Hannah Spencer: The Plumber-Turned-Politician Who Made History
In a stunning political upset, Hannah Spencer has been elected as the Green Party's newest Member of Parliament, marking a series of historic firsts in British politics. The 34-year-old, who works as a plumber and qualified plasterer, secured victory in the Gorton and Denton by-election, powering past Labour to end the party's near-century-long representation in the area.
A Trailblazing Victory for the Greens
Ms. Spencer's win is groundbreaking on multiple fronts. She is the Green Party's first northern MP, its youngest MP, and the first person to ever win a parliamentary by-election for the Greens. This achievement shatters Labour's dominance in the constituency, which had been unbroken since 1931.
Speaking to Sky News after her triumph, Ms. Spencer expressed confidence in her campaign, stating that victory "was always possible" and highlighting a local "appetite for change." Her success signals a significant shift in voter sentiment in Greater Manchester.
From Trade to Politics: Spencer's Journey
Born in Bolton and residing in Trafford, Hannah Spencer has spent her entire life in Greater Manchester. She left school at 16 to train as a plumber, a profession she maintained up until the by-election. She founded her own company, Hannah's Household Plumbing, and recently completed plasterer training while campaigning.
In her plumbing work, Ms. Spencer focused on retrofitting houses to improve energy efficiency, aligning with environmental principles. She joined the Green Party in 2022 and was elected as a councillor on Trafford Council the following year, later becoming the council's Green leader in May 2025.
Political Ascent and Campaign Strategy
Ms. Spencer's political career includes a run for Mayor of Greater Manchester in 2024, where she finished fifth with 45,905 votes. She endorsed Green leader Zack Polanski in the 2025 leadership election and previously stood as an MP candidate in Warrington North in 2024, placing fifth.
Appointed as the Green Party's spokesperson on migration and refugee support, she was selected for the Gorton and Denton by-election after incumbent Andrew Gwynne stepped down for health reasons. Her campaign centered on wealth equality and targeted the Muslim vote with Urdu-language leaflets criticizing Labour over Gaza.
By-Election Results and Impact
Ms. Spencer won comfortably with 14,980 votes, or 40.7% of the total, ahead of Reform on 10,578 and Labour on 9,364. In an emotional victory speech, she declared that people are "bled dry" and "sick of our hard work making other people rich," emphasizing unity and Manchester's unique spirit.
She humorously apologized to plumbing customers, noting she might have to cancel appointments as she heads to Parliament. An advocate against greyhound racing, she owns four rescue greyhounds and even brought them on the campaign trail.
This victory not only reshapes local politics but also positions the Green Party as a growing force in northern England, challenging traditional party strongholds.
