Greens announce Hannah Spencer as candidate for Gorton and Denton by-election

The Green Party has announced Hannah Spencer as its parliamentary candidate for the Gorton and Denton by-election, following a vote by local party members.

Spencer, a working-class plumber, was selected after a hustings event attended by party members, with the Greens emphasising their democratic process in choosing candidates. The announcement was made alongside a public thank-you to those who attended the hustings, with the party stating that “our members make these important decisions, we function democratically.”

Speaking after her selection, Spencer described her background as one of her greatest strengths.

“I’m not your average MP, and that’s my greatest strength,” she said. “A working-class plumber is an unusual MP, but it will also smash people’s perceptions of our party as middle-class and southern. I’m not just Reform’s worst nightmare, but my candidacy will give the entire Westminster establishment a headache because they can’t put me in a box. I’m not the son of a toolmaker; I’m an everyday tool user.”

Drawing on her professional experience, Spencer said her approach to plumbing reflects how she would work as a Member of Parliament.

“As a plumber I know you have to work through things methodically, root out the cause of the blockage, ask the right questions, use the right tools, ask for advice, and make the decision,” she said. “That’s what I will do as your MP, using the evidence, speaking to the people who really know the facts, and making the right decisions.”

Spencer said she knows the Gorton and Denton area well and believes her local connections will be key to the campaign. She outlined her priorities as cutting the cost of living and drawing attention to Britain’s role in the conflict in Gaza.

“I’ll relentlessly pound pavement and the airwaves with the message that Greens will cut the cost of living and expose Britain’s role in the Gaza genocide,” she said. “I know how we win this, let’s do it together.”

Referring again to her trade, Spencer added: “The party are going to throw the kitchen sink at this by-election, so we’re going to need a plumber.”

The Green Party has confirmed that Spencer will stand as its candidate in the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election, campaigning under the party’s national slogans including Vote Green and Make Hope Normal Again.

The announced candidates for the by-election are Matt Goodwin for Reform UK, Jackie Pearcey for the Liberal Democrats and Hannah Spencer for the Green Party.