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Reform Candidate Withdraws From Debate Amid Fairness Concerns

2/11/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Matt Goodwin, Reform candidate for the Gorton and Denton by-election, withdrew from the February 11 hustings due to impartiality concerns.
He said the organizing group indicated a lack of fairness for all candidates.
He plans to attend debates hosted by the Manchester Evening News and BBC.
The by-election is set for February 26 in the United Kingdom, with criticism calling him 'too scared' to debate Green Party candidate Hannah Spencer.

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Story summary

Matt Goodwin, Reform candidate for the Gorton and Denton by-election, withdrew from the February 11 hustings due to impartiality concerns.
He said the organizing group indicated a lack of fairness for all candidates.
He plans to attend debates hosted by the Manchester Evening News and BBC.
The by-election is set for February 26 in the United Kingdom, with criticism calling him 'too scared' to debate Green Party candidate Hannah Spencer.