News / Politics
Denyer becomes Bristol’s first Green MP
Carla Denyer has promised to work hard for our “incredible city” as she becomes Bristol’s first Green MP after winning a majority of more than 10,000 votes in Bristol Central against Thangam Debbonaire.
“I feel so privileged to have this opportunity to serve you and to ensure that the real hope that inspired so many people to vote Green is represented in parliament,” Denyer said.
“I can’t wait to get started.”
is needed now More than ever
Among a huge Labour general election landslide, Labour won in the other four Bristol constituencies with the Greens finishing second in every seat.
The Greens missed out by just over 100 votes in winning the Horfield by-election which was also held on Thursday, with Carole Johnson being elected for Labour.
Bristol’s new and returning MPs are:
- Bristol Central: Carla Denyer, Green
- Bristol East: Kerry McCarthy, Labour
- Bristol North East: Damien Egan, Labour
- Bristol North West: Darren Jones, Labour
- Bristol South: Karin Smyth, Labour
“Bristol, you made history today,” Denyer said in her acceptance speech. “Together, we did it. We elected our city’s first Green MP.”
Denyer thanked Debbonaire for her nine years as a “brilliant, hardworking constituency MP”.
“I will continue to do my very best to help the people of Bristol Central as well as you have done. Thank you.”
In return, Debbonaire – who could now be elevated to the House of Lords when Keir Starmer becomes prime minister – warmly congratulated Denyer in a gracious acceptance speech.
“Representing Bristol is an incredible honour and I know you will work very hard for it,” said Debbonaire.
“And that people who put their trust in you will come to see what a great job you are about to do.”
In the constituencies bordering Bristol, there were some huge changes with Tory incumbents falling like dominoes.
In one of the most nationally significant results of the night, WECA mayor Dan Norris beat Jacob Rees-Mogg in North East Somerset & Hanham with a majority of 5,319.
“We’ve got Mogg-xit done,” said Norris.
Tory grandee Liam Fox also got beaten by Labour in North Somerset but only by 639 votes.
These are the new MPs in some of the seats surrounding Bristol:
- Filton & Bradley Stoke: Clare Hazelgrove (Labour gain from Conservative)
- North East Somerset & Hanham: Dan Norris (Labour gain from Conservative)
- North Somerset: Sadik Al-Hassan (Labour gain from Conservative)
- Thornbury & Yate: Claire Young (Lib Dem gain from Conservative)
- Wells & Mendip Hills: Tessa Munt (Lib Dem gain from Conservative)
- Weston-super-Mare: Dan Aldridge (Labour gain from Conservative)
Main photo: Rob Browne
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