Voters in Gorton and Denton went to the polls today for a pivotal by-election that could significantly impact the political landscape. Labour's Angeliki Stogia is contending against Reform's Matt Goodwin, who is supported by controversial far-right figure Tommy Robinson, with Green Party candidates also in the mix. Labour is aiming to maintain its grip on the Greater Manchester seat, which it has held for nearly a century, and has set ambitious targets for voter outreach on polling day, hoping to replicate their previous successful results from 2024.

As the competition unfolds, concerns have been raised regarding illegal family voting practices at polling stations, where multiple voters share booths, sometimes leading to coercion. Observers from Democracy Volunteers UK reported observing a notable number of family voting incidents, indicating potential issues with the integrity of the electoral process. This situation adds a layer of tension to an already close race, raising questions about the overall fairness of the elections.

Results from the Greater Manchester by-election are anticipated to be announced in the early hours of Friday. Given the historical significance of this seat for Labour and the growing competition from Reform and the Greens, this by-election is being closely monitored as a bellwether for future electoral trends in the UK, particularly ahead of the next general elections.