Gorton and Denton by-election LIVE: Nigel Farage raises ‘deeply concerning’ voting claim

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.”

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.