The Green Party’s Hannah Spencer has made history by winning the Gorton and Denton by-election, marking a significant shift in British politics and signaling a growing anti-war and anti-racist movement. The victory, which saw Spencer defeat both the Labour Party and Reform UK by over 4,000 votes, has been hailed as a major blow to the establishment and a sign of the rising influence of left-wing politics in the UK.

The Political Landscape of Gorton and Denton

The Gorton and Denton by-election had been shaped as a three-way contest between the Green Party’s Hannah Spencer, Labour’s Angeliki Stogia, and Reform UK’s Matthew Goodwin, a former academic and GB News presenter. The race had gained national attention as it was seen as a potential turning point in the political fortunes of both the Labour Party and Reform UK.

Andrew Gwynne, the former Labour MP, had stepped down citing health issues, opening the door for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to potentially return to Parliament. However, the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee blocked Burnham from standing, opting instead to support Health Secretary Wes Streeting as a right-wing alternative. This decision was seen as an attempt to stabilize Labour’s position amidst a broader decline.

Labour’s decision to block Burnham was driven by a desire to protect Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s leadership and to ensure the party’s dominance in the region. However, the party’s influence has been waning, marked by controversies such as the Epstein files scandal, its alignment with US imperial policies, and its perceived subordination to financial markets.

The Rise of the Green Party

Spencer’s victory has been attributed to a combination of factors, including the dynamic leadership of Green Party leader Zack Polanski, the party’s growing membership of over 200,000, and an extensive grassroots campaign. The Green Party’s canvassing efforts involved over 1,000 volunteers each weekend, hundreds on weekdays, and nearly 2,000 on election day, reflecting a significant mobilization of local support.

Spencer, a local Mancunian plumber, built a coalition that included working-class ex-Labour voters, the local Muslim community, students, and graduates. Her campaign emphasized anti-racist and anti-war politics, resonating with a diverse electorate. Her victory demonstrated that the Green Party’s message of social justice, redistribution, and peace could appeal to a broad cross-section of voters.

Zack Polanski, the Green Party leader, has positioned the party as a counter to both the far right and the mainstream left. ‘Making Hope Normal Again’ has been a central theme of the Green Party’s campaign, reflecting a commitment to challenging the status quo and promoting a more inclusive and equitable society.

Challenges to Fascist Movements in Manchester

Manchester has been a focal point in the broader struggle against far-right movements in the UK. The city has seen a rise in fascist street groups, with Britain First becoming increasingly emboldened following the racist pogroms of 2024. Last weekend, over 2,000 anti-fascist protesters outnumbered and blockaded a Britain First rally in the city center, despite a large police presence and several incidents of violence.

This confrontation highlighted the growing tensions between far-right groups and anti-fascist movements in the UK. Progressive forces are increasingly facing a dual challenge: countering the street-level presence of far-right groups and the electoral ambitions of parties like Reform UK, which have been gaining traction in urban centers.

The interplay between far-right social movements and political parties such as Reform UK has created a complex landscape for progressive politics. The Greens, under Polanski’s leadership, have emerged as a critical force in this struggle, offering an alternative to both the far right and the mainstream left.

Labour’s attempts to counter the Greens have been marked by a series of controversial tactics, including the use of political s that falsely claimed the Greens wanted to ‘teach our children to use drugs including crack and heroin and let our daughters be used for legal prostitution.’ These tactics have been widely criticized and have further alienated voters from the party.

The Greens’ emphasis on multiculturalism, social justice, and peace has provided a clear electoral pathway for left-wing politics in the UK. The party’s success in Gorton and Denton has demonstrated that a politics rooted in solidarity and anti-racism can resonate with a broad electorate.

As the political landscape continues to evolve, the rise of the Green Party and the growing anti-fascist movement in Manchester offer a glimpse into the future of British politics. The challenge ahead will be to sustain this momentum and to address the deep-seated issues that continue to affect working-class communities.