Labour Faces Backlash for Distributing Controversial Leaflet Claiming Tactical Voting Group Support During Gorton and Denton By-Election in Greater Manchester

Labour has found itself in hot water just hours before a crucial by-election in the Greater Manchester constituency of Gorton and Denton.

Voters reported receiving a leaflet claiming to come from a company called “Tactical Choice”, which urged residents to vote strategically for Labour candidate Angeliki Stogia.

The problem? No such company appears to exist, raising questions about the party’s tactics in an already tense contest.

The Context Behind the By-Election

This by-election was triggered last February when Labour MP Andrew Gwynne resigned on health grounds.

Gwynne’s departure came after a suspension from the party and his sacking as Health Minister over offensive WhatsApp messages.

Labour had comfortably held the seat with a majority of 13,413 during the landslide 2024 election victory, but the party’s falling popularity has left the constituency much more competitive.

Now, Reform UK and the Green Party are mounting serious challenges, making this vote a significant litmus test for Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Labour leadership.

Polls show the Greens on 30% support, slightly ahead of Labour and Reform UK at 28%, though all figures remain within the margin of error.

The Controversial Leaflet

The flyer urged voters to make a “tactical choice” by supporting Labour to prevent a Reform UK victory.

It claimed this guidance came from a new organization, “Tactical Choice,” supposedly endorsing Labour based on a recent prediction.

In reality, two legitimate tactical voting groups — Tactical.Vote and StopTheTories.

Vote — had recommended voting for the Green Party to stop Reform.

Residents and political observers quickly flagged the leaflet as dubious.

Some critics described the move as Labour attempting to manufacture support, while Green Party spokespersons called it a “final throw of desperation” and predicted voters would see through the tactic.

Reactions From All Sides

Labour responded to the criticism by accusing the Greens of spreading misinformation and “dirty tactics,” framing the leaflet as a defensive move rather than a deliberate deception.

Meanwhile, Reform candidate Matt Goodwin painted the election as a referendum on Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership, tapping into broader frustrations with Labour’s recent controversies.

Political commentators have pointed out that Sir Keir’s premiership has been fragile, surviving a near-coup just weeks ago, and that Labour’s local campaign has been tightly controlled.

The Prime Minister visited the area earlier this week but was largely shielded from ordinary voters, speaking mainly to party activists and his candidate at a sports centre.

The Broader Political Landscape

The Green Party, led by Zack Polanski, is running on a bold progressive platform, including legalizing hard drugs, decriminalizing prostitution, open-door immigration policies, and reparations for the slave trade.

Their support among younger and urban voters appears to be growing, particularly in constituencies like Gorton and Denton, which have significant Muslim populations.

Labour, on the other hand, has faced multiple policy U-turns since winning power 20 months ago, from the postponement of local elections to digital ID card proposals and business rate changes for pubs.

The by-election is being watched as a measure of whether these missteps have eroded confidence in the party locally.

What’s next?

The by-election vote is set for Thursday, and Labour is mobilizing its MPs and ministers to campaign intensively in the final 48 hours. A

ttention will also focus on whether the electorate reacts negatively to the “Tactical Choice” leaflet and whether tactical voters coalesce behind the Greens.

The outcome could have wider implications for Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership, his control over the party, and Labour’s prospects in upcoming local and national elections.

Summary

Labour is under fire for distributing a by-election leaflet in Gorton and Denton allegedly from a fictitious organization called “Tactical Choice,” urging voters to back candidate Angeliki Stogia.

The move appears designed to encourage tactical voting to block Reform UK, but both genuine tactical voting groups endorse the Green Party instead.

With polls showing a tight three-way contest, the by-election is shaping up as a critical test of Labour’s local appeal and Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership amid declining party popularity and ongoing political controversies.