Watch new Green MP Hannah Spencer’s election victory speech in full
Plumber turned Green MP Hannah Spencer hailed her victory in the Gorton and Denton by-election – and called out others for scapegoating communities in her first speech
Plumber turned Green MP Hannah Spencer hailed her victory in the Gorton and Denton by-election – and called out others for scapegoating communities.
In a major upset to the Labour Party, the 34-year-old overturned Keir Starmer’s massive majority in one of Labour’s safest seats in the country. She stormed to victory comfortably taking the seat with 14,980 votes, a majority of 4,402 over Reform’s Matt Goodwin. Labour’s Angeliki Stogia won 9,364 votes.
Some Labour MPs are already blaming Mr Starmer for the defeat by blocking the Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham from standing in the contest earlier this month. In her victory speech an emotional Ms Spencer said: “I didn’t grow up wanting to be a politician. I am a plumber. And two weeks ago during all of this, I also qualified as a plasterer because even in chaos, even under pressure I get things done.
“I am no different to every single person here in this constituency. I work hard. That is what we do. Except things have changed a lot over the last few decades, because working hard used to get me something.
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“It got you a house, a nice life, holidays, it got you somewhere. But now, working hard, what does that get you? Talk to anyone here and they will tell you, the people who work hard can’t put food on the table, can’t get their kids school uniforms, can’t get their heating on, can’t live off the pension they’ve worked hard to save off, can’t even begin to dream about ever having a holiday, ever.
“Because life has changed. Instead of working for a nice life, we’re working to line the pockets of billionaires. We are being bled dry. And I don’t think it’s extreme or radical that working hard should get you a nice life.
“Clearly I’m not the only person who thinks that because I’ve made clear my decision and commitment to working class communities – the community I’m from. People in their thousands told me, on the doorstep and at the ballot box, that what we are sick of is being let down and looked down on. That we are sick of our hard work making other people rich.”
Ms Spencer also took aim at her election rivals. She continued: “I won’t accept this victory tonight without calling out politicians and divisive figures who constantly scapegoat and blame our communities for all the problems in society.
“My Muslim friends and neighbours are just like me, human. Now, to my customers, I’m sorry, but I think I might have to cancel the work that you haven’t booked in, because I’m heading to Parliament.
“And when I get there, I will make space for everyone doing jobs like mine, We will finally get a seat at the table. We can demand better without hating each other. We ran a hopeful campaign backed by thousands of volunteers and activists. We defeated the parties of billionaire donors. Because this is Manchester. We do things differently here.”
