News / Politics

Ani Stafford-Townsend is new Green Party candidate in Bristol East

By Milan Perera  Friday Jun 7, 2024

One of the Green Party’s most experienced councillors has been named as their new general election candidate in Bristol East.

Ani Stafford-Townsend, who was recently re-elected in Central ward, replaces Naseem Talukdar who has stepped down from the candidacy citing family reasons.

Stafford-Townsend currently sits on the council’s new strategy & policy committee, and was previously a planning committee chair and leader of the Green group at City Hall.

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Away from politics, they are a theatrical milliner who has worked on productions including Doctor Who and Poldark, as well as being a costume designer, project manager and university lecturer.

On their candidate page on the Green Party website, it says that “Ani’s leadership as the first out trans leader of a council group in Bristol and the UK underscores their commitment to marginalized communities”.

“Ani Stafford-Townsend embodies the intersection of creativity, activism, and community leadership, dedicated to shaping a more equitable and sustainable future for all.”

Ani Stafford-Townsend and Sibusiso Tshabalala are the two Green councillors in Central ward – photo: Martin Booth

Labour’s Kerry McCarthy has been the MP for Bristol East since 2005 and is currently defending a majority of 10,794.

Other candidates for the general election on July 4 are Dan Conaghan (Conservative), Clare Dunnage (SDP), James Morgan (Workers Party) and Tony Sutcliffe (Lib Dem).

Main photo: Rob Browne

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