A candidate’s remarks regarding tax policy sparked harsh criticism from political rivals and pundits, plunging Reform UK’s most recent by-election campaign into scandal.
Controversial Statement
The candidate in the Gorton and Denton division’s upcoming by-election, Matt Goodwin, has caused a great deal of ire among the public after his previous written proposal on the tax system which includes additional fees for those without children was discovered in a blog post where the author was arguing for the imposition of what is known as a “negative child benefit tax” on those without children.
“The decrease in family formation in this nation has very real and very negative effects,” Goodwin said. There are several strategies to deal with this and encourage families to have additional kids, such as granting parents of two or more an exemption from income tax.
Political Opponents Condemn the Remarks
Labour, the opposition party, has taken offence at Goodwin’s remarks, seeing the plans as punishing and inconsistent with popular ideals. Lucy Powell, the deputy leader of Labour, voiced her disapproval of the measures, saying, “These proposals are so ridiculous that you could mistake them for something from the television series The Handmaid’s Tale, which is about the oppression of women.”
Powell criticised Reform UK for promoting divisive politics and pointed out that the tax proposal would have a substantial impact on women. She also urged electors to vote against the “extreme” beliefs, saying that Labour is the best candidate to oppose them in the by-election.
Far-Right Endorsement Adds Fuel to the Fire
When far-right activist Robinson publicly endorsed Goodwin and urged his followers on X (previously Twitter) to “Vote for Matt,” the debate lately grew more intense. Many people across the political spectrum are astonished by this action by Robinson, who frequently employs aggressive language.
As party officials once more stated publicly that Robinson “isn’t welcome in the party,” Reform UK likewise made an effort to disassociate itself from Robinson. However, the opposition has once again said that this is bad for the campaign and the candidate.
Reform UK’s Campaign
Meanwhile, the head of the Reform UK Party, Nigel Farage, defended the campaign, saying the blog post is not the party’s official position. Farage, however, persisted in focusing on criticising the political establishment in order to disparage voters and advance Reform UK as a fresh substitute.
Polls indicate that the race between Labour and the Reform UK party for the Gorton and Denton constituency is still close despite the backlash.
The By-Election
The Gorton and Denton by-election, scheduled for February 26, 2026, was already starting to appear to be one of the most hotly contested elections of the year. The Reform UK Party saw the election as a chance to expand its presence in the UK Parliament, while the Labour Party saw it as a significant test of its control over its traditional areas.
Goodwin’s plans, which could influence voters, and the popularity gained by Robinson’s backing have also drawn criticism from the opposition. However, the Reform Party contends that the focus on family and the seeming decline in the population have benefited the party.
Reform UK
It is expected that local and national stories will influence how the public reacts to the current scandal as campaign levels rise before election day. While Reform UK is expected to move forward with its campaign messages, among other things, Labour is expected to keep focusing on the campaign surrounding the proposal and the backlash.
Regardless of the outcome, this episode further demonstrates how the statements made by individual candidates—especially those pertaining to challenging topics like taxes and families—can quickly take centre stage during an election campaign.
