The Green Party achieved a landmark victory in the Gorton and Denton byelection, securing 40% of the vote and marking their first-ever byelection win. Reform UK trailed in second with 28%, while Labour came a distant third with 25%. The result dealt a significant blow to Labour's narrative that they were the only progressive party capable of defeating Reform.
Hannah Spencer, the newly elected Green MP, delivered a humble victory speech. A plumber and recently qualified plasterer, she described herself as a working-class woman from the constituency who understood the cost of living crisis. She praised the multicultural community for rejecting 'toxic politics of the right.' Her speech was widely seen as gracious and down-to-earth.
In contrast, Reform's candidate Matt Goodwin appeared furious after the result. He had previously made controversial remarks about ethnicity and gender, including suggesting that white girls should leave school and have babies. Goodwin accused the Greens of cheating and sectarianism, claims that were dismissed by observers. Nigel Farage distanced himself from Goodwin's failure.
Labour's candidate Angeliki Stogia looked shocked and left quickly after the result was announced. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander faced media scrutiny, with questions about whether Prime Minister Keir Starmer should apologise for blocking Andy Burnham's attempt to become the Labour candidate in the byelection.
