Nigel Farage, the Leader of Reform UK, has visited Gorton and Denton following the announcement of Matt Goodwin of their candidate for the upcoming by-election.
It follows a week of rumour and speculation about who will stand in the by-election, as well as Andy Burnham being blocked by Labour’s NEC from running.
Speaking to reporters earlier today, Farage said that Burnham would be the Anti-Starmer vote, adding that Reform’s chances have “improved 1000 fold”
Goodwin was announced to be the candidate by Lee Anderson on Tuesday 27th January.
Farage also said that Goodwin would prioritise and stand up for local people, with Goodwin adding that someone in the constituency had “lived there for 34 years, and no one had ever knocked on her door” and that people would start paying attention to the local area with a Reform MP.
In response to Roch Valley Radio’s Adam Clark, Farage revealed that 60 people applied to be the Reform UK candidate.
Goodwin has received endorsements from Tommy Robinson, which Labour have said is reason enough to vote for them
Tommy Robinson has endorsed Reform’s candidate in Gorton and Denton.
— Labour Press (@labourpress) January 30, 2026
Only a vote for Labour can stop him. pic.twitter.com/zs0T4fH01x
The by-election will take place on Thursday, 26th February 2026.
Listen to the full answer from Nigel Farage to our reporter Adam Clark:
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