Greens name Gorton and Denton by-election pick

The Green Party will be represented by Hannah Spencer in the forthcoming Gorton and Denton by-election.

The 34-year-old plumber currently leads the Greens on Trafford Council, where she has represented the Hale ward since May 2023.

Thanking party members for her nomination, Spencer said: "Reform have chosen a candidate that will divide our community - he doesn't even think many of the people who live and work here are even British. I will bring the people of Gorton and Denton together."

The by-election on 26 February in the Greater Manchester constituency was triggered by the resignation of Andrew Gwynne on health grounds.

Spencer, who stood in the 2024 Greater Manchester mayoral election, said: "I work as a plumber, something I've done since leaving education at 16. I'm training to become a plasterer too.

"I've lived in the constituency and still work here. So, I know the issues and what people want to change."

She added: "This is a crucial by-election. The choice is clear – Green v Reform. Hope v hate."

Her party's leader Zack Polanski said: "The Houses of Parliament. Leaky roofs, crumbling walls. I think they need a plumber and a plasterer and we've got someone who can do both."

Earlier this week, the Green Party confirmed Polanski, who was born and grew up in Greater Manchester, would not be standing in the seat.

At the general election in 2024, the Green Party came third in the constituency, just behind Reform UK.

Labour won the seat with a majority of 13,000 but has suffered a decline in popularity nationally since the general election and is expected to face more of a challenge this time around.

The party has yet to select its candidate having blocked Andy Burnham from entering the contest.

The Greater Manchester mayor had wanted to throw his hat in the ring, but Labour's ruling National Executive Committee prevented him from being considered as a candidate.

Defending its decision, the committee said that if Burnham won the seat it would trigger an "unnecessary election" for the mayoralty, diverting party resources away from other elections.

Had he been elected as an MP, Burnham would have been in a position to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour Party leadership.

The NEC's decision triggered anger among some MPs who backed Burnham and believed he was the party's best chance at holding on to the seat.

Reform UK have picked GB News presenter and former academic Matt Goodwin to run in the seat.

Speaking at his unveiling as a candidate, Goodwin said he was "not part of the Westminster blob" and would give local people a voice in Parliament.

He said the by-election would be "a referendum on Keir Starmer".

Labour has drawn attention to the backing Goodwin has received from far-right activist Tommy Robinson.

Speaking during a campaigning visit to the constituency, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said Muslim voters did not need to fear his party saying "there are plenty of members of the Muslim community who will vote for Reform".

A full list of candidates can be found here and will be updated as others are declared.

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