Gorton and Denton by-election result LIVE: Starmer humiliated by Green by-election victory

Shadow Local Government Secretary James Cleverly has written to the Electoral Commission requesting an inquiry into claims of family voting in the Gorton and Denton by-election.

Another Labour MP has slammed the result. Imran Hussain said it was “an absolute disaster for Labour” and took aim at Sir Keir Starmer.

He adds: The blame lies squarely with a leadership that put narrow factional interests first. Coming third in a heartland seat is on them – no excuses.”

Nigel Farage said Reform UK has reported cases of “family voting” in the Gorton and Denton by-election to the police and Electoral Commission.

He said: “Reform has today reported the many cases of ‘family voting’ to the Electoral Commission and the police.

“What was witnessed yesterday is deeply concerning and raises serious questions about the integrity of the democratic process in predominantly Muslim areas.

“If this is what was happening at polling stations just imagine the potential for coercion with postal votes.

“If action isn’t taken now, then we will ensure it is after the next general election.”

In a post on X, Reform MP Suella Braverman said: “Sectarian politics is ripping our country apart. If people don’t wake up to this now we will lose all that is good about Britain.

“Reform UK came a good second place in a Labour safe seat. Matt and the team ran a professional and energetic campaign. If we can beat Labour here, we can beat them anywhere and we will.

“Our electoral system is at a tipping point. First it was postal votes, and now it’s en-block family voting through the subjugation of women. It goes against the democratic foundations of this country, which have been built over nearly 1,000 years.”

Sir Keir Starmer is not having a good year, mired in scandal and now having faced a drubbing at the ballot box with the Green Party snatching a seat that historically has always been Labour.

Starting out the year struggling to stave of accusations of U-turns, and then running headlong into the Lord Mandelson scandal, Sir Keir’s year is going from bad to worse.

And his troubles are far from over, as a weakened Prime Minister is bound to face further challenges, here’s five the embattled PM could be up against sooner than he thinks.

Dale Vince, a Labour donor and founder of Ecotricity, urged Labour to learn the lessons of the by-election.

He said: “This was a protest vote – a message for Labour. I hope they have their ears on. It was also a rejection of Reform, again. Despite the opinion polls, when it comes to the crunch people just don’t want Reform. And how ironic for Farage to complain that the Greens ran a divisive campaign – that’s Reform’s entire way of doing politics.”

Downing Street said “the law is the law” when asked about “family voting” in the Gorton and Denton by-election.

Asked if the Prime Minister had concerns about the allegations, a No 10 spokesman said: “The law is the law, and it’s essential that electors can cast their votes in secret without any risk of coercion.

“Obviously, if anyone has witnessed coercion, they should discuss that matter with their local elections team or the police.”

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said the result of the Gorton and Denton by-election “shows Keir Starmer’s premiership is finished” in a statement posted on X.

Sir Keir Starmer admitted Labour’s loss in the Gorton and Denton by-election was a “very disappointing result” but vowed to “keep on fighting”.

Asked if he had considered resigning, the Prime Minister said: “It’s a very disappointing result.

“Incumbent governments quite often get results like that mid-term, but I do understand that voters are frustrated. They’re impatient for change.”

“And I came into politics late in life, as it happens, to fight for change for those people who need it, the people who need an NHS that works for them, to be able to get a doctor’s appointment when they need it, to get the money they need in their pockets to pay their bills and to have a decent and better life.

“And I will keep on fighting for those people for as long as I’ve got breath in my body.

“I will also fight against the extremes in politics on the right and the left parties who want to tear our country apart.”

Green Party leader Zack Polanski claimed his party’s win in the Gorton and Denton by-election was an “existential crisis” for Labour.

Speaking at a press conference with new MP Hannah Spencer, he said: “This is an existential crisis for the Labour Party.

“No longer can they try and scare people into saying they have to vote for something because they’re worried about the least-worst option.

“A vote for the Greens is a vote both to stop Reform, to stop Labour and for something hopeful and a plan.”

New Green MP Hannah Spencer accused other parties of “dog-whistling campaigning” in the Gorton and Denton by-election.

Speaking at a victory press conference, she said: “I don’t want to dwell on it for too long, but I have been appalled at some of the divisive, dog-whistling campaigning from other parties.

“I know in my heart, and everyone knows here, everybody here belongs.

“Everybody deserves to have their needs met. Everyone deserves a voice in our democracy.”

She said the constituency had “rejected hate” with the election result and that her victory showed there is “there is no longer any such thing as a safe seat, and there is no part of the country where the Green Party cannot win”.

Robert Jenrick said the Gorton and Denton by-election “should be a wake-up call” as he warned of “sectarianism”.

He wrote on X: “South Asian men instructing women how to vote at polling stations in modern Britain. The winning party campaigning under a foreign flag and in foreign languages to exploit a foreign conflict.

“Depresssingly I can only see this appalling level of sectarianism spreading because most of our political class are in denial.”

A man has been arrested after the statue of Sir Winston Churchill in Westminster was defaced with graffiti branding the former prime minister a “Zionist war criminal”.

The Metropolitan Police said the 38-year-old was arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated criminal damage this morning.

Other phrases sprayed in red paint on the bronze sculpture in Parliament Square included “Stop the Genocide”, “Free Palestine”, “Never again is Now” and “Globalise the Intifada”.

Keir Starmer’s party suffered a “catastrophic” loss in the Gorton and Denton by-election, according to Labour MP Karl Turner.

He said: “Having the Greens in Manchester is the worst result we could have expected.”

And he’s right that Labour should be terrified of the Greens – a party that can appeal to left-wing voters who feel Sir Keir has let them down. The Greens are even predicting that, based on the by-election vote, they could win 100 seats in a general election.

But it’s not just the Greens who can celebrate today. Nigel Farage’s Reform UK can also be pleased with the result, even though they came second. Gorton and Denton was once a safe Labour seat, where the party won 50.8% of the vote in 2024. Reform were second in the election, with just 14.1%. But in this week’s by-election, Labour were pushed into third place, behind Reform and the Greens.

Read the full analysis here

Angela Rayner said the Gorton and Denton by-election loss “must be a wake-up call” in a post on X.

The general secretary of the Labour-affiliated TSSA union has demanded Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation.

Maryam Eslamdoust said: “It’s clear that the disastrous lurch to the right under Keir Starmer is haemorrhaging Labour votes to the Greens.

“There’s an urgent need for a change in leadership and Keir must announce his departure immediately.

“However, a simple change in leader will not be enough. Labour must rediscover its radical soul and start to deliver for the British public by extending public ownership of key industries like water, energy, and mail, as well as substantially increasing the minimum wage for all workers.”

A Labour-affiliated union warned “the game will be up” for Sir Keir Starmer if he does not “change course immediately” ahead of May’s local elections.

Fire Brigades Union general secretary Steve Wright said: “Labour’s entire strategy of framing politics as ‘it’s us v Reform’ is in tatters after its very first electoral test.

“That approach was rooted in a Cabinet pursuing a politically rightward agenda and telling voters they only needed to be marginally less bad than the alternative. That has now been exposed as a fundamentally flawed and unserious strategy.

“The party’s traditional core vote is collapsing before our eyes. This result represents a halving of the vote compared to 2024. That should set alarm bells ringing across the labour movement.

“If the Government does not change course immediately, it will face heavy losses in the May elections, and at that point, the political consequences for Keir Starmer will become unavoidable. The game will be up unless there is a decisive shift in direction.”

The Electoral Commission have encouraged those who believe any offences took place in the Gorton and Denton by-election to report it to the police, after allegations of family voting were made.

A spokesperson said: “We are aware of the report. Electoral offences are a matter for the police. We encourage anyone who believes an offence has occurred to report it to the police.

“The statutory electoral observer Code of Practice says that electoral observers may bring potential irregularities, fraud or significant problems to the attention of elected officials on the spot. We provide advice and guidance to Returning Officers which supports their training of electoral staff and is available to staff in polling stations to guide decision making on polling day.”

Zack Polanski has blasted Nigel Farage saying he is a “sore loser” who has “just lost an election badly”.

Speaking to Sky News the Green Party leader slammed the Reform UK leader suggesting that the election had seen sectarian voting and “cheating”.

Manchester City Council have said they do not believe irregularities took place.

Britain has lost the war on drugs the leader of the Green Party has claimed. Zack Polanski, speaking to Sky News, defended his party’s policy to decriminalise all drugs saying “we need to regulate and control drugs”.

He added: “Right now the UK has the highest death rate for drugs in the entirety of Europe.” Mt Polanski said the “war on drugs has failed” and that was “pushing drugs into back alleys and street corners” as he urged a public health approach.

The Green Party leader claimed that Portugal, a country which pursued legalisation, had largely been a success.

The Mainstream Labour group, which is backed by Andy Burnham, said it was a “catastrophic error” to block the Greater Manchester Mayor from standing in Gorton and Denton.

It said in a statement: “The Gorton and Denton result is an absolute disaster for Labour. Clearly, we now risk no longer being seen as the natural home for progressive voters.

“This loss was avoidable. Angeliki, members and our party staff worked tirelessly, but our leader and sections of the NEC blocked the one candidate who could have won it for us. That decision now looks like a catastrophic error.

“We need an immediate and fundamental reset now.”

Family voting is a practice in which two voters confer, collude or instruct each other on voting. It is a breach of the Ballot Secrecy Act and people found guilty can be jailed for up to six months.

It has been claimed by observers that they saw family voting taking place in the Gorton and Denton by-election which Nigel Farage said “raises serious questions about the integrity of the democratic process in predominantly Muslim areas”.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “If Labour needed any further wake-up calls – this is clearly one. Labour need to now ditch the gimmicks and get back to being Labour – not new, not one that plays games, but real Labour.

“Workers and families are hurting. We have a cost of living crisis largely being ignored and investment in jobs for the here-and-now being blocked by a Treasury that doesn’t seem to understand the basics of what is needed to build Britain.

“Stop listening your rich mates and start listening to everyday people.”

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said it had been a “difficult and disappointing night” for Labour but insisted people should not “over-interpret” the result of the Gorton and Denton by-election.

Ms Alexander told Times Radio: “There is not a direct read-across from what happens in by-elections, where there are some quite unique dynamics at play, and then what happens in a general election

“And whilst people in Gorton and Denton yesterday may have voted for a Green Member of Parliament, that doesn’t then mean that a majority of people in this country want to vote for Zack Polanski to be their prime minister, or for that matter, for Nigel Farage to be their prime minister.”

She blamed the loss on people being “impatient for change” and not yet feeling the effects of Labour’s long-term strategy.

The Green Party winning the Gorton and Denton by-election is “catastrophic” and “couldn’t be any worse” for Labour, an MP has said.

Labour MP Karl Turner told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Well it’s catastrophic, isn’t it? I mean, that’s the truth. It couldn’t be any worse.

“Having the Greens in Manchester is the worst result we could have expected or we wanted, frankly.

“But you know, the reality is, Burnham was blocked. He shouldn’t have been, in my view.”

Mr Turner blamed “unpopular” policies for Labour coming third in the Greater Manchester constituency.

He said: “This is the stuff on Gaza and Palestine and a build-up of policy which is unpopular.

“And frankly the fact that Andy Burnham was blocked, who was the candidate who gave us our best chance, that’s why we are where we.”

Pollster Professor Sir John Curtice said that “nervousness” about Sir Keir Starmer will be “heightened” after Labour’s defeat in the Gorton and Denton by-election.

The polling expert told BBC Breakfast: “There are two big messages that come out of this. The first, of course, the most immediate, is that the nervousness that already existed inside the Labor Party about Keir Starmer’s ability to turn around his party’s electoral fortunes, that nervousness is now going to be heightened.”

Referring to the local elections in May, he continued: “Not that there will be any move against the Prime Minister before May the 7th, but his chances of surviving after May the 7th if the results are bad, have, I think, been diminished.

“The second major key point is that this result raises further questions about the future of what was once a dominance of British politics by Conservative and Labour.

“We have now had two by-elections this Parliament – one by Reform, one by the Greens – and we are seeing increasingly evidence that voters are willing to vote for parties other than the conventional, traditional parties of British politics.”

The Tories are “dead in the water” but Reform Chairman David Bull says it’s “complete nonsense” that Nigel Farage’s Party has lost momentum.

Speaking to GB News he said the party represents the “alarm clock generations” – “hard working British people”, and said the country was in a “serious mess”.

Reform UK Chairman David Bull has said the party faces a “learning curve” after failing to win the by-election in Gorton & Denton. Speaking to GB News he said that he was nonetheless “delighted” by what he called the “professionalisation of the party”.

He praised his candidate, Matt Goodwin, saying he had been out “out every single day in all weathers […] I don’t think any other candidate could have done any better.”

Reform UK will consider reporting the Gorton and Denton election to the authorities, their party chairman has said.

David Bull, the party chairman, said on GB News that they would “consider” the move after allegations of family voting were made by observers.

He urged “clear heads” would be needed, and would not commit to reporting the Green Party to the electoral commission immediately.

The Green Party said Nigel Farage’s claims of “sectarian voting and cheating” were an “attempt to undermine the democratic result” in the Gorton and Denton by-election.

A Greens spokesperson said: “This is an attempt to undermine the democratic result and is straight out of the Trump playbook.

“We’ve just won a historic by-election by a comfortable margin.

“We’ve shown the country that Greens can beat Reform, despite their big business donations.”

Richard Burgon, the secretary of the Socialist Campaign Group of backbench Labour MPs, blamed Sir Keir Starmer for the Gorton and Denton by-election defeat.

Former Cabinet minister Nadhim Zahawi called for the Electoral Commission to investigate the result of the Gorton and Denton by-election.

Election observer group Democracy Volunteers warned it had witnessed “concerningly high levels” of family voting – an illegal practice where two voters use one polling booth and potentially direct each other on voting.

Mr Zahawi, who has now joined Reform UK, told Sky News: “It clearly is serious enough for them to have put out a statement at one minute past 10, as soon as the polling stations closed.”

British politics has been turned on its head, yet again. The unthinkable has become reality. The Green Party’s stunning victory in the Gorton and Denton by-election is truly a seismic event.

Not only is it the first time the party has won one, Hannah Spencer becomes their fifth MP in parliament and their first in the North of England. The Greens have been surfing on a wave of popularity that has seen its leader, Zack Polanski, surging in the polls.

Aside from saving the planet, the Green manifesto is a treasure trove of policies ranging from the ambitious to the somewhat bizarre, most notably – legalising Heroin. They are well and truly on a high today.

But what does their victory mean for their rivals? Reform UK’s Matthew Goodwin came second while Sir Keir Starmer suffered fresh humiliation with Labour struggling in third place.

Read the full analysis here

The Greens predicted they could win more than a hundred seats at the next general election after Hannah Spencer took 40.7% of the vote in Gorton and Denton, with a swing of 27.5%.

Party leader Zack Polanski said: “If we see a swing like this at the next general election, there will be a tidal wave of new Green MPs.

“When I was elected Leader of the Greens I said we were here to replace Labour and I meant it.

“Hannah was a fantastic candidate and I know she’ll make a brilliant MP.”

Hannah Spencer hailed her victory in the Gorton and Denton by-election.

She said: “I didn’t grow up wanting to be a politician. I am a plumber.

“I am no different to every single person here in this constituency. I work hard. That is what we do.

“Except things have changed a lot over the last few decades, because working hard used to get me something.

“It got you a house, a nice life, holidays, it got you somewhere.

“But now, working hard, what does that get you?”

“Because life has changed. Instead of working for a nice life, we’re working to line the pockets of billionaires. We are being bled dry.

“People in their thousands told me, on the doorstep and at the ballot box, that what we are sick of is being let down and looked down on.

“That we are sick of our hard work making other people rich.”

She also took aim at her election rivals, adding: “I won’t accept this victory tonight without calling out politicians and divisive figures who constantly scapegoat and blame our communities for all the problems in society.

“My Muslim friends and neighbours are just like me, human.”

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage posted on X: “This election was a victory for sectarian voting and cheating. Matt Goodwin was a great candidate for us.

“Roll on the elections on May 7th. It will be goodbye Starmer and goodbye to the Tory party.”

Reform UK’s candidate Matt Goodwin posted on X: “We are losing our country. A dangerous Muslim sectarianism has emerged.

“We have only one general election left to save Britain. Vote Reform every chance you get. I will continue the fight. I will always fight for you. I will stand at the next general election. Matt.”

Anna Turley MP, Chair of the Labour Party, responding to the Gorton and Denton by-election result, said: “This result is clearly disappointing. By-elections are normally difficult for the party of government, and this election was no different.

“We have had thousands of conversations over the last few weeks and we know the majority of voters here did not want the poisonous politics of Nigel Farage and Reform.

“We will continue to deliver a programme for government that tackles the cost of living crisis families are facing, creates opportunities for young people and invests in our public services.

“The politics of anger and easy answers offered by the Greens and Reform won’t deliver this.

“We will move forwards with a relentless focus on delivering the renewal communities across Britain want to see.”

A Conservative Party Spokesman said: “Keir Starmer has killed the Labour Party. In losing one of Labour’s safest seats, in a constituency that has returned Labour MPs for almost a century, Starmer has shown he no longer commands the support of Labour voters and is now a lame duck leader.

 “This result shows the Labour government now lacks any support in the country and has no mandate for the terrible policies it is pursuing – increasing the benefits bill, raising taxes, weakening our borders and the Armed Forces.”

GRN: 14,980 (+10,170)

REF: 10,578 (+5,436)

LAB: 9,364 (-9,191)

CON: 706 (-2,182)

LD: 653 (-746)

Hannah Spencer, the expected winner, has been surrounded by a scrum of media upon arriving at the count.

Labour candidate Angeliki Stogia arrived at the count earlier, escorted by Lucy Powell, the deputy leader of the party.

They stood, along with other glum-looking Labour activists, arms folded, in one corner of the room, expecting to be defeated.

Masses of press stood at the other end of the room are awaiting the arrival of the Green Party candidate Hannah Spencer.

The count is waiting on the Green’s candidate (and expected winner) Hannah Spencer to arrive at the count.

Other MP hopefuls have already arrived at Manchester Central to hear the results.

Reform UK’s Matt Goodwin has just arrived at the count ahead of the winner being announced.

Photographers have begun gathering aroud the main stage in the counting hall ahed of an expected announcement about the winner.

Thankfully, it looked there’s no recount on the cards!

I spoke to Sir Oink-a-lot, the candidate in the Gorton and Denton by-election for the official Monster Raving Loony Party, a bit before 3am.

See our chat below.

Polling expert Martin Baxter issued a bombshell historic prediction on the night of the huge Gorton and Denton by-election.

In an interview with GB News, the founder of Electoral Calculus explained how his latest “poll-of-polls” national voter intention data showed how for the first time there was a percentage chance of a Green Party leader, in this case hard-left firebrand Zack Polanski, of becoming the Prime Minister of Great Britain.

Read the full piece here.

The Greens “have managed to win that argument that they were best placed” to keep Reform UK out of Gorton and Denton, Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell has admitted.

The loss of the once-safe Greater Manchester constituency would renew speculation about the Prime Minister’s position, which has come under pressure from the Lord Peter Mandelson scandal, a slew of departures from No 10 and Labour’s plummeting popularity.

Labour lost the only other Westminster by-election since the 2024 general election, in Runcorn and Helsby, to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK last May.

Gorton and Denton was seen as a tight race between Reform’s Matt Goodwin, Labour and the Greens.

Turnout on Thursday was 47.6%, broadly in line with the 47.8% recorded in 2024.

The contest was triggered by former Labour MP Andrew Gwynne standing down for health reasons.

A Green source said: “We’ve said from the start that we weren’t here to be disappointed with Labour but to replace them, and from day one of this by-election, we’ve said only Greens could beat Reform.

“The Greens are now the only party that can protect this country from the dangerous threat of Reform. Labour has shown it is not up to the job.

“We need to wait for the results to come in but whatever happens, it’s fair to say Greens are here to stay as the progressive voice of British politics.”

The turnout at the Gorton and Denton by-election is 47.62% – this means 36,902 votes were cast on Thursday.

This is similar to the 47.8 at the 2024 general election.

Afzal Khan, the Labour MP for the neighbouring Rusholme constituency in Manchester, appeared confident as he arrived at the by-election count.

Mr Khan said he was encouraged by the number of people he had seen going to the polls and his party’s ‘ground’ operation to get out the vote.

He said: “People are coming out to vote. Despite the rain, fasting and everything. I think they’re coming out.”

Earlier today, Labour said they had 1,000 activists out in the constituency.

Mr Khan said: “Probably a record number. I’ve never seen so many in 25 years.”

Asked how he felt the vote would go for Labour, he replied: “I think we should…” nodded and smiled.

He added: “Let me go in there once, and then I’ll have a better idea. Thank you.”

However, a member of the Green Party at the count said it was still too early to tell how the count was looking, as votes are still being verified, then a turnout will be announced before actual counting of votes begin.

An announcement on the turnout is expected imminently.

A Labour source says: “Early signs at the count indicate the Greens have been able to turn out support in a way they wouldn’t be able to replicate at a General Election.”

It is nearly three hours into the Gorton and Denton by-election count.

We should find out voter turnout soon, before an expected result declaration after 4am.

John Ault, director of Democracy Volunteers, which raised concerns over “high levels of family voting” in the Gorton and Denton by-election”, has responded to Manchester City Council, which said no issues were reported on Thursday, and it was “extremely disappointing” the group “waited until after polls have closed to make such claims”.

He told the Press Association: “It is a normal international standard not to issue a comment until after a voting has finished, another accepted aspect of election observation is that you are encouraged to ask questions of staff.

“This we did in a number of polling stations when the relevant presiding officer was available.

“Obviously they can be very busy so we don’t seek to interrupt their work.

“We posed questions about family voting in several polling stations and how staff dealt with it when it arose.”

A Green Party source has said they feel “bold and confident” about the Gorton and Denton by-election vote.

Labour Party Chair Anna Turley has called reports of family voting in the Gorton and Denton by-election “extremely worrying and concerning”.

Ms Turley said: “It’s obviously extremely worrying and concerning. That’s not what we want to see in our democracy.

“So obviously we need to see the evidence and the report, and then make due decision about what authorities should look into this. But of course it’s worrying to hear that, but we want to see the evidence before proceeding.”

Asked if he would like to see the issue referred to authorities, Green Party leader Zack Polanski told Newsnight: “I think it’s important that there’s full transparency about the democratic process, and if the recommendation is that there should be an inquiry or further steps then yes I’d support that.”

Reform UK Chair David Bull told Newsnight: “Electoral fraud is a stain on democracy. We would support reporting it and making sure that it’s done in the spirit and fairness with the law.”

More than a thousand Labour activists were out across Gorton and Denton and spoke to more voters than on any by-election polling day previously, party sources said.

The sources said Labour had “a very impressive polling day today”.

They added: “We’ve spoken to more voters today than we have done any previous by-election polling day.

“But it’s fair to say that we do think it’s going to be very close.”

Statement from Matt Goodwin, Reform UK candidate: “Given the reports we are reading in UK media about family voting and sectarianism, I am deeply concerned about the extent to which the Gorton and Denton parliamentary by-election is a free, fair, and democratic election.”

I’m Steph Spyro, the Express’s Deputy Political Editor manning our coverage of the by-election from the count in Manchester Central.

Now for the update you’ve ALL been waiting for…I am happy to confirm we are one hour in and the milk chocolate Digestives have come out!

My first cup of tea has also be consumed…not that I’m counting.

Party observers watch as votes are counted for the Gorton and Denton by-election at Manchester Central.

A spokesperson for the Acting Returning Officer said: “Polling station staff are trained to look out for any evidence of undue influence on voters. No such issues have been reported today.

“If Democracy Volunteers were so concerned about alleged issues they could and should have raised them with us during polling hours so that immediate action could be taken. We have operated a central by-election hub which was has been rapidly responding to reported issues during the day, in liaison with the police – who had a presence at every polling station – where necessary.

“It is extremely disappointing that Democracy Volunteers have waited until after polls have closed to make such claims.”

The Greens said they gave Labour “the scare of their lives” in Gorton and Denton as they expressed confidence that “the Green vote has held up well”.

A source from Zack Polanski’s party said: “We feel like we’ve thrown everything at this election. We’ve given it our all.

“I think at the very least we can say we’ve given Labour the scare of their lives in what not so long ago was considered one of their safest seats in the country.”

They added: “I think it’s fair to say that we’re feeling quite confident that despite Labour’s we feel really pretty dirty tactics through the campaign and despite this very well funded Reform machine, but we’ve seen today that the Green vote has held up well.”

Nigel Farage said a report of high levels of family voting in the Gorton and Denton by-election “raises serious questions about the integrity of the democratic process in predominantly Muslim areas”.

Family voting is an illegal practice where two voters either confer, collude or direct each other on voting and can involve husbands telling their wives how to vote.

“This is deeply concerning and raises serious questions about the integrity of the democratic process in predominantly Muslim areas.”

More boxes are being carried into the count as ballots come in from across the Gorton and Denton constituency.

Volunteers are positioned across the hall in Manchester Central ready to count the votes.

We are not expecting a vote to be declared until 4am.

Volunteers who assess voting behaviour have warned of “concerningly high” levels of family voting in crunch by-election.

Democracy Volunteers deployed four accredited election observers across the Gorton and Denton Westminster Parliamentary By-election today.

The observer team saw family voting in 15 of the 22 polling stations observed, some 32 cases in total. There were nine cases in one polling station alone. The team observed a sample of 545 voters casting their vote – meaning 12% of those voters observed either caused or were affected by family voting.

John Ault, Director of Democracy Volunteers said: “Today we have seen concerningly high levels of family voting in Gorton and Denton. Based on our assessment of today’s observations, we have seen the highest levels of family voting at any election in our 10 year history of observing elections in the UK.’

“We rarely issue a report on the night of an election, but the data we have collected today on family voting, when compared to other recent by-elections, is extremely high.’

:In the other recent Westminster parliamentary by-election in Runcorn and Helsby we saw family voting in 12% of polling stations, affecting 1% of voters. In Gorton and Denton, we observed family voting in 68% of polling stations, affecting 12% of those voters observed.”

Ballot boxes begin arriving before votes are counted for the Gorton and Denton by-election at Manchester Central.

The by-election was triggered by the resignation of former MP Andrew Gwynne who cited health reasons for his decision.

Zack Polanski has said he is “confident but not complacent” about the Gorton and Denton by-election.

He arrived at the count in Manchester momenta before polls across the constituency closed on Thursday night.

This by-election is seen as a major test for Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership – with it currently being a three-horse race between Reform, the Greens and Labour.

Andrew Western MP, Labour’s political lead for the Gorton and Denton by-election, said: “Angeliki Stogia and our fantastic Labour team have run a positive, local campaign focused on bringing communities together in Manchester and Tameside, firmly rejecting the toxic politics of Reform’s Matthew Goodwin.

“By-elections are always difficult for incumbent governments and this one has been no different. The politics of anger and easy answers offered by Reform and the Greens won’t deliver the change communities want to see on the cost of living, or on fixing our NHS.

“Labour will always choose unity over division and the Labour Government will continue working every day to cut the cost of living, drive down NHS waiting lists and deliver renewal in our communities.”

Polls have closed in the Gorton and Denton by-election.

The count hall is starting to fill up with Green leader Zack Polanksi about to give broadcast interviews.

An expert has warned Rachel Reeves that her policies will push more firms under and mean Labour will struggle to meet a crucial target.

Steven Mulholland, CEO of the Construction Plant-hire Association, highlighted that his sector accounts for more insolvencies than any other, and “this is not a blip – it is a warning light flashing red”.

Read the full exclusive interview here.

Jeremy Corbyn has won control of his new party’s leadership committee following a contest with fellow ex-Labour MP Zarah Sultana.

Supporters of the former Labour leader won 14 of the 24 seats on Your Party’s central executive committee (CEC), double the seven seats won by Ms Sultana’s backers.

Your Party’s adoption of a collective leadership model last year had been seen as a victory for Ms Sultana, with Mr Corbyn preferring a single leader.

But Thursday’s results mean Mr Corbyn is now likely to be named as the party’s parliamentary leader as it seeks to move on from the infighting that has plagued its foundation.

Mr Corbyn said party members had backed “a mass, socialist party that takes the fight to Starmer and Farage”.

Sir Keir Starmer has said the UK is focused on on “supporting the political process” between Washington and Tehran.

It comes amid tensions over the use of UK airbases for potential strikes on Iran.

The Government is understood to be blocking Donald Trump’s request to use the Diego Garcia base in the Chagos Islands in the event that he decides to launch a military campaign against Iran, due to concerns it would breach international law.

The US President has threatened to attack the Islamic Republic if no deal on its nuclear programme is reached.

The Prime Minister emphasised the UK’s support for diplomatic efforts in a Thursday call with Saudi leader Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

A Downing Street spokesperson said: “On Iran, the Prime Minister emphasised the UK’s focus remains on supporting the political process ongoing between the US and Iran.

“He added that Iran must never be able to develop a nuclear weapon and security in the region must be a priority.”

Iran and the US have held hours of indirect negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear programme but walked away without a deal, leaving the danger of another Middle East war on the table.

Oman’s foreign minister Badr al-Busaidi, who mediated the talks in Geneva, said there had been “significant progress in the negotiation” without elaborating.

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said the indirect talks had been “one of our most intense and longest rounds of negotiations”.

But just before the talks ended, Iranian state television reported that Tehran was determined to continue enriching uranium, rejected proposals to transfer it abroad and sought the lifting of international sanctions, indicating it was not prepared to meet Donald Trump’s demands.

The Government has “now confirmed in writing” that the Prime Minister will not be able to overrule which documents relating to the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson as US ambassador are made public, Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee has said.

The Government would be in the running for a gold medal if kicking the can down the road was an Olympic sport, Parliament has heard amid frustration over a delay in introducing new guidance on transgender people’s use of single-sex spaces following a landmark legal judgment.

Education Secretary and women’s minister Bridget Phillipson has “dithered”, the House of Lords was told as thousands of organisations wait “desperately” for updated advice to ensure they comply with the law.

Raising the issue at Westminster, Liberal Democrat Lord Strasburger said: “By law, the Secretary of State has only two choices – to either lay the code before Parliament or send it back to the EHRC.

“She has dithered for five months over this binary decision about 11 pages that are at issue.”

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) could make youth unemployment “much worse”, a top Government adviser has warned after the number of jobless young people edged closer to one million.

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed the number of young people not in employment, education or training (Neet) had risen to 957,000 in the three months from October to December last year.

It represents an increase from 946,000 in the previous quarter and means around 12.8% of those aged 16 to 24 were classed as Neets.

Former health secretary Alan Milburn, who is conducting a review of the causes of youth unemployment, said the picture could get worse if AI brings about the drastic reduction in graduate jobs that some have predicted.

Speaking to Times Radio, he said part of the cause of rising Neet numbers was that sectors that previously gave people their first jobs, such as hospitality, had seen a sharp fall in vacancies along with a “dramatic” decline in graduate vacancies.

Asked about the possible impact of AI, Mr Milburn said: “It could certainly make it much worse, that is absolutely true.”

Responding to the latest wave of cross-Channel crossings, Chris Philp, Shadow Home Secretary, said: “Yesterday alone 605 illegal immigrants crossed the channel. Illegal Channel migrants are mostly young men and they are not fleeing war – France is safe.

“None of Shabana Mahmood and Keir Starmer’s gimmicks have worked. The gangs have not been smashed and Labour is allowing 94 per cent of illegal Channel immigrants to stay – usually in hotels costing billions. Labour has no control of the border.

“We need to leave the ECHR which will enable us to deport illegal immigrants within a week of arrival. Then the crossings would stop. But Labour is too weak to do this.”

Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: “The Greens have been long-time favourites to win the Gorton and Denton by-election and with the polls open today, we’ve seen Hannah Spencer shorten into 8/15 from 4/6 to win the North West constituency.

“The Green Party account for almost half of all bets we have taken on the market, which includes a four-figure bet at 4/6 last night.

“In contrast, Reform have been on the drift since polling opened, and are now out at 12/5 from 15/8 to claim the seat, but a win for Matt Goodwin would still be our worst result from a trading perspective.

“Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to Gorton and Denton on Tuesday appeared to have bolstered Labour’s chances of retaining the seat – they moved into 4/1 from 13/2 yesterday – but that confidence seems to have evaporated, with Angeliki Stogia now out at 5/1 to win most votes.”

More than 600 migrants crossed the Channel on small boats yesterday – the most arrivals on a single day so far this year.

Some 605 people made the perilous journey from France in 10 boats.

It brings the total number of arrivals this year to 2,209, 7% higher than this time last year.

Lord Peter Mandelson has been pictured outside his house following his arrest on Monday on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The former Labour grandee, who has been accused of passing sensitive information on to Jeffrey Epstein during his time as business secretary, denies any wrongdoing and has apologised for his relationship with the paedophile financier.

The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford warned Labour is struggling to cut the number of people the Home Office is supporting.

Researchers warned the spiralling appeals backlog is hitting Labour’s bid to close asylum hotels.

They addded: “People awaiting an appeal are not liable for removal, and receive housing from the Home Office if they are destitute.”

Dr Peter Walsh, senior researcher at the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford said: “Refused applications will inevitably lead to tens of thousands more appeals, adding significant pressure to the already very stretched tribunals system.

“Hotel accommodation is unpopular all round: it is expensive for the UK taxpayer and not suitable for long-term living. However, the government has struggled to expand capacity in other types of accommodations, such as disused military sites or dispersed houses of multiple occupancy. It is also struggling to reduce the number of people in the asylum system, because asylum applications remain unusually high and because of the appeals backlog.”

Nigel Farage took to X as voters went to the polls in the Gorton and Denton by-election.

The Home Office said a staggering 100,625 claimed asylum in the year to December 2025, down from the previous 12 months.

Of the protection claims, 41,262 arrived on a small boat.

Eritreans, Afghans, Iranians, Sudanese and Somalis accounted for almost three-fifths of all small boat arrivals.

Another 11,190 entered the country illegally, either by lorry, in a shipping container or with fake documents.

And 39% of all asylum claims (39,095) came from foreign nationals who entered the UK on a work, study or visitor visa.

Of the 39,095 claimants, 12,578 held a study visa, 13,557 arrived on a work visa, 7,521 used a visitor visa and 5,439 held other forms of leave.

One in 10 asylum seekers was from Pakistan, with 10,638 in total. Most sought protection after arriving on a visa.

They were followed by Eritreans (8,948) and Iranians (7,419).

A record number of people claimed asylum after arriving in the UK on a work visa, bombshell figures show.

Some 100,625 people sought refuge in the UK in 2025, which is down from 104,764 in 2024.

But Home Office records show an increase in claims from Channel migrants, with 41,262 applying last year, up from the previous high of 41,233 in 2022.

And the number of migrants living in houses, flats and bedsits has increased as Labour scrambles to close hotels.

Analysis revealed 68,538 asylum seekers were living in ‘dispersal accommodation’, up from 66,232 three months ago.

The number of people in hotels has dropped from 36,273 to 30,657.

Jeremy Corbyn is set to become the leader of Your Party after his supporters secured control of the party’s leadership committee.

In a statement, the former Labour leader said: “I am delighted that members have voted for a mass, socialist party that takes the fight to Starmer and Farage.

“Now, the real work begins. We have a precious opportunity to unite our movement around a bold vision for this country – one that creates a more caring, equal and peaceful world for all. I look forward to working with all members to make this vision a reality.

“We are at a dangerous moment. The fear, divisiveness and racism of Reform should not be appeased. It must be opposed. There is only one way we will defeat them: by working together under a common cause of redistribution and peace.

“Together, we can provide hope to those who are fed up with inequality, disempowered by poverty and disgusted by war – and build a society that cares for each other and cares for all.”

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “Labour are moving illegal immigrants from asylum hotels to residential housing. There are far fewer checks and safeguards in dispersal accommodation which allows illegal immigrants to work illegally, commit more crime, and disappear into your community.

“Keir Starmer has presided over the highest number of Channel crossings of any Prime Minister on record, just yesterday 545 illegal immigrants crossed the Channel and more have crossed so far this year than last year.

“Labour only have removed 6% of small boat arrivals, Labour do not have the backbone to tackle the illegal immigration crisis. Shabana Mahmood has no control of our border, and things are getting worse.

“Only the Conservative Party have a clear plan to tackle immigration and escape this madness.”

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has visited a polling station with Labour candidate Angeliki Stogia.

Mr Burnham had been blocked from standing in the crunch by-election by Sir Keir Starmer and his allies amid fears he would pose a leadership threat.

Green Party candidate Hannah Spencer pledged to “run the far right out of Manchester, not to come back”.

She said: “The polls and independent tactical voting organisation are clear that voting Green is the only way to ensure Reform don’t win.

“We are confident and have run a fantastic campaign.”

Sir Keir Starmer attempted to win over Labour voters by portraying the by-election as a straight fight between his party and Reform.

In his final message to voters, the PM said: “The choice at today’s by-election could not be more stark. Unity or division.

“Driving down the cost of living with Labour or driving a wedge between communities under Reform. Moving forwards together, or opening up anger and division that holds our country back.

“Reform’s Matthew Goodwin thinks people who aren’t white can’t be English and wants women who choose not to have children to pay more tax.

“Vote Labour in Gorton and Denton today to send him and his toxic politics packing.”

Ahead of polls opening, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: “Our message on election day is clear.

“The Prime Minister is panicking and knows he has broken his promises to the British people.

“Vote Reform to ditch Starmer.”

Voters are taking to the polls in the crunch Gorton and Denton by-election.

Polling suggests it is a three-way race between Labour, Reform UK and the Greens despite Sir Keir Starmer’s party winning the Greater Manchester seat with a huge majority in 2024.

If Labour loses, it will pile more pressure on the embattled Prime Minister amid ongoing questions over his leadership.