- She pledged to represent working people like herself, saying those in skilled trades deserve a stronger voice
- She said many people now feel they are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living
- she said she never planned on entering politics, Spencer is not new to public office
Hannah Spencer, a 34-year-old plumber, has made history by winning the Gorton and Denton by-election in Greater Manchester, becoming the Green Party’s first candidate to secure a Westminster seat through a by-election.
Celebrating her victory, Eko Hot Blog gathered that Spencer joked that she would need to cancel upcoming plumbing jobs because she was heading to Parliament.
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She pledged to represent working people like herself, saying those in skilled trades deserve a stronger voice in national decision-making.
Describing herself and her constituents as hardworking, Spencer argued that the rewards of hard work have diminished in recent years. She said many people now feel they are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living, rather than building comfortable lives through their efforts.
In her view, it should not be controversial to believe that steady work ought to provide stability and dignity.
During the campaign, Spencer took clear positions on a range of issues. Her leaflets featured Palestinian flags, and she stated that she believes a genocide is taking place in Gaza. She also called for an end to NHS privatisation and advocated bringing water companies back into public ownership.
Spencer left school at 16 and built a career in plumbing. At the start of 2026, she enrolled in a full-time plastering course at a college in Stoke, commuting while simultaneously running her by-election campaign.
She has previously shared that she taught herself elements of plastering over time but wanted formal training to broaden her skills. She says she enjoys learning new trades and persevering until she masters them.
Although she said she never planned on entering politics, Spencer is not new to public office. She leads the Green group on Trafford Council and has represented Hale ward since May 2023. She also stood as the Green Party’s candidate in the 2024 Greater Manchester mayoral election.
Her victory means she joins Siân Berry, Adrian Ramsay, Carla Denyer and Ellie Chowns as the Green Party’s fifth MP.
When selected as the party’s by-election candidate, the Greens highlighted Spencer’s lifelong roots in Greater Manchester.
However, attention during the campaign turned to a 2021 online forum post in which she criticised aspects of local business conditions in Levenshulme. The party said her comments reflected concern for independent traders and affection for the area.
Outside politics, Spencer describes herself as a marathon runner and the owner of four rescued greyhounds, who were frequently seen alongside her on the campaign trail.
Following her win, she said the result marked a turning point for the party, noting that Gorton and Denton had not been among its top target seats. Green Party leader Zack Polanski praised her authenticity, saying her success showed that candidates can remain firmly.
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