Fact Check: Reform By-Election Candidate’s Image Contains Apparent False Quote

In a development that has raised concerns about campaign integrity, Advance UK’s candidate for the Gorton and Denton by-election, Nick Buckley, has become embroiled in controversy after sharing a fabricated quote attributed to his political rival.

Buckley reposted an image on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that purportedly showed Reform UK candidate Matthew Goodwin making disparaging remarks about Manchester, where the by-election is taking place. The manipulated image displayed a newspaper article with a quote allegedly from Goodwin stating: “I lived in Manchester for a few months as a student. I hated it, the locals are all chavs and the city is an eyesore.”

A fact-check investigation has determined that the quote was fabricated. The photograph of Goodwin used in the image was indeed from a legitimate newspaper interview, but the accompanying text had been altered from its original content.

The authentic newspaper article, published and shared on social media platforms including X and Facebook on February 1, carried a significantly different headline: “If I win, Starmer will resign, says Reform’s candidate for Gorton and Denton.” A comprehensive review of the full article revealed no instances of Goodwin expressing contempt for Manchester or using derogatory language to describe local residents.

Digital forensics further confirmed the manipulation. A reverse image search demonstrated that the original photograph had been repurposed multiple times with the fabricated quote, circulating across various social media platforms including Threads. Google searches for the alleged quote returned no legitimate news sources containing such statements from Goodwin.

This incident highlights the growing challenge of misinformation in local electoral campaigns, a trend that has been increasing in prominence across UK politics in recent years. Political analysts note that by-elections, with their concentrated media attention and heightened stakes, have become particular flashpoints for questionable campaign tactics.

The Gorton and Denton by-election has gained significant national attention as it represents an important test for Reform UK, the party formerly known as the Brexit Party. Under the leadership of Nigel Farage, Reform UK has been making inroads in traditionally Labour-held constituencies, particularly in areas where voters have expressed disillusionment with mainstream political parties.

For Reform UK, this by-election represents an opportunity to demonstrate growing electoral viability ahead of the expected general election later this year. Meanwhile, established parties view it as a crucial test of their defensive strategies against Reform’s populist challenge.

The spread of fabricated quotes raises serious questions about electoral conduct and the responsibilities of candidates in verifying information before sharing it with voters. The Electoral Commission has previously expressed concerns about the impact of misinformation on democratic processes, though it has limited powers to sanction candidates for social media activities.

Digital media experts suggest that such incidents represent a broader pattern of manipulation that has become increasingly sophisticated and difficult for average voters to detect. The practice of taking genuine images from reputable news sources and pairing them with fabricated quotes leverages the credibility of established media to spread false information.

Neither Buckley nor Goodwin have yet issued formal statements regarding the fabricated quote, though the original post has generated significant engagement online. Political commentators suggest that such incidents risk further eroding public trust in electoral campaigns and potentially impact voter turnout.

The by-election for Gorton and Denton is scheduled to proceed as planned, with voters set to go to the polls amid this controversy that underscores the increasingly complex information landscape surrounding modern electoral politics.