Matt Goodwin Faces Scrutiny as Reform UK's Outsider Candidate in Gorton and Denton By-Election

Matt Goodwin, a GB News presenter and former academic, has been announced as Reform UK's candidate for the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election. The decision has placed the candidate and his party under immediate scrutiny over the choice of an outsider for a Greater Manchester constituency. Goodwin presented himself as an anti-establishment figure who would give local people a "voice," citing a distant family connection to the area, such as his grandfather's work at a steel factory.

However, his candidacy has drawn criticism from political opponents who question his local ties and characterise his politics as divisive. Critics, including local politicians from Labour, the Liberal Democrats, and the Green Party, argue that Goodwin, who resides in London, represents a party that offers "division, animosity, and hatred" rather than local solutions. His public comments on immigration and identity, which have previously attracted controversy, have also been highlighted as potentially problematic in a diverse constituency.

The by-election itself is a complex contest, influenced by Labour's internal decision to block Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham from standing. Goodwin has framed the vote as a "referendum" on Prime Minister Keir Starmer. For Reform UK, the campaign is a key test of its candidate selection strategy and its ability to convert polling momentum into a credible electoral challenge in a Labour-held seat.