A large crowd gathered in a car park off the A6 in Longsight shortly after midday, transforming the area into a bustling hub of political activity. Politicians, activists, and supporters assembled outside the Jain Community Centre on Stockport Road near Crowcroft Park for Labour’s announcement of their candidate in the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election set for February 26.
The Announcement Unfolds
The event marked the final major party to reveal its contender following the blocked candidacy of Mayor Andy Burnham. Speculation centered on two finalists: Eamonn O’Brien, leader of Bury Council since 2020, and Angeliki Stogia, a councillor for Whalley Range ward on Manchester City Council since 2012.
Fellow councillors, party members, and media representatives filled the space. Notable attendees included Labour’s former deputy leader and Ashton MP Angela Rayner, government chief whip Jonathan Reynolds, Rusholme MP Afzal Khan, Stockport MP Navendu Mishra, and Rochdale MP Paul Waugh. Despite chilly winds, the group formed a semi-circle around a row of microphones.
Brief chaos ensued when vehicles needed to exit the car park, scattering the crowd momentarily before they regrouped. Rumors initially favored O’Brien, but placards soon displayed Stogia’s name with the slogan ‘For Unity Not Division.’ Confirmation arrived as Stogia emerged from the community centre amid cheers, accompanied by Labour’s Deputy Leader Lucy Powell and party chair Anna Turley.
Turley embraced Stogia, calling it an ‘amazing announcement’ and expressing delight at introducing the new candidate. She emphasized the importance of the contest, shifting to a serious tone about the ‘fight ahead.’
Candidate Background and Labour’s Strategy
Powell described Stogia as a ‘local girl’ who has served the area for years. Labour framed the by-election as a direct clash with Reform UK, whose candidate, former academic and GB News presenter Matt Goodwin, was announced the previous week.
Powell addressed the crowd: ‘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: ‘What I would say to people is, 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 added: ‘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.’
Originally from Arta, Greece, Stogia moved 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. On Manchester City Council, she led on Transport and Environment, advocating for active travel and road changes during the Covid-19 pandemic, including temporary pedestrian zones on Deansgate.
Stogia’s prior Labour roles include a 2014 European Parliament candidacy in the North West and second place in the 2024 general election for Chester South and Eddisbury with 32.1% of votes.
Stogia’s Response and Campaign Outlook
In her address, 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, Stogia stressed 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.’
She positioned the race locally: ‘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.’
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 by-elections’ challenges, she affirmed: ‘We are up for the fight.’
Canvassing and Rival Efforts
Powell noted thousands of doors already knocked and positive feedback, rallying activists to engage more constituents. Teams dispersed with clipboards for canvassing in nearby streets.
Rivals mobilized too. Goodwin posted social media images of a Reform-branded open-top bus and canvassing teams, vowing to ‘make history.’ Green Party leader Zack Polanski and candidate Hannah Spencer highlighted hundreds of volunteers ‘hitting the streets,’ claiming: ‘Only the Greens can stop Reform in this by-election.’
The Gorton and Denton by-election campaign intensifies as parties vie for support.
