until the Gorton and Denton by-election on February 26, campaign activity is reaching a fever pitch as candidates jostle for votes.
Though the constituency is seen as a three-way fight between Labour, the Green Party and Reform UK, a total of 11 hopefuls are standing in the hope of replacing shamed former MP Andrew Gwynne.
And to help voters make an informed choice at the ballot box, the Manchester Evening News has approached all 11 – from the Liberal Democrats to the Monster Raving Loony Party – and asked them the same four questions about what they’d do for the constituency.
Each candidate was asked to respond in no more than 100 words, setting out their biggest priority for Gorton and Denton, what policy area they’d be focused on and how they’d help put more money in people’s pockets.
Read more: The Gorton and Denton by-election is everything wrong with modern politics
We’ve published the results in full below. For each question the candidates’ responses are given in alphabetical order by surname.
Question one: What’s the biggest priority for Gorton and Denton voters right now – and how would you help address it as MP?
Nick Buckley, Advance UK:
“Crime. Our streets are not safe. Parents are worried that their sons may be stabbed to death. Our daughters are being sexually assaulted in record numbers. Shoplifting, burglary and other crimes seem to be semi-legal. I have over 20 years of experience fighting crime and have advised Prime Ministers. We need to remind the police that they are public servants, so I will hold monthly public meetings with senior police officers so the public can hold them accountable. OUR priorities need to be their priorities. No more pink and fluffy policing.”
Nick Buckley of Advance UK
Charlotte Cadden, Conservatives:
“Crime and anti-social behaviour. I’ve been in the police for 30 years. I’ve seen it all. And too many families in Gorton and Denton feel unsafe on their own streets. It’s kids in balaclavas on stolen bikes. It’s phones being stolen in the park. I’ll work with Police to make them visible on our streets. But more than that. We’ll also confront the most serious crimes. Survivors of grooming gangs deserve justice. I’ll push for the full statutory inquiry and ensure victims, especially women and girls, are finally put first.”
Dan Clarke, Libertarian Party:
“What constituents have been telling me is that fly tipping, living standards, employment, housing and investment. I will work with the council, the metro mayor and private enterprises to tackle these issues and bring in investment. If I’m elected MP in areas that have high concentration of fly tipping, I will pay for skips to be placed out of my MP’s salary.”
Matt Goodwin, Reform UK:
“The people of Gorton and Denton have been badly neglected by Labour for decades. My priority is to give them a big, loud voice in Westminster and, more than anything, tackle the cost of living and the rise in anti-social behaviour. I was speaking to a pensioner in Denton the other day whose streetlights weren’t working and there were gangs of kids at the end of the road. You could smell drugs in the air. We need to clamp down on this. I will push for a zero tolerance approach to anti-social behaviour. Just think what the Greens would do to this area by legalising all drugs and imposing a reckless policy of open borders. Do the people of Gorton and Denton really want that?”
Sebastian Moore, Social Democratic Party:
“A lot of people have told me that they feel this area has been forgotten about. Manchester has been growing economically but that can’t be seen in Gorton and Denton. As your MP, I will fight for your future and that of our children and our communities. We need to rebuild the country and that can start right here. That future can’t be imposed top down but needs to be built on the skills and experience of local people which I will harness as an MP truly engaged with my voters.”
Joseph O’Meachair, Rejoin EU:
“The key priorities for voters are the cost-of-living crisis inextricably linked to Brexit and an inter-linked combination of long-term social deprivation in much of the constituency, a change in population make-up, a lack of local opportunity, anti-social behaviour and drug-related crime. These issues come up again and again on the doorstep and often seem to roll into one giant problem that undermines the quality of life for everyone in the area. Our response is to highlight the advantages of restoring EU membership, particularly for places like Gorton & Denton, where we could well use the economic boost, extra regional funding and expertise that rejoining would bring.”
Jackie Pearcey, Liberal Democrats:
“The cost of living crisis. Liberal Democrats have a plan to cut energy bills in half, and we would cut VAT for hospitality businesses, including pubs and cafes to support local jobs and boost the shopping areas.”
Jackie Pearcey (Lib Dems) Gorton and Denton by-election hustings at the Manchester Evening News offices, Hollinwood Avenue , Oldham . 12 February 2026
Sir Oink A-Lot, Official Monster Raving Loony Party:
“I believe the biggest concern to local residents is Trump’s attempted take over of Iceland’s packing factory in Gorton. I am the only candidate raising this issue on behalf of local residents.”
Hannah Spencer, Green Party:
“We’ve had nearly 20,000 conversations with voters across Gorton and Denton over the last few weeks, and it’s clear that what people want above all else is to be able to trust their politicians. From day one I will work to gain, and retain, the trust of the people in Gorton and Denton. That means listening, it means being available, and it means not taking you for granted. I got into politics to make sure everyone has a politician fighting their corner. Life’s hard these days – as your MP I’ll fight to make it easier.”
Angeliki Stogia, Labour:
“Voters need to be listened to. They need to be able to trust that their MP is someone who understands this area and will fight for them in parliament. They do not deserve to feel threatened and torn apart by Reform’s dangerous and divisive narrative. Nor do they deserve to be misled by dodgy bar charts and empty promises from the Greens. I love this community and know we are stronger united. I will stand up for what’s right. The choice is clear, policy over populism, action over aggression, unity over division.”
Labour by-election candidate Angeliki Stogia.
Picture Jason Roberts / Manchester Evening News
Hugo Wils, Communist League:
“Across the world we can see more wars, the threat of World War Three is real. It’s because the capitalist ruling classes in each country fight amongst themselves for resources, investment markets and spheres of influence. Working people want peace. As Communist League MP I’d demand: “US hands off Cuba! End UK complicity in trying to strangle Cuba’s socialist revolution.” I’d also call for immediate withdrawal of US/UK troops and bases out of the Middle East. To get lasting peace workers must take state political power out of the hands of the capitalist warmakers country by country, including the UK.”
Question two: Gorton and Denton is ranked as the 26th most deprived constituency in the country. As voters struggle with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, what needs to happen to put more money in local people’s pockets?
Nick Buckley, Advance UK:
“The cost-of-living crisis has been inflicted upon us by our governments and their policies. We need to remove these policies to ensure we have cheap energy, less regulation, less taxation, and less government interference. We have had decades of governments that have prioritised EVERYTHING apart from us and what we want. I will fight against the implementation of Net Zero or any other eco-green lunacy. I will fight to keep more of the money you earn in your pocket – it belongs to you. No more pink and fluffy policies.”
Charlotte Cadden, Conservatives:
“There’s no silver bullet or quick fix. The route out of poverty is being given more opportunities to find and get a good job. Bring back high-quality apprenticeships so young people can learn a skill and a trade. Let’s get a proper rail service from Denton station so people can get to work. And support the regeneration of Gorton and Levenshulme, to bring in new businesses and more people. Bring down business rates to help shops take on staff. And not reject employers, like Rolls Royce coming to Tameside as the council did. I’ll back workers and businesses.”
Dan Clarke, Libertarian Party:
“A large part of the deprivation in the constituency has been caused by Labour’s dominance over the last 90 years. It clearly proves Labour and the left have failed working people. I believe as a Libertarian that decreasing taxation across the board, reducing red tape, will leave more money in people’s pockets, companies will be better positioned to employ more people. Labour has done nothing, I will bring in investment.”
Matt Goodwin, Reform UK:
“We will slash net zero to bring down your energy bills. We will dramatically reduce the amount of money we are spending on foreign aid. It is unfair that the British people are being asked to be treated in hospital car parks and corridors whilst we are spending £13 billion on overseas aid. We will slash welfare benefits for those who are not British and redirect that money into front line public services. We will also turbocharge our many small and family businesses by slashing tax, unnecessary regulation and the National Insurance hike so they can hire more people and get moving again.”
Matt Goodwin (Reform UK) Gorton and Denton by-election hustings at the Manchester Evening News offices, Hollinwood Avenue, Oldham. 12 February 2026
Sebastian Moore, Social Democratic Party:
“Costs are spiralling and wages stagnating. The common solution to both these problems is cheap, reliable and abundant energy. That would mean warm homes, cheaper food prices and affordable travel costs. And British businesses would again be able to compete on the world stage producing high quality goods, providing meaningful jobs and paying wages high enough to raise a family. Energy abundance needs a big political shift away from our current net zero approach that simply exports jobs and emissions without affecting climate change. It needs investment in nuclear and in our own gas, oil and coal.”
Joseph O’Meachair, Rejoin EU:
“The UK needs to rejoin the EU to take advantage of the increased tax revenue and economic growth that would provide. However, it’s not just more money in people’s pockets that matters; it’s the value of that money and the quality of goods and services it can buy. Britain under post-Brexit governments appears to be in a rush to degrade the high standards of food and welfare we achieved as members of the EU. Without the need to adhere to them, businesses may try to increase profit margins by decreasing quality. When we rejoin the EU, we must use its regional-development and social-cohesion funds to help Gorton & Denton and other deprived communities and give opportunity and hope.”
Joseph O’Meachair, Rejoin EU
Jackie Pearcey, Liberal Democrats:
“More jobs. We need to grow our economy, including by repairing our trade with Europe, which is crippling many local businesses with red tape and costing jobs.”
Sir Oink A-Lot, Official Monster Raving Loony Party:
“I think to help with the cost of living crises I would create a national piggy bank for extra weekly spends.”
Hannah Spencer, Green Party:
“As your MP I’ll never stop fighting to tackle inequality. We’re not a poor city or a poor country, we’ve just been treated poorly. I’ll fight for a tax on the super-rich to fund our public services; for rent controls to tackle greedy landlords so our money can go into our high street rather than paying off someone else’s mortgage; for our energy and water companies to be brought back into public hands, and our homes to be properly insulated to bring down the cost of our bills. I’ll never stop shouting for an NHS that is free and accessible to everyone; free eyecare, free prescriptions; free dentistry; free hearing aids.”
Green Party’s Gorton and Denton by-election Candidate Hannah Spencer makes a speech on January 30, 2026 in Stockport. (Photo by Ryan Jenkinson/Getty Images)
Angeliki Stogia, Labour:
“There’s no question that people here in Gorton and Denton were failed under the Conservatives. Since being in power, this Labour Government has tackled the cost-of-living head on. We’ve taken £150 off energy bills, increased the National Living Wage, frozen rail fares, frozen prescription fees and lifted half a million children out of poverty. These are unbelievable achievements after 14 years of Tory austerity and decline. But there is so much more to do and I will be fighting to make sure Gorton and Denton feels every penny that this Government is working to put back in working people’s pockets.”
Hugo Wils, Communist League:
“I began my campaign joining fellow members of Unite: the Birmingham refuse strikers, on their picket line. They set an example for all working people of the fighting road we need. Our unions must break from focusing on parliamentary parties that claim they can fix capitalism, and rely on the solidarity and power of our class. Trade unions should fight for a programme of public works to provide jobs and build the houses, roads and other infrastructure that people living in the area need. We must also fight through our unions for automatic inflation-matching wage increases.”
Question three: If elected as MP, which of these policy areas would you spend most of your time and energy on – immigration, the state of public services, foreign policy or climate action? Or something else?
Nick Buckley, Advance UK:
“I would not spend one second on Climate Action. My priority would be the state of our public services. They are failing and do not deliver to an acceptable level. The more money we spend, the worse they become. I will hold the council to account by creating a reporting hotline for people to report waste and incompetence. They are wasting billions of our money, and no one even complains any longer – I will complain. I will embarrass the council to such an extent that they have to change.”
Charlotte Cadden, Conservatives:
“Restoring trust in public services. People feel like they’re kept out of healthcare from their GP or the NHS when they need it. That the government won’t stand up for their rights, especially those of women and girls. That Police are going after the wrong people. I spent three decades with Greater Manchester Police. So I’ve seen what’s happened in our services. And maintaining trust and standards matters. I’ll make streets safer. Get the government to back women and girls with single-sex spaces in hospitals and changing rooms. And work with GPs to get more appointments for people who need them.”
Charlotte Cadden (Conservative and Unionist Party) Gorton and Denton by-election hustings at the Manchester Evening News offices, Hollinwood Avenue, Oldham. 12 February 2026
Dan Clarke, Libertarian Party:
“My main focus if elected as MP will be to constituents. I will do everything within my capacity as MP on how I can reduce people’s taxes thus putting more money in people’s pockets, how to improve public services while getting value for taxpayers. I will push government to remove the Green Levies from energy companies that are increasing people’s bills. By removing the Green levies it will reduce people’s annual fuel bill by an average £150 per year.”
Matt Goodwin, Reform UK:
“We need to tackle illegal immigration. There are at least 20 HMOs in Gorton and Denton housing illegal migrants, funded by hard working taxpayers – and they have come hand in hand with anti-social behaviour that makes residents of the constituency fearful, especially at night. On the doorstep, pensioners have told me how vulnerable they feel and parents are rightly worried for their children. Labour have failed the British people and the people of Gorton and Denton and the Greens can only offer up a reckless policy of open borders. Only Reform will put this constituency first.”
Sebastian Moore, Social Democratic Party:
“I want to use my time as an MP arguing for changes that will make the biggest difference for the people in Denton and Gorton: cheap energy, housing and rebuilding our communities. Investing in housing needs a complete rethink – how do we train our people in the crafts needed to build well, how do we design new towns that support communities. And crucially, we can’t leave house building to the private sector – Government needs to take the lead. Rebuilding communities means ending mass immigration and learning how to unite our communities with the same common interest of a better future.”
Joseph O’Meachair, Rejoin EU:
“As you might expect, my energies will be directed to reversing the disastrous decline in our standard of life, our international standing and our general prosperity through opening accession talks with the EU. In accession talks, both sides have a vested interest in it working well; the current government’s attempt to re-negotiate trade deals outside the Union will always put us at odds with Europe, which is a vastly greater economy than ours. The Dublin convention, which we left with Brexit, solves the small-boat problem overnight by returning migrants to the first country they entered in Europe.”
Jackie Pearcey, Liberal Democrats:
“Initially, public services, especially the NHS. I will oppose the damaging pharma deal with the USA, which is a ‘Trump tax’ on our NHS, that will ramp up the cost of drugs and cost the NHS over a billion. I will work to help better integrate the NHS and social care, so that people can live with dignity in their homes.”
Sir Oink A-Lot, Official Monster Raving Loony Party:
“The policy I would devote my energies to would be the restoration of the pig iron industry.”
Sir Oink A-Lot, Official Monster Raving Loony Party
Hannah Spencer, Green Party:
“My number one priority as your MP will always be to tackle inequality. We can’t do that without addressing the climate crisis, our failing public services, disastrous foreign policy, and unfair immigration system. All of these areas are interlinked. We can have a tax system that serves the working class instead of the super-rich and corporate interests. We can stop spending billions on wars overseas, allow people seeking asylum to work, and lower bills by insulating our homes and nationalising our energy companies. We can build a better, fairer world; we just need the political bravery to do so.”
Angeliki Stogia, Labour:
“All of these issues are important and need our time and energy. But what I am hearing speaking to people across Gorton and Denton is real concerns about accessing GP and dentist appointments, fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour and the cost-of-living. That is why I’ve already written to Wes Streeting calling for more investment to improve our local NHS provision. It is why I will push for tougher penalties for those caught fly-tipping and why I will fight for a free breakfast club in every school in Gorton and Denton so families can have more money in their pockets.”
Hugo Wils, Communist League:
“I have and will continue to join with steps by unions including RMT, Unison and PCS to protest against deporting fellow workers whose visas will not be renewed because they earn less than Labour’s newly-raised salary thresholds. The Communist League calls for an amnesty of immigrant workers here, so that all workers can unite and fight together – without fear – for the conditions we need. I have joined rallies against Jew hatred from the 7 October 2023 Hamas/Iran pogrom to the Heaton Park synagogue killings. Jew hatred aims to blind working people to our class enemy: the capitalist rulers.”
Question four: What’s the one thing that people in the Gorton and Denton constituency should be most proud of?
Nick Buckley, Advance UK:
“Pride in their country. My family and friends in the area have been persecuted, insulted and disrespected for decades by governments, the establishment and those who think they are better than us. We have not had it easy, but we have endured. We remain patriotic for we know better days are coming, and like the phoenix, we shall rise again once more. A fire burns deep within all English men and women – it may be dampened down with tyranny, but it can never be extinguished.”
Charlotte Cadden, Conservatives:
“The resilience and strength of this community. Gorton and Denton families work hard, look out for one another, and they stand up for themselves. Labour neglected our communities for years. They promised the world with one hand, and with the other were texting hateful messages about residents. People here care about their home and community. And they want an MP who’ll stand up for them. Not another Labour politician. Or a TV presenter from London. Or the other one who said she was ‘glad she left’ this community. I’ll stand up for people across Gorton and Denton.”
Dan Clarke, Libertarian Party
Dan Clarke, Libertarian Party:
“People of Gorton and Denton can be proud of the strong sense of community in the constituency.”
Matt Goodwin, Reform UK:
“In every conversation I’ve had on the doorstep, I’m told the same thing. Keir Starmer’s Labour have taken them for granted. They have been ignored and neglected. Worse, they have even been laughed at behind their backs in WhatsApp groups. However, this has not diminished or reduced the strong sense of pride and community spirit of the decent, hard-working law-abiding majority here. They stand up for themselves and each other in their communities. I am in awe of the fact that they have never stopped fighting for what is best for this local area and if elected, I will always be here standing with them doing the same.”
Sebastian Moore, Social Democratic Party:
“Gorton and Denton has a proud history of making hats and building locomotives but we need to imagine a new future. That will take hard work; I know it’s possible with the spirit and dignity of our local people. One example is the rescue of Gorton Monastery. Like many places in the UK, it fell into neglect but it wasn’t written off, it was restored because people here believed it was worth saving. That belief needs to power the building of new industries and a new future we can take pride in.”
Sebastian Moore, Social Democratic Party
Joseph O’Meachair, Rejoin EU:
“The people of Gorton & Denton should be most proud of the way that, despite the economic and social devastation brought about through Brexit, they have remained warm and welcoming, decent and tolerant. That hasn’t been easy, especially as the social divisiveness caused by Brexit has eaten into the fabric of our lives. Most people want to help their neighbours. And despite the closing-off of opportunities, most people retain a firm hope in this country. We’re the only party that calls for full, immediate negotiations to re-enter the EU. That, and a certain local football team.”
Jackie Pearcey, Liberal Democrats:
“Gorton and Denton have a proud industrial past, places like Beyer Peacock and Gorton Tank built engines which powered the world. Presently, it is an area where people have a strong sense of community and work together to resolve issues.”
Sir Oink A-Lot, Official Monster Raving Loony Party:
“The people of Gorton and Denton should be proud of their shrewd judge of character. They will know on the day who is throwing pork barrels and has their snouts in troughs versus a true pig of iron willing to stand up for the good people of the area.”
Hannah Spencer, Green Party:
“The people in Gorton and Denton should be proud of how much we care about each other. Whether you moved here yesterday or have lived here all your life like me, everyone is welcome. Manchester is a place where we’re proud of ourselves and our neighbours and we’re proud to muck in and look out for one another. No matter what divisive extremists in other political parties might try to tell us, the diversity and spirit of Greater Manchester should be celebrated.”
Angeliki Stogia, Labour:
“People in Gorton and Denton should be so proud of their diversity, inclusivity and sense of community. When I came to Manchester 30 years ago, I was welcomed with open arms and the last 12 years as a Manchester City Councillor has made me so proud to have delivered real change for the community that I love. This is a special place that is steeped in multiculturalism and understanding of one another. Reform has no place here and I will fight to keep them out and to deliver the very best for the people of Gorton and Denton.”
Hugo Wils, Communist League:
“Working-class people in Gorton and Denton should be proud of their fighting history going back over 100 years and gain confidence from it for the future. Standing up against Andrew Gwynne’s class contempt for them, they are showing that old party loyalties are over. Many will look for a lesser evil, but in reality, the ‘promises’ to fix capitalism are not convincing. The Militant newspaper, that I write for and distribute, describes increasing openness to considering that the road working people must take is a struggle in our millions to overturn capitalist rule and building a party to lead that.”
Hugo Wils, Communist League