'Voters in the Manchester constituency of Gorton and Denton have heard Zack Polanski and the Green Party’s call to “make hope normal again’ and they have made it reality', said European Green Party Co-Chair Vula Tsetsi, reacting to the victory of Green candidate Hannah Spencer, a plumber, in the hotly contested Gorton and Denton by-election. 

'This victory brings the number of Green Members of Parliament in the UK to five, up from the historic high of four after the last general election. Together with their skyrocketing membership this confirms the Greens as a solid and growing progressive force in the UK. We warmly congratulate Hannah Spencer and the Green Party of England and Wales for their enthusiastic, hopeful and locally rooted campaign. People are looking for affordable housing, clean air, and properly funded public services to improve their everyday lives’, Vula Tsetsi said.  

Co-Chair Ciarán Cuffe added: 'Greens are demonstrating that the green transition can lower energy bills, create quality jobs and strengthen local communities. While right-wing and far-right parties, including Reform UK, continue to try to divide communities across Europe, this result proves that fear is not the only force shaping politics. The Green Party of England and Wales, a full member of the European Green Party, have beaten Reform and Labour by offering credible solutions on affordability, housing and investment in public services. This makes us very hopeful for the upcoming UK local elections in May.' 

The Greens have seen quite significant local wins across Europe, that gave the Greens the mayoral leadership in 5 European capitals, including Amsterdam (the Netherlands), Copenhagen (Denmark), Budapest (Hungary), Riga (Latvia) and Zagreb (Croatia). 

Image source: Financial Times