Gorton And Denton By-election: Polls Open in Greater Manchester as Critics Warn First Past The Post Fails Voters

Polling stations have opened for the Gorton And Denton By-election, a closely watched contest in parts of Greater Manchester that has drawn considerable attention. The Gorton And Denton By-election was triggered by the resignation of now former Labour MP Andrew Gwynne on 22 January on the grounds of ill health, polling stations opened at 07: 00 GMT and will close at 22: 00, and the result is expected to be declared in the early hours of Friday morning.

Gorton And Denton By-election: Polling schedule, trigger and candidate list

The Gorton and Denton parliamentary by-election, scheduled for Thursday 26 February in the available context, has polling stations in the constituency operating from 07: 00 GMT until 22: 00. The result of the vote is set to be declared overnight and on Friday, with the declaration expected in the early hours of that morning. The by-election was prompted by the resignation of the constituency's former Labour MP Andrew Gwynne on 22 January on grounds of ill health.

The list of candidates in the provided context is given in alphabetical order: Sir Oink A-Lot representing The Official Monster Raving Loony Party, and Sebastian Moore representing the Social Democratic Party.

Why critics say First Past The Post isn’t fit for purpose in Gorton and Denton

Critics argue that First Past The Post (FPTP) is not suited to a multi-party contest and that the Gorton And Denton By-election illustrates that point. The available context describes the contest as a three-horse race and warns that FPTP can let down voters when three or more parties are in contention.

The context states that the UK general election of 2024 was the most disproportional ever, with Labour securing almost two-thirds of MPs from just over one-third of votes, and that FPTP has struggled to represent evolving voter preferences. In such multi-party contests it is said that candidates can be elected with the support of fewer than a third of voters in their area, leaving the ballots of more than two-thirds of people effectively unrepresented.

The context also notes that Labour, the Green Party and Reform UK are all fighting this by-election very strongly, and that both Labour and the Green Party have been trying to persuade voters that they are the only option for people who want to 'stop Reform'. That tactical framing is presented as a symptom of the system rather than a policy-focused debate.

Preferential systems and a Scottish comparison

The available context highlights an alternative used in Scottish local elections: the Single Transferable Vote (STV). Under STV, voters number candidates on the ballot paper. When a local council by-election arises in Scotland, the available text explains that voters can put the candidate they genuinely want as their number one, and their vote can be transferred to their second choice if the first-choice candidate has no chance and no candidate has a majority. Transfers continue until someone wins a majority.

The context describes this as 'preferential voting' and notes that it removes certain tactical pressures on voters, though the provided text in the available context cuts off mid-sentence after saying 'This “preferential voting” removes the prospect of'.

What commentators will watch and local notices

The outcome of the contest will be closely scrutinised for what it might mean for various political parties and leaders, and the campaign has already attracted substantial media attention in the available context. The results are expected to be examined overnight and into Friday as counting concludes.

Local audience engagement items included in the available context invite readers to suggest which stories should be covered in Greater Manchester, and to listen to a local radio service on its app. The available content also encouraged following local social channels and invited story ideas WhatsApp to 0808 100 2230.

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One item in the provided set of materials contains no text in the available context and is therefore blank in that portion of the record.

Recent updates indicate the result will be declared overnight and on Friday; details may evolve as counting concludes.