# Can Starmer conquer Burnham's kingdom?

An episode of [Politics At Sam and Anne's](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1709628885), 25 Feb 2026, 19 min.

Audio: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/7e4426fb-912f-48f3-81cf-4e79caa14013.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=e0c28668-b961-43cf-8d6c-6ba62ef8a7a3&aw_0_1st.episodeid=7e4426fb-912f-48f3-81cf-4e79caa14013

With under 24 hours to go until the polls open in Gorton and Denton, is this by-election the biggest test facing Sir Keir Starmer’s government? Sam has been in the Manchester suburb - hearing from the political big hitters and gathering reaction from voters across the constituency – finding out their priorities and whether Andy Burnham could have made a difference. Back in Westminster, are the Metropolitan Police in a sticky situation over the arrest of Peter Mandelson and claims that he was a “flight risk?” A full list of candidates standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election can be found here: https://www.manchester.gov.uk/directory_record/538138/statement_of_persons_nominated_and_notice_of_poll_for_the_february_2026_gorton_and_denton_by_election?outputType=chromeless

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