'Hannah the Plumber' in Parliament: Hannah Spencer's first week as Green MP
The new Green MP for Gorton and Denton has been documenting her first week in Parliament on social media
It's been one week since the constituency of Gorton and Denton got a new MP.
Hannah Spencer - known as 'Hannah the Plumber' - bagged a remarkable victory for the Green Party in one of the most closely watched by-elections in recent memory.
The now-former plumber and plasterer had been the bookies' favourite for much of the campaign before claiming the seat with 14,980 votes - ahead of Reform UK's Matt Goodwin who received 10,578 votes.
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Labour, still reeling from the Trigger Me Timbers WhatsApp scandal that sparked the resignation of Andrew Gwynne, leading to the crunch poll, came third.
Since then, Ms Spencer has been documenting her whirlwind first few days as an MP on social media. This is how her first week unfolded...
Thursday, February 26 - polling day
In the final hours before polling closed, Ms Spencer spent the day travelling around the constituency thanking supporters and volunteers. Her day began at 8.30am as she thanked staff at a polling station before heading to Stockport Road at 9am, where she recorded a video dancing with campaigners.
Later in the day she visited Levenshulme where she met author and podcaster Deborah Frances-White at Grounded Cafe CIC before the pair went door-knocking in Longsight.
After more time driving around thanking supporters, Ms Spencer returned briefly to campaign HQ before attending Iftar at Victoria Park Mosque at 5pm. She ended the night back with campaign staff to rally the team before heating to a hotel for some rest ahead of the vote count.
Friday, February 27 - by-election results
Hannah Spencer’s victory was confirmed in the early hours after a sleepless night. At 3am she received a phone call to prepare for her speech before heading to the count at 4am, where the official announcement confirmed her as the new MP for Gorton and Denton.
The next hours were a blur of interviews before she completed official MP paperwork shortly before 6am. Rather than heading straight home, she visited Niamos Radical Arts Centre to thank campaign volunteers before finally grabbing a short rest between 7am and 9am.
Her first full day as MP continued at pace. At 10am she held a press conference before hosting her first constituency surgery at midday.
Later that afternoon she made an appearance at Create Connect Denton, taking part in a karaoke session before meeting parliamentary staff to begin learning the practicalities of her new role.
Ms Spencer later enjoyed chips and curry sauce from Sue's takeaway and finished the day walking around the constituency thanking supporters.
Monday, March 2 - day one in Parliament
Ms Spencer officially took her seat in the House of Commons on Monday (March 2). She arrived outside Parliament accompanied by her four greyhounds - Olive, Judy, Forest and Will - attracting attention from journalists and photographers.
In a video diary posted on Instagram, she documented the day step-by-step. "My first day in Parliament," she said. "I got up early, used an iron for the first time in my life, got ready and went to meet [Green Party leader Zack Polanski]."
She spent the morning exploring the parliamentary estate, taking selfies and visiting the library where she picked up a copy of 'How Westminster Works… and Why It Doesn't' by Ian Dunt.
Later that day she was formally sworn in - a moment she described as a 'beautiful moment'.
"It was quite emotional and signing the book was a massive honour. Writing 'Gorton and Denton' - it felt huge," she said.
Her first day ended with a late-night vote in the Commons. In a later social media post, Ms Spencer said she was 'proud' that her first vote backed extending the vote to 16-year-olds - a long-standing Green Party policy.
Tuesday, March 3 - day two in Parliament
On her second day in Parliament, Ms Spencer said in a post on Instagram she began work on creating a new cross-party group focused on tackling fuel poverty.
She said the proposed All-Party Parliamentary Group would aim to 'accelerate the eradication of cold homes'.
"In Gorton and Denton we have higher than average rates of fuel poverty," she wrote. "It's an absolute scandal that in 2026 we have huge groups of people in our communities who are freezing in their own homes."
That evening she attended an Iftar event in Westminster Hall, saying it was an 'honour' to meet community groups and organisations there.
She wrote in a social media post: "We've achieved something truly historic in this election by showing that our votes will no longer be taken for granted.
"This is especially felt by our Muslim communities who have been failed by successive governments, and also in the current set of politicians who are pandering to divisive rhetoric being spewed by the media and divisive figures and political parties."
Wednesday, March 4 - day three
By Wednesday, Spencer said she was 'finding her feet' in Parliament. She shared a short video of herself walking across Westminster Bridge to the song LDN by Lily Allen, showing Parliament and Big Ben.
The day also included meetings with humanitarian organisations including Médecins Sans Frontières, where she said she heard about the experiences of medics working in Gaza.
She later attended a meeting organised by the Jewish group Na'amod and called on the UK government to take stronger action over the situation in Israel and Palestine. That evening Ms Spencer marked Women's History Month at an event celebrating women's achievements.
Reflecting on her time as 'Hannah the Plumber', she said she had often been the only woman working as a plumber and hoped more women and girls would enter the trades.
Thursday, March 5 - day four
On Thursday, Ms Spencer used World Book Day to highlight literacy challenges within her constituency. Sharing a photo on Instagram of a free book exchange at Ryder Brow community allotments, she praised libraries, schools and community groups helping children access books.
She wrote: "In parts of our area, around 1 in 4 adults struggle with what is classed as basic literacy, and close to 30% of people have no formal qualifications.
"Too many people are labelled thick or stupid for this. But often the chances they were given at the start of life was less than other people in other places. Poverty limits opportunity in so many ways and access to books is one of them.
"But every free book shelf, every donated story, every volunteer sat reading with a child pushes right back against that. I want this community effort to be matched with better funding from government in early years education and better access to local libraries."
Friday, March 6 - one week as MP
By Friday - exactly one week after her victory - Ms Spencer was marking another milestone for the Greens. In a video posted by the party, she celebrated membership surpassing 215,000.
"How incredible is that?" she said. "This movement is moving, and we're all part of it. And we're achieving something so historic together."
For Ms Spencer, it marked the end of a first week that has taken her from the by-election count in Greater Manchester to the benches of the House of Commons.
