Historic Green Party Victory Pushes Labour to Third in Major By-Election Upset
Manchester, Friday, 27 February 2026.
The Green Party secured a historic first by-election victory, forcing Labour into third place behind Reform UK in a stronghold the ruling party had held for nearly a century.
A Seismic Shift in British Politics
In a result that fundamentally alters the complexion of the House of Commons, Hannah Spencer, a 34-year-old plumber, has become the first Green Party candidate to ever win a parliamentary by-election [1][2]. The final tally, announced in the early hours of Friday, February 27, 2026, revealed that the Green Party secured 14,980 votes, commanding approximately 41% of the total vote share [2][3]. This victory was not merely a narrow edge but a decisive rejection of the status quo, with the Greens establishing a margin of 4402 votes over their nearest challenger, Reform UK, which finished in second place with 10,578 votes [2][3]. For the Labour Party, the night ended in humiliation; their candidate, Angeliki Stogia, garnered only 9,364 votes, plummeting the governing party to a distant third [2][6].
Labour’s Century-Long Hold Collapses
The magnitude of this defeat for Prime Minister Keir Starmer cannot be overstated. The constituency of Gorton and Denton—and its predecessor seats—had been held by Labour since 1931, representing nearly a century of political dominance [5]. In the 2024 general election, Labour secured the seat with over 50% of the vote, yet this support evaporated overnight, with the party’s vote share crashing from 51% to just 25% [1]. Conversely, the Green Party surged from a previous 13% share to capture 41%, representing a massive swing of 26.4% from Labour to the Greens [1][2]. This outcome marks the sixth-largest Labour majority overturned at a by-election since the Second World War [2].
Economic Grievances and Voter Discontent
The election was fought against a backdrop of intense economic dissatisfaction. Hannah Spencer’s campaign resonated with voters by focusing heavily on the cost of living crisis rather than solely on environmental issues [6]. In her victory speech, Spencer articulated a sharp critique of the current economic order, stating, “Instead of working for a nice life, we’re working to line the pockets of billionaires… We are being bled dry” [6]. This message appeared to cut through traditional party loyalties, particularly in a constituency with a diverse demographic profile. The Green Party also targeted the local Muslim population with specific messaging regarding the government’s foreign policy, distributing election material in Urdu that criticized Labour’s stance on Gaza [6].
Allegations of Electoral Irregularities
The by-election has also sparked significant controversy regarding the integrity of the voting process. Democracy Volunteers, an accredited election observer group, reported witnessing “concerningly high levels” of family voting—a practice where voters collude or direct one another, which is illegal under the Ballot Secrecy Act of 2023 [1][3]. According to the observers, such irregularities were identified in 68% of the polling stations they monitored, affecting roughly 12% of the observed voters [4]. John Ault, the director of Democracy Volunteers, noted these were the “highest levels of family voting at any election” in the group’s decade-long history [3][4]. However, Manchester City Council has disputed these claims, stating that polling staff reported “no such issues” regarding undue influence during the voting hours [1].
Political Fallout for Starmer
The fallout from this result is likely to intensify internal pressure on Keir Starmer. Angela Rayner, the former deputy leader of the Labour Party who resigned from government in September 2025, described the defeat as a necessary “wake up call” for the party [1]. Meanwhile, Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, characterized the election as “a victory for sectarian voting and cheating,” while simultaneously celebrating his party’s ability to push Labour into third place [1][6]. With the local elections approaching in May 2026, this result signals that the electorate is increasingly willing to fracture away from the two main parties, creating a volatile landscape for the current administration [1].