Green Party candidate Hannah Spencer won the Gorton and Denton by-election with 14,980 votes, ahead of Reform UK on 10,578 and Labour on 9,364. Turnout was 47.6%, marginally lower than in the 2024 general election.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the result “very disappointing” but acknowledged voters’ frustration and impatience for change. He insisted he would continue to fight for those in need and against political extremes on both left and right.
Zack Polanski, Green Party leader, described Spencer’s victory as “incredibly important” and a sign that no seat is unwinnable for the Greens.
In a post on X, Nigel Farage claimed the by-election, which had been triggered by the resignation of former Labour MP Andrew Gwynne on health grounds, was “a victory for sectarian voting and cheating”.
It follows concerns raised by election observer group Democracy Volunteers. The organisation said it witnessed record numbers of illegal “family voting”.
Family voting is where two voters either confer, collude or direct each other on voting, which is illegal under the 2023 Ballot Secrecy Act.
Final vote tally:
- Green Party – 14,980
- Reform UK – 10,578
- Labour Party – 9,364
- Conservative Party – 706
- Liberal Democrats – 653
- Monster Raving Loony Party – 159
- Advance UK – 154
- Rejoin EU Party – 98
- Libertarian Party – 47
- Social Democratic Party – 46
- Communist League – 29
The result highlights growing volatility in formerly safe Labour areas and signals a potential shift in voter priorities around environmental, social, and political issues.
ℹ️ Sky News, The National
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