Imagine a plumber swapping her toolbox for a seat in Parliament—sounds like the plot of a feel-good movie, right? But this is real life, and Hannah Spencer has just made history as the Green Party’s first-ever Westminster by-election winner. At 34, Spencer is proving that political representation can—and should—come from all walks of life. But here’s where it gets even more intriguing: she’s not just a plumber-turned-politician; she’s a marathon runner, a rescuer of four greyhounds, and someone who once admitted she was ‘glad’ to move out of the area she now represents. Controversial? Maybe. But it’s also refreshingly human.
Spencer’s journey to the House of Commons is anything but ordinary. After leaving education at 16, she dove into plumbing, a trade she’s passionate about. Fast forward to 2026, and she kicked off the year with a bold resolution: ‘new year, new trade.’ She enrolled in a full-time plastering course, juggling college commutes with her campaigning in Gorton and Denton, Greater Manchester. On LinkedIn, she shared how she’d been ‘slowly teaching myself and doing bits’ of plastering, but wanted to master more skills. Her drive? ‘I just really love trying something new and not stopping until I crack it,’ she said. And crack it she did—both in her trades and now in politics.
But here’s the part most people miss: Spencer isn’t a political outsider. She’s been leading the Greens on Trafford Council since 2023 and even ran as the Green Party’s mayoral candidate for Greater Manchester in 2024. Yet, in her victory speech, she admitted, ‘I didn’t grow up wanting to be a politician.’ Her win feels like a win for everyday people—a reminder that politics isn’t just for the career politicians. As she put it, ‘We will finally get a seat at the table.’
Her campaign wasn’t without its moments of scrutiny. A 2021 Mumsnet post resurfaced, where she criticized Levenshulme for being ‘hugely blighted’ by ‘(supposedly) money laundering takeaways,’ overshadowing independent businesses. The Greens defended her, saying the post reflected her ‘affection’ for the area and her frustration with local struggles. But does this make her relatable or out of touch? That’s up for debate.
Now, as the Green Party’s fifth MP, Spencer joins Siân Berry, Adrian Ramsay, Carla Denyer, and Ellie Chowns in Westminster. Her roots in Greater Manchester—where she’s lived her entire life—were a key part of her campaign. But her straight-talking, authentic style is what truly sets her apart. Whether you agree with her views or not, one thing’s clear: Hannah Spencer is a politician who’s hard to ignore.
And this is the part that’ll spark conversation: Can someone who’s ‘glad’ to move out of an area truly represent it? Or does her honesty make her the perfect advocate for its challenges? Let’s hear your thoughts—agree or disagree, the comment section is open for debate!
