‘Sectarian politics’ fear as Greens target Muslim vote in Gorton and Denton by-election

A Conservative shadow minister has warned that “sectarian politics” could dominate the forthcoming Gorton and Denton by-election, as Greens leader Zack Polanski courts the Muslim vote by highlighting his party’s support for Palestinians.

Speaking in the Commons on the eve of Polanski’s campaign visit, Tory MP Claire Coutinho raised concerns over an endorsement from The Muslim Vote pressure group for the Green candidate in the February 26th by-election.

The group cited the Greens’ opposition to “genocide in Gaza” as grounds for their support.

Shadow Equalities Minister Coutinho warned, “when we have sectarian politics, conflict and strife follows,” and accused Labour of being “unable to confront this problem” — referencing a recent incident in which an election candidate in Blackburn was threatened with beheading.

Her comments came after The Muslim Vote posted a video urging all Muslims in Gorton and Denton to back the Green candidate, claiming a vote for Labour would mean “continued facilitation of the genocide in Gaza.”

Founded in 2023, The Muslim Vote endorsed four pro-Gaza independent candidates at the 2024 general election, despite those campaigns being widely condemned as sectarian.

Polanski, campaigning to win the seat previously held by Labour in northwest England, told The Times he would “absolutely” raise his party’s position on Gaza with voters—especially in a constituency where just over a quarter of residents are Muslim.

“We’ll want people on the ground to know our position on Gaza, that we’ve stood with the Palestinian people,” he said.

“Of course, we want to speak to everyone, and it’s not just people who are Muslim who care about people’s freedom and human rights. But I imagine that will certainly be an element in the contest.”

The Greens’ first rally was held at the Pakistani Community Centre in Stockport on Tuesday, attended by Polanski and Salma Yaqoob, former leader of George Galloway’s Respect Party.

Hannah Spencer, Trafford council’s Green group leader, is the party’s candidate in the by-election.

While Labour has yet to announce its candidate, Reform UK has named GB News presenter Matt Goodwin as its contender. In a video posted on X, Goodwin accused the Greens of being “more interested in talking about Gaza” than addressing local concerns.

His own controversial views, and his outspoken support for Israel, are likely to draw scrutiny during the campaign.

Goodwin has previously claimed that UK-born people from minority ethnic backgrounds are not necessarily British.

Attempting to play down claims of hostility towards Muslims, he told reporters this week: “If you are working hard, paying taxes, contributing to this economy, you should be as concerned by what’s happening in No 10 Downing Street as I am. It’s not about what your religion is, it’s not about what your race is, what your ethnicity is.”

Goodwin has repeatedly voiced support for Israel, while calling for a “national unifying politics that puts Britain first.”

Asked about his stance, he insisted, “We should look after our allies,” but lamented, “unfortunately, Israel no longer feels that we are a reliable ally.”

At the 2024 general election, Labour won Gorton and Denton with 18,555 votes—more than half the share. Reform came second with 5,142, ahead of the Greens on 4,810.

The by-election was triggered after Labour MP Andrew Gwynne was dismissed as health minister and suspended from the party in February 2025 for offensive comments in a WhatsApp group, including antisemitic remarks about American psychologist Marshall Rosenberg.

Gwynne apologised, saying: “I deeply regret my badly misjudged comments and apologise for any offence I’ve caused. I entirely understand the decisions the PM and the party have taken, and, while very sad to have been suspended, will support them in any way I can.”

Gwynne is understood to have considered medical retirement from the MPs’ pension fund in 2025, but ultimately announced his resignation on health grounds on 22 January 2026.

Allegations circulated that his departure was linked to a deal with Manchester mayor Andy Burnham to make way for Burnham in Gorton and Denton, though both men deny this.

Last weekend, Labour’s national executive committee (NEC) voted 8–1 to block Burnham from standing.

Former Jewish Labour Movement national secretary Adam Langleben supported the NEC’s decision, writing in the New Statesman that Burnham’s return to Westminster would trigger two costly elections—one for Parliament and another for the mayoralty—at a time when government resources are stretched.

Labour will announce its by-election candidate on Saturday.

Both the Greens and Reform UK are seeking to sideline Labour in the contest, while Labour warns that voting Green will split the progressive vote and allow Reform a path to victory.

Last month Kate Hollern, who represented Blackburn from 2015 to 2024, and lost her seat to pro-Gaza canidate Adnan Hussain by 132 votes, revealed she had been threatened with beheading by activists during a bitter election campaign.