Timothee
The Green Party has achieved a breakthrough victory in the Gorton and Denton by-election, marking a significant setback for Labour leader Keir Starmer.
The result reshapes the political landscape in a constituency long considered a Labour stronghold and signals a shifting balance on the left of British politics.
Hannah Spencer Makes History in Northern England
At the centre of the upset is Hannah Spencer, a local plumber and Green Party councillor, who becomes the party’s first Member of Parliament in northern England. Spencer overturned Labour’s commanding 13,000-vote majority to secure a decisive win.
The Greens finished with 14,980 votes, placing Reform UK second on 10,578 votes. Labour slipped to third place, trailing the Greens by 5,616 votes — a dramatic 25.3% drop in vote share compared to the 2024 general election.
Meanwhile, both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats failed to secure 5% of the vote, losing their deposits after polling below 2%.
This marks the first time in nearly a century that the Gorton area of Manchester will not be represented by a Labour MP.
A Turning Point for the Green Party
The victory represents the Green Party’s first-ever win in a Westminster by-election in a traditional Labour heartland. It also establishes the party as a serious national contender and a credible alternative to Reform UK for voters dissatisfied with mainstream politics.
Spencer’s success raises fresh concerns among Labour MPs that efforts to counter the rise of Nigel Farage and Reform UK may be alienating core left-leaning voters.
The result is also likely to intensify debate around Starmer’s controversial decision to prevent Andy Burnham from standing as Labour’s candidate — a move criticised by some within the party as a strategic miscalculation.
Emotional Victory Speech Highlights Cost-of-Living Anger
In a passionate address following her win, Spencer — now the Green Party’s fifth MP — argued that ordinary people are being financially squeezed.
She said citizens are “being bled dry,” claiming that hard work no longer guarantees a decent standard of living. Spencer framed her campaign around economic fairness and social solidarity, emphasising that working people deserve stability and prosperity.
She also rejected divisive rhetoric in politics, pledging to challenge narratives that scapegoat communities. Highlighting unity, she stressed that her Muslim friends and neighbours are “just like me — human.”
Labour’s Struggles and Internal Divisions
The by-election was triggered after Andrew Gwynne resigned in January due to health reasons. He had been under parliamentary investigation over offensive WhatsApp messages.
Although Labour insiders had expressed cautious optimism on polling day — with surveys showing a tight race between Labour and the Greens — the party ultimately fell short.
Green campaigners ran an energetic grassroots operation, with thousands of volunteers travelling from across the UK to back Spencer, who gained rapid local recognition as “Hannah the plumber.”
Labour sources acknowledged that the party’s stance on Gaza damaged support among Muslim voters, particularly in the Manchester side of the constituency.
Within hours of polls closing, Labour’s deputy leader, Lucy Powell, confirmed defeat at Manchester Central. She defended Starmer, calling him “resolute” and the right person to lead, but admitted Labour must clarify its political message to regain trust.
Turnout stood at 47.6%, slightly lower than in the 2024 general election.
Reform UK Controversy and Campaign Tensions
Reform UK candidate Matt Goodwin, an academic and GB News presenter, ran in a constituency where roughly 28% of residents are Muslim. Goodwin has previously advocated policies addressing what he describes as the “Islamisation of British society.”
After finishing second, he attributed his defeat to what he called a coalition of “Islamists and woke progressives.” He also criticised the Green Party for sending campaign materials in Urdu, claiming such outreach was inappropriate.
Reform UK faced additional controversy during the campaign after being summoned to the high court over election leaflets that allegedly lacked the required political imprint. The party blamed a printing supplier error.
Starmer Under Mounting Pressure
The by-election defeat comes amid broader challenges for Starmer’s leadership. Recent criticism includes his appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador despite Mandelson’s prior association with Jeffrey Epstein following the financier’s arrest.
Additionally, tensions within Labour intensified after party leadership blocked Burnham’s candidacy in Gorton and Denton — a decision some described as a “catastrophic error.”
The contest was further marred by accusations of misleading polls and campaign tactics, reflecting a fierce battle between Labour and the Greens for dominance on the left.
The Green Party’s victory in Gorton and Denton marks a defining moment in UK politics. By capturing a seat held by Labour for nearly a century, the Greens have demonstrated growing strength beyond their traditional base.
For Labour, the result exposes vulnerabilities among left-leaning and minority voters, raising urgent questions about strategy and leadership. As political competition intensifies ahead of future elections, this by-election may prove to be a watershed in the realignment of Britain’s progressive vote.