Green Party Stuns UK Politics: Historic Win in Gorton and Denton By-Election – Blow to Keir Starmer February 27 2026
On February 27, 2026, the UK political landscape shifted dramatically as the Green Party secured a landmark victory in the Gorton and Denton by-election, a seat Labour had held for nearly a century. Green candidate Hannah Spencer, a local plumber and councillor, was elected MP, overturning a massive Labour majority and pushing Keir Starmer's party into third place behind Nigel Farage's Reform UK. This result marks the Greens' first-ever Westminster by-election win and highlights deep voter discontent with Labour's direction amid economic pressures, policy U-turns, and scandals. The by-election, triggered by former Labour MP Andrew Gwynne's resignation on health grounds, saw turnout at 47.5% (up slightly from prior), with Spencer gaining a majority of 4,402 votes. This historic upset signals potential fragmentation in British politics ahead of future elections.
Historic Green Victory: Results and Key Numbers
Hannah Spencer won with approximately 40.7% of the vote (+27.5% swing to Greens), securing around 15,000 votes. Reform UK's Matt Goodwin came second with 28.7% (+14.7%), while Labour's Angeliki Stogia slumped to third with 25.4% (-25.3% drop from 2024). Conservatives and Liberal Democrats trailed far behind at under 2% each. The Greens tripled their vote share, capitalizing on local issues like housing, climate action, and dissatisfaction with Labour's immigration and economic policies.
The vote count at Manchester Central Convention Complex revealed the scale of Labour's collapse in a traditional heartland with significant Muslim and working-class voters. Observers noted high "family voting" allegations, though Manchester City Council disputed claims of irregularities.
Keir Starmer's Labour Humiliated: Internal Fallout Begins
The defeat adds to Starmer's mounting woes since Labour's 2024 landslide. With sluggish growth, public service strains, and recent scandals (including Epstein-linked controversies), Labour's vote halved in this seat. Sources blame Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's immigration policies for alienating young Muslim voters. Infighting has erupted, with calls for Starmer's resignation growing louder ahead of May local elections.
Polling expert Sir John Curtice described it as Labour not just losing, but "losing badly." The result underscores the erosion of the two-party system, with Reform and Greens gaining from both right and left.
Hannah Spencer: From Plumber to MP – Victory Speech Highlights
In her speech, Spencer said: "I didn't grow up wanting to be a politician, I'm a plumber." She emphasized hope over hate, calling out "divisive figures" and promising to fight for working people, climate justice, and better public services. The win makes her the Greens' first MP in northern England and boosts party confidence for future gains.
Green Party leaders hailed it as a "historic swing" that could translate to over 100 seats nationally if replicated.
X Reactions: Shock, Celebration, and Calls for Change
X (formerly Twitter) exploded with reactions to the February 27 2026 result, from jubilation to Labour criticism.
Hannah Spencer will be an amazing MP for Gorton and Denton 💚 Bradford District Green Party send her huge congratulations on her by-election victory🎉 She beat Labour, she beat Reform, now she's taking her winning ways to Parliament 👍 - @bradfordgreens
The Green Party has won the Gorton and Denton by-election off the back of the Muslim vote. Green candidate Hannah Spencer won by over 4,000 votes, beating Reform UK's Matt Goodwin in second place and pushing Labour into a humiliating third position. - @5Pillarsuk
Green Party wins Gorton and Denton byelection, pushing Labour to third place in blow to Keir Starmer. Hannah Spencer elected as party’s first MP in northern England, as Labour sees a 25.3% drop in vote compared to 2024 - @pjmeade
The Green Party have won the Gorton and Denton by-election off the back of the Muslim vote. Green candidate Hannah Spencer won by over 4,000 votes, beating Reform UK's Matt Goodwin in second place and pushing Labour into a humiliating third position. - @5Pillarsuk
Broader Implications: Fragmentation and Future Elections
This by-election exposes Labour's vulnerabilities on the left (Greens on climate/social justice) and right (Reform on immigration). With economic headwinds persisting (inflation at 3%, slow growth), Starmer faces pressure to deliver. The Greens' breakthrough could inspire progressive challenges elsewhere, while Reform's strong second bolsters anti-establishment sentiment. As local elections loom in May 2026, this result may signal a more multiparty UK landscape.
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