Bolton school governor stands in Denton and Gorton election

Charlotte Cadden, a police officer for 30 years, is currently a governor at Rumworth School in Ladybridge and has now been unveiled as Conservative candidate for Gorton and Denton.

She is one of two Bolton-linked candidates to have been put forward for the key contest, with Green Party candidate Hannah Spencer having been born in the borough.

Ms Cadden said: “Gorton and Denton has been let down for too long by Labour.

“From their record tax rises, ideological crusades, and failures to control our borders, residents in this constituency are facing the consequences, and that must end.

Charlotte Cadden has been selected as Conservative candidate for the Gorton and Denton by-election (Image: Conservatives)

“I will fight to be a no-nonsense champion of this great constituency and work to deliver on the priorities of local people.”

The by-election was called after serving Labour MP Andrew Gwynne announced he was standing down citing “health reasons”.

Mr Gwynne had previously been embroiled in a row over a WhatsApp chat where he appeared to joke that he hoped an elderly constituent would die, among other offensive messages.

Bolton born Hannah Spencer was selected as the Green Party candidate (Image: James Speakman/PA)

The Conservative candidate retired as a deputy chief inspector in 2025 and chaired the police sex equality and equity network during her time in the role.

She is a trustee of Sex Matters, a charity which advocates for gender critical perspectives and for single sex spaces and has been involved in Conservative politics in Bolton.

Labour said on Saturday its candidate in the by-election is Cllr Angeliki Stogia, a Manchester city councillor for Whalley Range.

She was selected after Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham was controversially blocked from standing as Labour’s candidate by the party’s national executive committee.

It is understood that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer attended the meeting where Mr Burnham was blocked via video link.

Cllr Stogia said: “This is about Manchester. Manchester is a city united, we are rejecting division.

“I am so looking forward to going out on the doorstep and winning this for Labour.”

Reform’s candidate is GB News presenter and former academic Matt Goodwin, and the Liberal Democrats’ choice is Jackie Pearcey, a prominent local campaigner.

The by-election is set to be held on Thursday February 26 this year.