On Air Now

After Hours

Midnight - 2:00am

Now Playing

Paul Simon

Late In The Evening

Listen Live Watch

Eamonn O'Brien confirmed as one of the final two Labour candidates in the Gorton and Denton by-election

Wednesday, 28 January 2026 16:03

By Adam Clark / Charlotte Hall, Local Democracy Reporter

Credit: David Murphy / Roch Valley Radio

Eamonn O’Brien, the leader of Bury Council, has been confirmed as one of the final two Labour candidates seeking selection for the Gorton and Denton by-election.

Whalley Range councillor Angeliki Stogia is the other remaining contender to run for MP Andrew Gwynne’s seat in the February poll. 

The shortlist was confirmed by deputy Labour leader and Manchester Central MP Lucy Powell as she visited Gorton to unveil the party’s campaign van.

Speaking outside the Gorton community hub, Powell told the Local Democracy Reporting Service:

“We’ve got two great candidates on our shortlist. We’re already getting Labour members to support them on Saturday. Both the candidates on the shortlist are Mancunians, they’re of our area, they understand the politics that we’re about here, which is welcoming, tolerant, and about delivering change. 

“We’re all coming together as a Labour family to see how we can defeat this politics of hate, who’s best placed to do that? That applies to both Angeliki and Eamonn.” 

The shortlist was whittled down from a candidates list of five, which also included Manchester councillors Rabnawaz Akbar, Abid Latif Chohan and Julie Reid.

The longlist was leaked to the press after Labour’s National Executive Committee blocked Andy Burnham’s bid to stand in the Parliamentary by-election, triggered by Andrew Gwynne’s resignation last Thursday, 11 months after the ‘Trigger Me Timbers’ WhatsApp group scandal.

Both candidates will go head-to-head in a hustings scheduled for this Saturday, with the winner set to stand at the upcoming vote on February 26th.

Candidates officially confirmed from other parties include Reform’s Matt Goodwin and the worker’s party’s Shahbaz Sarwar. 

Share

Donate to Roch Valley Radio

 

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something happening in our Borough?

Let us know by emailing newsdesk@rochvalleyradio.com

All contact will be treated in confidence.

More from Local News

Donate to Roch Valley Radio

 

Recently Played

Newsletter

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

   

Coming up next On Air

  • After Hours

    Midnight - 2:00am

    For the night owls, night workers and everyone still going while the rest of the town sleeps. Music, chat and company after dark.

  • Wide Awake Club

    2:00am - 5:00am

    For those who find themselves awake at 3am more often than they’d like. Calm music, understanding voices and quiet company.

  • Up Before the Alarm

    5:00am - 7:00am

    for early starters, commuters and anyone already on their second brew. Livelier music and new voices warming things up before breakfast.

  • Wednesday Breakfast

    7:00am - 10:00am

    getting you out of bed and to work and school with great music and headlines.

  • Business Spotlight

    10:00am - 11:00am

    Join Geoff Kirkman on The Business Spotlight show on Roch Valley Radio.

  • Community Spotlight

    11:00am - Noon

    Join Tim and Geoff on The Community Spotlight show on Roch Valley Radio is a platform for local charities and organizations to share their work with the community.

Roch Valley Radio is a not-for-profit radio station serving Bury and Rochdale including the surrounding areas on DAB, your Smart Speakers and Online.

© Copyright 2026 Roch Valley Radio CIC. Powered by Aiir.