Politics
Greens Criticise Labour Over Disputed By Election Poll
Labour has been criticised by the Green Party for using an opinion poll dismissed as “bullshit” by Alastair Campbell in a by-election advert.
The party posted the results of the Find Out Now survey of just 51 people in Gorton and Denton.
Voters in the constituency will go to the polls on February 26 in what is a three-way fight between Labour, the Greens and Reform.
According to the poll, Reform are on 36%, Labour are on 33% and the Greens are on 21%.
The Labour ad says: “This by-election is a fight between Labour and Reform. The Greens can’t win here.”
In a statement following criticism of the poll, Find Out Now said: “We apologise for any confusion or misinterpretation caused by the way these results were reported, and for any impression that the data was more precise than it could be, given the small sample size.
“Although the poll suggests the race is likely to be close, it should not be analysed beyond that (for example, as indicating that one party is in the lead).”
In response, former Labour spin doctor Campbell said: “Any media who covered this BS (bullshit) pro-Farridge poll should likewise apologise and stop using BS polls as part of their coverage.”
A Green Party source said: “Labour is using a poll in its adverts that even Alastair Campbell says is bullshit.
“All of the available data points strongly to the Greens being the only one’s that can stop Reform, a leaked internal poll from Reform, our own doorstep data and the bookies, are all pointing in one clear direction. Labour’s vote has collapsed.”
A Labour source said: “There’s a clear choice facing voters in Gorton and Denton on Thursday February 26. A choice between the toxic politics of Reform’s Tommy Robinson-backed candidate and Labour’s Angeliki Stogia who will bring our communities together and tackle the cost of living.
“A vote for the Green Party just risks letting Reform in through the back door.”