In a move that has sparked both excitement and debate, the Labour Party has chosen Angeliki Stogia as its candidate for the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election—but here’s where it gets controversial: this decision comes just a week after Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham was controversially barred from entering the race.
The by-election, scheduled for February 26th in the Greater Manchester constituency, was triggered by the resignation of former MP Andrew Gwynne, who stepped down citing health reasons. Stogia, a Manchester councillor and proud Mancunian, expressed her enthusiasm for the opportunity, stating, 'I’m thrilled and excited to start campaigning in this constituency—a place whose streets I’ve walked and whose people I deeply care about.' She emphasized her commitment to unity, fairness, and hope, positioning herself as a candidate who rejects division and champions community solidarity.
But this is the part most people miss: Stogia’s selection follows a highly debated decision by Labour’s national executive committee (NEC) to block Burnham’s candidacy. The NEC argued that allowing Burnham to run would trigger an 'unnecessary election' for the mayoralty and divert resources from other critical campaigns. However, this move has left some Labour MPs fuming, with around 50 signing a letter in protest. Burnham, who had hoped to challenge the rising influence of Reform UK, stated he simply wanted to 'defend Greater Manchester from being picked apart.' Yet, he has since accepted the decision and pledged to campaign for Labour’s victory.
Here’s where it gets even more intriguing: Stogia’s candidacy isn’t without its own backstory. She previously ran for Labour in the 2024 general election in the Chester South and Eddisbury constituency, where she was defeated by the Conservatives. Now, she steps into a race that could redefine Labour’s stance in Gorton and Denton—a constituency where Gwynne secured over half the vote in 2024, with Reform UK trailing closely behind.
As Stogia prepares to hit the campaign trail, flanked by Labour heavyweights like chairwoman Anna Turley and deputy leader Lucy Powell, she frames this election as a choice between unity and division. 'Manchester is a city united,' she declared. 'We are rejecting division.' But the question remains: Can she unite a party still grappling with internal tensions over Burnham’s exclusion? And will her message resonate in a constituency where political loyalties are increasingly fluid?
What do you think? Is the NEC’s decision to block Burnham justified, or does it undermine Labour’s chances? And can Stogia’s focus on unity bridge the divides within the party and the community? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one political race you won’t want to miss!
