Labour accuses Reform candidate of ‘toxic politics’ after Tommy Robinson endorsement

Far-right activist tells X followers to vote for Reform’s Gorton and Denton candidate, Matthew Goodwin

Labour have accused the Reform UK candidate for the Gorton and Denton byelection, Matthew Goodwin, of representing “toxic politics” after he was endorsed by the far-right agitator Tommy Robinson.

The move will be uncomfortable for Nigel Farage, who has consistently kept the parties he leads separate from Robinson, an anti-Islam campaigner and one of the UK’s leading far-right figures.

In a post on X on Friday to his 1.8m followers, Robinson quoted a tweet by Hope Not Hate, which researches and campaigns against far-right politics, adding simply: “Vote for Matt.”

A Reform spokesperson said in response: “We have consistently been clear on this issue. He isn’t welcome in the party.”