UnHerd with Freddie Sayers Can Reform win in Manchester?
Feb 5, 2026
Shahbaz Sarwar, Workers' Party councillor representing Longsight and community advocate; Allan Hopwood, Reform councillor in Greater Manchester focused on local campaigning; Joshi Herrmann, founding editor of the Manchester Mill and local reporter; Rob Ford, University of Manchester political scientist and author. They discuss voter makeup across Gorton and Denton, the clash between cultural and economic issues, coalition dynamics between diverse communities, and what a Reform breakthrough would signal nationally.
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Green Coalition Is Tactical, Not Stable
- The Greens can hold a fragile coalition by focusing on opposing both Labour and Reform.
- But cultural issues (LGBTQ, religion in schools) may strain that coalition long term.
Vote Split Opens Door For Reform
- A split left vote between Labour and Greens could hand Reform victory through the centre.
- Reform needs c.30% while the left divides around 25% each to win.
Return Of Explicit Sectarian Politics
- Sectarian, community-based politics (Muslim-focused parties) are resurging in some wards.
- This recalls historic immigrant-linked voting patterns but is more explicitly identity-driven now.