A bomb has gone off under British politics. And the fuse was lit by a blonde, working-class woman plumber with four greyhounds who relaxes by watching Coronation Street.

In an historic success, the Greens’ Hannah Spencer smashed Labour to claim her party’s first parliamentary by-election victory.

Added to this, she secured 41 per cent of the vote, 12 points more than Reform UK in second place, proving wrong pollsters and pundits who had anticipated a close contest.

The entire country will feel the result’s shockwaves, even Downing Street.

For months, Labour MPs have been unhappy with Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership, and this morning they didn’t hesitate to share their opinions, which included calls for tax increases and his resignation. The sometimes contradictory suggestions all fall under the heading of “real” Labour, though often reflect nothing more than the views of the individual. If Starmer has an answer to their recommendations, he is keeping remarkably quiet about it.

Spencer, a 34-year-old who is also a gas engineer and marathon runner as well as a plumber, secured victory in Manchester by connecting with two vital voter segments: the significant Muslim population, who remain critical of Labour due to Starmer’s initial position on Israel’s actions in Gaza, even after his subsequent acknowledgment of Palestinian statehood; and younger electors, who include a significant number of students and recent graduates. The Greens currently lead in the polls among younger voters across the UK.

Even on Thursday, the day of the election, Labour Cabinet ministers were expressing optimism privately and publicly. Despite abandoning hope of reclaiming the 50 per cent vote share Labour secured in the general election, the party believed its organisational infrastructure could secure........

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