George Galloway will stand in the upcoming Gorton & Denton if Labour fields Andy Burnham as its candidate, the Express has learnt. The firebrand left-winger is preparing to return to the political fray is Labour puts up the star candidate, and could deal a huge blow to Labour’s chances.

Mr Galloway previously defeated the Labour Party in the 2024 Rochdale by-election, overturning Labour’s 8,000 majority from 2019. An ally of Mr Galloway’s has told The Express: “If it’s Burnham [for Labour], I’d expect George to throw his hat into the ring. He likes the headlines… if George does stand he would do some serious damage [to Labour].”

The source also pointed out that the Gorton half of the greater Manchester constituency has “a hell of a Muslim population”, with home Mr Galloway enjoys significant support for his historic role opposing Tony Blair’s wars in the Middle East.

The Workers Party, which Mr Galloway leads, won 10% of the vote in Gorton & Denton at the last general election, despite a party source branding their representative “a paper candidate who delivered one leaflet”.

Mr Galloway entering the race could deal an enormous blow to Labour’s chances of holding the seat, regardless of whether they mitigate Sir Keir Starmer’s unpopularity with Andy Burnham’s star power.

According to pollster Britain Predictes, Reform is on course to win the by-election - unless Mr Burnham is Labour’s candidate.

Despite Sir Keir Starmer storming to victory in the seat in 2024, with 51% of the vote, it’s now forecast that Reform would secure a comfortable win of six points over Labour’s candidate.

Nigel Farage is eyeing up 32% of the vote, to Labour’s 26% and the Green Party’s 22%.

However if Mr Burnham is Labour’s candidate, Britain Predicts finds that Labour would retain the seat with 36% to Reform’s 32%.