Green wave swept past Bristol in election, and it looks like climate change isn’t the only reason | UK News

Bristolians care about our planet.

The environment, sustainability and the fight against climate change are subjects close to their hearts. So when the city saw the Green Party achieve record gains in the recent local council elections, it was no surprise.

The party more than doubled its number of councilors in last week’s elections. Jump from 11 to 24, even snatching seats from Labor in some of their traditional strongholds. Their new number means they are the main opposition in city council, a first for the party in any region.

It appears that many of the city’s residents were not only drawn to their equity policies and the climate crisis, but perhaps a chance to protest and move away from mainstream parties.

“It certainly looks like the nationwide Labor leadership was probably not doing Labor any favors here,” says Councilor Carla Denyer, who has increased her majority in her parish by some 800 votes.

Ms Denyer told Sky News her party struck a chord with those on the doorstep tired of the infighting at the national level: “The fact that the Green Party really approaches politics differently is appealing, we have a style more open and collaborative and we are happy to work with anyone and listen to the residents we serve. “

Among the Green voters we found in Bristol, the majority cited the climate emergency as the reason why they chose to trust the Greens.

It’s a city that takes care of its environmental mission – many people actually choose to move there because of its greener culture. It was the UK’s first cycling city and previously the green capital of Europe – you’re never far from a vegan cafe.

The city’s large student body may be behind part of this movement, with Greta Thunberg last year leading a march of around 15,000 through the …