The Green Party has selected Hannah Spencer, a Trafford councillor and plumber, as its candidate for the upcoming Gorton and Denton byelection. Spencer previously stood as the party's candidate for mayor of Manchester in 2024, finishing fifth behind Labour's Andy Burnham.
Her nomination was confirmed on Friday in Longsight after a democratic vote by local party members in online hustings. Spencer secured a large majority of the vote, defeating competitors including Fesl Reza-Khan and Sarah Wakefield. Mothin Ali, a co-deputy leader, and party leader Zack Polanski had been tipped to run but both ruled themselves out.
If elected, Spencer would become the Greens' fifth sitting MP and their first in the north of England. At 34, she would also be the party's youngest MP. After the announcement, Spencer said: 'This is a crucial byelection. The choice is clear: Green v Reform. Hope v hate. Only the Green party can stop Reform in this byelection.'
The Greens are the second party to declare a candidate, after Reform UK selected Matt Goodwin on 27 January. Labour is due to announce its candidate on Saturday, with many viewing the contest as a two-horse race between the Greens and Reform. Labour's deputy leader Lucy Powell is heavily involved in the campaign, with cabinet ministers already canvassing.
The Greens have secured the endorsement of the Muslim Vote pressure group, which protested against other parties' stances on the Gaza war. Muslims make up roughly 30% of the constituency's population. Polanski framed the contest as a 'battle for the soul of our nation', while Labour sources argued the Greens lack a local base and data to win the seat.
