Hannah Spencer: The Plumber Who Shocked Labour in Gorton and Denton By-Election
All eyes are firmly fixed on Hannah Spencer, the 34-year-old plumber who secured a sweeping victory for the Green Party in the Gorton and Denton by-election. This historic win marks the Greens' first-ever by-election triumph, as Spencer clinched a commanding lead of 4,402 votes. While Labour faces a painful reckoning after a devastating loss that saw them fall behind both the Greens and Reform, the spotlight now shines brightly on Spencer's remarkable journey from tradesperson to parliamentarian.
Where Is Hannah Spencer From?
Hannah Spencer was born in Bolton, a town located northwest of Manchester City within Greater Manchester. She left school at the age of 16, briefly attended sixth form before dropping out, and ultimately discovered her true calling in the trades. Currently, she resides in Trafford, where she reportedly owns two properties in the Altrincham and Sale West area, one of which was purchased with a former partner. Previously, Spencer has lived in Levenshulme, which is part of the Gorton and Denton constituency she now represents.
Is She Really a Plumber?
Yes, Hannah Spencer has worked in the trades for years and is the proud owner of her own business, Hannah’s Household Plumbing. She reportedly entered the plumbing profession around 2008 and later earned a National Vocational Qualification from Bolton College. Additionally, she has completed an NVQ in gas engineering and recently began a plastering course at the start of the new year. Spencer has openly shared her experiences online, discussing the stereotypes she encounters as a woman in a male-dominated industry.
During her victory speech, she humorously addressed her clients, stating, 'Now, to my customers, I’m sorry, but I think I might have to cancel the work that you haven’t booked in, because I’m heading to parliament.'
When Did She Get Into Politics?
Spencer, a dog lover and proud owner of four rescue greyhounds, was initially drawn into politics due to her passion for animal welfare and her desire to see dog racing banned. Her political career has rapidly accelerated since then. After joining the Green Party in 2022, she was elected as a local councillor for the Hale ward in Trafford the following year. By 2024, she was already setting her sights on the Greater Manchester mayoral position held by Andy Burnham, finishing fifth with nearly 46,000 votes as the Green Party candidate.
Last month, she was officially selected as the Green Party candidate for Gorton and Denton, challenging Labour and Reform in a contest many predicted would be fiercely competitive.
What Does She Stand For?
Hannah Spencer centered her campaign on the principles of relatability and unity, positioning herself against hate and division, which she accuses right-wing parties like Reform of fostering. She has campaigned vigorously for the rights of workers, women—including trans women—and the people of Gaza. Her top priority during the by-election was to 'cut the cost of living' and 'fight between hope and hate.'
During the race, she emphasized, 'We need more people from all backgrounds in the places where decisions are made.' Spencer has also been vocal in her opposition to the far right and has consistently called out Islamophobia. In her victory speech, she declared, 'I 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.'
