Can Darren Hall break new ground like Caroline Lucas did in Brighton?
Can Darren Hall break new ground like Caroline Lucas did in Brighton?
At the recent local elections in May, the Green Party in Bristol got a nice surprise. They came first in the Bristol West constituency going by the popular vote across the council wards, with a lead of 2 per cent over Labour.
Yesterday they announced as their candidate for Bristol West, Darren Hall, the man who won Bristol its European Green Capital Award 2015 and who runs the city’s Big Green Week festival.
To get the seat, he’ll have to take on incumbent Liberal Democrat Stephen Williams MP, and Labour’s Thangham Debonnaire, who is also standing.
According to the Green Party, “the contest is likely to be a closely fought three-way marginal, based on recent local election results showing the Greens are currently in the lead with 28 per cent support across the constituency, followed closely by Labour with 26 per cent, and 24 per cent going to the Lib Dems.”
Greens have six councillors across the city after making gains in May.
Hall, who now edits Good Bristol magazine, said:
“Bristol has always been a community that wants to stand on its own two feet. Only a Green MP can truly deliver a leadership that doesn’t conform to old party lines, that is democratic, that doesn’t let people down, that listens. As an MP, I would stand up for the people and interests of Bristol at all costs, rather than having to toe any party line.”
“Greens have been working alongside Bristol’s creatives and green experts for over 20 years to mould a vision for a more sustainable future for our city, but without an advocate in Westminster we are unable to make the vital changes we need. I’m excited to be starting out on this campaign to help us engage with innovative solutions on how to make Bristol work.”
Can he break new ground like Caroline Lucas did in Brighton? It will be an interesting race to watch next year, that’s for sure.
51 Responses to “Could this be the next Green MP?”
Tim Thomson
I wonder if dedicated pedants ever get to read the text? Wish I was perfect, but maybe I’m just another illiterate berk (but proud to be part of the Green Blob!)
Tim Thomson
Makes no difference which of the ‘big two’ get in. But any extra green voice is worth having.
Kay
That’s what I meant to say, Andy. My word ‘rebranding’ was clumsy and simplistic.
I see that the Guardian and the BBC are both paying some attention to the Green Party’s calls for a wealth tax on multi-millionaires. Irrespective of whether I agree or disagree with the pledge (I haven’t looked at it closely yet). the discussion and analysis in the media sparks my interest. It also sends me a clear message that the Green Party is more than an environmental movement. And I’ll bet you anything that when I dig deeper I will find a well argued, coherent case consistent with Green values and principles. How refreshing and different.
Leon Wolfeson
Not really from my POV, centralists are still not leftist.
Better push for voting reform, still.
Leon Wolfeson
There’s the minor problem that trying to cut the poor off by massively jacking up utility prices doesn’t resonate well, and won’t.