In a stunning upset, Green Party Co-Leader Carla Denyer has been elected to Parliament, unseating Labour’s Shadow Culture Secretary Thangam Debbonaire in the newly formed Bristol Central constituency.
Ms Denyer secured a comfortable majority of 10,407 votes, marking a significant shift from the 2019 general election when Ms Debbonaire won the former Bristol West seat with a majority of nearly 30,000.
The result, announced on Friday morning, reflects a growing trend of Green Party support in Bristol. May’s local elections foreshadowed this outcome, with the Greens winning every ward that now comprises the Bristol Central seat.
In her victory speech, Ms Denyer expressed gratitude to voters and acknowledged her predecessor’s contributions. “Bristol, you made history today. Together we did it, we elected our city’s first Green MP,” she said. “Thank you to Thangam, for your nine years as a brilliant constituency MP. I will do my very best to help the people of Bristol Central as well as you have done.”
This victory marks a significant milestone for the Green Party, potentially signalling a shift in the UK’s political landscape. As Bristol Central’s first Green MP, Ms Denyer pledged to represent all constituents, stating, “To everyone who gave your vote to someone else this time, I’m here for you – ready to listen to you and work hard for you.”
The implications of this result for both local and national politics remain to be seen, but it undoubtedly represents a notable breakthrough for the Green Party in a traditionally Labour-held urban constituency.
