GB News Star Matt Goodwin Enters UK By-Election, Sparking Political Storm
A familiar face from British television is now stepping directly into the political arena and it is already sending shockwaves through Westminster and beyond.
Matt Goodwin, a GB News presenter and former academic, has been unveiled as Reform UK’s candidate in the Gorton and Denton by-election in Greater Manchester. It is a move that instantly raises the stakes in a seat Labour has traditionally held comfortably and one that exposes deeper tensions running through British politics right now.
The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Labour MP Andrew Gwynne for health reasons. What followed has been unusually messy. Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham had hoped to run, but Labour’s national leadership blocked his candidacy, arguing party resources should be focused elsewhere. That decision has angered dozens of Labour MPs and left the door open for challengers to define the race.
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Reform UK has moved quickly to seize that opening. By selecting Goodwin, the party is putting forward a candidate who is already well known, outspoken and deeply polarising. Goodwin presents himself as anti-establishment, someone who says he does not belong to what he calls the Westminster “blob,” and someone who claims to speak for voters who feel ignored by mainstream politics.
But his candidacy comes with heavy controversy. Critics point to past comments about British identity, immigration and Islam and argue his rhetoric risks deepening divisions in one of the most diverse constituencies in the country. Nearly half of Gorton and Denton’s residents identify as coming from minority ethnic backgrounds and more than a quarter of voters are Muslim. Opponents say this makes the choice of candidate especially provocative.
Labour figures have accused Goodwin and Reform UK of promoting politics based on anger and resentment. The Liberal Democrats and Greens have gone further, describing him as a headline-chasing activist rather than a serious local representative. The Greens, in particular, see the contest as a chance to break through in a seat unsettled by Labour’s internal disputes.
Goodwin, for his part, rejects accusations of racism or extremism. He says the election is not about race or religion, but about fairness, crime, living costs and whether the current government is truly listening to working people. He has framed the vote as a direct verdict on Prime Minister Keir Starmer, calling it a referendum on the direction of the country.
This matters well beyond one Manchester constituency. If Reform UK performs strongly, it will reinforce the party’s claim that it is becoming a serious national force. If Labour struggles, questions about leadership decisions and party unity will only grow louder.
This by-election is shaping up to be a test of identity, power and trust in modern Britain and the result could echo far beyond Gorton and Denton. Stay with us as this race unfolds and keep watching for the latest developments as voters prepare to have their say.
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