The Greens are celebrating a monumental local election result after the party made the most gains in its 50 year history and took control of a local authority for the first time in the UK - and Europe.
The Green Party went into this year’s local elections looking to defend more seats than ever before - following its record surge in 2019. However, not only did the Greens hold 225 of their incumbent councillors, but the Greens have gained 201 new councillors, taking the total number of Green councillors in England and Wales to a record 738, on a record 166 councils.
The Green Party has taken majority control of Mid Suffolk council - the first time that Greens have held a majority on a council in England. Greens are now also the largest group on several councils in No Overall Control, where they will be engaging in negotiations with other parties over coming days to form an administration.
The Greens gained at the hands of some significant conservative losses - taking a net 155 seats from the Tories. Lewes District Council, where the Greens are already in administration, saw the Greens become the largest party. The Conservatives were completely wiped out in Lewes, going from the largest group to having no councillors at all.
Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay said:
“This has been an historic night for the Greens and one which paves the way for success in the general election next year. I want to congratulate the hundreds of councillors and the countless volunteers who have worked tirelessly to achieve this incredible set of results.
“With our wins in places such as Mid Suffolk, Lewes and East Hertfordshire, it is clear that the Conservatives are crumbling and in many areas it is now the Greens who are the only real opposition. The sooner we have a general election the better.
“Voters are fed up of this Conservative government and are turning to the Greens because we offer a real alternative, with hard-working local councillors and sound practical policies to tackle local and national issues such as the cost-of-living crisis, housing, underfunded and run down public services and the state of our rivers.”
ENDS
For further information or to arrange an interview please contact the press office on press@greenparty.org.uk or call 0203 691 9401