Labour has launched a fierce attack on Reform UK's candidate for the upcoming Gorton and Denton byelection, accusing Matthew Goodwin of embodying "toxic politics" following his endorsement by the notorious far-right agitator Tommy Robinson. This development creates significant discomfort for Nigel Farage, who has historically maintained distance between his political movements and Robinson's extremist activities.
Controversial Endorsement Sparks Political Firestorm
The political controversy erupted when Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, used his substantial social media platform to publicly back Goodwin's candidacy. With 1.8 million followers on X, Robinson shared a post from Hope Not Hate, an organisation dedicated to combating far-right extremism, accompanied by the simple directive: "Vote for Matt."
This endorsement represents a significant challenge for Reform UK's leadership, particularly given Farage's longstanding efforts to keep his parties separate from Robinson's inflammatory brand of politics. Robinson first gained notoriety as the founder of the English Defence League, an anti-Islam street movement that originated among football supporters in his hometown of Luton.
Labour's Strong Response to Political Alignment
Labour campaign officials have seized upon this development to frame the February 26th contest as a crucial battle between their vision of "unity and change" and what they characterise as Reform's "division and risk." A Labour spokesperson emphasised the significance of Robinson's intervention, stating: "Tommy Robinson's endorsement of Reform's candidate shows who he really is and what he stands for."
The party argues that the Greens cannot realistically win the byelection, creating what they describe as a binary choice for voters in the Greater Manchester constituency. "Only a vote for Labour can stop the toxic politics that Reform and Tommy Robinson would bring to Manchester," the spokesperson added, highlighting their strategy to position themselves as the sole viable progressive alternative to Reform's candidacy.
Goodwin's Controversial Background and Statements
Matthew Goodwin's selection as Reform's candidate had already generated controversy before Robinson's endorsement. The former academic turned GB News presenter and hard-right activist recently made headlines for claiming that UK-born individuals from minority ethnic backgrounds are not necessarily British.
Speaking at his campaign launch event in Denton, Goodwin twice declined opportunities to clarify or retract these statements when questioned by journalists. His comments included the assertion that "it takes more than a piece of paper to make somebody 'British'," raising serious questions about his views on national identity and inclusion.
Robinson's Troubled History and Growing Influence
Tommy Robinson's criminal record includes convictions for assault, mortgage fraud, and passport offences, while his political activities have consistently courted controversy. His brief appointment as an adviser to former UKIP leader Gerard Batten in 2018 prompted Nigel Farage's resignation from the party he had previously led.
Since Elon Musk reinstated his X account, Robinson has significantly expanded his reach, presenting himself as an independent journalist and campaigner while predominantly sharing content targeting immigrants and Muslim communities. His growing prominence was demonstrated last September when between 110,000 and 150,000 people attended a "unite the kingdom" protest he organised.
Political Landscape in Greater Manchester
The Greens have entered the fray with their own perspective on the byelection dynamics, arguing that Labour's polling difficulties and their decision to prevent Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham from contesting the seat make them the most credible challenger to Reform. This multi-party contest reflects the complex political environment in the region as voters prepare to make their choice later this month.
As the campaign intensifies, the endorsement from one of Britain's most prominent far-right figures has transformed the Gorton and Denton byelection into a national talking point about the boundaries of acceptable political discourse and the relationships between mainstream and extremist political movements.
