Election Review 2005

The Local Elections

The local elections gave a big boost to the Green Party. We stood in 19 of the 23 wards that had elections, and received 9,652 votes. This gave us an average of 9.7% of the vote where we stood, with an average of 11.5% across all the wards in Bristol West constituency. This represents a substantial increase on the previous elections in these seats.

The star result was in Ashley, where we received 1233 votes, 22.6% of the vote. Other high scoring results in Bristol West were Cotham, with 16.1%; Redland, with 14.3% and Bishopston, with 13.4%. The other Bristol West results were Clifton East 12.4%; Cabot 11.6%; Clifton 10.2%; Stoke Bishop 6.8%; Henleaze 5.2% and Westbury-on-Trym, also 5.2%. Apart from Cotham, all these represent substantial increases in our percentage vote over the last local elections. The biggest percentage increase was in Ashley, where our percentage vote more than doubled, and in Bishopston, Clifton East and Redland. because of the much higher turnout, due to the general election, our actual vote in Ashley was nearly 4 times larger than in the previous local election.

In Bristol East, our star result was in Easton, where we received 16.0% of the vote. Other results here were Lawrence Hill 8.2%; Eastville 7.6%; St. George West 7.0%; Frome Vale 6.2%; St. George East 5.7% and Hillfields 5.1%. Again, apart from Eastville, these all represent substantial increases in our percentage vote from previous elections, with the greatest increases in easton and lawrence hill.

In Bristol North West constituency we only stood in 2 wards. The results here were Horfield 6.7% and Lockleaze 4.4%, again both substantial increases in our previous vote.

The Parliamentary Elections

6 May: Bristol Green parties polled their best ever general election result today, firmly staking out their territory as the fourth and fastest-growing party in Bristol.

The results were:

* calculated as number of 2005 votes compared to 2001 votes. northavon contested for first time.

Bristol Green Party has had a terrific showing, and is now vying for the same kind of success as in places like Stroud, Oxford, Norwich, London and Brighton.

Charlie Bolton commented "I am delighted at gaining 5.01% of the vote - the first time Greens have ever saved a general election deposit in Bristol.

This bodes really well for the future. Not only did we nearly double our vote, but we are now scoring a significant vote in general as well as local elections. 5% is obviously not enough to win, but it is enough to make our opponents take serious notice.

Even better was the substantial level of support in Southville - where Greens gained nearly 30% of the vote in the last local elections. We have an excellent opportunity to get a councillor elected next may."

Justin Quinell added "Well, not too bad considering there was an 'ell of a squeeze. Shame about losing a deposit but great to know 2163 people are willing to vote with their heart. Very frustrating not to have made more of a splash in the media after gaining 16% from last years euros. All in all, really grateful to all of those who helped out in this madly busy ward. High points: anti war husting and Redland Faire. Low points, having my vote taken away from me by the Labour, Lib and Cons! The local results were good though!

Arjuna Krishna-das commented "Bristol Green Party members will be continuing their many campaigns for environmental and social justice; we are committed to increasing our vote next time, and eventually getting elected Green Party representation of Bristol. Many Green supporters voted for their second-choice candidate in an attempt to make their voice heard in this ridiculous first-past-the-post system. There does exist a political philosophy which puts the earth, its resources and capacity, flora, animals and humans first, before the fatally flawed short-term delusion of endless economic growth. And the Green Party is it.

Considering the lack of a viable alternative mainstream party, voters have shown their disgust with New Labour plc's lies and short-term opportunism."