Exeter Green Party are celebrating after a historic win in the City Council elections. Diana Moore has become the city’s first elected Green councillor after a landslide victory in St David’s ward. She won the seat off Labour winning 1455 votes (55%) compared to Labour’s 796 (30%).
In jubilant mood, Diana said:
“I feel hugely honoured to have been trusted by the people of St David’s to represent them on the City Council. It has been a pleasure to speak to hundreds of residents over the past year and I will do my best to represent them in the years ahead. I know that this result could not have been achieved without the support of a fabulous Green team and the backing of residents from all parts of the ward.
“Despite the national political chaos, it is clear that local residents are still deeply concerned about the local issues that affect their lives and their environment. I look forward to working with other councillors to ensure these concerns are taken seriously and acted on.
“This has proved to be a fantastic night for the Green Party across the country, with the election of many new Green councillors while others have been returned. It shows people increasingly realise Green councillors listen, work hard for their communities and understand what it means to deliver social and environmental justice.”
Joe Levy, campaign coordinator for Exeter Green Party, said:
“This stunning victory is the result of strong team work and help and support of Green Party members and supporters in Exeter and from around the South West. It is also of course thanks to the extraordinary support we have had from local residents.
“I cannot think of a better person to be our first elected councillor in Exeter and to represent the residents of St David’s. She will build on the achievements of Chris Musgrave who left Labour to join the Greens but has stood down this election. Over the last two years he has succeeded in achieving a ban on single use plastics within council buildings, secured Council backing for a People’s Vote on the Brexit deal and has held Labour to account over their leisure strategy fiasco and the closure of public toilets and play parks.
“We have a winning team with the enthusiasm and commitment to repeat this victory in wards across the city in years to come.”
St David’s was part of a ‘Green Wave’ – a massive growth in elected Green councillors across England, where the Green Party took seats from both Labour and the Conservatives in cities, towns and villages.
Green councillors increased from 178 councillors on 69 councils to 372 on 122, the largest percentage increase of any party.
In Exeter the Green vote increased from 10% last year to 18% this year. With the Lib Dems on just 8%, there is now no question as to who the third party in Exeter is. Exeter Green Party is now not far behind the official opposition – just 8% behind the Tories.