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Thursday, 26 February 2026

Rodney sets a tough target



PM urges voters to reject 'toxic' politics as by-election polls open

Sir Keir Starmer has made a final desperate plea to voters in Gorton and Denton, urging them to turn against “toxic” politics and make a choice between “unity or division” in a crucial by-election which experts believe could herald a new era of British politics.

With the vote expected to be a major test of his leadership, the prime minister made a last-ditch attempt to persuade voters to back his party. Ahead of the vote, Labour appeared to be neck and neck with the Greens and Reform in a fight to win the Greater Manchester seat, with any of the three parties in with a chance of winning.


Blimey, no doubt it is just possible to be more divisive than Sir Keir Rodney Starmer, but Gorton and Denton polling suggests he has set a tough target.

7 comments:

Macheath said...

Tough, possibly self-defeating and, given the current political situation, a near-impossibility: the Telegraph’s ‘Matt’ - who always has his finger on the Zeitgeist - has a cartoon today showing a voter emerging from a polling booth, ballot paper in hand, and asking ‘Can I order off menu?’

(O/T: I’ve just spotted that BBC sounds is repeating the 1981 dramatisation of ‘Lost Horizon’ - well worth a listen (and refreshingly free of the unwelcome preaching and political correctness the editors invariably shoehorn into any classic text these days.)

Tammly said...

It's most important to avoid large numerous potholes in the road and toxic politics.

A K Haart said...

Macheath - interesting, thanks. I've never read Lost Horizon so I'll probably read the book first, especially as it is available on Kindle for £0.36.

‘Can I order off menu?’ - Presumably the internet could easily facilitate voting on a menu of political policies - and the ability send them back if not satisfactory.

Tammly - both are getting worse too, toxic politics and potholes. A deep pothole on our road recently had a wheel trim lying nearby.

DiscoveredJoys said...

With the Greens winning Gorton and Denton, and Labour coming third, behind Reform one can only assume that Stumbler's reverse Midas touch is in full swing, yet again.

A K Haart said...

DJ - yes, Sadim casts his spell yet again.

James Higham said...

Was just looking through X ... lessons definitely not being learnt.

A K Haart said...

James - I'm not surprised, viewpoints tend to be set in concrete.