Announcement Draws Crowds at Community Centre
Around midday, a large car park off the A6 in Longsight filled with supporters and media as Labour revealed its candidate for the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election. The gathering took place outside the Jain Community Centre on Stockport Road near Crowcroft Park, marking the final major party’s entry into the race set for Thursday, February 26.
The selection process followed the unsuccessful attempt by mayor Andy Burnham to run, which had generated significant attention. Speculation centered on two finalists: Eamonn O’Brien, leader of Bury Council since 2020, and Angeliki Stogia, a councillor for Manchester’s Whalley Range ward since 2012.
Party members, activists, and journalists assembled despite chilly winds, forming a semi-circle around a microphone setup. Notable figures included Ashton MP Angela Rayner entering the centre, alongside MPs such as government chief whip Jonathan Reynolds, Rusholme’s Afzal Khan, Stockport’s Navendu Mishra, and Rochdale’s Paul Waugh.
Brief disruptions occurred as vehicles needed to exit the car park, but the crowd quickly regrouped. Initial rumors suggested O’Brien as the choice, but placards soon appeared bearing Stogia’s name and the slogan ‘For Unity Not Division,’ signaling her selection.
Candidate Emerges to Cheers and Applause
Angeliki Stogia stepped out from the community centre amid cheers, accompanied by Labour’s Deputy Leader Lucy Powell and party chair Anna Turley. Turley embraced Stogia, describing the moment as an ‘amazing announcement’ and expressing delight at introducing the new candidate.
The mood shifted to determination as Turley emphasized the importance of the contest. Powell praised Stogia as a ‘local girl’ who has served the area extensively, reinforcing the party’s commitment to the fight.
Labour framed the by-election as a direct clash with Reform UK, which recently named former academic and GB News presenter Matt Goodwin as its candidate. Powell addressed the crowd, stating, ‘This is going to be a big by-election here. We have got Reform on our doorsteps thinking they can come into Manchester and Denton, and bring their divisive politics here. And we say, absolutely not, we don’t want that.’
She urged voters, ‘If you don’t want a Reform MP in this area, you have to vote Labour in this election. It’s only Labour that can win in this area. We’ve got all the councillors, we’re really strong on the ground, we’ve got a lot of support, and we have been delivering for people here in Manchester.’
Powell concluded, ‘Please, just come with us on this by-election, let’s keep Reform at the door and let’s get behind Angeliki Stogia as the Labour candidate, and win this by-election for Labour.’
Stogia’s Background and Vision
Originally from Arta, Greece, Stogia relocated to the UK in the 1990s to study European Studies and Languages at Manchester Metropolitan University. She became a naturalized British citizen and settled in Whalley Range in 2004.
As a Manchester City councillor, she has led on Transport and Environment, advocating for active travel and road adjustments during the Covid-19 pandemic, including temporary changes on Deansgate. Stogia previously ran as Labour’s North West candidate in the 2014 European elections and placed second in the 2024 general election for Chester South and Eddisbury with 32.1% of the vote.
In her speech, Stogia expressed enthusiasm: ‘I am absolutely thrilled and excited, and I want to thank everyone who came to the hustings. I am a proud Mancunian woman. I have walked the streets of this constituency. This is about Manchester. Manchester is a city united, we are rejecting division. I am so looking forward to going out on the doorstep and winning this for Labour.’
Afterward, she highlighted unity: ‘It’s very, very important to protect the division. We are a city united and every vote in this election counts so we’re going to go out and we’re going to hear from the residents and get them all out. We are all united. You can see the energy today. We are going to win this.’
Stogia positioned the race locally, critiquing Reform: ‘It is very, very important as this election is going to be played out by Nigel Farage on the national side. But what really matters, and what Reform forgets, is that this is about the people of Gorton and Denton, and their daily lives. And they are many steps removed from understanding what is going on in Manchester.’
Party Leaders Rally Supporters
Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig, who has known Stogia for over a decade, voiced support: ‘I am really pleased to have a Manchester Labour councillor standing as the candidate,’ acknowledging the challenges of by-elections but affirming readiness for the contest.
Powell noted early canvassing efforts had been positive, with thousands of doors knocked, and encouraged further outreach. Activists then divided into teams for door-to-door campaigning in nearby streets.
Opposition Parties Gear Up
Reform UK’s Matt Goodwin shared social media updates of canvassing teams on an open-top bus, pledging to ‘make history.’ Meanwhile, Green Party leader Zack Polanski and candidate Hannah Spencer mobilized hundreds of volunteers, claiming, ‘Only the Greens can stop Reform in this by-election.’
The by-election campaign is now in full swing, with all parties intensifying efforts across Gorton and Denton.
