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Have you ever thought a plumber could shake up politics? Well, buckle up because Hannah Spencer‘s story is straight out of a feel-good movie, but it is happening right now in the UK.

This 34-year-old from Greater Manchester just won a by-election that’s got everyone buzzing.

As a writer for THOUSIF Inc. – UK, we get excited about stories like this, ones that show how everyday people can step up and make waves.

Let us break down her journey, the big win, and why it is a game-changer, all in simple terms.

We will dive into Hannah Spencer’s plumber background, her rise in the Green Party in northern England, and more.

Meet Hannah Spencer: The Everyday Hero Turned Politician

Picture this: a young woman growing up in a working-class family in Bolton, with her mom working as a nurse.

That is Hannah Spencer’s plumber background in a nutshell.

She left school at 16, skipped the usual university route, and jumped into trades.

She trained as a plumber at Bolton College, became a gas engineer, and even qualified as a plasterer; she was the only woman in her plastering class!

At 24, she started her own business, Hannah’s Household Plumbing, with support from the Prince’s Trust.

Hannah is not just about fixing leaks; she is a marathon runner, swimmer, and animal lover with four rescued greyhounds.

She is outspokenly opposed to greyhound racing and lives a life all about community and hard work.

In her campaigns, she often shows up in her overalls, talking straight to people about real-life stuff like bills, healthcare, and fairness.

It is this genuine approach that’s winning hearts.

What Sparked Her Political Journey?

Hannah did not plan on politics.

She joined the Green Party in 2022, frustrated by growing inequality, the COVID-19 pandemic that highlighted divisions, and scandals like Partygate.

She saw how the super-rich were getting richer while everyone else struggled, and she wanted to fix it, like she fixes pipes.

She started small:

Elected as a councillor in Trafford in 2023.
The leader of the Green group by 2025.

She handled migration and refugee support, ran for mayor of Greater Manchester in 2024, and contested a seat in Warrington North.

Even though those did not pan out, she kept going, focusing on practical issues beyond the environment, such as the cost of living and improvements to the NHS.

Her appeal? She is relatable, especially to working-class and diverse communities, and she addresses concerns about global issues like Gaza.

Her pro-Palestine stance resonated in areas with large Muslim populations, helping mobilize voters.

The Epic By-Election Upset In Gorton And Denton

Now, the big news: On February 27, 2026, Hannah won the by-election in Gorton and Denton, a seat Labour held for nearly a century with a 13,000-vote majority in 2024.

She turned it green, getting 14,980 votes (about 41%) and a majority of 4,402.

Reform UK came second with 10,578, pushing Labour to third with 9,364.

That is a massive swing of around 27% from Labour to the Greens!

The by-election happened because the previous Labour MP, Andrew Gwynne, resigned for health reasons.

This Green Party win in northern England is their first-ever Westminster by-election victory and their first MP in northern England.

Now, they have 5 MPs in total, and it is a huge blow to Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour.

Angela Rayner called it a “wake-up call,” saying Labour needs to be bolder.

However, it is not without debate; some critics point out that Labour’s stance on Gaza may have alienated voters, contributing to the upset.

In her victory speech, Hannah kept it real and heartfelt.

She apologized to her plumbing customers: “I think I might have to cancel the work you had booked in, because I am heading to Parliament.”

She added, “When I get there, I will make space for everyone doing jobs like mine; we will finally get a seat at the table.”

She emphasized unity: “We look after each other, and we work hard.”

Moreover, she slammed the big parties: “We defeated the parties of billionaire donors. We do not have to fight dirty to fight for change.”

Green Party deputy leader Zack Polanski hailed it as “a message of hope.”

Here is a quick look at the vote breakdown in a simple table:

Candidate	Party	Votes	Percentage
Hannah Spencer	Green Party	14,980	40.7%
Matt Goodwin	Reform UK	10,578	28.7%
Angeliki Stogia	Labour	9,364	25.4%
Others	Various	1,916	5.2%

Turnout was about 36%, typical for by-elections, but the results show voters craving alternatives.

Overcoming Hurdles And Online Noise

Hannah’s path was not easy.

She faced online trolls spreading lies, like saying she lived in luxury or was secretly rich.

However, she fought back with old-school campaigning:

Knocking on doors.
Using social media.
Billboards dubbing her “Hannah the Plumber.”

Her resilience shines through, probably from years in a tough, male-dominated trade.

Reactions poured in fast on social media.

One user called it a “meltdown for the far-right” and a sign of “tides turning.”

Another celebrated: “Plumber, socialist, anti-racist… Massive blow to Starmer’s party.”

Even groups like WASPI women (campaigning for pension justice) said many of them switched to the Green Party.

Internationally, it is seen as left-leaning voters venting frustration with Labour.

Pollster Sir John Curtice noted that the future of British politics is “more uncertain than ever,” with Hannah’s strong win signalling potential shifts.

Why This Win Is A Big Deal For Everyone

Hannah’s story is not just UK news; it is global inspiration.

It shows working-class folks, women in trades, and underdogs can break into politics.

The Greens are linking green policies with social justice, such as affordable housing, better public transport, and climate action that does not hit people on low incomes hardest.

Analysts say if this swing happens nationwide, the Greens could grab over 100 seats next election.

From our perspective at THOUSIF Inc. – UK, it resonates with our own stories of leaders rising from humble beginnings.

Fun Trivia

Here is a cool fact: Hannah Spencer is not just the Green Party’s youngest MP; she is also the first Plumber ever elected to the UK Parliament. Talk about fixing the system from the inside!