Green Party announce Hannah Spencer as their candidate for the Gorton and Denton by-election.

Friday, 30 January 2026 14:26

By Benny Fiddimore

The Green Party have announced Hannah Spencer as their candidate for the Gorton and Denton by-election.

Spencer, 34, is a plumber and leader of the Green Party group on Trafford Council. She has lived in Greater Manchester her whole life.

She described the by-election as “crucial”, adding that she believes it is a race between the Greens and Reform.

At today’s press conference, she made reference to her “migrant” and “Muslim” friends, taking aim at Reform, who she claims are dividing the country.

She also made her stance on several issues clear to Green Party members. She wants to use her potential platform as an MP to “End Britain’s enabling of Israel’s genocide” and fight against child poverty and insecure rented accommodation.

Spencer, who unsuccessfully stood against Andy Burnham in the 2024 Greater Manchester Mayoral Election, has the firm support of her party leader, Zack Polanski. Polanski described her as “Reform’s worst nightmare”, and said his “odds are on the Green Party” when it comes to winning this by-election.

There were few references to Labour during today’s press conference. Polanski did however state that he believes Kier Starmer’s party have taken votes for granted by stitching up Andy Burnham. Polanski went on to emphasise that the Green Party process for selecting their candidate was democratic.

So far, Reform have confirmed that Matt Goodwin will be their candidate, and today the Liberal Democrats confirmed Jackie Pearcey as theirs. The Labour Party will announce who will represent them in Gorton and Denton tomorrow.

Our reporter Benny Fiddimore sat down with Hannah Spencer following the launch: