The Green Party has officially selected Hannah Spencer, a former candidate for mayor of Manchester, to stand in the upcoming Gorton and Denton byelection. This move signals the party's ambitious push to expand its parliamentary presence, particularly in northern regions where it has yet to secure a seat.
Hannah Spencer's Background and Selection
Hannah Spencer, a Trafford councillor and professional plumber, brings a unique profile to the campaign. She previously ran as the Green Party's candidate in the 2024 Manchester mayoral election, finishing fifth behind Labour's Andy Burnham, who retained the position, as well as Conservative, independent, and Reform candidates. Spencer has personal ties to the Gorton and Denton constituency, having resided there in the past, which she hopes will resonate with local voters.
Her nomination was formally announced on Friday in Longsight, following a democratic process where local party members participated in online hustings the previous night. Spencer secured a substantial majority of the vote, outpacing competitors such as Fesl Reza-Khan, who contested the Oldham East and Saddleworth seat in the 2024 general election and finished sixth, and Sarah Wakefield, a local campaigner and former general secretary of the Manchester University student union.
Potential Candidates Who Withdrew
Notably, Mothin Ali, co-deputy leader of the Green Party and a Leeds city councillor, was initially expected to run but ultimately decided against it. Additionally, party leader Zack Polanski, who hails from Greater Manchester, was considered a potential challenger for the constituency. However, he ruled himself out, opting instead to pursue a future parliamentary seat in London, where he currently resides.
Significance of the Byelection for the Greens
If successful, Hannah Spencer would become the Green Party's fifth sitting MP and their first ever in the north of England. At 34 years old, she would also be the youngest MP in the party's history, highlighting a strategic focus on engaging younger voters and diversifying their representation.
With this announcement, the Greens are the second party to declare a candidate for the constituency, following Reform UK's selection of conservative commentator and former academic Matt Goodwin on 27 January. Labour is scheduled to announce its candidate on Saturday, with widespread speculation that their decision to block Andy Burnham's candidacy has left the Greens and Reform as the primary contenders in this race.
Campaign Dynamics and Endorsements
The Greens view the Gorton and Denton seat as a prime opportunity for growth, with party leader Zack Polanski framing the contest as a "battle for the soul of our nation." In a recent interview with the Guardian after a rally, Polanski expressed confidence, stating, "even if it was Andy Burnham who was running, I think we still would have won."
The party officially launched its campaign with guest speakers including former leader Natalie Bennett and Your Party member Salma Yaqoob, though Polanski has downplayed any formal alliance between the Greens and Your Party. In a significant boost, the Greens have received the first endorsement of the campaign from the pressure group The Muslim Vote, which is supporting the party in protest over other parties' stances on the violence in Gaza. This endorsement is expected to appeal to Muslim voters, who constitute approximately 30% of the constituency's population.
However, sources close to the campaign suggest that the endorsement was initially based on the assumption that either Mothin Ali or Fesl Reza-Khan, both practising Muslims, would secure the nomination. Despite Spencer's selection, these sources indicate it is unlikely the endorsement will be withdrawn, maintaining a crucial support base for the Greens.
Context of the Byelection
The byelection was triggered by the resignation of Andrew Gwynne due to ill health, creating a vacancy that has drawn significant attention from multiple parties. As the Greens ramp up their efforts, this contest is poised to be a key test of their ability to challenge established political forces in Greater Manchester and beyond.
