News / Politics
By-election to take place as Bristol’s youngest councillor resigns
A teen climate activist turned councillor has announced that she is stepping down from City Hall just over two years after being elected.
Lily Fitzgibbon was one of the founders of Bristol Youth Strike 4 Climate and helped organise the protest attended by Greta Thunberg before becoming one of two Green councillors for Bishopston & Ashley Down at the age of 18 in May 2021.
Her resignation will prompt Bristol’s second by-election of 2023, following Hotwells & Harbourside which saw the Lib Dems lose the seat to the Greens.
is needed now More than ever
Fitzgibbon, a university student who grew up in Bishopston, said: “I’m moving away from Bristol to be closer to my family, but I’ll be very sad to leave this wonderful community.
“This hasn’t been an easy decision, and is not one I have taken lightly.
“It has been a tremendous honour to be able to make a difference for local people here, alongside my fellow Green councillor Emma Edwards.
“Together, we got safety improvements to the roads outside our local primary schools and City of Bristol College.
“We’ve worked with residents on issues with bus services and supported campaigns on the lack of school places.
“We’ve obtained trees from the council to plant on Horfield Common, and, along with local campaigners, we helped save the much-loved Ashley Down oak.”
Lily Fitzgibbon speaks on College Green during the strike for climate on February 28 2020 – photo: Phil Riley
Fitzgibbon famously clashed with Marvin Rees over “greenwashing” claims that Bristol Airport is becoming carbon neutral – apart from the aeroplanes and cars.
In July 2021, she asked the mayor at a council meeting how he could justify congratulating the airport on its net zero pledge while refusing to oppose its proposed expansion.
Rees dismissed Fitzgibbon’s question as “disappointing” and an “old debate” and said the airport’s efforts to improve its environmental impact, announced at a business breakfast he attended at Lulsgate the previous month, should be welcomed.
My member forum q. for those who missed it – it seems the airport is the airport ?♂️ pic.twitter.com/rliTxvUWO8
— Lily Fitzgibbon ? (@lilyfitzg2) July 7, 2021
The Green Party have already selected James Crawford to be their candidate in the by-election, which is likely to take place in August.
Edwards said she is “delighted” that Crawford has been chosen to contest the seat.
“James works hard and has already been helping to report issues in the area and speaking to residents about traffic concerns,” she said.
“His knowledge about energy and transport is really thorough and I really look forward to working with him as a colleague.”
Lily Fitzgibbon was 18 when elected councillor for Bishopston & Ashley Down in May 2021 – photo: Adam Postans
Main photo: Green Party
Read next:
- Rees scolds Bristol’s youngest councillor for asking ‘disappointing’ question
- Ashley Down Oak saved in council U-turn
- Emma Edwards elected as leader of Bristol Green group
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