The Gorton and Denton by-election delivered one of the most shocking political upsets in recent memory. The Green Party secured its first-ever parliamentary by-election victory, overturning a massive Labour majority. Therefore, the result has sent shockwaves through Westminster and raised serious questions about Keir Starmer’s leadership [citation:1][citation:4].
Labour crashed to third place in a seat they had held for nearly a century. Reform UK finished second, while the Conservatives lost their deposit. As a result, the political landscape in Greater Manchester has been dramatically reshaped.
The Results: A Green Landslide
The by-election took place on 26 February 2026. A total of 11 candidates stood for election. The constituency has 77,501 registered voters, and turnout was 47.5% [citation:2][citation:8].
Full results:
- Hannah Spencer (Green Party) – 14,980 votes (40.7%) – ELECTED
- Matt Goodwin (Reform UK) – 10,578 votes (28.7%)
- Angeliki Stogia (Labour) – 9,364 votes (25.4%)
- Charlotte Cadden (Conservative) – 706 votes (1.9%)
- Jackie Pearcey (Liberal Democrats) – 653 votes (1.8%)
- Other candidates – 633 votes combined [citation:1][citation:5]
Spencer’s majority was 4,402 votes. This victory marks the first time the Green Party has won a parliamentary by-election in its history. The party now has five MPs in the House of Commons, its highest ever number [citation:2][citation:4].
Who Is Hannah Spencer?
Hannah Spencer is a 34-year-old plumber and trainee plasterer. She also serves as a local councillor in the area. Her working-class background and community roots resonated with voters in this traditionally Labour heartland [citation:5][citation:6].
In her victory speech, Spencer focused on economic pressures facing local residents. She highlighted the cost of living crisis and criticised divisive political rhetoric during the campaign. She becomes the Green Party’s first MP in the north of England [citation:4][citation:5].
Like race contestants who defy expectations, Spencer pulled off an unlikely victory against all odds.
Why the By-Election Was Called
The by-election was triggered by the resignation of former Labour MP Andrew Gwynne. He stepped down due to health reasons in January 2026. At the time of his departure, Gwynne was sitting as an independent following his suspension from the Labour Party [citation:5][citation:6].
Gwynne had won the seat in the July 2024 general election with a majority of 13,413 votes. Labour’s share of the vote in that election was 50.7%. In the by-election, that share collapsed to just 25.4% – a drop of 25.3 percentage points [citation:4][citation:6].
A Historic Shift in Vote Share
This by-election saw one of Labour’s biggest falls in vote share this century. It ranks as the sixth largest Labour majority to be overturned at a by-election since the Second World War.
The Gorton area of Manchester has not been represented by a Labour MP for nearly 100 years. Labour had held the predecessor seat of Manchester Gorton continuously from 1935 until its abolition in 2024 [citation:4].
Notable former MPs include William Wedgwood Benn, father of Tony Benn, and Sir Gerald Kaufman, who held the seat for 34 years until his death in 2017 [citation:4].
Like protests across London, the election result reflects growing voter frustration with traditional parties.
The Battle Before the Vote
The by-election was marked by intense political drama before a single vote was cast. Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham had wanted to stand as the Labour candidate. However, the party’s ruling body blocked his candidacy [citation:3][citation:6].
Burnham’s attempt to return to parliament was seen as a possible step towards a future leadership challenge. His blocking angered local Labour members and may have contributed to lower turnout among traditional supporters [citation:3][citation:6].
Local councillor Angeliki Stogia was eventually selected as Labour’s candidate. She finished third with just over 9,000 votes [citation:1][citation:5].
Controversial Campaign Tactics
The campaign was notable for its aggressive tactics. The Green Party released a targeted Urdu-language video. It featured images of Keir Starmer alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The advert urged voters to “punish” Labour for its stance on Gaza [citation:9].
Critics argued this explicitly framed electoral choice along ethnic and religious lines. The constituency has a 28% Muslim population, and the Gaza issue was a major factor in the campaign [citation:6][citation:9].
Reform UK candidate Matt Goodwin also sparked controversy. Nigel Farage publicly alleged links between the Conservative candidate and an LGBT charity. The Reform candidate himself faced allegations of misconduct during the campaign [citation:9].
Former Conservative MP Luke Graham warned that such tactics risk “creating similar hardened blocs within constituencies” and “build political tribalism” [citation:9].
What the Result Means for Keir Starmer
The result is a major blow to Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Labour crashing to third place in a seat they have held for decades is deeply embarrassing. It comes after a particularly rough start to 2026 for his premiership [citation:3][citation:7].
Starmer described the result as “very disappointing.” He acknowledged voter frustration while noting that mid-term by-election losses are not uncommon for incumbent governments [citation:5].
BBC Political Editor Chris Mason noted that if Labour had managed to win, “it would be a huge psychological boost for Sir Keir Starmer.” Instead, the loss will increase pressure on his leadership [citation:3].
Like Avicii’s unexpected passing shocked the music world, this result has shocked the political establishment.
What the Result Means for Reform UK
Reform UK came second with 10,578 votes. The party had publicly signalled strong confidence of victory. Their candidate Matt Goodwin is a 44-year-old political scientist [citation:1][citation:6].
The result shows Reform’s support is real but may have reached a ceiling. The party has now underperformed in successive by-elections. They won the Runcorn and Helsby by-election in May 2025 but fell short here [citation:3][citation:9].
Conservative Home analysis noted that Reform’s “difficulty in converting polling strength into parliamentary wins raises a serious question” about their ability to win large numbers of seats [citation:9].
The Bigger Picture: A Fragmented Electorate
This by-election is the second Westminster by-election since the 2024 general election. The first was won by Reform UK in Runcorn and Helsby. The Gorton and Denton result continues a trend of voter volatility [citation:3].
This is the 11th consecutive Westminster by-election where a different party took the seat from the one who had held it. It is another case study in the flux and unpredictability in British politics right now [citation:3].
University of Manchester politics lecturer Louise Thompson said: “It illustrates how the two main parties are losing so much support at the minute. It could be a real sign that they are in a lot of danger” [citation:6].
What’s Next for the Greens?
The Green Party now has five MPs in the House of Commons. This is their highest ever number. They join Sian Berry (Brighton Pavilion), Carla Denyer (Bristol Central), Ellie Chowns (North Herefordshire) and Adrian Ramsay (Waveney Valley) [citation:4].
The party will hope to use this momentum to target more seats at the next general election. Their pro-Palestinian stance and focus on cost-of-living issues appear to have resonated with voters [citation:6].
However, concerns have been raised about their campaign tactics. The targeting of voters along ethnic and religious lines marks a departure from the party’s traditional focus on climate and inequality [citation:9].
Conclusion
The Gorton and Denton by-election will be remembered as a watershed moment in British politics. The Green Party’s historic victory, Labour’s collapse to third place, and the controversial campaign tactics all point to a deeply unsettled political landscape. With voter frustration at an all-time high, the traditional two-party system is under more pressure than ever before.
FAQs
Who won the Gorton and Denton by-election?
Hannah Spencer of the Green Party won with 14,980 votes. Reform UK came second and Labour finished third.
When was the Gorton and Denton by-election?
The by-election took place on 26 February 2026.
Why was the by-election called?
The by-election was triggered by the resignation of former Labour MP Andrew Gwynne due to health reasons.
What was the turnout in the by-election?
The turnout was 47.5%, slightly higher than the Runcorn and Helsby by-election in 2024.
Is this the first Green Party by-election win?
Yes, this is the Green Party’s first-ever parliamentary by-election victory in its history.
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