News / Politics
Bristol Central to be key general election battleground
Among the predictions of a Labour landslide, there could be one local outlier after the general election on July 4.
Every councillor in every ward of the newly created constituency of Bristol Central is Green, and it is here that the party will determinedly focus on to give Green co-leader and former Bristol councillor Carla Denyer the best chance of becoming an MP.
In her way is Thangam Debbonaire, currently the Labour MP for Bristol West and a shadow cabinet minister with a growing national profile who is likely to be among Keir Starmer’s front bench team if he becomes prime minister.
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Former professional cellist Debbonaire won Bristol West with a thumping majority of more than 28,000 votes in 2019 and the Greens have a huge task on their hands to unseat her.
But some polls have already predicted a win for Denyer, who on Wednesday evening after Rishi Sunak called the general election said that in July, “the people of Bristol have the opportunity to send Westminster a message and lead the country towards something better”.
Denyer said: “I am ready to represent the people of Bristol Central as their MP.
“If elected, I will continue listening to local people and work tirelessly to tackle the issues that matter most to them.
“We are all sick of politicians who don’t say what they mean and who make decisions for their own careers, donors, or party leaders.
“We need politicians who listen, and act for us, our futures, our children and our grandchildren.
“On July 4, the people of Bristol have the opportunity to send Westminster a message and lead the country towards something better.”
Some polling has put Green Party leader Carla Denyer as favourite to win Bristol Central from Thangam Debbonaire – photo: Martin Booth
Speaking in her campaign video filmed in front of the Floating Harbour, Debbonaire said: “The general election has just been called and it’s time for change.
“This is our chance to build a better Britain and a better Bristol…
“After 14 years of Conservative governments, families are worse off and with fewer opportunities but we know it doesn’t have to be this way.
“As your MP, I will work to tackle the climate emergency and to give children the best start in life with free breakfast clubs and mental health support.
“Labour will get the NHS back on its feet, switch on great British energy and get Britain building again, and I will be your voice at the heart of a Labour government.
“It’s time to build back our future. It’s time to vote Labour.”
Labour leader Keir Starmer and Bristol West MP Thangam Debbonaire at a special reception at Starmer’s parliamentary office for Bristol’s bus boycott heroes – photo: Labour Party
Main photo: Martin Booth
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