Labour braces for fast-track by-election in Gorton and Denton

Labour faces anxiety as a fast-track by-election in the Gorton and Denton seat is set for late February (likely Feb 26) after the writ was issued; the party fears a possible upset by Reform UK or the Greens and warns that a defeat could spur leadership speculation, while Greens have begun candidate selection and other parties await announcements as the Burnham exclusion controversy continues to echo in the background.