In a historic electoral victory, amid a record-breaking local election campaign, the Green Party has this evening not only emerged as the largest party on Bristol City Council, but has also won every available seat in their target parliamentary constituency of Bristol Central.
Across the city, the Green Party has won 34 seats in the city’s local elections, strengthening their position as the largest party in the city and supporting the polls’ suggestion that Bristol could elect its first ever Green MP. Today’s gains also see them become the largest group of Green councillors to ever be elected at a local election in the UK.
Carla Denyer, the Green Party Co-Leader and parliamentary candidate for Bristol Central, commented on the success in the city:
“At this election the people of Bristol have turned to the Green Party to deliver the change that this city needs.
“The people of this city know that we don’t have to accept politics as usual – something better is possible if we vote for it.”
The Green Party dominance at the city’s local elections is another sign that the Greens are on track to win their top General Election target of Bristol Central where party co-leader, Carla Denyer, is the candidate. Greens won all 14 council seats in the new Bristol Central constituency.
Denyer continued:
“As MP candidate for Bristol Central at the coming General Election, I’m looking forward to giving Bristolians another opportunity to demonstrate their values by voting for real change and hope at the national level.”
The victories come alongside what pollster Sir John Curtice described as “spectacular gains” in seats across the UK from Newcastle to Exeter. The Party is now setting its sights on securing 4 Members of Parliament including in the new seat of Bristol Central where Greens now hold 14 of the 14 councillors.
Co-leader Adrian Ramsay welcomed the record results across England, including earlier becoming the largest party on Hastings Borough Council. He said:
“We went into these elections with a record number of Green councillors.
“We’re emerging with a new, even higher record.
“I know Carla will be a great MP for Bristol if elected at the next election.
“But this isn’t just about what it means for the General Election, it’s also what it means for those people who live in areas where Greens have power.
“We’re now the largest party on key English councils including not just Bristol but also Hastings, East Hertfordshire, Babergh, East Suffolk, Mid Suffolk, Lewes, Folkestone and Hythe and the Forest of Dean.”
He continued:
“These record results represent a seismic shift in English politics.
“Voters are increasingly turning to the Greens because we offer a real alternative, with sensible and practical policies to tackle local and national issues such as the cost of living, the housing crisis, underfunded and run-down public services and the terrible state of our rivers.”
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