The Story The State of It: Can Labour survive a big Green victory?
Feb 27, 2026
A shocking by-election flips a once-safe Labour seat to the Greens and shakes up Britain’s political map. Discussion centers on which voter blocs have shifted and where campaign mistakes were made. They explore whether Labour’s leadership and direction can survive this realignment and how rivals like Reform and the Conservatives are being redefined.
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Duopoly Collapsed After Gorton And Denton
- The Gorton and Denton by-election signals a possible end to the Labour-Tory duopoly in British politics.
- Patrick Maguire says Labour finished a distant third in a seat they've held since 1931, with the Greens taking 40% of the vote.
Greens Are Repository For Progressive Protest
- The Greens have become a focal point for left, liberal and Muslim protest votes, sustaining high salience after 2024.
- Stephen Swinford notes the Greens' performance in 2024 and last night shows the Israel-Gaza salience hasn't diminished.
Blocking Andy Burnham Cost Labour
- Blocking Andy Burnham from standing was framed as a decisive campaign mistake by Labour insiders.
- Patrick Maguire and Stephen Swinford both argue Burnham said he was the only person who could win and was proven right after being blocked.