GREENS leader Zack Polanski said today he was “confident, but not complacent” that his party will win the Gorton and Denton by-election.

The politician visited the Greater Manchester constituency, where campaigners had turned out to knock on doors and drum up support for candidate Hannah Spencer, a councillor and plumber.

The seat was held by former Labour MP Andrew Gwynne, who won for Sir Keir Starmer’s party with more than half the vote in 2024, but he stood down earlier this year citing health reasons.

An attempt by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to stand for election was blocked by Labour’s ruling national executive committee (NEC).

The Greens have claimed the poll on February 26 will be a two-horse race between their party and the Reform candidate, GB News presenter Matt Goodwin.

Mr Polanski said people in the constituency were “desperate for change” and were excited by the prospect of Ms Spencer becoming MP.

He said: “We’ve got Nigel Farage’s candidate, a man who literally makes his living by spewing hate and division on right-wing TV channels.

“And in Hannah Spencer we’ve got a woman who’s from the local area, someone who knows the value of work and someone who will work every day for the people of Manchester, working really hard to lower people’s bills, protect the National Health Service and rebuild public services.

“I’m confident, but not complacent, on Thursday this constituency will return a Green MP.”

Labour’s candidate is Manchester city councillor Angeliki Stogia, retired police detective Charlotte Cadden is running for the Tories, and local campaigner Jackie Pearcey for the Liberal Democrats.