The Green Party candidate, Hannah Spencer, has spoken to Roch Valley Radio about the By-Election and her ambitions if she was to be elected on the 26th February, saying the election will be decided by "a handful of votes".
The end of the campaign trail is in sight for the Gorton and Denton by-election, and many candidates are on their last big push for votes. Spencer, Greens Candidate, sat down with us to talk about the Campaign so far. It comes at a time where voters in the constituency are "fed up" of the campaign.
Speaking to Roch Valley Radio, Spencer said momentum on the campaign trail and recent polling had boosted confidence among supporters that the Greens can mount a serious challenge.
“It’s unbelievable how many people keep coming out,” she said. “We know we’re never complacent… but we also know it could just be decided by a handful of votes.”
Spencer said tackling the cost of living would be her top priority if elected. She mentioned about plans that would see water and energy fall back into public ownership. She would also want to see a national plan for insulating plans, which she believes would bring down energy bills.
She also called for increased funding for the NHS, including free prescriptions, dentistry, and eye care, saying: “None of us want to live in a world where people aren’t able to put food on the table or heat their homes.”
Addressing concerns about antisocial behaviour, Spencer said policing alone would not solve the issue. Instead, highlighting the importance of youth services, safe spaces, and tackling child poverty.
“We need to talk about poverty more,” she said. “Too many kids here don’t have the life chances they deserve.”
She added, "poverty should not be something that we're even talking about in twenty twenty-six."
During the interview, we also asked Spencer about accusations from Matt Goodwin, the Reform UK Candidate, that she was reading answers from a script during a recent hustings.
She dismissed the claim, saying she speaks “from the heart” about the issues she encounters in her day job and community.
She also talked about the establishments interests, pointing aim at Reform UK's Leader, Nigel Farage.
people like Nigel Farage, who just take money from all these questionable sources...they look after their own interests, and they keep ignoring ours.
Spencer also addressed Green Party proposals to regulate certain drugs. She said the aim is to reduce harm and disrupt criminal networks, arguing that the current system has failed.
“It’s far too easy for people to access dangerous substances,” she said. "Let's make it harder for these criminal networks to exist"
With polling day approaching, Spencer said her focus for the final weekend is continuing to speak to voters across the constituency.
“This election isn’t set in stone,” she said. “We don’t have to accept the same choices—we’ve got an opportunity for something different.”
Voters in Gorton and Denton head to the polls later this week to decide who will represent them in Parliament.
The full list of candidates is available on the Roch Valley Radio website.
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