The Green Party candidate for the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election, Hannah Spencer, is under scrutiny following revelations about her substantial real estate holdings. A report by The Mail on Sunday has dubbed her a “property-hoarding hypocrite,” highlighting her £1.2 million property portfolio and controversial tactics in the housing market.
Spencer, aged 34, who is also the Greens’ candidate for Manchester mayor in 2024, has faced backlash for her remarks regarding first-time homebuyers and her own property investments. Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party, has publicly advocated for the abolition of private landlords, higher taxes on the wealthy, and stringent rent controls. Yet, Spencer’s actions appear to contradict these principles.
In a post on Mumsnet, Spencer suggested that sellers should be wary of first-time buyers, claiming they often benefit from financial gifts from family members. This approach raises concerns, especially given her own background of receiving assistance from her mother to purchase her first home at the age of 24. Since then, she has acquired several properties, including a £736,000 second home purchased in August 2024.
Critics have pointed out that Spencer’s behaviour aligns with practices she has denounced. For instance, she has described scenarios where she pressured buyers into paying more than they intended, revealing a pattern of intimidation. In one instance, she threatened to sell to another buyer if her current buyers did not increase their offer, referring to those who negotiate aggressively as “stingy.”
The criticisms do not end with her property dealings. Jo Platt, a Labour MP for the neighbouring Leigh and Atherton, remarked, “Time and again the Greens say one thing and do another.” She highlighted the inconsistency between the party’s platform and Spencer’s actions, labelling her a “millionaire property-hoarding hypocrite.”
In response to the controversy, a spokesperson for the Green Party stated, “Normal person has normal conversations years ago. It’s five days to go, the Greens are winning, and the political and media establishment are going into smearsville overdrive.”
Additionally, Spencer’s claims of being a working plumber have come under fire. Social media posts depict her in work attire, but the backgrounds reveal she is often at her own homes, raising questions about her narrative. In one post, she mentioned needing to sell “shots of her feet online” to afford new tools, a statement that has drawn ridicule and skepticism.
Spencer has stated, “Like lots of people, I’m new to politics,” despite her family’s extensive history in political campaigning. The upcoming by-election marks her family’s 19th electoral contest, which includes her mother’s previous bids for Parliament.
As the February 22, 2026 vote approaches, the focus remains not only on Spencer’s real estate dealings but also on the broader implications for the Green Party’s credibility. With the election drawing near, the interplay between personal actions and political advocacy is under intense scrutiny, highlighting the challenges faced by candidates in maintaining consistency between their public statements and private behaviours.
