Greens look to make electoral gains as counting continues

With many results still to come this morning (May 6) the national pictures shows a collapse for the Liberal Democrats and gains for Labour.

In the target area of Norwich the Greens fought off a strong challenge by Labour to maintain its record of adding to its tally of city councillors at every election since 2002 and as of this morning had not lost any seats on the council.

Results declared early today gave the Greens a new councillor in Thorpe Hamlet in a gain from the Lib-Dems, as well.

Adrian Ramsay who stood down as a councillor to concentrate on his role as deputy leader of the Greens, 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 the Green Party from the people of Norwich.”

Britain’s first Green MP had called on voters to make Brighton, where votes are being counted this morning, the UK’s first Green-led council.

Speaking on the campaign trail in central Brighton yesterday, Caroline Lucas, said: “The Greens in Brighton and Hove now have the same number of councillors as Labour – and an MP – and we hope to make gains across the city.

“We are determined to get the best possible deal for Brighton and Hove in these difficult times.”

In Wales the Greens are quietly confident of their first Assembly Member (AM) and have run their campaign in the region based on the slogan ‘2nd Vote Green’.

They are only appearing on the second ballot paper and are appealing to supporters of Labour and other parties to give them their second vote.

Luke Walsh