Today in Focus Greens win Gorton and Denton: is this a turning point for UK politics? – The Latest
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Feb 27, 2026 
Hannah Al-Othman, Guardian North of England correspondent who reported live from the Gorton and Denton count, shares eyewitness detail and local perspective. She recounts the dramatic early tallies that put the Greens ahead. They discuss Hannah Spencer’s working-class appeal, Labour’s campaign choices, Gaza’s role on the doorstep, and Reform UK’s messaging and tactics.
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Local Plumber Turned MP Stayed Rooted In Everyday Life
- Hannah Spencer campaigned while still working as a plumber and taking a plastering course during the run-up to the by-election.
- She brought her rescue greyhounds, filmed TikToks and kept clients informed, showing grassroots authenticity that resonated locally.
Candidate Choice Hurt Labour More Than Campaign Effort
- Labour's decision to bar Andy Burnham likely cost them a candidate who would have performed strongly and may have changed the outcome.
- Local Labour resources and national figures campaigned heavily, yet Labour still fell to third, highlighting miscalculation about candidate selection.
Gaza Was A Cross-Community Driving Issue
- Gaza emerged as a standout issue on the doorstep, cutting across communities and influencing votes beyond the Muslim population.
- Voters raised Gaza repeatedly, making it one of the few policy topics that shaped choices in this contest.