UK Labour party threatened by hard-right, leftists in heartland

The ruling Labour party faces a crunch poll on Thursday that is expected to showcase growing support for the hard-right and leftists as the country's traditional two-party system fractures.

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Defeat for the government in the by-election would add to the woes facing unpopular Prime Minister Keir Starmer who endures frequent mutterings about how long he can stay in office.

Labour has dominated the Manchester suburb of Gorton and Denton for decades and won almost 51% of the vote there at the July 2024 general election that swept Mr Starmer to power.

Less than two years later, it is locked in a three-way fight for the seat with anti-immigrant firebrand Nigel Farage's Reform UK party and the Greens, led by left-wing populist Zack Polanski.

The battle suggests Britons appear increasingly willing to look towards insurgent parties to tackle longstanding, hot-button issues like the high cost of living and irregular immigration at the next general election.