- A couple of weeks back, I was lucky enough to be standing for election when the wave rushed through the country. A record number of councillors were elected locally and nationally. Greens jumped from 178 to a dizzying 362 councillors. Regrettably, it was bad luck that this alliterative alignment of circumstances - namely Brexit bollocks and climate catastrophe - didn't occur when I was a target candidate in Croydon and Sutton!
- The ward on Regiate and Banstead council I was standing in polled the following:
- Chipstead, Kingswood and Woodmansterne
| Tim Archer | Conservative | 1422 |
| Simon Parnell | Conservative | 1277 |
| Maria Neame | Conservative | 1207 |
| Shasha Khan | Green Party | 642 |
| Eileen Hannah | Liberal Democrat | 545 |
| Gerry Heaver | UKIP | 367 |
| Ian Thirlwell | Labour | 357 |
- Only the top three candidates were duly elected as councillors so I missed out, but the results were amazing. Greens doubled the number of councillors on Reigate and Banstead to six to become the leading opposition party. The target seats were all comfortably won. The Tories dropped to 29 seats.
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| Alongside Green Councillor Jonathan Essex. Photo taken just outside the Count. At the time we were hopeful that all six target councillors were elected. |
- My old campaign aide, Martyn Post, sent a succinct and precise explanation of the Green Wave in a Whats App message:
- Dissatisfaction with the two main parties (Brexit shambles)
- Remainers turning out, with left leaning remainers choosing Green over Labour
- Good local camapigns with activists who joined during the green surge and stayed
- Extinction Rebellion 's recent highlighting of climate change and need for action
I saw a tweet by London activist Benali Hamdache (copied and pasted below). His explanation covers five areas:
- 5) We selected community champions So many of our candidates have been active locally for years. They’ve built networks. They’re well liked. They’re invested in where they live.
- 4) Finally a spotlight XR & the People’s Vote have finally given the Greens air time. We’ve been able to capitalise on key issues that we’re authentic and trusted on. Fair coverage during the Euros should do the same
- 3) it wasn’t all Brexit Lots of wards Greens have won in are deprived or neglected. Greens have worked hard to connect with communities that felt poorly served by elected figures. For lots of areas they’ve never had regular ward campaigns. Greens were there as local champions
- 2) The time was right Brexit has shook loose party loyalty in a way never seen before. Remainers and Leavers we’re absolutely sick to death of the main two parties. Greens used the time to actually engage with local communities and win voters over
- 1) The professionalisation of the Party is here. Finally we have the membership, the experience and the funds to put together serious campaigns. Our field staff team are excellent and deserve a lot of plaudits today
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Tags croydon, greenparty
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