Starmer Responds to Labour's By-Election Defeat with Pledge Against Extremism
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has described the Green Party's victory in the Gorton and Denton by-election as "very disappointing" but has vowed to continue fighting against political extremes on both the right and left. The election, held on Friday 27 February 2026, saw Green candidate Hannah Spencer secure a historic win, marking the party's first-ever parliamentary by-election success and its inaugural seat in northern England.
Historic Victory for the Greens
Hannah Spencer, a 34-year-old plumber and Trafford Council leader, claimed the seat with 14,980 votes, achieving a majority of over 4,400. Reform UK finished second with 10,578 votes, while Labour came third with 9,364 votes. This result represents a significant shift in a constituency traditionally held by Labour, which was considered its 38th safest seat in 2024.
In her victory speech, Spencer emphasized the appetite for change among voters, stating, "There are people across this constituency and much further beyond who are rejecting the old political parties and who are coming together to fight for something better." Green Party leader Zack Polanski hailed the win as "an incredibly important win" that will transform British politics, highlighting the party's policies on cost of living, environmental issues, and the war in Gaza.
Starmer's Reaction and Labour's Internal Turmoil
Reacting to the loss, Prime Minister Starmer acknowledged voter frustration but reaffirmed his commitment to unity. "I will keep on fighting for those people for as long as I've got breath in my body," he said. "I will also fight against the extremes in politics on the right and on the left - parties who want to tear our country apart. The Labour Party is the only party that can unite our country and our communities."
However, the defeat has sparked internal criticism within Labour. Some MPs have called for Starmer's resignation, citing factors such as Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's immigration policies as contributing to the loss. Former deputy leader Angela Rayner urged the government to "really listen - to reflect," while Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander described the night as "difficult and deeply disappointing" but cautioned against overinterpreting the result.
Election Controversies and Turnout
The by-election, triggered by the resignation of former Labour MP Andrew Gwynne on health grounds, saw a turnout of 47.6%, slightly lower than the 47.8% in the 2024 general election. Concerns were raised by election observer group Democracy Volunteers, who reported record levels of illegal "family voting," where voters collude at the ballot box, violating the 2023 Ballot Secrecy Act.
Reform UK chairman David Bull addressed these issues, stating, "Am I saying it changed the outcome of this election? No, but I think what we need to do is to make sure that these elections, every election, is free, democratic and fair." Nigel Farage of Reform UK criticized the result on social media, calling it "a victory for sectarian voting and cheating."
Implications for Future Politics
Polanski emphasized that this victory demonstrates the Green Party's growing influence, noting it was their 127th target seat and predicting more Green councillors and MPs in the future. "It means that the Green Party vote is never a wasted vote. There's no no-go areas right across England and Wales," he asserted.
As Labour grapples with this setback, Starmer's leadership faces renewed scrutiny. The prime minister remains determined to push forward, but the by-election loss underscores the challenges ahead in uniting a fragmented political landscape.
