Reform Party’s candidate for the Gorton and Denton by-election has faced criticism for withdrawing from a scheduled hustings event. Labour party representatives accused Matt Goodwin of avoiding the debate due to a lack of his supporters in the audience and for requesting a private green room. Goodwin, known for his controversial views on nationality, expressed concerns about the impartiality of the hustings, leading to his decision to not participate.
The move to skip the event was met with ridicule from political opponents, with Labour’s Andrew Western labeling Goodwin as a “snowflake” and criticizing his tactics of trying to fill the venue with supporters from outside the constituency. Green leader Zack Polanski also criticized Reform politicians for avoiding debates and described their behavior as hypocritical.
The decision by Goodwin to withdraw from the hustings comes shortly after his public criticism of Nigel Farage and the Reform Party, where he questioned their ability to address Britain’s challenges. The upcoming by-election on February 26 will see Labour’s Angeliki Stogia and Green’s Hannah Spencer, a plumber, competing for the Gorton and Denton seat.
Reform UK has been contacted for a response regarding the situation.
