Gorton and Denton by-election: Live consequence as Greens shock Labour and Reform with victory

What does the result mean?

The Mirror’s Sophie Huskisson gives her verdict on the result after a nightmarish night for Labour.

Labour has come third at the Gorton and Denton by-election – Keir Starmer faces some huge questions after a nightmarish result for the party pic.twitter.com/9ObUEJ4xnO

— Sophie Huskisson (@soph_husk) February 27, 2026

Green win a victory for ‘unity over division’

A Green spokesperson has slapped down the claims from Nigel Farage that the party cheated to win the by-election.

A spokesperson said: “The scale of our victory shows that the Green Party has picked up substantial support in all parts of the constituency, in all areas, among all people. It was a victory for unity over division, for hope over hate.

“Our message to lower bills, protect the NHS and public services and for peace and human rights was a message which resonated here, to all voters in this by-election.”

Full story as Greens win historic by-election

Keir Starmer has suffered a loss to the Green Party at the Gorton and Denton by-election.

In a major upset for the Prime Minister, Labour slipped into third place after haemorrhaging votes to the Greens and Reform UK.

End of two-party politics, campaign group says

The campaign group Compass, supporters of Andy Burnham, have said the result is the end of two-party politics.

Neal Lawson, Director of campaign group Compass said: “In this spectacular by-election result the Greens have shown there is appetite in Britain for a bold, progressive agenda for big change.

“Labour’s leadership has turned its back on the nation’s progressive majority and blocked the only candidate – in Andy Burnham – who could have spoken for this hopeful future.

“The two party stranglehold on the UKs politics looks broken. Only a progressive alliance can defeat Reform and the causes of Reform.”

Nigel Farage accuses Greens of ‘cheating’

Nigel Farage has accused the Greens of “cheating”, after losing the by-election.

In a rant on X, he said: “This election was a victory for sectarian voting and cheating. Matt Goodwin was a great candidate for us. Roll on the elections on May 7th. It will be goodbye Starmer and goodbye to the Tory party.”

Matt Goodwin loses

Matt Goodwin arrived to the count late, without any support from any of his Reform UK colleagues, then left with his partner.

After being backed by Tommy Robinson, claiming people born in Britain aren’t British, and said the mass stabbing on a train in Huntingdon was due to ‘mass uncontrolled immigration’.

Here is arriving to lose.

Results breakdown

For context, here’s the percentage of the vote won by each party, and how much it’s up or down compared to 2024.

The Greens won 40.7%, up 27%. Reform rose 15%, reaching 28.8%, while Labour won just 25.4%, plummeting 25%.

The Tories dropped 6% to 1.9%, and the Lib Dems dropped 2% to 1.8%.

Winning MP didn’t grow up ‘wanting to be a politician’

Giving a speech after winning, Hannah Spencer starts by saying she didn’t grow up “wanting to be a politician”.

She says: “Even under chaos, even under pressure, I get things done. I am no different from every single person in this constituency.

“Life has changed. Instead of working for a nice life… we’re working to line the pockets of billionaires. We are being bled dry.

“I think everybody should get a nice life. Clearly I’m not the only person who thinks that.”

Matt Goodwin ‘proud’ of the campaign

Defeated Reform UK candidate Matt Goodwin, who was backed by Tommy Robinson, says he’s “proud of the campaign”, and then leaves the count.

He was not joined by any of the big names from Reform UK.

Green winner vows to move Government in new direction

Hannah Spencer vows to move the Government in a different direction.

Labour chair say result is ‘disappointing’

Anna Turley MP, Chair of the Labour Party says the result is “clearly disappointing”.

She says: “By-elections are normally difficult for the party of government, and this election was no different.

“We have had thousands of conversations over the last few weeks and we know the majority of voters here did not want the poisonous politics of Nigel Farage and Reform.

“We will continue to deliver a programme for government that tackles the cost of living crisis families are facing, creates opportunities for young people and invests in our public services.

“The politics of anger and easy answers offered by the Greens and Reform won’t deliver this.

“We will move forwards with a relentless focus on delivering the renewal communities across Britain want to see.”

Greens shock Labour to win historic by-election

Hannah Spencer is new MP for Gorton and Denton.

She won with 14, 980, beating Reform UK on 10,5078 votes, with Labour on just 9,364.

Matt Goodwin has taken the result well

An all-time crash out from Matt Goodwin. He says: “I don’t think the progressives beat us, I think the progressives were told how to vote. Islamists and woke progressives came together to dominate the constituency.”

Candidates told result

The candidates are all now here and have been taken to the side of the main room to privately hear the results.

They’ll then come back out and we’ll hear the vote count ourselves.

Angeliki Stogia arrives

While we wait, here’s Angeliki Stogia arriving at the count

Greens say result is Labour’s fault

The Greens have repeated their claim that Labour has come third.

A Green Party source said: “It’s looking like Labour are in third and they only have themselves to blame for failing to deliver any change in government. Voters are tired of them and turning to what the Greens are offering.”

Result delayed as Green candidate is late

The result is ready to be read out, but it appears Hannah Spencer, the Green candidate, has arrived late, so there’s a bit of a hold-up.

If she wasn’t the winner, they would not have to wait.

On Sky, they joke it’s not the first time a plumber has been late.

Result could be just minutes away

People are gathered at the count now waiting for the result. If it goes as expected, with the Greens in first, and Reform second, this by-election would mean neither Labour or the Tories were the main contenders.

While Labour argue this would not be recreated nationally, it represents a major change from the two-party politics of normal.

Matthew Goodwin arrives at the count

Matthew Goodwin has just arrived.

The room went totally silent as the Reform candidate entered.

Greens not expecting a recount

In a sign of how big the win is expected to be, a Green source tells me they think a recount is unlikely.

A reminder, this was considered a close three-way fight, in a seat Labour has held for nearly 100 years.

Counting finished

The counting of the votes has now finished.

Labour’s Angeliki Stogia has arrived at the count, to relative silence.

We are expecting a result within the next 30 minutes or so.

Live update from the ground – from turnout to party whispers

Sophie gives her latest update from on the ground at the count for the Gorton and Denton by-election.

Latest from the Gorton and Denton by-election – huge turnout and Greens confident pic.twitter.com/b1CBC0Zoox

— Sophie Huskisson (@soph_husk) February 27, 2026

Lucy Powell ‘hopes’ loss doesn’t lead to calls for PM to go

Labour Deputy leader Lucy Powell was asked whether defeat would lead to calls for Keir Starmer to step down.

She said: “I hope not”, and that the party must “redouble our efforts” to make sure people understand what Labour stands for.

Labour’s deputy leader faces questions

Here’s Lucy Powell facing questions earlier, on a difficult night for Labour

Lucy Powell refuses to blame Burnham spat

Labour Deputy leader Lucy Powell is asked if Labour’s ruling NEC blocking Andy Burnham from standing cost them the seat.

She insists the party has been working as “one Labour team”, adding: “Conversations about Andy standing were the story of a few weeks ago. We have all moved on from that.”

Greens confident of a win

Sources on the ground at the count have told Sophie they’re confident of a win.

A Green source said: “We are very confident of a win.”

Labour must be ‘louder and clearer’ on its values, Lucy Powell says

Labour Deputy leader Lucy Powell says the party has to give a clearer account of itself.

She said: “People want to hear very loudly and clearly what our story is and whose side we are on, and that is something we will be doing more loudly in the coming weeks.

“It’s our job to convince people that we are doing the right things for the country and that we are improving their lives, and that is the job.”

Labour deputy leader says Greens ‘won argument’ over tackling Reform

Labour Deputy leader Lucy Powell says the Greens have won the argument, and also appeared to concede Labour has lost.

She tells Sky News: “I like to win elections, that’s what I’m in politics to do and I wanted Angeliki Stogia to be my colleague in parliament as I think she would have been a fantastic MP.

“What is clear, is there’s a big majority in this constituency that has not voted for Reform, and on the day the Greens have managed to win the argument that they were best placed to do that”

“Keir Starmer has said himself that we need to give a clearer account of ourselves, showing our Labour values more strongly. We’ve got to take stock as we always do, and show humility that we are hearing what people are saying”.

Greens predicting ‘seismic’ win

The Greens are now predicting a “seismic win”, with the vote going as they expected.

A source said: “Things are feeling positive. Not wanting to get ahead of ourselves, but everything that we thought that was going to be happening looks like it’s happening.

“Whatever happens, I think it’s fair to say that Greens are here to stay now as a progressive voice in British politics.

“We’ve said from the start we’re not here to be disappointed by Labour, but we’re here to replace them.

“And from day one of the by-election, we’ve said that Greens are the only party that could beat Reform. And I think tonight we’re seeing both of those things potentially coming true.

“I think it’s a seismic moment in British politics where Greens are showing that they’re a party that can protect the country from the threat of Reform, and that Labour’s not up to the job.”

Green win will ‘drive support’ for Reform

Former Tory Chancellor and Reform defector Nadhim Zahawi says the Greens “weaponised the Islamist vote”, and that if the Greens win the by-election, it will actually help drive support for his party.