Greens win Gorton and Denton

Oliver Dean | 27th February 2026 | Politics, Uncategorised
Green Party candidate Hannah Spencer secured 14,980 votes (Photo by Ryan Jenkinson/Getty Images)
Green Party candidate Hannah Spencer secured 14,980 votes (Photo by Ryan Jenkinson/Getty Images)

The Green's victory reflects a changing mindset in British politics

In the early hours of Friday morning, it was announced that Hannah Spencer, the Green Party candidate for the Gorton and Denton by-election, was elected to represent the constituency, with 14,980 votes. The result represents a decisive shift away from the two-party system that has long defined British politics. Indeed, the race itself was a three-horse race between the Green Party, Reform UK and Labour. Reform UK's Matt Goodwin came second place with 10,578 votes, and Labour's Angeliki Stogia securing just 9,364 finished third. The result is a shock to Labour, who once considered Gorton and Denton to be a safe, 'Red Wall' seat. Following the result, many senior figures in Reform such as Goodwin himself and Nigel Farage raised the issue of family voting in predominantly Muslim areas. The claims are supported by international election observers, who allege they say "concerningly high levels" of family voting in the by-election. Other major parties such as the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats received less than 1,000 votes each. The split in the left of centre vote and the victory of the Greens more generally reflects a growing change across the British political landscape. With local elections around the corner in May, many will view a Green victory as confirmation that lending them their support will not necessarily split the vote, as Labour often claim. Instead, it proves that the Green Party can be a political force in its own right. This mirrors a recent report by PA firm Cavendish, who argue that, under current projections, will secure the Senedd in the Welsh elections, and claim many seats across England - putting further pressure on the incumbent Labour government. In an interview following the results, Green Party leader Zack Polanski said that he wants to find "so many more Hannah Spencers" to stand for his party in upcoming elections. When asked if he regrets not standing himself, Mr Polanski also said that he did not, arguing that he would stand if a by election were to occur in a London seat. It is not yet known how accurately the Gorton and Denton by-election reflects the general attitude amongst the British public. What it does prove, beyond a doubt, however, is that the idea of a 'safe seat' no longer exists. Areas and regions which Labour once considered to be their traditional homeland, are now places where they are finishing in third place....

Subscribe to The Mace

Join the member community shaping British politics and stay ahead of what's really happening in the world of politics and public affairs, with expert analysis, breaking news, and insider insights from Westminster and Brussels. The Mace is the leading news source and resource for the government affairs industry, offering required reading and lobby intelligence for professionals.

To see what you are missing out on by not subscribing to The Mace, click here to download our full membership info-pack. This includes having no paywall on op-ed content or profiles/interviews, allowing professional profiles to be read with maximum impact and visibility by government, special advisers, MPs, peers, civil servants, and policy and political decision-makers.

Wigan Man will decide the next Prime Minister

Mace | June 1, 2026

Andy Burnham may struggle to win the Makerfield by-election if ‘Wigan Man’ emerges as the new median voter whom parties must attract to win the next election, says

Time’s up on late payments: How large companies are harming UK’s smaller businesses

Mace | May 24, 2026

Graeme Donnelly, CEO and founder of 1st Formations, explains why the King’s Speech’s proposed crackdown on late payments will help the SME economy.

The Strategist: Dominic Raab, former deputy prime minister joins Kreab London as senior adviser

Mace | May 22, 2026

The former deputy prime minister and foreign secretary will be advising Kreab global clients on defence and intelligence-related issues, as well as international geopolitics and Westminster issues.

The Downing Street revolving door undermines democracy and weakens policymaking

Lucy Carrier-Pilkington | May 21, 2026

With the battle for Labour's leadership far from over, Lucy Carrier-Pilkington analyses what a change in leader could mean for policymaking.

Leader in UK Public Affairs: Jessica Lennard, Chief Strategy Officer, Competition and Markets Authority – “I’m an obsessive starter finisher”

Mace | May 20, 2026

After leaving Linklaters, Jessica joined the Conservative Party’s Shadow Energy and Climate Change team in 2008 just as energy security and climate policy were rising rapidly up the

Time to pay-up: why the government is right to crack-down on late payments by large companies

Mace | May 20, 2026

New legislation in the King's Speech to clamp down on large companies paying small suppliers late is long overdue, says Sarah Stone

The Renters’ Right Act will bury the UK housing market, says leading UK developer Kamal Pankhania

Mace | May 19, 2026

With the UK housing market already under economic pressure, this is not the right time to introduce new rental reforms that will damage investor confidence, says Kamal Pankhania,

Inside the Red Queen’s campaign war chest

Lucy Carrier-Pilkington | May 14, 2026

Now Angela Rayner has been cleared by HMRC, will she stand to be the next Prime Minister? Lucy Carrier-Pilkington reveals has the financial and political backing in place.

Westminster Street Fight for the Labour crown

Lucy Carrier-Pilkington | May 13, 2026

With Wes Streeting resigning and Angela Rayner now cleared by HMRC, all eyes are on Westminster's Game of Thrones-style battle for the Labour crown

Wes Streeting could be Britain’s next PM — here are the lobby groups who come with him 

Lucy Carrier-Pilkington | May 12, 2026

Calls for Keir Starmer to quit are getting louder, Lucy Carrier-Pilkington examines what new leadership could mean for the lobbying industry.