This week’s local elections saw breakthroughs across the country for the Green Party and brought a reminder that it is just one year to go until the next local elections in Folkestone and Hythe district.
In April 2019, the Green Party had 175 Councillors in England and Wales. That has grown rapidly to 542 Councillors on 164 local authorities today.
This local election has brought in a phenomenal result for Greens. The party has made a net gain of 75, seeing gains from Labour and the Conservatives in breakthrough councils, and becoming the second largest party in many more.
Check out the election results by clicking here
Locally, we had a first breakthrough on Maidstone Borough Council (Kent Greens co-chair, Stuart Jeffery) and, along the coast, three gains in Hastings.
The Tories were trounced across the country but many voters also turned their backs on Labour, particularly outside of London, fed up with politics-as-usual.
Where are the big ideas and vision from the old guard? We have a climate and ecological emergency; a cost of living crisis with ever more people sliding into poverty; hollowed out public services after more than a decade of cuts; unaffordable public transport; and a crumbling public health service – as seen across the district in GP surgeries stretched to breaking point.
It is easy to despair. We need systems change; instead, we have bickering, law-breaking, and a focus solely on self-preservation, not what’s right for the country.
What’s to be done?
Join us! Local councils can make a big difference, taking bold and positive initiatives that central government resists.
Our hardworking councillors in Shepway demonstrate this, day in, day out.
The next elections locally are just one year away, for district and town and parish councils.
We need more councillors to bring the system change that’s so vital to the survival and growth of our communities. People who care about the planet and everyone’s health and wellbeing.
Become a Green Party member today. There has never been such an urgent need.
And become involved locally, with whatever time, skills and interests you can bring.
Whether it’s creative ideas for campaigns to disrupt the status quo; design, writing or organisational skills; some time to regularly leaflet your road or area; or an interest in learning about and standing as a future candidate.
The system change can happen – this week’s local election results were further evidence of this – join us and be a part of that change.
