The Green Party candidate for the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election, Hannah Spencer, is under fire for her extensive real estate portfolio valued at £1.2 million, prompting accusations of hypocrisy. This criticism arises as her party, led by Zack Polanski, advocates for policies aimed at eliminating private landlords and implementing stringent rent controls.
Details of Spencer’s property dealings came to light in a report by The Mail on Sunday, revealing her involvement in the housing market that contradicts the Green Party’s core values. Despite the party’s commitment to abolishing private landlords and supporting affordable housing, Spencer has been noted for her controversial tactics in the real estate sector, including tips on how to outmaneuver first-time homebuyers and inflate property prices.
Spencer, 34, has publicly disparaged second homeowners for “hoarding” properties and has claimed that struggling landlords often engage in a “woe is me” narrative. Yet, her own actions appear to reflect the very practices she criticizes. Following financial assistance from her mother to purchase her first home at the age of 24, she has expanded her holdings to include multiple properties, including a second home reportedly acquired in August 2024 for £736,000.
In a revealing discussion on Mumsnet, Spencer suggested that sellers should avoid first-time buyers, who she claimed were often financially supported by family members. Furthermore, she described a scenario in which she pressured buyers to increase their offers, even resorting to threats of selling to other prospective buyers if they did not meet her asking price. This method of negotiation has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters, including opposition parties.
Labour MP Jo Platt, representing the neighboring constituency of Leigh and Atherton, expressed her dismay at what she views as a double standard within the Green Party. Platt stated, “Time and again the Greens say one thing and do another. One minute they’re calling to abolish all landlords, the next they’re backing a candidate with multiple properties.” This sentiment was echoed by a Labour source, who labeled Spencer a “millionaire property-hoarding hypocrite.”
While a spokesperson for the Green Party refrained from addressing specific allegations raised by The Mail on Sunday, they defended Spencer’s character. They suggested that the candidate’s remarks were taken out of context and emphasized that the Greens are poised to perform well in the upcoming election, despite what they described as “smear tactics” from the media.
In addition to her real estate controversies, Spencer’s claims about her profession as a working plumber have also come under scrutiny. While she has posted on social media about her work, critics have pointed out that her images often feature her own properties, undermining her assertions of being an active tradesperson. In one social media post, she suggested that she might need to resort to selling “shots of her feet online” to finance new tools, further complicating her narrative.
As the Gorton and Denton by-election approaches, Spencer’s candidacy is being closely examined. This election marks the 19th political campaign for her family, which includes her mother’s previous bid for Parliament. Zack Polanski has described the election atmosphere as one that should feel “thoughtful, honest, and shaking things up,” but Spencer’s property dealings are raising questions about the integrity of those ideals.
The outcome of this election could hold significant implications for the Green Party’s position and their ongoing efforts to address housing issues in the UK. Spencer’s dual role as a candidate advocating for housing reform while simultaneously engaging in practices that contribute to housing market challenges may influence voter perceptions in the coming days.
