News / Bristol Green Party
Green Party announce local election candidates
A housing union member and Barton House activist and a former Labour councillor are among those announced as Green Party candidates for the upcoming local elections.
Shaban Ali, who has been a vocal advocate for the residents of Barton House and is a member of housing union Acorn, will be standing in Eastville for the first time.
As a Barton House resident himself, Shaban said joining the Green Party “felt like the right fit” due to the party’s stance on housing and the situation in Palestine.
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“I joined the Green Party because I really care about making sure everyone can afford good housing and about promoting peace,” he said. “It just felt like the right fit for me.”
Shaban Ali, who is a Barton House resident himself, has been a vocal advocate for residents of the building since the evacuation – photo: Rachel Sutherland
“Honestly, at first, I wasn’t sure about the Green Party. I thought they only cared about the environment, but that’s not true.
“During my time at Acorn, I saw firsthand how the Green Party supported our campaigns and stood with us. They didn’t just talk the talk; they walked the walk.
“As a Muslim in Bristol, the situation in Palestine is something that’s close to my heart. I’m glad the Green Party is speaking up for a ceasefire.
“I’m really honoured to be chosen as a candidate. I think this is a really important time for the party, and I’m excited to do my part.”
Standing alongside him is Lorraine Francis, who is re-standing in Eastville after losing to Labour MP Damien Egan in the Kingswood by-election in February.
“For the last few years I have been working hard as a councillor for Eastville,” she said. “I am proud of the connections I have made with residents and how we have tried to resolve their personal and local issues.
“I am especially proud of the winter coat scheme I set up, where vulnerable people have benefited, and the money raised for life-saving defibrillators in the area.
“Working hard for and with the people of Eastville has been an honour, and I hope I will be able to continue my work with the community come May.”
Lorraine Francis recently threw her hat in the ring to run as an MP candidate in the Kingswood by-election – photo: Bristol Green Party
Community activist Sibusiso Tshabalala is standing in the Central ward. Sibusiso moved to Bristol in 2008 and sits on the Bristol City Council Housing Management Board where, as a parent who has faced eviction, he said he is “passionate about advocating for council tenants.”
“My experiences with stop and search have led me to become a trained restorative justice facilitator and custody visitor mediating various community and school conflicts,” he added. “Running for council enables me to champion social justice issues that deeply impact our community.”
Former Labour councillor, Jo Sergeant, is standing in Avonmouth and Lawrence Weston. She said she joined the Green Party after feeling “alienated” by the direction the party was going in both locally and nationally.
“The election of Keir Starmer and subsequent watering down of Labour policies, showed me I was in the wrong party,” she said. “I was happy to join the Green Party in 2021. It is a more democratic, more positive and more progressive party.”
Other new candidates throwing their hat in the ring include returning Green Party councillor and transport campaigner Rob Bryher who is running for St George West, and environmental activist Danica Priest, who is running for Fillwood.
Speaking about this year’s candidates, councillor Emma Edwards, who is the Leader of the Green Group said: “I am incredibly proud of what the group has achieved over the past three years, holding the administration to account and working tirelessly for the residents of Bristol. But we are just getting started.
“As an experienced group of councillors and an incredibly impressive slate of candidates, we are busy preparing for a new committee-led administration and our manifesto for the city.
“A Green-led administration will be more collaborative and puts communities at the centre of all decision-making.”
There are a total of 70 Green Party candidates standing for local elections in Bristol this year, which are due to take place in May.
Main photo: Shaban Ali X
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