Farage Claims Starmer ‘Panicking’ as Manchester Vote Hangs in Balance

Farage Claims Starmer ‘Panicking’ as Manchester Vote Hangs in Balance

Crunch Vote in Former Labour Stronghold

Nigel Farage has accused Prime Minister Keir Starmer of “panicking” ahead of a knife-edge by-election in Gorton and Denton that could have major consequences for Labour’s leadership.

Voters head to the polls in what was once a safe Labour seat, previously held by Andrew Gwynne with a majority of more than 13,000 in 2024. Now, polling suggests a tight three-way race between Labour, Reform UK and the Green Party of England and Wales.

Farage, rallying supporters on the eve of the vote, urged voters to “ditch Starmer,” claiming the Prime Minister knows he has broken promises and faces a public backlash.

Burnham Block Sparks Internal Labour Tensions

The contest was triggered after Gwynne quit Parliament on health grounds, following controversy over offensive WhatsApp messages that led to his dismissal as a minister.

The by-election had been seen as a potential route back to Westminster for Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham — and possibly a platform for a future leadership challenge. However, Starmer vetoed Burnham’s candidacy, a move critics say reflects nervousness within Labour’s ranks.

Some Labour MPs reportedly fear defeat could trigger renewed questions about Starmer’s leadership, while allies argue a win would vindicate his decision and provide momentum ahead of May’s local elections.

Bitter Campaign Marked by ‘Dirty Tricks’ Claims

The campaign has been overshadowed by accusations of misinformation and tactical maneuvering.

The Greens accused Labour of distributing leaflets from a supposedly fictitious tactical voting group urging voters to back Labour. Labour, in turn, accused the Greens of spreading misinformation and “dodgy bar charts.”

Labour also criticised Green campaigning on Gaza in parts of the constituency with a large Muslim population, including disputes over campaign materials referencing Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Poll Suggests Three-Way Dead Heat

An Opinium poll this week put the Greens narrowly ahead on 30 per cent, with Labour on 28 and Reform on 27 — all within the margin of error.

Green candidate Hannah Spencer has been buoyed by the numbers, raising the prospect of a shock result in a constituency long considered Labour territory.

Starmer has framed the race as a “stark” choice between Labour and Reform, warning that Farage’s party would “drive a wedge between communities.” Farage, meanwhile, is presenting the vote as a referendum on the Prime Minister’s leadership.

With predictions varying wildly and party sources admitting the result could hinge on a handful of ballots, the Manchester by-election has become a high-stakes test of Starmer’s authority — and Farage’s insurgent momentum.

SOURCE: DAILY MAIL