By Election: Votes being counted in Gorton and Denton after three-way contest

Ballots are being counted in the Gorton and Denton by election after polls closed in a three-way contest between Labour, Reform UK and the Greens. The result is due in the early hours of Friday morning, with the declaration expected at about 4am.

By Election count and timetable in Manchester

Counting began in south‑east Manchester once the polls closed, with officials saying ballots are being tallied to choose the constituency's next MP. The result is due in the early hours of Friday morning and is expected to be declared at about 4am. The count has been edited by Owen Amos and Angus Thompson, with Jack Fenwick reporting from the count in Manchester.

Candidates and the three-way battle: Labour, Reform UK and the Greens

The contest has been described as one of the most unpredictable by-elections in recent years, with Labour defending a 13, 413-vote majority and the Greens and Reform UK pressing hard. Angeliki Stogia, a councillor, is the Labour candidate after Andy Burnham was prevented from standing. Matt Goodwin, an academic‑turned broadcaster who has faced criticism for his comments on women, Muslims and British citizenship, stood for Reform UK. Hannah Spencer, a Trafford councillor and a plumber by trade, is the Green party candidate.

Claims of overturning Labour's lead and the tactical narrative

Green party leader Zack Polanski said before voting that his party was "neck and neck" with Reform UK to overturn Labour’s 13, 000‑vote majority and warned that Labour would need to "search their conscience" if Reform UK won. Labour campaigned arguing that only it could stop Reform, saying that a vote for the Greens was "in effect, a vote for Reform. " Campaigners and commentators have noted echoes of the Caerphilly by-election in October, where Labour lost despite insisting voters that "Only Labour can beat Reform. "

Allegations of family voting, party reactions and official response

Election observers said they witnessed "concerningly high" levels of "family voting" at polling stations, a claim the council disputed. Labour the party had "a very impressive polling day today" and that more than a thousand Labour activists were out across Gorton and Denton. Those sources added: "We've spoken to more voters today than we have done any previous by-election polling day, " and "But it's fair to say that we do think it's going to be very close. "

Labour MP and party chair Anna Turley described reports of "family voting" as "extremely worrying and concerning" and said: "Obviously we need to see the evidence and the report, and then make due decision about what authorities should look into this. " Zack Polanski said: "I think it’s important that there’s full transparency about the democratic process, and if the recommendation is that there should be an inquiry or further steps then yes I’d support that. " Reform UK candidate Matt Goodwin said: "Given the reports we are reading in UK media about family voting and sectarianism, I am deeply concerned about the extent to which the Gorton and Denton parliamentary by-election is a free, fair, and democratic election. " The acting returning officer said polling station staff were trained to look for undue influence on voters and that "no such issues" had been reported during polling hours.

Wider implications: system critique and what the result might signal

The by-election, scheduled for Thursday 26 February, has drawn intense attention and will be closely scrutinised for what it might mean for Labour, Reform UK and the Greens. Commentators warned the contest is too close to call; Professor Will Jennings said the contest was too close and that in Britain’s fragmented politics "anything can happen. " He added that a Labour defeat would be "terminal" for No 10's strategy and that the worst-case scenario would be Labour coming third behind Reform and the Greens, not least because of the decision to stop Andy Burnham from standing.

Supporters of electoral reform argue the First Past The Post system is letting down voters in multi‑party contests. They point to the 2024 general election as highly disproportional, saying Labour secured almost two‑thirds of MPs from just over one‑third of votes, and warn that where three or more parties compete it is increasingly possible for someone to be elected with the backing of fewer than a third of voters. With Labour, the Green Party and Reform UK all contesting strongly, reform advocates say it is highly plausible that the ballots of a majority of voters will be ignored. As an alternative, they note that Scottish local elections use the Single Transferable Vote system, where voters number candidates and preferences can be transferred until someone achieves a majority.

What a result could mean for national politics

Those watching national politics say different outcomes would carry distinct meanings. A Labour victory would, supporters argue, "staunch that sense of inevitability of the end of Starmer" and could be read as a turning point for a government described in commentary as eight points behind Reform in the polls and facing a resurgent Green party. Conversely, warnings persist that any relief for Labour might be short‑lived: the party is expected to face heavy losses when voters across England, Scotland and Wales go to the polls in local and devolved elections in 10 weeks.

On the campaign trail, Keir Starmer described the Greens' plan to legalise drugs as "disgusting, " saying it would turn parks and playgrounds into "crack dens. " Polanski said Starmer's visit "felt very much like spoiler behaviour, " accused Labour of sinking to "a new low" with an attack advert showing a green syringe and the words: "Heroin, crack cocaine, spice. Green party says YES, " and added: "It's the last desperate gasp of a Keir Starmer Labour government. "