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The Green Party secured a historic victory in the Gorton and Denton by-election, dealing a major political setback to Keir Starmer and Labour.
Hannah Spencer, a local plumber and Green councillor, became the party’s first MP in northern England after overturning Labour’s 13,000-vote majority. Labour finished third in the closely fought contest, trailing the Greens by 5,616 votes with 14,980 votes in total. Reform UK came second with 10,578 votes. Compared to the 2024 general election, Labour’s vote share dropped by 25.3%.
This marks the Greens’ first-ever win in a Westminster by-election and strengthens their position as a credible political force, particularly as an alternative to Reform UK. The result is likely to heighten concerns within Labour that the party is losing support from left-leaning voters while trying to counter Nigel Farage’s Reform.
Questions are also expected over Starmer’s decision to block Andy Burnham from running as Labour’s candidate in a city where he remains popular. The outcome ends nearly a century of continuous Labour representation in the Gorton area of Manchester.
In her emotional victory speech, Spencer — now the fifth Green MP — said ordinary people were being “bled dry,” arguing that hard work should provide a decent standard of living rather than benefit billionaires. She stressed the importance of unity and pledged to challenge politicians who scapegoat communities, adding that her Muslim neighbours are “just like me — human.”
Read more: Burnham Backfires: Labour Teeters on Brink as Gorton and Denton
The by-election followed the resignation of Andrew Gwynne in January due to health reasons. He had been under parliamentary investigation over offensive messages sent in a local Labour WhatsApp group.
Although Labour insiders had expressed optimism on polling day, believing the race was extremely tight, the Greens’ energetic grassroots campaign ultimately proved decisive. Spencer gained rapid local recognition as “Hannah the plumber,” supported by volunteers who travelled from across the UK.
Labour sources acknowledged that many Muslim voters had not forgiven the party for its position on Gaza, an issue the Greens actively highlighted in parts of the constituency. One local Labour councillor admitted concern about future seats.
Shortly after polls closed, Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell confirmed the defeat. She defended Starmer, saying he remains committed and capable despite facing significant global challenges, while acknowledging the need for clearer political messaging to reconnect with voters.
Turnout stood at 47.6%, slightly lower than in the 2024 general election.
Labour framed the contest as a choice between unity and the “toxic division” of Reform UK. Reform’s candidate, academic and GB News presenter Matt Goodwin, ran in a constituency with a large Muslim population. He has previously called for action against what he described as the “Islamisation of British society.”
Following his defeat, Goodwin claimed a coalition of “Islamists and woke progressives” had determined the result. He criticised the Greens for what he called “sectarian politics,” including campaign materials distributed in Urdu. When asked whether he was questioning the legitimacy of the result, he declined to answer.
Labour deployed several cabinet ministers to campaign in the seat, although Starmer himself visited only in the final week. The prime minister had also faced criticism over appointing Peter Mandelson as US ambassador despite Mandelson’s past association with Jeffrey Epstein, and over blocking Burnham’s candidacy — a move seen by some as an effort to prevent a leadership challenge.
During a campaign visit, Starmer described the by-election as a “battle of values” and suggested that voting Green could indirectly benefit Reform — signalling Labour’s concern over losing votes to the Greens.
The campaign was marked by disputes over polling and tactics, with Labour and the Greens competing intensely for left-wing voters while Reform sought to capitalise on any split. Reform was also taken to the high court over campaign letters that reportedly lacked the legally required political imprint, which the party attributed to a printing error.
