Green Party Candidate Hannah Spencer Campaigns in Denton, 4 February 2026
This byelection represents a critical appeal for trust, a fierce battle against fear, and a direct confrontation between the Green party and Reform UK. Hannah Spencer, the Green candidate, emphasizes that the stakes on Thursday could not be higher. She asserts that Labour has failed, while Nigel Farage's Reform is toxic, positioning herself as a fresh start for Gorton and Denton.
A Tradesperson's Journey into Politics
Hannah Spencer did not grow up with ambitions of becoming a politician. As a lifelong tradesperson from Manchester, she left school at 16 and has worked as a plumber for years, recently qualifying as a plasterer with distinction. Her career has been dedicated to fixing homes, but after witnessing systemic failures, she is now determined to repair entire communities. Spencer aims to join Green MPs in mending what she describes as broken politics, bringing a hands-on approach to Westminster.
The Byelection as a Straight Fight
Gorton and Denton, Spencer argues, deserves an MP deeply rooted in the community—someone who works there, understands its nuances, and genuinely cares. Through thousands of doorstep conversations, she has observed widespread disillusionment with Labour, transforming this contest into a head-to-head clash between the Greens and Reform UK. Both Labour and Reform's candidate, Matthew Goodwin, recognize this shift, with Spencer declining further debates to focus on direct engagement with residents.
Key Campaign Issues
Spencer's platform centers on lowering bills, addressing austerity scars, and halting NHS privatization. She highlights the severe fuel poverty affecting one in three households in the area, advocating for home insulation to improve comfort and reduce energy costs. Criticizing political ties to fossil fuel interests, she notes that such donors oppose measures that would slash bills and curb energy use. Spencer also points out that fossil fuel proponents and climate sceptics have financially backed Reform, undermining environmental progress.
Immigration and Community Values
Reform UK has leveraged immigration to foster division, but Spencer counters this narrative. While expressing frustration with the asylum system, including the £6 million daily cost of hotel accommodations, she challenges Reform's failure to critique profitable asylum housing contractors like Clearsprings, Serco, and Mears. As a local councillor, Spencer has witnessed asylum seekers eager to work and contribute, such as planting bulbs in parks, yet trapped by restrictive policies and hostile rhetoric.
Manchester's Inclusive Spirit
Spencer celebrates Manchester's history of welcoming immigrants, rejecting the notion of an "island of strangers." She emphasizes the city's strength in diversity, where residents support each other and work collaboratively. The overwhelming support from Green members and activists, including many from across the country, has reinforced her message that people crave trust in politics again.
Rebuilding Trust and Political Change
Politics, Spencer insists, should be conducted with people, not imposed upon them. If elected, she believes her victory would send shockwaves through the political establishment, signaling the end of outdated practices. By holding the door open for others to follow, she envisions a future where grassroots voices reshape governance, marking the decline of the traditional political elite.
