23 May 2021
The Green Party is celebrating the best local elections results in its history with more Green councillors on more councils across the country than ever before.
Nationally there are now 445 Green councillors across England and Wales on 141 local and county councils. Greens gained 99 new seats and successfully defended 68 seats.
In the North West Greater Manchester saw a Green breakthrough on Stockport and Manchester City councils, whilst Councillor Geraldine Coggins was re elected in Trafford. Across the North West there are 14 new Green councillors with gains in Burnley, the Wirral, Halton, Knowsley, St Helens and on Lancashire and Cumbria County Councils. There are now a total of 47 Green councillors in the North West compared with 17 at the start of 2019.
Changing the balance of power Elsewhere in England the election of more Green councillors has changed the balance of power on councils. In Bristol the Green Party is now the joint biggest party with Labour. 13 Greens hold the balance of power in Sheffield and Peterborough is now in No Overall Control after the election of a Green councillor.
Voting for change Green Party gains were from both Labour and Conservatives. The results are not just about wanting real action on our endangered environment and support for a fairer, Greener future after the Covid pandemic. Also, people are fed up with the old two party system which has dominated for so long and caused so much mistrust and damage. But most importantly, Green successes are down to working with the community. As Councillor Robert Nunney, newly elected to Manchester City Council, says: “It’s all about being a presence in the community and speaking to residents, working with the community and finding out the local issues and acting on those."
In the mayor elections Green candidates saw increased votes, with most coming third and in Bristol coming second after a run off in the second round.
In Oldham We are yet to see our first Green councillor but we are delighted to see Green gains in other authorities across the country. The political landscape in Oldham is shifting and we will continue to fight for environmental and social justice and for people to have a real, effective voice in their communities.
Thank you to all our candidates for putting themselves forward, and thank you to everyone who voted for us.
Note: To view full results see Green results 2021
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