The Norwich Green Party launches its bid today to become the largest party on their city council, in by-elections for 13 wards that will take place on the 9th September. Five of their 13 candidates have previous experience as a city councillor, three as Greens, and one each with Labour and the Liberal Democrats.
The Norwich Greens doubled their vote share, and had the 2nd highest Green vote in the country, in Norwich South in the general election. For the last two years, the Greens have been the second largest party on Norwich City Council with 13 councillors, just two behind Labour's 15.
If the Green Party becomes the largest party on the city council after the 9th September, this will be a first, for any Green group, on any council in the UK.
Graeme Gee, a former Labour councillor, will stand as a Green Party candidate in Mancroft ward. [1] He said: "The Green Party is the party with the ideas and the passion to guide Norwich through these tough economic times. I am pleased to be standing for the council again with a party that will really look out for the interests of Norwich residents. I have already been out talking to people about the issues that matter to them, and I'm looking forward to being able to work on their behalf if elected."
Paul McAlenan is a builder and former Liberal Democrat councillor who lives with his family in Norwich [2]. Paul has been a campaigner on key local and environmental issues for over 20 years. He is now standing for the Green Party in Crome ward. He said: "I've been impressed by what the Green Party has achieved in Norwich and am pleased to be its candidate in Crome. I look forward to working hard with my Green colleagues to achieve a greener future for Norwich."
Adrian Ramsay, Norwich city councillor and deputy leader of the Green Party, said: "It is fantastic that our list of candidates contains so much talent and experience. Across the city, people from all walks of life are coming over to the Green Party. They realise that we offer a real alternative that puts fairness to all people at its heart."
Amongst the other Green Party candidates are Jessica Goldfinch, Steven Altman, and Claire Stephenson as former Green Party councillors [3]; Jo Henderson, a successful local businesswoman; Lesley Grahame, who works as a nurse; and Jean Bishop, a horticulturalist who runs her own business.
Notes
[1] Graeme was a Labour councillor on Norwich City Council for eight years ending in 1996. During that time he served on planning, leisure and community services, finance, personnel, and economic development committees.
[2] Paul was a Liberal Democrat councillor on Norwich City Council between 1999 and 2004. During that time, Paul was particularly involved with the Planning Committee and worked to promote sustainable building and modern architecture.
[3] Jessica Goldfinch was a Green Party Councillor in Nelson ward between 2003 and 2006. During that time she was the party's housing spokesperson, and chair of the Licensing Committee. Steven Altman was a Green Party Councillor in Mancroft ward between 2006 and 2007. Claire Stephenson was until recently Leader of the Opposition on the City Council. She also chaired the Scrutiny Committee. If re-elected, she is expected to become leader of the Green group of councillors on the council again.
Labour and the Green Party start the Norwich by-election campaign with 9 councillors, while the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives have only 4 each.
The full list of Green Party candidates:
Jean Bishop (Bowthorpe)
Rebecca Lewis-Smith (Catton Grove)
Paul McAlenan (Crome)
Nick Clinch (Eaton)
Kit Jones (Lakenham)
Graeme Gee (Mancroft)
Jo Henderson (Mile Cross)
Claire Stephenson (Nelson)
Jessica Goldfinch (Sewell)
Lesley Grahame (Thorpe Hamlet)
Ash Haynes (Town Close)
Sue Carpenter (University)
Steven Altman (Wensum)