The Green Party in Norwich has fought off a strong challenge by Labour to maintain its record of adding to its tally of city councillors at every election since 2002. No Green councillor in Norwich has lost a seat in that time.
Results declared early on the 6th of May gave the Greens a new councillor in Thorpe Hamlet in a gain from the Lib-Dems. Greens picked up votes from former Lib Dem supporters who feel let down by their party's coalition with the Conservatives.
Labour in Norwich had planned a campaign to win seats from the Greens in order to take overall control of the council. But Norwich voters continued to give solid support to the Greens and the council remains in no overall control, with the Greens still the largest opposition party.
Adrian Ramsay stood down as a councillor to concentrate on his role as Deputy Leader of the Green Party. His seat in Nelson ward was taken over by new councillor Denise Carlo with a comfortable majority of more than a thousand.
Adrian Ramsay said: "It's been another great night for the Green Party in Norwich. Labour talked up their chances of gaining seats from us but the Green Party wins have blocked Labour's bid to take overall control of the council.
"The Conservatives and Lib-Dems have done badly tonight but the results show that there is solid support for he Green Party from the people of Norwich."
Councillor Claire Stephenson, leader of the Green group on Norwich City Council, said: "Yet again the Geen Party has held all its council seats and gained a seat from the Lib-Dems in Thorpe Hamlet.
"Norwich voters obviously like what Green Party councillors do for them, that's why they elect more at every opportunity."