Politics latest: Gorton and Denton by-election anyone’s call as poll has Reform, Labour and Greens neck and neck

Labour faces double electoral threat in Thursday’s by-election LiveupdatedNewsUKUK PoliticsPolitics latest: Gorton and Denton by-election anyone’s call as poll has Reform, Labour and Greens neck and neckLabour faces double electoral threat in Thursday’s by-electionMillie Cooke Political correspondent, Tara Cobham & Maryam Zakir-HussainWednesday 25 February 2026 10:13 GMTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popoverITR: Episode 1, Starmer in troubleYour support helps us to tell the storyRead moreSupport NowFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read moreWith just one day left until voters in Gorton and Denton march down to the ballet boxes, the latest polls show a nail-bitingly close three-way fight between Labour, Reform UK and the Green party. The latest poll shows Green narrowly takes the lead with 30 per cent of voters, with Reform UK and Labour neck and neck with 28 per cent.Labour won the seat in 2024 with a majority of more than half the vote but now faces a double threat. The prime minister called the by-election a “battle of values” when he visited the constituency this week. Meanwhile, Peter Mandelson was arrested after what his lawyers insist was a “baseless” suggestion that he was planning to flee to the British Virgin Islands.The former Labour minister was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on Monday and later released on bail, following claims he had leaked sensitive government information to the paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.The former peer’s law firm said there had been an agreement with police that he would be interviewed on a voluntary basis next month, but that had been hastily overturned.RecommendedMP suggests Epstein may have influenced Andrew’s appointment as trade envoyMandelson’s lawyers say police arrest was over ‘baseless’ claim he planned to leave UKMPs must move quickly to make the Andrew files publicKey PointsGorton and Denton by-election poll has Reform, Labour and Greens neck and neckMandelson arrest sparked by ‘baseless’ claim he planned to flee to BVI, lawyers sayLord Speaker denies claim he received information relating to Mandelson's movementsStarmer to face questions in Commons for first time since Mandelson arrestEnergy secretary claims fall in price cap is because of budgetWatch: Reform UK suspend Gorton and Denton by-election campaigner after racist and sexist postsReform UK suspend Gorton and Denton by-election campaigner after racist and sexist postsMaryam Zakir-Hussain25 February 2026 10:12Gorton and Denton by-election poll has Reform, Labour and Greens neck and neckWith just one day left until voters in Gorton and Denton march down to the ballet boxes, the latest polls show a nail-bitingly close three-way fight between Labour, Reform and Green parties. The latest poll shows Green narrowly takes the lead with 30 per cent of voters, with Reform UK and Labour neck and neck with 28 per cent. Labour won the constituency’s seat in 2024 with a majority of more than half the vote, but now faces a double threat, as the prime minister called the by-election a “battle of values”. A Reform UK supporter holding a placard at the party’s Gorton and Denton by-election headquarters in Denton. (Danny Lawson/PA) (PA Wire)Maryam Zakir-Hussain25 February 2026 09:48Gordon Brown warns Nigel Farage will drag UK back into ‘Tory poverty years’Gordon Brown has warned that Reform will drag Britain back to poverty seen under previous Tory governments, ahead of a major by-election on Thursday.The former prime minister issued a stark warning over Nigel Farage’s party, claiming they would “force children back into poverty" as a result of their plan to reinstate the two child benefit cap.The two-child benefit cap, imposed by Tory former chancellor George Osborne, prevents parents from claiming benefits for any third or subsequent child born after April 2017.Our political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:Gordon Brown warns Nigel Farage will drag UK back into ‘Tory poverty years’Gordon Brown hit out at Reform’s plan to reinstate the two child benefit capMaryam Zakir-Hussain25 February 2026 09:25Trump vows to keep tariffsUS President Donald Trump has said he will con