9 May 2021
- Greens win a total of 155 seats, including 99 gains
- Party sees representation gained on 18 new councils
- Jonathan Bartley: “It’s clear that the Green Party is the next major force in British politics”
The Green Party is celebrating the best local elections results in its history with more green councillors on more councils across the country than ever before. Voters across the country have made clear their hope for a Greener future after the Covid pandemic.
The Greens have won a total of 155 seats and gained representation on 18 new councils in this year’s local elections. It takes the total tally of councils with Green representation to 141.
Green Party co-leader Jonathan Bartley said: “Once again, we are seeing record results for the Green Party. A Green wave is sweeping across the country with Greens winning seats in places dominated by both Labour and Conservatives. These are votes for our strong vision and practical policies for a green future.
“Whether it’s in Burnley or Bristol, people are turning to the Greens because they know that the way we won their vote is the way we will use the power they have given us – with hard work and humility. We will not take their support for granted.
“In a time of multiple crises there is a recognition that the Greens are ready. The changes that are happening in the world are ones we have anticipated and we have the policies and the vision not only to prevent the worst but to use the changes that are on the way to build a better society for us all.
“People know a better, Greener future is possible. A future where we tackle the climate and ecological emergencies but also enable communities in every corner of England and Wales to thrive.”
Some of the key achievements include:
- Became the joint biggest party in Bristol, gaining 13 new seats on the council, taking the total to 24. At the same time, the party recorded its first-ever second place result in an election for a directly-elected mayor. Bristol Mayor candidate Sandy Hore-Ruthven went toe-to-toe with the current Labour mayor Marvin Rees, who both reached the second round of counting.
- Saw record breaking results in London, with Sian Berry coming third in the London Mayor election, increasing her vote share in the process. Meanwhile, the party received 12 per cent of the vote on the list ballot, meaning Zack Polanski became its third London Assembly member, joining Sian and Caroline Russell
- Gained a further five seats on Sheffield City Council, taking their total to 13 and pushing the local authority into no overall control.
- Gained six Green councillors on Suffolk County Council, taking the total to nine and making the Greens the Official Opposition in Suffolk.
Bartley said: “These results show clearly that people are fed up with the old two party system which has dominated for so long and caused so much mistrust and damage.
“Greens are now representing communities up and down the country and people can see the impact they make.”
In Bristol, newly-elected Councillor Yassin Mohamud said: “It’s an honour to be elected to Bristol City Council. The people living in Lawrence Hill have felt ignored for a very long time, so I’m excited to put that right alongside my Green Party colleagues. Local people have been very supportive – now Bristol Greens will begin the work to make things better.”
In Solihull, newly-elected Councillor Shesh Sheshabhatter said: “I already do a lot for my community but I know that as a councillor, I’ll be able to work with my Green colleagues to go that extra mile to make our community even safer and greener. I’m really humbled to receive so many votes.”
Councillor Robert Nunney, who became the first Green to be elected to Manchester City Council since 2004, said: “It’s all about being a presence in the community and speaking to residents, working with the community and finding out the local issues and acting on those.”
The new councils on which Greens are represented: Cambridge County, Hertfordshire County, Norfolk County, Derbyshire County, Northamptonshire North Unitary, Durham County, Northumberland County, Cumbria County, Manchester City, Stockport Metropolitan Borough, Halton Borough, Hastings Borough, East Sussex County, Isle of Wight Unitary, West Oxfordshire District, West Sussex County, Adur District, Cornwall Unitary
View the full list of results here.
ENDS
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The Green Party now has a total of 445 councillors across the country on 141 councils.
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