Labour board battle bus for one last push

AS 'She's Electric' blared from an open top bus, Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell started dancing to gee her up activists one final time.

- By ETHAN DAVIES

Angeliki Stogia, centre, with Lucy Powell and Ed Milliband at Rushford Park, Longsight

(GARRY OAKLEY)

It’s the Labour Party's last day of campaigning ahead of the Gorton and Denton by-election, and the mood has been surprisingly jolly.The unexpected dance moves inspired some well-choreographed sign waving amongst the party faithful in Rushford Park, who continued the fanfare once their candidate, Angeliki Stogia, was safely onboard their battle bus with ex-leader and big hitter Ed Miliband.

That bus then wound its way through the constituency, turning heads on Levenshulme's high street.

This was Labour's final stunt in its push to retain power in a corner of Greater Manchester they have always held.

But that bid looks seriously under threat. Challenges from Reform UK and the Green Party mean it’s now a dead-heat three horse race on the eve of polling day.

"I'm gonna vote Reform," said Liam Kendrick in Burnage a few hours later. Why?: “I want the boats stopped. It’s just about everything here and immigration.”