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Hannah Spencer

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Hannah Spencer

MP
BERJAYA
Official portrait, 2026
Member of Parliament
for Gorton and Denton
Assumed office
26 February 2026
Preceded byAndrew Gwynne
Majority4,402 (11.9%)
Green Party Group Leader
on Trafford Council
In office
21 May 2025 – 5 March 2026
DeputyJane Leicester
Preceded byMichael Welton
Succeeded byGeraldine Coggins
Member of Trafford Council
for Hale
In office
4 May 2023 – 7 May 2026
Preceded byWard created
Succeeded byRupert Kelly
Personal details
Born
Hannah Kathrine Spencer

(1991-04-19) 19 April 1991 (age 35)
Bolton, Greater Manchester, England
Political partyGreen Party of England and Wales
EducationBolton College
Occupation

Hannah Kathrine Spencer (born 19 April 1991) is a British Green Party politician and tradesperson. She has been the member of Parliament (MP) for Gorton and Denton since the February 2026 by-election. She is the first Green Party member to win a parliamentary by-election.

Born in Greater Manchester, Spencer left school at 16 and became a plumber around 2008. Later, she finished her training to become a gas engineer and a plasterer. Spencer started her political career because she was against greyhound racing. She was a councillor for Hale on Trafford Council from 2023 until 2026. She was the councillor leader of the Green Party on the council from 2025 until she was elected to Parliament in 2026. Spencer was the Green Party's candidate in the 2024 Greater Manchester mayoral election. She finished in fifth place.

In 2026, Spencer was picked by the Green Party to be their candidate for Gorton and Denton in the February by-election after Labour Party MP Andrew Gwynne resigned. She won the by-election with 40.7% of the votes. She supports a £15 minimum wage, rent controls, lower energy bills and free prescriptions, dental and eye care. Spencer became an MP in the House of Commons on 2 March.

Early life

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Hannah Kathrine Spencer was born in Bolton, Greater Manchester on 19 April 1991.[1][2][3] Her mother was a nurse.[4] She left school when she was 16 years old.[4]

After leaving school, she became a plumber in around 2008.[5] Later, she went to Bolton College to continue her training as a tradesperson.[6] Her work focused on adding heat pumps to houses.[7] She later took an apprenticeship as a gas engineer.[6]

In 2014, she took part in the Prince's Trust Enterprise programme. When the program ended, she started her own business, Hannah's Household Plumbing.[8][9] In February 2026, she finished her plastering training before being elected to parliament.[10][11] She was the only woman in her plastering classes.[12]

Early political career

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Before her political career began, Spencer campaigned against greyhound racing. She mainly focused on Belle Vue Stadium because it was close to where she lived.[12][9]

Spencer joined the Green Party of England and Wales in 2022.[13][14] She said she joined the Green Party was because she was tired of the rich getting richer.[15] She was elected councillor for the newly-created Hale ward on Trafford Council in 2023. Before this, the seat was represented by the Conservative Party.[16] Spencer was picked as leader of the Green Party group on Trafford Council in May 2025, replacing Michael Welton.[17][18]

Spencer ran as the Green Party candidate for mayor of Greater Manchester in the 2024 mayoral election. She finished in fifth place with 45,905 votes (6.9%). It was a record result for the Green Party.[19][20][21] Her campaign focused on the cost of living and the climate crisis, putting insulation in homes, and giving more support for domestic abuse victims.[22]

Spencer was picked as the Green Party candidate for the Warrington North constituency in the 2024 general election.[23] She came in fifth place with 1,889 votes (4.7%).[24] In the 2025 Green Party internal elections, she ran for the role of local party support coordinator. She lost to Rosie Rawle.[25][26]

Spencer supported Zack Polanski in the 2025 Green Party leadership election.[12] Spencer was then given the role of Green Party spokesperson for migration and refugee support in September 2025.[27]

Member of Parliament (2026–present)

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2026 by-election

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BERJAYA
Spencer in February 2026

In January 2026, Spencer was picked to be the Green Party candidate for Gorton and Denton in the February by-election.[28] The by-election happened because of the resignation of the Labour Party MP Andrew Gwynne.[29] The election became a three-way race between Labour, Reform UK, and the Green Party. She called the by-election as a race of "Green versus Reform. Hope versus hate".[30]

During the election campaign, Spencer became known as "Hannah the Plumber". She said that her work as a plumber helped her connect with voters.[31][32][33][34][35] Her campaign focused on the high cost of living and supporting a wealth tax.[32][34] Spencer also said that, if elected, she would support a £15 minimum wage, rent controls, lower energy bills and free prescriptions, dental and eye care.[35][36] She spoke against the Labour's response to the Gaza war and she openly supported the Palestinian people.[37][38][39]

Spencer's campaign was the target of fake information on social media about her background.[5][40] One image of an expensive home in Hale falsely said that she lived there.[41] Social media users also falsely said that Spencer was married to a millionaire chief executive at AstraZeneca.[5][40][42] She was also the victim of verbal abuse where a man called Spencer a "fake plumber".[40] Because of this, she had to go to campaign events with security.[40]

Spencer won the by-election with 40.7% of the votes on 26 February 2026. She became the Green Party's fifth MP and first in the North of England.[43][44] In her victory speech, she thanked groups of people including those who had voted for her, those who had not, "our Muslim communities", and "our white working-class communities".[45][46] The by-election result was seen as important because the Labour Party had represented the seat since 1931, and because this was the first parliamentary by-election win for the Green Party.[47][48]

Time in office

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Spencer joined the House of Commons on 2 March, the week after the by-election.[49] She was replaced as Green Party group leader on Trafford Council by Geraldine Coggins on 5 March.[50] During her first week in parliament, Spencer announced that she was creating a group to help people struggling to pay heating costs.[51] On 5 March, she spoke about literacy problems in her constituency and how she supports building more libraries.[51] She voted in favour of lowering the national voting age from 18 to 16.[52][53] She also voted against a bill which would ban social media for children under 16 years old.[54]

On 8 March, Spencer gave a speech at an anti-racism event in Piccadilly Gardens, in Manchester. After her speech, a YouTuber kept asking her questions about trans women and could a "woman have a penis?".[55] At the same time, two men started a fight.[56] Police moved Spencer to a police car to protect her.[56]

Spencer made her first speech in the House of Commons on 12 March 2026. The speech was made to celebrate International Women's Day.[57][58][59]

On 26 April, Spencer spoke out against MPs drinking alcohol while working. She said she had seen MPs drinking during voting.[60] Her comments were criticized by Reform UK Leader Nigel Farage and by other MPs, including from the Labour Party.[60] Green Party leader Zack Polanski defended Spencer's comments.[60] A poll done by YouGov a few days after the interview showed that 76% of the British public supported Spencer's comments.[61]

Personal life

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As of 2024, Spencer lived in Trafford, Greater Manchester.[20] She had lived in Levenshulme before.[62][63] She adopted four greyhounds who were rescued from greyhound racing.[12]

Spencer enjoys running in marathons.[9] She ran the Manchester Marathon shortly after becoming an MP in 2026.[64] When she was 22, she was appeared in an article in The Guardian about the best-dressed people at the 2013 Glastonbury Festival.[65]

References

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  1. ↑ Jackson, Nick (4 May 2023). "Trafford local council elections 2023 results in full". Manchester Evening News. Archived from the original on 31 January 2026. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
  2. ↑ Spencer, Hannah [@hannahtheplumbermcr] (19 April 2016). "Taking some time out from moving boxes from flat to house. Celebrating my birthday with a brew and starting my new book before mum and dad get here ☀️". Retrieved 1 March 2026 – via Instagram.
  3. ↑ Wheeler, Richard; Pike, Joe (27 February 2026). "Hannah Spencer: Plumber becomes Green Party's new MP". BBC News. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
  4. 1 2 Goodlad, Nat (31 January 2026). "Bolton-born plumber Hannah Spencer to stand as MP in Gorton". The Bolton News. Archived from the original on 3 February 2026. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 Chakelian, Anoosh (2026-02-17). "There is no working-class party". New Statesman. Archived from the original on 17 February 2026. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
  6. 1 2 Matt Goodwin Doesn't Know a Thing About This Constituency - video interview of Green Party Candidate Hannah Spencer by Aaron Bastani (9' video). Novara Media. 2026-02-09. Archived from the original on 26 February 2026. Retrieved 27 February 2026 – via YouTube.
  7. ↑ Blosse, Benjamin (2026-02-27). "Who is Hannah Spencer after victory in Gorton and Denton by-election 2026". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
  8. ↑ Beth Abbit. (2015, October 6). That sinking feeling is all behind me...; Entrepreneur Hannah, 24, sets up her own plumbing business thanks to backing from The Prince's Trust. Manchester Evening News. p. 25.
  9. 1 2 3 Topping, Stephen (2026-02-08). "The remarkable rise of Hannah Spencer: The plumber battling to become an MP and a plasterer at the same time". Manchester Evening News. Archived from the original on 15 February 2026. Retrieved 2026-02-17.
  10. ↑ Spencer, Hannah (2026-02-23). "This election is an appeal for trust, a battle against fear and a straight fight between Greens and Reform". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  11. ↑ "Watch Hannah Spencer's by-election victory speech". BBC News. 2026-02-27. Retrieved 2026-03-01.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Jackson, Lucy (30 January 2026). "Who is Hannah Spencer? Meet the Green candidate for the Gorton and Denton by-election". The National. Archived from the original on 21 February 2026. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
  13. ↑ Spencer, Hannah [@hannahtheplumbermcr] (31 December 2023). "Last year I joined the @thegreenparty. This year I was elected as a councillor". Retrieved 27 February 2026 – via Instagram.
  14. ↑ Mulla, Imran (2026-01-29). "Meet the frontrunners to be Green candidate in crucial UK by-election". Middle East Eye. Archived from the original on 29 January 2026.
  15. ↑ Ed Poole (2025-07-24). Ed poole Interviews Hannah Spencer. Archived from the original on 4 February 2026. Retrieved 2026-02-17 – via YouTube.
  16. ↑ "2023 Local election results". Trafford Council. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2026.[permanent dead link]
  17. ↑ Prior, David (21 May 2025). "Hale councillor named new Green Party leader in Trafford". Altrincham Today. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
  18. ↑ Bowater, Steve (2025-05-24). "Green Party in Trafford announces new leader". Trafford Green Party. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
  19. ↑ "Candidates for Greater Manchester Mayor announced as voter registration deadline approaches". Greater Manchester Combined Authority. 8 April 2024. Archived from the original on 20 May 2025. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
  20. 1 2 "Greater Manchester mayoral candidate: Hannah Spencer". BBC News. 13 April 2024. Archived from the original on 21 January 2025. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
  21. ↑ "Result 2024". Greater Manchester Elects. 3 May 2024. Archived from the original on 31 January 2026. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
  22. ↑ Fitzpatrick, Kevin (2024-03-28). "Manchester Mayor: Green Party candidate vows to increase insulation". BBC News. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
  23. ↑ Dhillon, Aran (2024-06-27). "General Election: Meet the candidates standing in Warrington North". Warrington Guardian. Retrieved 2026-02-02.
  24. ↑ "Warrington North - General election results 2024". BBC News. 5 July 2024. Archived from the original on 15 August 2025. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
  25. ↑ "Local Party Support Co-ordinator". Green Party of England and Wales. 2025. Archived from the original on 31 July 2025. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
  26. ↑ "2025 Internal Elections - The Winners". Green Party of England and Wales. 2 September 2025. Archived from the original on 12 November 2025. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
  27. ↑ Green Party of England and Wales [@thegreenparty] (12 September 2025). "Welcome, @hannahtheplumbermcr, our new Migration and Refugee Support Spokesperson!". Retrieved 27 February 2026 – via Instagram.
  28. ↑ Burnell, Paul (30 January 2026). "Greens name Gorton and Denton by-election pick". BBC News. Archived from the original on 21 February 2026. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
  29. ↑ Zeffman, Henry; Watson, Iain (22 January 2026). "Ex-Labour minister quits as MP, paving way for Andy Burnham return to Parliament". BBC News. Archived from the original on 31 January 2026. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  30. ↑ Boyd, Raphael; Walker, Peter (30 January 2026). "Greens select former mayoral candidate to run in Gorton and Denton byelection". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  31. ↑ Halliday, Josh; Topping, Alexandra (27 February 2026). "Who is Hannah Spencer? Plumber, school dropout and now Britain's newest MP". irishtimes.com. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  32. 1 2 Finighan, Bethan (7 February 2026). "Why Hannah Spencer has had enough of politics as usual". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
  33. ↑ Zylbersztajn-Lewandowski, Daniel (2026-02-11). "Starmer-Regierung in Großbritannien: Bad Timing". Die Tageszeitung: taz (in German). Retrieved 2026-02-11.
  34. 1 2 Spencer, Hannah (2026-01-30). "'People Are Struggling, My Priority Is Cutting The Cost Of Living,' Says Green Party By-Election Candidate". HuffPost UK. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
  35. 1 2 Novara Media (2026-01-30). Meet The New Green Party Candidate | #NovaraLIVE. Retrieved 2026-02-04 – via YouTube.
  36. ↑ Walker, Amy (2026-02-21). "Everything to know about Gorton and Denton by-election candidates' key pledges". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 2026-02-22.
  37. ↑ Jeraj, Samir (2026-02-17). "Labour and Greens vie for Gorton and Denton's large Muslim vote". Hyphen. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  38. ↑ Fitzpatrick, Kevin (2026-02-16). "Gorton and Denton by-election 'too close to call'". BBC News. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  39. ↑ Miller, Sabrina (21 February 2026). "'Punish Labour for Gaza': Greens target Muslim vote in by-election". The Telegraph. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  40. 1 2 3 4 Kampfner, Constance (19 February 2026). "Why the Gorton & Denton by-election may be dirtiest campaign yet". The Times. Archived from the original on 22 February 2026. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
  41. ↑ Topping, Stephen (10 February 2026). "No, Hannah Spencer doesn't live in a massive house with a weird chimney". Manchester Evening News. Archived from the original on 25 February 2026. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
  42. ↑ "Green leader urges 'hope over hate' for by-election". BBC News. 7 February 2026. Archived from the original on 13 February 2026. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
  43. ↑ "Parliamentary Gorton and Denton by-election - 26 February 2026". Manchester City Council. 27 February 2026. Archived from the original on 26 February 2026. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
  44. ↑ McKiernan, Jennifer (27 February 2026). "Green Party wins Gorton and Denton by-election, pushing Labour into third place". BBC News. Archived from the original on 27 February 2026. Retrieved 27 February 2026. "Because life has changed. Instead of working for a nice life, we're working to line the pockets of billionaires. We are being bled dry."
  45. ↑ "'We defeated the parties of billionaire donors': Hannah Spencer's victory speech". The Guardian. 27 February 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026. Includes full text of speech
  46. ↑ Crace, John (27 February 2026). "Spencer's victory speech an object lesson in grace while Reform's man rages". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  47. ↑ Keate, Noah (27 February 2026). "Greens snatch Labour seat in blow for UK's Starmer". Politico Europe. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
  48. ↑ "Gorton and Denton result live: Hannah Spencer wins by-election for Greens as Starmer's Labour plunged into crisis". The Independent. Archived from the original on 27 February 2026. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
  49. ↑ Quinn, Ben (2 March 2026). "Farage emulating 'his hero Trump' in deriding byelection results, says new Green MP". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  50. ↑ Prior, David (5 March 2026). "Greens reveal candidate to replace new MP Hannah Spencer in Hale". Altrincham Today. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  51. 1 2 Finighan, Bethan (8 March 2026). "'Hannah the Plumber' in Parliament: Hannah Spencer's first week as Green MP". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
  52. ↑ "Types of election, referendums, and who can vote". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2026-03-29.
  53. ↑ "Types of election, referendums, and who can vote". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2026-03-29.
  54. ↑ Vesty, Helena (10 March 2026). "How new Gorton and Denton MP Hannah Spencer has voted in first Parliamentary decisions". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  55. ↑ Robson, Graham (9 March 2026). "Green MP Hannah Spencer targeted by anti‑trans activists in Manchester". Scene Magazine. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  56. 1 2 Wilkinson, Damon (8 March 2026). "Hannah Spencer MP given police escort after fights break out at Piccadilly Gardens event". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
  57. ↑ Parliamentary Debates, House of Commons, 12 March 2026, columns 559–560
  58. ↑ Walker, Peter (12 March 2026). "New Green MP calls for tolerance and inclusivity in first Commons speech". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  59. ↑ "Green MP Hannah Spencer makes maiden speech in parliament: video". The Guardian. 12 March 2026. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  60. 1 2 3 Horton, Helena (27 April 2026). "Green MP Hannah Spencer attacks Parliament drinking culture". The Guardian.
  61. ↑ "YouGov / Do you think it is acceptable or unacceptable for MPs to drink alcohol on evenings where later on they will have late‑night votes in Parliament?". YouGov.com. YouGov: What the world thinks. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
  62. ↑ Diver, Tony (10 February 2026). "Green by-election candidate 'was glad she left' area". The Telegraph. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
  63. ↑ Dale, Iain (11 February 2026). "Oops! Like Hannah Spencer, I ran for a seat in a constituency I badmouthed…". The Independent. Archived from the original on 17 February 2026. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
  64. ↑ Smith, Julia Llewellyn (2026-04-28). "Meet Hannah Spencer: the Green MP and plumber Gen Z loves". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 2026-05-08.
  65. ↑ Iqbal, Nosheen (1 July 2013). "Glastonbury 2013: best-dressed of the fest – in pictures". The Guardian. pp. G2. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 27 February 2026.

Other websites

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