Ever since Keir Starmer and his cronies blocked Andy Burnham from running, it’s seemed like Labour stood no chance in the Gorton & Denton byelection. To make matters worse, Starmer has embroiled himself in one of the most unseemly scandals of this century. And as you’d expect, that’s done nothing for Labour’s chances in Gorton & Denton:
It’s clear that #MandelsonGate is having an effect on the Gorton and Denton by-election.
Labour going down.
Greens going up.
It’s Green vs Reform – Labour are out of the running. pic.twitter.com/aMxUlbHUaZ
— Darren Parkinson
(@DarrenBar88) February 5, 2026
The Mandelson Affair
We’ve been reporting for a long time that Peter Mandelson maintained his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein after the dead paedophile was convicted. We reported on it two years before Starmer made him the ambassador to the US, in fact; as did others:
This article came out in the FT over a year before Starmer appointed Mandelson
Starmer knew everything
Another powerful man who failed Epstein’s victims because he didn’t care
Starmer has to go. Now https://t.co/aSYRHCPbLk pic.twitter.com/ICn9OUWsX0
— Matt Kennard (@kennardmatt) February 5, 2026
In other words, Starmer knew all this when he promoted Mandelson; he clearly just didn’t think the media would call him out. And for a time, he was right. The release of subsequent Epstein Files made the story global news, though, and now this:
This is the start of the end.
From today’s PMQs. Starmer admits he knew Mandelson kept in contact with Epstein after Epstein was convicted of child prostitution… pic.twitter.com/XcQ9tWuia3— The Don (@don2345611) February 4, 2026
While Starmer and his most servile ministers are still trying to defend the indefensible, it isn’t going very well:
“I’m not in anyway blaming the vetting” says @MikeTappTweets, after having spent the entire interview blaming the vetting.
Tapp wants us to believe, btw, that vetting is just asking someone if they’re hiding anything & when they say no thats job done. pic.twitter.com/jYuY98M4lJ
— Saul Staniforth (@SaulStaniforth) February 6, 2026
They also keep complaining that Mandelson – a career liar – lied to them (who could have seen that coming?):
Govt minister @MikeTappTweets defends Keir Starmer, telling us he’s a good man and stressing he was lied to by Mandelson.
The fact is Starmer appointed someone to a top job who had stayed at the mansion of a billionaire paedophile. I guess Mike doesn’t have a problem with that. pic.twitter.com/OoIzB6Fkkd
— Saul Staniforth (@SaulStaniforth) February 6, 2026
Some polls have the Greens above Labour nationwide:
POLL | Reform lead by 13pts
Ref: 31% (+2)
Grn: 18% (-1)
Con: 18% (+1)
Lab: 16% (-1)
Lib: 11% (=)
— Seats —
SNP: 46
Poll: @FindOutNowUK, 4 Feb (+/- vs 28 Jan) pic.twitter.com/Zw3xOnVfT9
— Stats for Lefties
(@LeftieStats) February 5, 2026
And now, as Green Party leader Zack Polanski highlighted, Labour seem to have accepted defeat in Gorton & Denton:
Labour is briefing that they know they won’t win the Gorton and Denton by election.
The Greens are favourites and are the only party that can stop Reform.
Lower bills, tax the rich, protect the NHS. We will win. pic.twitter.com/9eqISjNQ6G
— Zack Polanski (@ZackPolanski) February 5, 2026
End of the line
To be fair to Starmer, he is leading in some polls:
By 50% to 24%, Britons say Keir Starmer should step down as prime minister
2024 Labour voters are split, with 37% wanting him to stand down and 40% wanting him to stay
Results link in replies pic.twitter.com/NFiud6JQb4
— YouGov (@YouGov) February 5, 2026
First poll Starmer has been ahead in for quite a while.
Starmer knew about Mandelson.
Now he must resign. pic.twitter.com/EFV0Keh8g6
— Zack Polanski (@ZackPolanski) February 5, 2026
Oh actually, those are no good for him either.
For more on the the Epstein Files, please read our article on how the media circus around Epstein is erasing the experiences of victims and survivors.
Featured image via Pete Birkinshaw (Wikimedia)
By Willem Moore
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