Key Points
- Green Party launches “Vote Green in Gorton and Denton” campaign for 2026 local elections, targeting Manchester wards.
- Focus on protecting renters from Section 21 no-fault evictions and building truly affordable social housing.
- Commitment to defend local green spaces like Gorton Park and Denton Golf Course from development.
- Pledges opposition to Israeli aggression in Gaza and support for Palestinian rights.
- Calls for immediate action on climate crisis through expanded public transport and insulation schemes.
- Critique of Labour council’s housing policies as inadequate for working-class needs.
- Endorsement of Green councillors like Jude Lawson (Denton ward) for re-election.
- Emphasis on anti-austerity stance, funding services via tax on wealthiest 1%.
- Campaign led by local activists urging residents to vote Green on May 1, 2026 polling day.
- Broader manifesto includes free school meals, NHS reinvestment, and ending two-child benefit cap.
Gorton (Manchester Mirror) February 25, 2026 – The Green Party has issued a fervent call to residents in Gorton and Denton to vote Green in the upcoming 2026 local elections, highlighting urgent local issues like housing insecurity and green space protection. As reported by the Morning Star Online in their article “Vote Green in Gorton and Denton,” the party positions itself as the progressive alternative amid dissatisfaction with Labour’s council policies. Campaigners stress that only a Green vote can deliver real change for working-class communities in these Manchester wards.
Why Are Greens Targeting Gorton and Denton in 2026?
Gorton and Denton, longstanding Labour strongholds in Manchester, face mounting pressures from the housing crisis and environmental threats, making them prime battlegrounds for the Green Party. According to the Morning Star Online article titled “Vote Green in Gorton and Denton,” published ahead of the 2026 polls, the Greens aim to build on their Denton foothold where Cllr Jude Lawson holds the ward seat. “Gorton and Denton need representatives who fight for renters, green spaces, and peace – that’s us,” the article quotes local Green activists.
The campaign taps into resident frustrations over rising evictions and overdevelopment. As detailed in the piece, Labour’s Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) plans risk concreting over vital local lungs like Gorton Park and parts of Denton Golf Course. Green Party spokespeople warn that without their intervention, these spaces could vanish, exacerbating urban heat and flood risks.
What Housing Reforms Do Greens Promise?
Renters’ rights form the cornerstone of the Green appeal in these wards. The Morning Star Online reports that Greens vow to abolish Section 21 no-fault evictions nationwide, protecting tenants from arbitrary landlord actions. “Labour talks tough but fails to deliver; Greens will scrap Section 21 for good,” states the article, attributing the pledge to party manifesto commitments.
On affordable housing, the Greens criticise Labour’s “half-measures” and pledge thousands of truly social homes at genuine social rents. In Denton and Gorton, where private rentals dominate, this resonates strongly. Cllr Jude Lawson, restanding in Denton, is quoted: “We’ve seen families priced out; our plan funds council homes via a wealth tax on the super-rich.” The article notes this anti-austerity funding model would redirect resources from the wealthiest 1% to local needs.
How Will Greens Protect Local Green Spaces?
Defending Gorton’s parks and Denton’s golf course emerges as a rallying cry. As per Morning Star Online, Labour’s Spatial Framework threatens these areas for luxury flats, ignoring community input. Greens promise to block such developments, prioritising people’s parks over profit-driven builds.
“Imagine Gorton Park bulldozed for yet more unaffordable housing – we won’t let it happen,” the article cites Green campaign literature. In Denton, where golf course green space borders residential zones, residents fear similar fates. The party links this to broader climate action, pledging cycle lanes and tree-planting to combat pollution.
What Is the Green Stance on International Issues?
Palestinian solidarity features prominently, with Greens condemning “Israeli aggression in Gaza” and calling for an immediate ceasefire. The Morning Star Online attributes this to the party’s pacifist roots, contrasting it with Labour’s perceived ambiguity. “Vote Green to end UK complicity in war crimes,” urges the campaign flyer quoted in the piece.
Local activists tie this to domestic peace campaigns, noting Gorton’s diverse communities demand action. No other sources contradict this; it aligns with Green Party’s consistent foreign policy.
Who Are the Key Green Figures in This Campaign?
Cllr Jude Lawson leads in Denton, credited by Morning Star Online for past wins on local issues. In Gorton, prospective candidates like those unnamed in the article but backed by the party slate emphasise fresh faces untainted by establishment politics. “Jude has delivered; now join us to expand the Green presence,” the report quotes party organisers.
The article praises Lawson’s record on opposing austerity cuts, positioning her as a model for Gorton hopefuls.
When Is Polling Day and How to Vote Green?
Elections are set for May 1, 2026, with postal votes already urged. Morning Star Online advises: “Check your polling card; vote Green on the ballot for real change.” Campaign stalls in Gorton market and Denton centre distribute leaflets, per the report.
Why Criticise Labour’s Record Here?
Greens lambast Manchester Labour council for failing on housing waits – over 10,000 households in need. “Labour builds for developers, not people,” the article quotes a Gorton canvasser. GMCA’s framework is slammed as “developers’ charter,” ignoring flood-prone sites.
This neutrality reflects voter apathy; polls cited informally in the piece show Green surges in similar wards.
What Broader Manifesto Supports This Local Push?
Beyond locals, Greens push national reforms: free vegan school meals, NHS dental reinvestment, and scrapping the two-child benefit cap. Morning Star Online details how local wins fund these via progressive taxation. “No austerity – tax the rich,” summarises the pledge.
Climate measures include free insulation for all homes and bus fare caps, tailored to Manchester’s transport woes.
Community Reactions to the Green Call?
Residents quoted anonymously in the Morning Star piece express hope: “Finally, a party for us renters.” Labour sources dismissed it as “protest votes,” but Greens counter with Denton’s proven seat.
No incidents mar the launch; peaceful door-knocking dominates.
Future Outlook for Green Gains?
Analysts, per the article’s context, predict up to three seats if turnout hits 40%. Success hinges on youth and Muslim voter mobilisation in Gorton’s multicultural fabric.
