Keir Starmer lectured Newcastle schoolchildren on his plans to ‘change’ Britain today – 150 miles from a crucial by-election where Labour is struggling to cling on.
The PM spoke about his government’s plans at the Walbottle Academy Campus as part of what has been billed a ‘cost-of-living tour’.
However, some in the crown appeared less than captivated by Sir Keir’s pitch.
And the premier was a long way from the real political action – with ministers, MPs and Manchester mayor Andy Burnham flooding the Gorton & Denton constituency.
Labour is battling to maintain its grip in the traditional stronghold, with the result looking too close to call.
The Greens have been mounting a major challenge, appealing to the significant Muslim vote in the constituency by hammering the PM over Gaza.
Meanwhile, Reform is also well in contention, with Nigel Farage on the streets urging people to help him ‘stop the boats’.
The seat is sharply divided in ethnicity, religion and deprivation – making the outcome incredibly difficult to predict.
But how Labour performs could be make-or-break for Sir Keir, as he struggles to contain the Mandelson scandal and dire national polls.
Keir Starmer delivered a speech in Newcastle today as he braces for voters in Gorton & Denton to deliver their verdict on his dismal first 20 months in power. But some of the audience seemed to be struggling
There were some weary faces as the PM talked about the cost of living crisis at the school in Newcastle
The Greens’ Hannah Spencer is hoping to pull off a shock win today, despite alarm at her party’s hard-Left policies
Labour big beasts including Wes Streeting have been flocking to the constituency today in a bid to mobilise the party’s vote
Manchester mayor Andy Burnham – who was blocked from standing in the contest by Sir Keir – was out canvassing with candidate Angeliki Stogia today
More than 1,000 Labour activists were expected to travel to the constituency today, along with a slew of MPs.
Sir Keir made a token visit on Monday but was humiliatingly kept away from ordinary voters amid dire poll ratings.
The premier barely survived a coup a fortnight ago, with the Cabinet only rallying round at the last moment.
Labour won Gorton and Denton in 2024 with more than half the vote but polling suggests a tight three-way contest this time. The result will be announced in the early hours tomorrow.
Sir Keir controversially blocked popular Mr Burnham from being the candidate, amid fears he would be a leadership rival in the Commons.
Instead the party’s chose local councillor Angeliki Stogia, who is taking on Reform’s Matt Goodwin and the Greens’ Hannah Spencer.
Even supporters of the PM believe a third-placed finish could be terminal.
In his final message to voters, Sir Keir sought to woo wavering Labour voters by painting the contest as a straight fight between his party and Reform.
He said: ‘The choice at today’s by-election could not be more stark. Unity or division.
‘Driving down the cost of living with Labour or driving a wedge between communities under Reform. Moving forwards together, or opening up anger and division that holds our country back.
‘Reform’s Matthew Goodwin thinks people who aren’t white can’t be English and wants women who choose not to have children to pay more tax.
‘Vote Labour in Gorton and Denton today to send him and his toxic politics packing.’
The Greens are also trying to pitch themselves as the only option to block Reform, with Ms Spencer pledging to ‘run the far right out of Manchester, not to come back’.
She said: ‘The polls and independent tactical voting organisation are clear that voting Green is the only way to ensure Reform don’t win.
‘We are confident and have run a fantastic campaign.’
Mr Farage was in the constituency last night, speaking to voters alongside Mr Goodwin.
Ahead of polls opening, Mr Farage said: ‘Our message on election day is clear.
‘The Prime Minister is panicking and knows he has broken his promises to the British people.
‘Vote Reform to ditch Starmer.’
The contest in Manchester has been beset by allegations of dirty tricks, with parties repeatedly referring each other’s candidates to the police.
In the latest twist, the Greens accused Labour of handing out leaflets from an ‘entirely fictitious’ tactical voting organisation urging voters to back Sir Keir’s party.
The leaflets from ‘Tactical Choice’ carry a supposed poll that put Labour and Reform neck and neck when ‘not including polling funded by Green Party donors’.
They add: ‘Based on a new prediction published in the last 24 hours we are recommending voting Labour.’
Reform is also well in contention, with Nigel Farage on the streets urging people to help him ‘stop the boats’
Labour has deployed a battle bus as it goes all-out to try to maintain its grip on the seay
Party placards on the streets of Gorton & Denton today as the by-election reaches its conclusion
A Green Party spokesman said: ‘In a final throw of desperation, Labour have made up an entirely fictitious organisation called ‘Tactical Choice’ referencing them on their final leaflet. They’ve had to make this up because every actual tactical voting organisation has endorsed the Green Party as the best hope to keep Reform out in this election.’
For its part, Labour has accused the Greens of ‘whipping up hatred’ over Gaza in parts of the constituency with a large Muslim population. The party even put out a campaign video in Urdu which featured images of David Lammy shaking hands with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.
Labour’s deputy leader Lucy Powell said the Green campaign had been ‘characterised by misinformation, with dodgy bar charts’.
However, Labour put out a leaflet of its own with a bar chart showing it neck and neck with Reform – but omitting the Greens in the lead.
