Meet Hannah Spencer, The Plumber Turned Green MP Who Beat Reform

Her win in the Gorton and Denton by-election is particularly special as Manchester is so close to her heart. “I couldn’t be more proud to represent Gordon and Denton — and by that I mean the whole of Gorton and Denton," she said, hinting heavily at the racist and anti-immigrant overtones that were set by the area's Reform candidate. “I am so proud that we fought a positive campaign against the Reform Party that dances to the tune of their billionaire donors who don’t want to pay their fair share of tax, and the Labour Party, who have also stooped so low,” she said in her speech.

“Throughout this campaign, it’s been clear that the majority of people in Gorton and Denton share similar concerns: about the spiralling cost of bills and housing; about crumbling public services that have suffered years of underfunding; and about threats to our National Health service, which must be protected and restored, and must not be carved up and sold to the highest bidder.”

“Make space for everyone doing jobs like mine”

She's pledged to ‘make space for everyone doing jobs like mine’ when she enters parliament. Her campaign was largely fought on this premise; championing the ordinary, working people and striving to bring about wealth equality. “I can’t wait to get started and work to influence policy that makes lives better for people like us — to bring down the cost of living, introduce rent controls, and get the litter and fly tipping off our streets,” she said in her first speech after winning.

Rising star

The MP is viewed as something of a rising star in the Green Party, and in UK politics more broadly, and is close with the Greens' eco-populist party leader, Zack Polanski.

Ryan Jenkinson/Getty Images

The two are breathing new life into the Green party, challenging the traditional party politics of the likes of Labour and the Conservatives, who are both predicted to lose seats to Reform and the Greens when the next general election is due to be held this May. “We want an alternative to the stale, broken, old two-party politics,” she says. “That is the Green Party”.

If Hannah's win is a sign of things to come in 2026, then I have to say, I'm excited about it. Congratulations, Hannah Spencer!

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