The Green Party’s candidate, James Crawford, was elected last week (25 August) by residents as the councillor for Bishopston and Ashley Down ward. The win means the Green Party retained their seat with a majority of over 300 votes and remain the largest group on Bristol City council with 25 councillors in the group.
This by-election comes after Green Party councillor, Lily Fitzgibbon, stepped down to move closer to her family. City-wide elections to decide who runs the council are just over eight months away.
James commented: “I am honoured that residents have voted for me as the new councillor for Bishopston and Ashley Down. Being a councillor is a big responsibility, and I will be working hard between now and the citywide elections next year to show that their trust in me is deserved.”
This is the second by-election in a row the Green Party have won, following victory in Hotwells & Harbourside earlier this year. With just eight months until city-wide local elections, and a General Election guaranteed in the next 18 months, the chances of the Greens winning a record number of seats in the local elections and electing Carla Denyer as Bristol’s first-ever Green MP are increasing.
James continued: “Residents have shown that together we are stronger than Labour’s disappointing attempts to divide and play politics. Ultimately, they have backed the continued hard work and achievements of Green Councillors in Bishopston and Ashley Down and across the city.
“This election shows yet again that Bristolians are looking for change in the way that their city is run, voting for a party which does politics differently, and I’m ever more confident that they’ll elect a Green MP at the next General Election. I am truly excited to take part in building a fairer, kinder, greener Bristol which puts people at the heart of every decision."
