Newly elected Green Party MP, Hannah Spencer, has taken her oath of office following a decisive victory in a by-election. Spencer, a former plumber and plasterer, secured 14,980 votes in the Gorton and Denton constituency, winning by a substantial margin of 4,402 votes.
The Labour Party, which historically held the seat, was pushed to third place in the election. The runner-up was the Reform candidate, Matt Goodwin, who garnered 10,578 votes. This victory marks the Green Party’s first-ever win in a parliamentary by-election.
During her acceptance speech, Spencer humorously mentioned canceling her previous work commitments to fulfill her parliamentary duties. She emphasized her intention to advocate for individuals in similar professions and ensure their voices are heard in decision-making processes.
In a statement to ITV News before her journey to Parliament, Spencer expressed her commitment to being a compassionate and dedicated representative. She pledged to always strive for excellence and uphold the values of integrity and decency.
The outcome of the by-election has increased pressure on Labour Party leader Keir Starmer. The constituency, previously considered a stronghold for Labour, had been represented by Andrew Gwynne, who resigned in January due to health issues following a suspension over leaked WhatsApp messages containing derogatory comments about constituents.
