Greens announce final candidate numbers
12 May 2017
* Greens stand in 80% of seats in England and Wales*
* Jonathan Bartley, co-leader: “With Britain at a crossroads we’re giving voters a real choice”
The Green Party will stand candidates in 80% of seatsin England and Wales on June 8 giving the majority of voters the chance to vote for a candidate who will fight for a new kind of politics.
Greens will stand in a total of 457 seats across England and Wales. At least 22 Greens stood aside to increase the chance of a progressive candidate beating the Conservatives. The Women’s Equality Party stood down for the Greens in five seats, while the Lib Dems stood down in one.
A total of 467 Green candidates will stand for election across the UK with bold policies to create a better Britain – including giving voters a final say on Brexit with the chance to stay in Europe
Jonathan Bartley, co-leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, said:
“The vast majority of people in England and Wales have the chance to vote Green. With Britain at a crossroads we’re giving voters a real choice.
“In a handful of seats Green Party members took the brave decision not to stand – and we’re proud that our party has put the opportunity to create a more compassionate country above narrow political divides.
“For a confident and caring country, vote Green on June 8th.”
ENDS.
For more information: press@greenparty.org.uk / 0203 691 9401
Notes:
1. Green candidates include:
· Aimee Challenor, 19, in Coventry South: Aimee is Green Party LGBTIQA+ spokesperson and the only openly trans spokesperson of a UK Political Party.
· Larry Sanders, 82, in Oxford East: Larry is Green Party health spokesperson and brother to US Senator Bernie Sanders.
· Lawrence McNally, 18, in Cities of London and Westminster constituency: Lawrence is the Green Party’s youngest candidate.
2. Green Party candidate numbers since 1974:
· 1974: 6
· 1977: 5
· 1979: 53
· 1983: 109
· 1987: 133
· 1992: 253
· 1997: 89
· 2001: 145
· 2005: 182
· 2010: 310
· 2015: 535
· 2017: 467