New Green MP for Gorton and Denton Hannah Spencer delivers stirring speech at first press conference
Today the newly elected Green MP for Gorton and Denton, Hannah Spencer, delivered a stirring speech at her first press conference.
Hannah Spencer MP secured 40.7% of the vote – more than tripling the 2024 Green Party vote share and winning by a comfortable margin. Reform UK came second and the incumbent Labour Party finished in third place.
The full transcript of Hannah’s speech is below:
“First of all, I need to say some thank-yous. To the local Green Party who have put their trust in me to be their candidate in this by-election, to the campaign team, to local Green Party members, the thousands of volunteers who’ve travelled here to help us get our message out – some from up the road, others from the other side of the country – and most of all, to the people of Gordon and Denton. Thank you!
“I’m honoured that you’ve chosen me as your Green Party MP to represent you in Parliament, and I promise I’ll work so hard to deliver for you. I can’t wait to get started and work to influence policy that makes lives better for people like us – to bring down the cost of living, introduce rent controls, and get the litter and fly tipping off our streets.
“I couldn’t be more proud to represent Gordon and Denton – and by that I mean the whole of Gorton and Denton.
“I am so proud that we fought a positive campaign against the Reform Party that dances to the tune of their billionaire donors who don’t want to pay their fair share of tax, and the Labour Party who have also stooped so low. We want an alternative to the stale, broken, old two party politics. That is the Green Party.
“I don’t want to dwell on it for too long today, but I’ve been appalled at some of the divisive, dog-whistling campaigning from other parties. Everyone here belongs. Everyone deserves to have their needs met. Everyone deserves a voice in our democracy.
“Today, the people in this constituency have sent a clear message. They’ve rejected hate and embraced the politics of hope. Not blind hope – hope rooted in an ambitious but achievable plan to transform our country for the better.
“Throughout this campaign, it’s been clear that the majority of people in Gorton and Denton share similar concerns: about the spiralling cost of bills and housing; about crumbling public services that have suffered years of underfunding; and about threats to our National Health service, which must be protected and restored, and must not be carved up and sold to the highest bidder.
“And yes, many voters I spoke with from lots of backgrounds were also deeply troubled by this Labour government’s complicity in genocide. I’m proud that the Green Party stands firmly against genocide and war crimes, and defends human rights in Gaza and around the world. And I’m proud to represent a constituency filled with people who care about the suffering of those thousands of miles away, just as we care for our friends and neighbours here at home.
“Because that’s what we do here: we look after each other. The mission of the Green Party is to rebuild our country based on values I see practiced day in, day out here in Gorton and Denton.
“And let me tell you: this is only the beginning. Did you know this was number 127 on the list of Green party target seats? There are at least 126 seats we can win with a smaller swing than we saw here.
“I was elected because people in this constituency want change. We’re sick of being told that there is no alternative. That we should shut up and accept it as household costs spiral and wages fail to keep pace. That things which used to be possible, thing that were normal not that long ago – free higher education, reliable and affordable buses, beaches you can safely swim at, being able to get a dentist appointment when you need one – are now too much to ask.
“The people of Gorton and Denton know its not good enough, and today we’ve demanded more. It’s the same story across the country.
“This by-election has shown that there is no longer any such thing as a safe seat, and there is no part of the country where the Green Party cannot win. Something massive is happening right now.
“And I invite you to be part of our movement. Come and join the Green Party so we can spread hope and win everywhere else across the country too.
“This is just the beginning. The Green Party is on track to make big gains in the May elections, in the Senedd and in councils all over the country. Our momentum will continue building. You’ve seen a Green surge, well now a Green tidal wave is coming at the next general election. “As our wonderful leader Zack Polanski is fond of saying: we’re not here to be disappointed in Labour, we’re here to replace them. Well, I was here to replace Labour in Gorton and Denton and that’s job done. Tomorrow the real work begins. Thank you.”