In February 2026, Hannah Kathrine Spencer won the Gorton and Denton by-election and became the first Green MP in Northern England. The result marked an important moment for her party and drew attention to her journey into national politics. While the electoral shift was significant, the wider interest in Hannah Kathrine Spencer lies in the path she took before entering Parliament.
Born in 1992 in Bolton, Greater Manchester, Hannah Kathrine Spencer left school at 16 and entered the workforce at a young age. She began working in plumbing around 2008 and later completed a National Vocational Qualification at Bolton College. Over time, she expanded her skills, qualifying as a gas engineer and completing plasterer training in early 2026. In 2015, after taking part in an enterprise support programme, she started her own business, Hannah’s Household Plumbing.
Her experience in skilled trades and small business has shaped her political outlook. Hannah Kathrine Spencer often speaks about household budgets, rising costs, and the pressures faced by working families. Rather than coming from a legal or academic background, she brings professional experience rooted in vocational work. This practical perspective has become central to how Hannah Kathrine Spencer presents herself in public life.
From Local Council to Westminster
Hannah Kathrine Spencer joined the Green Party of England and Wales in 2022, motivated by concerns about inequality and access to essential services. Her first electoral success came in 2023 when she was elected to Trafford Council, representing the Hale ward. Serving as a councillor allowed Hannah Kathrine Spencer to work directly on local issues and build a record in public service.
In 2024, Hannah Kathrine Spencer ran for the Greater Manchester mayoral election. Although she did not win, she secured more than 45,000 votes and increased her visibility across the region. The campaign expanded her profile and strengthened her standing within the party. By 2025, she had been chosen as leader of the Green group on Trafford Council and appointed as a spokesperson on migration and refugee support.
The Gorton and Denton by-election in early 2026 proved decisive. Hannah Kathrine Spencer won with a majority of 4,402 votes, defeating both Labour and Reform UK candidates. The outcome represented the Green Party’s first parliamentary by-election victory and increased its representation in the House of Commons. For a constituency long considered secure for Labour, the result signalled changing political dynamics.
During the campaign, Hannah Kathrine Spencer faced online misinformation and public scrutiny. Claims circulated about her personal life, but she continued public engagements and focused her messaging on policy priorities. The campaign centred on economic fairness, public services, and community wellbeing.
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Among the issues highlighted by Hannah Kathrine Spencer are progressive taxation to address wealth inequality, greater access to public healthcare, and support for public ownership of essential utilities. She has also expressed support for reviewing long-standing drug laws through regulated approaches aimed at reducing harm. While these positions align with broader Green Party policy, Hannah Kathrine Spencer frequently frames them in terms of practical impact on households and communities.
Her arrival in Parliament reflects a broader development in British politics. For decades, many MPs have come from professional backgrounds such as law, academia, or policy research. Hannah Kathrine Spencer represents a different pathway, one grounded in vocational training, small business ownership, and local government experience.
The story of Hannah Kathrine Spencer is not defined by a sudden rise but by steady progression. From skilled trade work to council meetings and then to Westminster, each stage built upon the last. Her election highlights how diverse professional experiences are increasingly shaping national politics.
As her parliamentary career begins, Hannah Kathrine Spencer stands as an example of how public service can emerge from varied backgrounds. Her journey from Bolton to the House of Commons reflects persistence, practical experience, and sustained engagement in community issues.
