Reform UK MP accuses Labour of “desperation” in row over Gorton and Denton by-election
Reform UK MP Lee Anderson (Image: GETTY)
Lee Anderson hit back at Angela Rayner in a row over the Gorton and Denton by-election. Labour MP Ms Rayner had accused Mr Anderson, the Reform UK chief whip, of campaigning in the wrong constituency, after he shared a picture of himself with volunteers outside the Stanley House Function Rooms. The building is just outside the constituency that will be contested in next month’s by-election, and is actually in Ms Rayner’s Ashton-under-Lyne seat.
But Mr Anderson insisted volunteers had met there as it had a large car park before heading off to campaign. He accused Labour of “desperation” – and insisted her comments were “absolute rubbish”. The Ashfield MP also mocked the former deputy prime minister over property tax rows.
Ms Rayner had told The Mirror: “Farage’s Reform can’t even find the Gorton and Denton constituency on a map. Perhaps it’s because they’re too busy filling their party full of former Tories who failed the country.
“Local residents in Gorton and Denton deserve a local MP who is focussed on delivering on local residents’ priorities like tackling the cost of living.
“That’s what Labour will be speaking to voters about every day on streets across Gorton and Denton while Farage gets round to finally learning how to use Google maps and actually work out where they live.”
Angela Rayner accused Lee Anderson of campaigning in the wrong constituency (Image: Getty)
But Mr Anderson hit back: “Over 100 volunteers turned up to campaign in the constituency. A Labour constituency that has had no representation in Parliament for nearly a year.
“Our volunteers came from far and wide and a location with a big enough car park to accommodate our volunteers was chosen just outside the constituency.
All volunteers then left to campaign in the constituency. There is nothing to see here other than desperation from a desperate party. Angela doesn’t even know which house she lives in.”
It comes as Labour is facing a row over Sir Keir Starmer blocking Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham from running in the contest.
