Gorton and Denton by-election framed as choice between hope and hate

Green Party leader Zack Polanski campaigned in Denton with candidate Hannah Spencer, saying the contest is between the Greens and Reform; Spencer faces candidates from Reform, Labour, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.

Green Party leader Zack Polanski has been campaigning in Denton alongside candidate Hannah Spencer, urging voters to choose ‘‘hope’’ over ‘‘hate’’ and describing the contest as between the Greens and Reform. He responded to a letter from deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell warning that the Greens could split the Labour vote, calling that claim "absolutely absurd." Spencer, a local councillor and plumber, told supporters her life had changed since her selection and said she had faced abuse and false rumours. The campaign event in Granada Park included Spencer's four greyhounds and drew attention to the prospect of the area electing its first Green MP. Key facts: - Zack Polanski campaigned with Hannah Spencer and described the race as a contest between the Green Party and Reform. - Deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell wrote a letter expressing concern about vote splitting; Polanski dismissed her warning as "absolutely absurd." - Hannah Spencer is a councillor and plumber who reported receiving abuse and false claims since being named as the Green candidate. - Spencer said she hopes to shake things up if elected and highlighted local recognition and criticism since her selection. - Other named candidates include Matt Goodwin for Reform, Angeliki Stogia for Labour, Charlotte Cadden for the Conservatives and Jackie Pearcey for the Liberal Democrats. Summary: The campaign is being presented by the Green Party as a direct choice between the Greens and Reform, while Labour has raised concerns about vote splitting. The by-election remains contested and the outcome is undetermined at this time.