Five councillors on Labour’s long list for Gorton and Denton

Tuesday, 27 January 2026 15:33

By Ethan Davies, Local Democracy Reporter

Top row: Rabnawaz Akbar, Abid Latif Chohan, Julie Reid. Bottom row: Angeliki Stogia, Eamonn O'Brien.

Five Greater Manchester councillors have been long-listed to be Labour’s candidate in the Gorton and Denton by-election, the Local Democracy Reporting Service understands.

The party’s long list has been leaked after Labour’s National Executive Committee blocked Andy Burnham’s bid to stand in the Parliamentary by-election, triggered by Andrew Gwynne’s resignation on Thursday (January 22), 11 months after the ‘Trigger Me Timbers’ WhatsApp group scandal.

The LDRS has since confirmed two names on the long list. Prospective candidates are due to be interviewed on Wednesday (January 28) before a short list is drawn up.

Those on the short list will then take part in a local party hustings on Saturday (January 31), with Gorton and Denton constituency Labour party members selecting the final candidate.

Manchester councillors Rabnawaz Akbar and Abid Latif Chohan are confirmed to be on the short list. It’s understood fellow Manchester councillors Julie Reid and Angeliki Stogia round off the list, along with Bury council leader Eamonn O’Brien.

Coun Akbar has represented the Rusholme ward, which borders the Gorton and Denton constituency, since 2018. He is a powerful town hall figure, being the executive member for finance and resources.

Coun Chohan has represented Longsight since 2018, which falls within the Gorton and Denton seat. He’s another town hall man with influence, sitting on the committee which decides major planning applications.

Coun Stogia has been a Whalley Range councillor since 2019, and previously ran for the Eddisbury seat in Cheshire in the 2024 general election. She came second by 3,000 votes to Conservative Aphra Brandreth, daughter of former Tory Chester MP and TV personality Gyles Brandreth.

Coun Reid was first elected to the Gorton and Abbey Hey ward in 2018. Like Coun Akbar, she sits in the town hall’s executive, holding the early years, children and young people portfolio since 2024. Previously, she was the children’s scrutiny committee chair.

The only non-Manchester councillor on Labour’s shortlist is Bury council leader Eamon O’Brien, the LDRS understands. Born and raised in Prestwich, where he represents, he became council leader in May 2020.

Coun O’Brien also holds several high-profile roles at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), serving as lead on technical education and skills, and the clean air brief.

Some see Coun O’Brien as a likely successor to Andy Burnham when his time as mayor ends, but he will likely face stiff competition from Manchester council leader Bev Craig and Salford mayor Paul Dennett.

The LDRS contacted every long-listed candidate for comment.

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