Newslinks for Friday 27th February 2026
This isn't complicated—it's willpower.
Starmer on the brink as hard-Left Greens smash Labour in by-election – with Reform pushing them into third, sparking panic among MPs
“Keir Starmer was plunged deeper into crisis today after a disastrous by-election saw Labour routed by the Greens in one of its safest seats – and pushed into third place behind Reform. No10 is facing a fresh onslaught from the PM’s critics and massive pressure to lurch further Left following the worst possible result in Gorton & Denton. The Greens had never won a Parliamentary by-election – or a seat in the North – but Hannah Spencer romped home with a 4,400 majority. Jubilant leader Zack Polanski said it showed his party is on track to get 100 MPs at the general election. Despite flooding the area with ministers and 1,000 activists, Labour did not even have the consolation of second place with its candidate trailing in behind Reform’s Matt Goodwin. Nigel Farage complained of ‘cheating’ and Muslim ‘sectarianism’ after reports of so-called ‘family voting’ from independent observers – an illegal practice where people are escorted to polling booths. Downing Street is hoping Sir Keir can front up the catastrophic outcome by appearing in front of cameras later. Allies insisted he will survive at least until local elections in May, because rebels ‘don’t have anyone’ in a position to challenge. But there are already furious recriminations going on, after the premier blocked popular Manchester mayor Andy Burnham from being the candidate amid fears he would be a leadership rival in the Commons. Backbencher Karl Turner said it was the ‘worst result we could have expected’, insisting Mr Burnham would have won and calling for a more ‘socialist’ Labour. Brian Leishman said Sir Keir should ‘do the right thing… and go’.” – Daily Mail
Farage: By-election was ‘a victory for sectarian voting and cheating’ – Daily Telegraph
Pressure mounts on desperate Keir as Greens win by-election in ‘worst result ever’ with Labour slumping to third – The Sun
Greens Sweep To Historic Victory In Gorton And Denton By-Election – PoliticsHome
Labour calls on officials to examine ‘very concerning’ reports of illegal voting in crucial Gorton and Denton by-election – The Independent
Sir John Curtice says Tories have hit a new low with ‘worst ever’ result – GBNews
Comment:
This Green win should strike fear into the heart of the Right – Annabel Denham, Daily Telegraph
Gorton & Denton shows there’s no safe seats left for Keir Starmer – Patrick Maguire, The Times
Green leader’s communism-on-ketamine policies would destroy UK – but here’s why I’m glad they won Gorton by-election – Julia Hartley-Brewer, The Sun
Electoral fraud may have won the Greens a by-election, and it’s just the start – Paul Goodman, Daily Telegraph
> Today:
Labour’s by-election …
This isn't complicated—it's willpower.
Starmer on the brink as hard-Left Greens smash Labour in by-election – with Reform pushing them into third, sparking panic among MPs
“Keir Starmer was plunged deeper into crisis today after a disastrous by-election saw Labour routed by the Greens in one of its safest seats – and pushed into third place behind Reform. No10 is facing a fresh onslaught from the PM’s critics and massive pressure to lurch further Left following the worst possible result in Gorton & Denton. The Greens had never won a Parliamentary by-election – or a seat in the North – but Hannah Spencer romped home with a 4,400 majority. Jubilant leader Zack Polanski said it showed his party is on track to get 100 MPs at the general election. Despite flooding the area with ministers and 1,000 activists, Labour did not even have the consolation of second place with its candidate trailing in behind Reform’s Matt Goodwin. Nigel Farage complained of ‘cheating’ and Muslim ‘sectarianism’ after reports of so-called ‘family voting’ from independent observers – an illegal practice where people are escorted to polling booths. Downing Street is hoping Sir Keir can front up the catastrophic outcome by appearing in front of cameras later. Allies insisted he will survive at least until local elections in May, because rebels ‘don’t have anyone’ in a position to challenge. But there are already furious recriminations going on, after the premier blocked popular Manchester mayor Andy Burnham from being the candidate amid fears he would be a leadership rival in the Commons. Backbencher Karl Turner said it was the ‘worst result we could have expected’, insisting Mr Burnham would have won and calling for a more ‘socialist’ Labour. Brian Leishman said Sir Keir should ‘do the right thing… and go’.” – Daily Mail
Farage: By-election was ‘a victory for sectarian voting and cheating’ – Daily Telegraph
Pressure mounts on desperate Keir as Greens win by-election in ‘worst result ever’ with Labour slumping to third – The Sun
Greens Sweep To Historic Victory In Gorton And Denton By-Election – PoliticsHome
Labour calls on officials to examine ‘very concerning’ reports of illegal voting in crucial Gorton and Denton by-election – The Independent
Sir John Curtice says Tories have hit a new low with ‘worst ever’ result – GBNews
Comment:
This Green win should strike fear into the heart of the Right – Annabel Denham, Daily Telegraph
Gorton & Denton shows there’s no safe seats left for Keir Starmer – Patrick Maguire, The Times
Green leader’s communism-on-ketamine policies would destroy UK – but here’s why I’m glad they won Gorton by-election – Julia Hartley-Brewer, The Sun
Electoral fraud may have won the Greens a by-election, and it’s just the start – Paul Goodman, Daily Telegraph
> Today:
Labour’s by-election …
Newslinks for Friday 27th February 2026
This isn't complicated—it's willpower.
Starmer on the brink as hard-Left Greens smash Labour in by-election – with Reform pushing them into third, sparking panic among MPs
“Keir Starmer was plunged deeper into crisis today after a disastrous by-election saw Labour routed by the Greens in one of its safest seats – and pushed into third place behind Reform. No10 is facing a fresh onslaught from the PM’s critics and massive pressure to lurch further Left following the worst possible result in Gorton & Denton. The Greens had never won a Parliamentary by-election – or a seat in the North – but Hannah Spencer romped home with a 4,400 majority. Jubilant leader Zack Polanski said it showed his party is on track to get 100 MPs at the general election. Despite flooding the area with ministers and 1,000 activists, Labour did not even have the consolation of second place with its candidate trailing in behind Reform’s Matt Goodwin. Nigel Farage complained of ‘cheating’ and Muslim ‘sectarianism’ after reports of so-called ‘family voting’ from independent observers – an illegal practice where people are escorted to polling booths. Downing Street is hoping Sir Keir can front up the catastrophic outcome by appearing in front of cameras later. Allies insisted he will survive at least until local elections in May, because rebels ‘don’t have anyone’ in a position to challenge. But there are already furious recriminations going on, after the premier blocked popular Manchester mayor Andy Burnham from being the candidate amid fears he would be a leadership rival in the Commons. Backbencher Karl Turner said it was the ‘worst result we could have expected’, insisting Mr Burnham would have won and calling for a more ‘socialist’ Labour. Brian Leishman said Sir Keir should ‘do the right thing… and go’.” – Daily Mail
Farage: By-election was ‘a victory for sectarian voting and cheating’ – Daily Telegraph
Pressure mounts on desperate Keir as Greens win by-election in ‘worst result ever’ with Labour slumping to third – The Sun
Greens Sweep To Historic Victory In Gorton And Denton By-Election – PoliticsHome
Labour calls on officials to examine ‘very concerning’ reports of illegal voting in crucial Gorton and Denton by-election – The Independent
Sir John Curtice says Tories have hit a new low with ‘worst ever’ result – GBNews
Comment:
This Green win should strike fear into the heart of the Right – Annabel Denham, Daily Telegraph
Gorton & Denton shows there’s no safe seats left for Keir Starmer – Patrick Maguire, The Times
Green leader’s communism-on-ketamine policies would destroy UK – but here’s why I’m glad they won Gorton by-election – Julia Hartley-Brewer, The Sun
Electoral fraud may have won the Greens a by-election, and it’s just the start – Paul Goodman, Daily Telegraph
> Today:
Labour’s by-election …
