The Green Party achieved its first-ever Westminster by-election triumph late Thursday in the Gorton and Denton constituency, dealing a significant blow to Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour Party.

Hannah Spencer, a 34-year-old local plumber and Trafford councillor, won with 14,980 votes, approximately 41 percent of the vote. She defeated Reform UK's Matt Goodwin, who took 10,578 votes for second place, while Labour's Angeliki Stogia managed only 9,364 votes in third. The Conservatives' Charlotte Cadden received 706 votes, and the Liberal Democrats' Jackie Pearcey got 653. Spencer's majority stood at 4,402 votes over Reform UK.

Turnout was 47.6 percent, nearly matching the 47.8 percent from the 2024 general election, when Labour secured the seat with more than 50 percent of the vote and a majority exceeding 13,000. The result represents a 26.4 percent swing from Labour to the Greens and marks the first time in nearly 100 years the Greater Manchester area has not elected a Labour MP.

The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Labour's former health minister Andrew Gwynne, who stepped down citing health reasons after a suspension over offensive WhatsApp messages. Spencer becomes the Greens' fifth MP and their first in northern England.

In her victory speech, Spencer highlighted economic struggles, saying, "Working hard used to get you something... But now working hard, what does that get you? ... We're working to line the pockets of billionaires." She pledged to fight in Parliament for those "left behind."

Green co-leader Zack Polanski described the win as "seismic," stating it showed "no no-go areas for the Green Party" and could "transform the face of British politics." He positioned the Greens as addressing cost-of-living pressures, environmental issues, and foreign policy concerns like Gaza.

Starmer called the loss "very disappointing," acknowledging voter impatience but vowing to fight extremes on both left and right. Labour figures reacted strongly: former deputy leader Angela Rayner deemed it a "wake-up call," urging the party to "be braver." Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander labeled it "difficult and disappointing" but cautioned against over-interpreting mid-term by-elections. Insiders blamed blocking Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham from running as the candidate.

Reform UK's Goodwin claimed a coalition of "Islamists and woke progressives" cost him victory. Party leader Nigel Farage alleged "sectarian voting and cheating," citing reports of illegal family voting at 68 percent of observed polling stations, though Manchester City Council denied irregularities.

The upset, Labour's second by-election loss since their 2024 landslide, underscores political fragmentation with voters shifting left to Greens and right to Reform. It heightens pressure on Starmer ahead of May local elections.