The part of Manchester I call home has suddenly found itself thrust into the political spotlight.
Gorton and Denton is the seat where Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham wanted to run as Labour’s Westminster candidate – before being swiftly blocked by the party’s executive, triggering an internal crisis.
For a long time, these parts have been Labour through and through – the former constituency of Manchester Gorton was one of its safest seats in the whole country. It would have been unthinkable for another party to have a chance of winning here – until now.
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“I would probably lean to the Greens – I’m a Green member”, says Josh Marsden, who lives in Levenshulme, to the west of the constituency.
It’s an area that has been attracting left-leaning young professionals in increasing numbers over the past decade, many who have been priced out of upmarket areas like Chorlton and Didsbury.
With them has come growing support for the Green Party. But Mr Marsden says if Mr Burnham had been allowed to stand, Labour would have won his vote instead.
“I think that he understands the constituency – he understands Greater Manchester,” he says. “I think we want a local candidate who understands our wants and needs.”
Inside the Station South cycle cafe, his views are echoed by several other Levenshulme locals who have come out for brunch. For them, no Burnham means their votes will go to the Greens.
“The idea of the Greens and Labour being against each other really stresses me out,” says one diner.
“Being in a local Facebook group,…
