Historic Green Party by-election win is ‘nightmare result’ for prime minister
Green candidate Hannah Spencer takes a selfie with supporters after winning the Gorton and Denton by-election
- Published
The Green Party has won the Gorton and Denton by-election in what BBC political editor Chris Mason described as a "nightmare result" for the Labour Party and Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
In a seat near Manchester that Labour had held for almost a century, voters chose Green candidate Hannah Spencer as their new Member of Parliament (MP).
The UK is divided into 650 constituencies and in each one, adults vote to elect one Member of Parliament (MP) normally in a general election.
A by-election takes place when an MP leaves their job between general elections, and people in that area vote for a replacement.
This contest has attracted national attention with some saying the result represents a dramatic political change.
An aerial view of homes in Denton
The result is historic for the Green Party. It is the party's first ever win in a UK parliament by-election and means it now has five MPs in the House of Commons.
Hannah Spencer won 14,980 votes, which was 40.7% of the total, giving her a majority of 4,402 over the second-placed party.
Reform UK came second with 10,578 votes (28.7%), while Labour finished third with 9,364 votes (25.4%). Voter turnout was 47.5%, meaning just under half of eligible adults voted.
After the result was confirmed Ms Spencer said: "I didn't grow up wanting to be a politician. I am a plumber. I am no different to every single person here in this constituency. I work hard. That is what we do."
She also apologised to customers who had booked her for plumbing work, explaining she was "heading to Parliament".
What does the Gorton and Denton result mean for Labour?
Labour's Angeliki Stogia (right) came third in what was previously considered a safe Labour seat
For Labour, the loss is especially significant. Gorton and Denton had been considered one of the party's safer seats and was Labour's 38th safest at the 2024 general election. Losing it less than two years later, and finishing in third place, has raised questions about support for the government.
The BBC's election expert Sir John Curtice described the result as a “remarkable performance” by the Green Party, but added that the result is likely to "make life for Keir Starmer even worse", saying: "It's not just that Labour have lost, they've lost badly."
With more elections all around the country due later this year, this by-election result is likely to be studied closely.
BBC political editor, Chris Mason on 'an extraordinary' by-election result
What has been the reaction to the Gorton and Denton result?
Reform UK candidate Matt Goodwin (centre) said his party had "embarrassed Labour" by knocking them into third place in the by-election
Reform UK's candidate, Matt Goodwin, who came second, said his party had "embarrassed Labour in one of their strongest seats" and argued: "And I think if we can do this here, we can do this pretty much anywhere,” after the party knocked Labour into third place.
Labour Party chair Anna Turley described the outcome as "clearly disappointing". She said: "By-elections are normally difficult for the party of government, and this election was no different." She criticised what she called "the politics of anger and easy answers offered by the Greens and Reform".
The Conservative Party also criticised the prime minister, calling him a "lame duck" - a phrase used in politics to describe a leader who is seen as weak or losing support.
The Conservatives themselves received 706 votes in the by-election, or 1.9% of the total - their lowest ever vote share at a by-election.
