Hannah Spencer Makes History as First Green MP to Win By-Election
In a groundbreaking political upset, Hannah Spencer has become the first Green Party candidate ever to secure victory in a parliamentary by-election. The 34-year-old plumber and plasterer triumphed in the Gorton and Denton constituency, a long-standing Labour stronghold in Greater Manchester, capturing an impressive 41 percent of the vote and beating Reform to become the Greens' fifth MP.
A Working-Class Voice Enters Westminster
Spencer's victory speech was anything but typical. "To my customers, I'm sorry, but I think I might have to cancel the work that you had booked in, because I'm heading to Parliament," she declared, highlighting her unconventional path to power. Hailing from a working-class background in Bolton, she dropped out of school after her GCSEs before launching her own plumbing business and branching into heat pump installation.
Her authenticity stands in stark contrast to the career politicians who dominate the Commons. Spencer will be a rarity in Westminster, dominated by older, middle-class MPs with PPE degrees and think-tank backgrounds. "We know how it feels to be looked down on, maybe because we didn't do well at school, maybe because we do dirty manual jobs, because we are shut out of places we should be in," she has said, vowing to represent people from similar backgrounds.
Campaign Focused on Cost of Living Crisis
Rather than leaning heavily on traditional Green environmental policies, Spencer's campaign zeroed in on the cost of living crisis—a strategic move that resonated deeply with voters. "I'm fighting for lower bills, for neighbourhoods scarred by austerity and underinvestment, and to stop the privatisation of the NHS," she wrote ahead of the election.
This emphasis proved particularly effective with younger voters in their twenties and thirties, who are bearing the brunt of rising bills and stagnant wages. "I don't think it's extreme or radical to think working hard should get you a nice life," Spencer stated in her victory speech, articulating a frustration felt by many across the country.
Scrutiny and Pushback Against Critics
Despite her clear connection to constituents, Spencer faced significant scrutiny during the campaign. Detractors attempted to paint her as a "fake plumber" and questioned her working-class credentials when it emerged she owns two homes, including one in Altrincham.
"I've been a plumber for nearly 20 years," she told the New Statesman in February. "What do they want, to see a toilet I've fixed?" Her straightforward, slightly exasperated response only reinforced her relatability.
False claims about her personal life also circulated, including rumors she was married to a top AstraZeneca executive. Spencer brushed these off with characteristic wit: "I can't even get a text back."
A New Type of Politician
Spencer's political journey began just a few years ago when she was elected as a councillor for Hale in 2023. Her initial motivation? Wanting to ban dog racing—a cause close to her heart as a greyhound adopter with four rescued dogs named Olive, Judy, Forest, and Will.
Until recently, she was juggling campaigning with early morning drives to Stoke for her plastering course, where fellow students humorously labeled her workbench the "Ministry of Plastering and Plumbing—Hannah Spencer MP."
Her communication style is refreshingly direct, born from years of interacting with people in their homes through her plumbing work. "People do keep saying, 'You're so relatable,' and I think: 'I'm no different to most people just walking down the street,'" she told Green leader Zack Polanski. "But what is rare is that any of us ever manage to get into politics. And that's the difference."
Looking Ahead to Westminster
As Spencer prepares to take her seat in Parliament, all eyes will be on this unconventional politician who represents a breath of fresh air in British politics. Before boarding the Avanti Pendolino from Manchester Piccadilly to begin her Westminster career, she plans to celebrate her historic victory in fitting fashion—with karaoke.
Her success signals a potential shift in political engagement, proving that candidates with genuine connections to their communities and straightforward communication can overcome traditional party strongholds. In an era of polished soundbites and career politicians, Hannah Spencer's authentic, working-class voice has broken through in unprecedented fashion for the Green Party.
