Starmer Commits to Fighting On After By-Election Loss
Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to "keep on fighting" following Labour's significant defeat to the Green Party in the Gorton and Denton by-election.
Labour, which secured the Greater Manchester seat with over 50% of the vote in 2024, was relegated to third place behind Reform UK.
The prime minister described the outcome as "disappointing" but affirmed his determination to "fight against extremes in politics" on both the left and right that "want to tear our country apart."
Green Party Celebrates Historic Victory
Green Party leader Zack Polanski stated the win demonstrated there are no longer any "no-go areas" for the party. The winning candidate, Hannah Spencer, declared "this is only the beginning."
The result, in a seat Labour has held for nearly a century, has intensified criticism of Sir Keir's leadership from Labour MPs, some of whom have called for his resignation.
This outcome adds pressure on the prime minister ahead of critical elections in May across Scotland, Wales, and several English councils.
Labour Figures React to Defeat
Former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, considered a potential leadership contender, described the result as "a wake up call" and urged the government to be "braver."
Criticism also targeted the decision by Labour's National Executive Committee to block Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, another possible leadership candidate, from contesting the seat.
This decision, supported by the prime minister, was questioned by some Labour MPs who argued Burnham's regional popularity would have improved Labour's chances.
Starmer Responds to Criticism
Sir Keir commented,
"Incumbent governments quite often get results like that mid-term, but I do understand that voters are frustrated. They're impatient for change."
When asked if he had considered stepping down, he replied,
"I came into politics late in life 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.
I will keep on fighting for those people for as long as I've got breath in my body."
Regarding the decision to block Burnham, the prime minister stated,
"We had an excellent candidate, absolutely rooted in her community."
Opposition and Party Reactions
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch declared the result "shows Keir Starmer's premiership is finished" and asserted the prime minister would resign "if he had any integrity."
The by-election was prompted by the resignation of former Labour health minister Andrew Gwynne, who was suspended from the parliamentary party a year ago over offensive WhatsApp messages.
Despite polls indicating a close contest, the Green Party won decisively with nearly 41% of the vote and a majority exceeding 4,000.
The Conservatives finished fourth with only 706 votes, marking their worst ever by-election performance.
Labour MPs Voice Concerns
Public criticism of Sir Keir has mostly come from frequent detractors within the party.
Labour MP Karl Turner described the result as "catastrophic" and attributed it to the decision to block Burnham and "unpopular" policies.
Left-wing MP Richard Burgon placed responsibility squarely on Sir Keir and his team, accusing them of prioritizing factional interests over selecting the strongest candidate.
"If Labour is to be the 'Stop Reform' party, then the leadership must stop treating progressive voters with contempt - and start appealing to them," he said.
Fellow left-wing MP Nadia Whittome called for "change at the top" and urged the party to remain true to its progressive values.
Several MPs, speaking anonymously to the BBC, suggested the prime minister should resign.
One described the result as "a punch in the face for the Labour Party and for Keir Starmer's premiership." Another commented,
"Keir must reflect on how unpopular he is with the public.
Cabinet ministers might be doing good interviews on the airwaves in tough circumstances but they're like cabin crew successfully calming passengers in a plane that's crashing.
If they manage to calm things down, the plane is still crashing. And who is in the cockpit is what matters."
Others urged caution, with one Labour MP advising against knee-jerk reactions that might alienate parts of the party's support base, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the cost of living crisis and public service improvements.
Another MP noted there was "no obvious alternative" to Sir Keir and warned that a leadership contest could be disastrous.
Green Party's Historic Gain and Future Prospects
Hannah Spencer, a plumber and Trafford councillor, becomes the Green Party's fifth MP and its first parliamentarian in northern England.
She stated the result, in what the party identified as its 127th target seat, demonstrated the Greens "can win anywhere."
Spencer described the victory as the party's first-ever Westminster by-election win and predicted further successes in upcoming English council and Welsh Senedd elections in May.
Green leader Zack Polanski characterized the result as "an existential crisis" for Labour, which had framed the by-election as a two-way contest with Reform UK but ultimately finished third.
"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," Polanski added.
Reform UK and Other Reactions
Reform UK candidate Matt Goodwin claimed his party had "embarrassed Labour in one of their strongest seats."
He described the Green victory as a "coalition of Islamists and woke progressives," signaling "the emergence of a dangerous sectarianism in British politics."
Spencer countered by asserting her party united voters around shared concerns such as the cost-of-living crisis, public services, and the war in Gaza, while accusing other parties of "divisive, dog-whistling campaigning."
Listen to Matt Chorley from 2pm on BBC Radio 5 Live
for our Politics Essential newsletter to keep up with the inner workings of Westminster and beyond.
