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Green Party Upsets Labour, Wins Historic By-Election in Greater Manchester
Historic upset in Gorton & Denton: Green Party’s Hannah Spencer wins, Labour crushed in a safe seat. UK politics faces a shake-up.
ND
by News Desk
2026-02-27
Green Party Upsets Labour, Wins Historic By-Election in Greater Manchester

Hannah Spencer, a 34-year-old councillor and plumber from the Green Party, has won the Gorton and Denton by-election, securing 40.7% of the vote and delivering a major blow to Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour Party.

Once considered a Labour stronghold for nearly a century, the constituency saw the populist, anti-immigration Reform Party come second, while Labour finished a disappointing third. Analysts say the result signals a fracture in the UK’s traditional two-party system.

The Greens, led by Zack Polanski, have increasingly positioned themselves as an alternative to Labour, criticizing the party’s stance on issues including Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza and its diplomatic support for Israel — a position that has alienated some Labour voters.

Political scientist John Curtice described the outcome as a “seismic moment” suggesting that the “future of British politics looks more uncertain than at any stage” since the end of World War II.

In her victory speech, Spencer condemned politicians who scapegoat communities for societal problems, while Labour Party chair Anna Turley called the result “clearly disappointing.”

The by-election was triggered by the resignation of former Labour MP Andrew Gwynne due to health reasons. The loss deepens pressure on Starmer, who had blocked popular Manchester mayor Andy Burnham from contesting the seat and personally campaigned there ahead of the vote.

Spencer’s win gives the Greens five seats in Parliament, while Reform holds eight. The result, alongside rising support for the Liberal Democrats, signals that the traditional Labour-Conservative duopoly is facing serious challenges.

Nigel Farage dismissed the victory as “a win for sectarian voting and cheating,” a claim rejected by a Greens spokesperson, who called it “an attempt to undermine the democratic result.”

Spencer’s victory marks the Green Party’s first by-election win and represents a major milestone in British politics, highlighting increasing voter openness to alternatives outside the traditional parties.
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UKPolitics

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