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The Green party has pulled off a landmark victory in the Gorton and Denton byelection in a significant blow to Keir Starmer, Josh Halliday is reporting.
Hannah Spencer, a local plumber and Green party councillor, was elected as the party’s first MP in northern England after overturning Labour’s 13,000-vote majority.
Labour came third in the tightly contested race, while Reform UK finished second.
ShareUpdated at 05.36 CET
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More here from the Guardian’s North of England editor, Josh Halliday:
On voting day in the Gorton byelection Labour insiders had seemed more confident as polling showed they were virtually neck-and-neck with the Greens. They hoped voters might stick with Labour rather than back an insurgent party and risk a Reform win.
But the Greens’ energetic campaign – Hannah Spencer found near-instant local fame as “Hannah the plumber” while thousands of volunteers travelled from across the UK to support her – was enough to secure victory.
Labour sources said the party had not been forgiven by many of its Muslim voters for its stance on Gaza – an issue capitalised on by the Greens in the Manchester side of the constituency.
“Gaza has not been forgotten or forgiven,” said a Labour councillor in the constituency. “Lots of us are now worried for our seats”.
Labour’s deputy leader, Lucy Powell, said Starmer was “resolute in his job” when asked about the prime minister’s future.
double quotation markI know that Keir is the right person for that job … This is about politics as well – we’ve got to get our politics clearer so people know that we are on their side, we are standing up for them.
ShareUpdated at 06.32 CET
The Green party won 40.7% of the byelection vote while Reform finished second on 28.7% and Labour came third with 25.4%, according to agency reports.
Among those respective candidates, Hannah Spencer received 14,980 votes, Matthew Goodwin 10,578 and Angeliki Stogia 9,364.
ShareUpdated at 06.22 CET
Nigel Farage has responded to the byelection result, claiming on social media it was a “victory for sectarian voting and cheating”.
Reform’s leader said Matt Goodwin was “a great candidate for us”.
Farage’s post on X also said:
double quotation markRoll on the elections on May 7th. It will be goodbye Starmer and goodbye to the Tory party.
ShareUpdated at 06.16 CET
The Greens’ victory in a Labour stronghold is its first ever in a Westminster byelection and establishes the party as a serious political force and a credible anti-Reform alternative.
It will deepen concerns among Labour MPs that Keir Starmer’s party is haemorrhaging voters on the left in an effort to thwart the rise of Nigel Farage’s Reform, reports Josh Halliday.
The result will also prompt further scrutiny of the prime minister’s decision to block Andy Burnham from standing as the Labour candidate in a city where he enjoys significant public support.
It is the first time in nearly 100 years that the Gorton area of Manchester has not been represented by a Labour MP.
See the full report here:
ShareHere are some shots of Hannah Spencer after the historic byelection win for the Greens.
Photograph: Temilade Adelaja/Reuters
Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA
Spencer at the podium giving her victory speech. Photograph: Temilade Adelaja/ReutersShareUpdated at 06.04 CET
Hannah Al-Othman
Hannah Spencer, who had mentioned in the speech that she was a plumber, also said: “To many customers, I’m sorry, but I might have to cancel the work. Because I’m heading to parliament, and when I get there, I will make space for everyone doing jobs like mine.”
ShareUpdated at 05.58 CET
Hannah Al-Othman
Speaking from the podium, Spencer also said her victory had come off the back of people being desperate for change.
double quotation markPeople in their thousands told me on the doorsteps, and at the ballot box, that what we are sick of is being let down and looked down on, and we are sick of our hard work making other people rich.
In what appeared to be a swipe at her Reform rival, she added:
double quotation markI can’t and won’t accept this victory tonight, without calling out politicians and divisive figures who constantly scapegoat and blame our communities for all the problems in society. My Muslim friends and neighbours are just like me – human.
ShareUpdated at 05.53 CET
Hannah Spencer says in her victory speech that she is no different to anyone in her constituency – “I work hard, that’s what we do”.
She says working hard used to get you somewhere but doesn’t now.
double quotation markInstead of working for a nice life, we are working to line the pockets of billionaires. We are being bled dry. And I don’t think it is extreme or radical to think working hard should get you a nice life … I think that absolutely everybody should get a nice life.
And clearly I’m not the only person who thinks that.
ShareUpdated at 05.49 CET
Conservatives respond to resultPA reports that a spokesman for the Conservative Party, which came a distant fourth in the Gorton and Denton contest, said: “Keir Starmer has killed the Labour Party. In losing one of Labour’s safest seats, in a constituency that has returned Labour MPs for almost a century, Starmer has shown he no longer commands the support of Labour voters and is now a lame duck leader.
“This result shows the Labour Government now lacks any support in the country and has no mandate for the terrible policies it is pursuing - increasing the benefits bill, raising taxes, weakening our borders and the Armed Forces.
“Only the Conservatives have the experience, the plans and the team to ensure a stronger economy and a stronger country.”
ShareHannah Spencer is speaking on stage after her win and says she didn’t grow up wanting to be a politician – “I’m a plumber”.
double quotation markEven in chaos, even under pressure, I get things done.
ShareUpdated at 05.43 CET
The byelection candidates are on stage in Manchester and the returning officer is announcing the vote result
ShareGreen party's Hannah Spencer wins byelectionThe Green party has pulled off a landmark victory in the Gorton and Denton byelection in a significant blow to Keir Starmer, Josh Halliday is reporting.
Hannah Spencer, a local plumber and Green party councillor, was elected as the party’s first MP in northern England after overturning Labour’s 13,000-vote majority.
Labour came third in the tightly contested race, while Reform UK finished second.
ShareUpdated at 05.36 CET
The Green party candidate Hannah Spencer arriving during a vote count a short while ago. Photograph: Temilade Adelaja/ReutersShareHannah Al-Othman
Speaking to journalists a little earlier, Matt Goodwin said: “I don’t think the progressives beat us, I think the progressives were told how to vote.”
He said it was “a coalition of Islamists and woke progressives that came together to dominate the constituency”.
ShareThe byelection candidates look to be gathering around the stage at the Manchester convention centre ahead of the result.
ShareThe Green party candidate, Hannah Spencer, has arrived at the counting centre in Manchester.
ShareMore of the byelection’s 11 candidates have arrived at the Manchester Central venue as a result nears. Green candidate Hannah Spencer appears still to come. It’s 4.09am.
Reform UK’s Matt Goodwin arrives with Eilidh Hargreaves. Photograph: Temilade Adelaja/Reuters
Conservative party candidate Charlotte Cadden. Photograph: Temilade Adelaja/ReutersShareUpdated at 05.15 CET
Labour candidate Angeliki Stogia has arrived at the count, escorted by Lucy Powell, the deputy leader of the party.
They stood, along with other glum-looking Labour activists, arms folded, in one corner of the room, expecting to be defeated, PA Media is reporting.
Angeliki Stogia (C) with Lucy Powell and Labour MP Andrew Western at the vote count. Photograph: Temilade Adelaja/ReutersMasses of press stood at the other end of the room awaiting the arrival of the Green Party candidate, Hannah Spencer, and Reform UK’s Matt Goodwin.
The result of the election is expected in the next 30 minutes.
ShareUpdated at 05.04 CET
The byelection candidates have been arriving at the Manchester central convention complex and it’s been reported that they have been asked to meet with the returning officer in an announcement a short while ago, suggesting a result is near.
ShareUpdated at 04.59 CET
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