John xxxxxx,

You may have received a message from us earlier this week about the Gorton and Denton by-election. I'm writing again today because events on the ground in Manchester are moving fast - and the stakes have risen even higher.

Reform's candidate is Matt Goodwin. His views on women, race and multiculturalism are extreme. Even before today, his selection was outrageous.

Now it's worse.

Tommy Robinson - the far-right former EDL leader - has publicly endorsed Goodwin. This is the same Tommy Robinson that Goodwin himself has said he is "quite similar to in some respects". 

Goodwin has said of Tommy Robinson that "had the establishment listened to what he was saying... then I think we would have avoided some of the problems that we ran into as a society over the last decade".

The mask is slipping, John xxxxxx. This is not mainstream politics. It is dangerous.

And we cannot allow a candidate emboldened by Tommy Robinson anywhere near Parliament.

Only Labour can stop this. Polling shows Reform are currently ahead by just 2-3% - and Labour is the only party that can beat them.

If you're able to help today, an early donation will make a real difference to this campaign:

This by-election is about more than one seat. It's about sending a clear message to Nigel Farage and Reform: Britain will not accept candidates like this.

Thank you to everyone who has already donated. If you haven't yet - and you're able to - I'm asking you to make a contribution today.

Time and again, it has been our movement - our party - that steps up when this country faces a threat. This moment is no different.

Thank you,

Lucy Powell
Deputy Leader of the Labour Party