Matt Goodwin, the Reform UK candidate for the upcoming Gorton and Denton byelection, addressed the media outside Denton town hall in Manchester on Friday, marking a significant moment in his transition from academic researcher to political figure. His journey from studying far-right movements to becoming a candidate for a party with strong anti-immigration stances has drawn intense scrutiny and debate.
Early Academic Work on Far-Right Extremism
In the autumn of 2011, Dr Matt Goodwin was engaged in documenting the potential reach of racist far-right groups in Tameside, an east Manchester borough within the Gorton and Denton constituency. The borough council had commissioned him to investigate local dangers, building on his pioneering PhD research on the rise of the British National Party. Goodwin described this as a "new British fascism" emerging in disaffected northern areas.
His co-authored report identified neighbourhoods "most 'at risk' of far-right extremism," noting that white areas near high-immigration zones were particularly vulnerable. The paper argued that citizens might turn to extremists to "defend" their communities from perceived threats, aiming to maintain demographic composition. This early work positioned Goodwin as an expert on far-right dynamics, with strong Conservative contacts, including assisting figures like Lord Bethell and Tim Montgomerie.
Shift to Reform UK and Controversial Views
Fifteen years later, Goodwin's focus has returned to Tameside as Reform's candidate, a move that critics label hypocritical given his past research. Political opponents now accuse him of being the extremist, citing his recent statements on immigration and diversity. In a Substack post, Goodwin echoed Donald Trump's warnings about "civilisational erasure" in European cities, while a podcast highlighted his concerns that white Britons could become a minority by 2063, linking diversity to reduced social trust.
A Reform source defended Goodwin, stating he merely highlights the consequences of "mass uncontrolled immigration." However, former colleagues and acquaintances express surprise at his metamorphosis from centre-right academic to what some see as a proponent of ethno-nationalism. One contemporary from the University of Manchester recalled Goodwin as "great fun" but attention-seeking, with a nickname of "Two Jacks" from a casino incident.
Interviews and Ideological Questions
Goodwin's PhD involved deep engagement with BNP activists, including Eddy Butler, who later suggested Goodwin might have "empathy" with nationalist aims, possibly due to a "Stockholm syndrome effect." A Reform source dismissed such comments, comparing them to criticisms of other parties. Goodwin's ability to win trust from interviewees, such as Nigel Farage, led to co-authoring "Revolt on the Right," which revealed Ukip's 2008 vote on a BNP pact and garnered front-page headlines.
His career saw moments of acclaim, like a Chatham House book launch with Farage, but also accusations of ruthlessness, such as sidelining co-author Robert Ford. Former allies note Goodwin's sensitivity to criticism, with broken relationships including Ford and Tim Montgomerie, who once tweeted sulphurous comments about Goodwin before retracting them.
From Academia to GB News and Political Activism
Goodwin left academia in 2024, taking voluntary severance from the University of Kent to become a GB News presenter with a Substack boasting 90,000 subscribers. His book "Bad Education" criticised universities for "woke" ideas, with colleagues speculating it stemmed from unmet ambitions for roles at Oxford. A person close to Goodwin rejected this as "nonsense."
Former friends describe his journey as driven by ego and insecurity, questioning how much is performative versus sincere. Jonathan Portes, a former thinktank fellow, noted a shift from Reform sympathiser to what he calls "very explicit racism," though Goodwin denies racism accusations, claiming they are smears for opening debate. A Reform spokesperson emphasised Goodwin's long-standing focus on working-class areas left behind by globalisation and immigration.
Current Campaign and Reactions
As Goodwin campaigns in Gorton and Denton, his past and present collide. Far-right agitator Tommy Robinson recently endorsed him with a "Vote Matt" tweet, adding to the controversy. Goodwin's evolution from documenting extremism to being embraced by such figures underscores the complex debates around immigration, identity, and political transformation in UK politics.
