Key Points
- Reform UK MP Lee Anderson shared photos on social media of himself and Reform activists standing outside Stanley House Function Rooms, claiming it was a campaigning event in Gorton and Denton.
- Anderson wrote on X: “Gorton and Denton. A cold but productive day in what will be a hotly contested seat.” He included a link to the party’s X handle and added: “Bring it on.”
- Critics pointed out that Stanley House Function Rooms is actually located in Angela Rayner’s constituency of Ashton-under-Lyne, not Gorton and Denton.
- Angela Rayner, Labour’s Deputy Prime Minister, mocked Reform UK, telling 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.”
- Anna Turley MP, Labour Party Chair, stated that Anderson and Reform activists were “campaigning in the wrong constituency”, adding: “Farage’s Reform are proving from day one they won’t stand up for local residents in Gorton and Denton – they can’t even find the constituency on a map.”
- Lee Anderson dismissed the claims as “absolute rubbish”, explaining that Reform chose a car park just outside the constituency to accommodate the “over 100 volunteers” who turned out to campaign.
- The incident occurred ahead of a by-election in Gorton and Denton, highlighting early campaigning efforts by Reform UK under Nigel Farage’s leadership.
- Olivia Barber, reporter at Left Foot Forward, covered the story, noting Reform’s apparent geographical error in their outreach.
Ashton-under-Lyne (Manchester Mirror) January 28, 2026 – Reform UK MP Lee Anderson has been ridiculed by Labour’s Angela Rayner after posting social media photos from what he claimed was a campaigning event in the Gorton and Denton constituency, only for it to emerge the location was in her own Ashton-under-Lyne patch.
What Happened with Lee Anderson’s Social Media Post?
Lee Anderson, the Reform UK MP, took to X to share images of himself alongside party activists outside Stanley House Function Rooms. Writing on X, he said: “Gorton and Denton. A cold but productive day in what will be a hotly contested seat.” He shared a link to the party’s X handle and concluded: “Bring it on.”
The post was intended to rally support ahead of the by-election in Gorton and Denton, showcasing what Anderson described as strong volunteer turnout. However, social media users and political opponents quickly highlighted the venue’s actual location in Ashton-under-Lyne, represented by Angela Rayner since 2015. This constituency borders Gorton and Denton but remains distinct, fuelling accusations of a basic error by Reform UK.
As reported by Olivia Barber of Left Foot Forward, the blunder drew immediate backlash, with Rayner seizing the opportunity to question Reform’s preparedness for local campaigning.
Why Did Angela Rayner Mock Reform UK?
Angela Rayner, Labour’s Deputy Prime Minister and MP for Ashton-under-Lyne, responded swiftly after spotting the location. She 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.”
Rayner’s comments underscore Labour’s strategy to portray Reform UK as disorganised and out of touch with local issues. Her reference to Nigel Farage, Reform’s leader, and “former Tories” points to the party’s roots in Conservative defections, including Anderson himself who defected from the Conservatives in 2024.
This is not the first time Rayner has clashed publicly with Reform figures, but the geographical gaffe provided fresh ammunition amid rising political tensions in Greater Manchester.
What Was Anna Turley’s Response as Labour Party Chair?
Anna Turley MP, Labour Party Chair, issued a statement amplifying the criticism. She said Anderson and Reform activists were “campaigning in the wrong constituency”. She added: “Farage’s Reform are proving from day one they won’t stand up for local residents in Gorton and Denton – they can’t even find the constituency on a map.”
Turley’s remarks align with Labour’s broader narrative of positioning itself as the authentic voice for working-class communities in northern England. Gorton and Denton, part of Greater Manchester, have long been Labour strongholds, and the by-election represents a key battleground.
Her intervention, as reported by Olivia Barber of Left Foot Forward, emphasises Reform’s early missteps in what could be a fiercely contested race.
How Did Lee Anderson Defend Himself?
Lee Anderson dismissed claims he was “campaigning in the wrong constituency” as “absolute rubbish”. He said that Reform chose a car park just outside the constituency to accommodate the “over 100 volunteers” who turned out to campaign.
Anderson’s rebuttal frames the incident as a pragmatic decision rather than an error, highlighting logistical needs for a large group. The MP, known for his outspoken style since joining Reform UK, used the volunteer numbers to underscore party momentum despite the mockery.
This defence aims to shift focus from the location to Reform’s grassroots enthusiasm, a core pillar of Nigel Farage’s strategy post-2024 election gains.
What Is the Context of the Gorton and Denton By-Election?
The by-election in Gorton and Denton stems from recent political shifts in Greater Manchester, though specific triggers like resignations were not detailed in initial reports. The seat is “hotly contested”, as Anderson noted, reflecting Reform UK’s ambition to challenge Labour’s dominance in red-wall areas.
Reform UK, under Nigel Farage, has positioned itself as an anti-establishment force, attracting defectors like Anderson. Campaigning began early, with over 100 volunteers mobilised, but the Stanley House incident has overshadowed the effort.
Local priorities, as Rayner highlighted, centre on the cost of living, a persistent issue in post-industrial constituencies like these.
Who Is Olivia Barber and What Role Did Left Foot Forward Play?
Olivia Barber is a reporter at Left Foot Forward, the outlet that first detailed the story under the headline “Reform MP Lee Anderson mocked by Angela Rayner over embarrassing by-election blunder”. Left Foot Forward positions itself as progressive journalism holding the right to account, relying on reader donations rather than corporate backing.
Barber’s reporting captured all key statements without omission, attributing quotes accurately to The Mirror for Rayner’s comments and direct sources for others.
Broader Implications for Reform UK’s Campaign?
This episode risks painting Reform UK as amateurish ahead of the by-election, despite Anderson’s volunteer boast. Nigel Farage’s party has surged in polls since 2024, but such blunders could alienate voters seeking competent local representation.
Labour’s Rayner and Turley have weaponised the gaffe to reinforce their message on lived experience versus outsider politics. Anderson’s riposte seeks to reframe it, but social media amplification may prolong the ridicule.
In Greater Manchester’s political landscape, where boundaries like Ashton-under-Lyne and Gorton and Denton blur, precision matters. Reform’s choice of a nearby car park underscores expansion challenges.
