Why Vote Green?

Voting for the Leeds Green Party, is a vote for proactive, committed to sustainability and social equity.

Although smaller than the main parties, we in the Leeds Green Party have always been an active and distinctive voice in the city’s government.

Winning six councillors in 2024 shows that we can deliver real change while addressing important issues often overlooked by others.

With a focus on fairness and sustainability, we are driving forward policies that put communities and the environment at the heart of Leeds’ future.

Let’s work together for real change!

With six Green councillors now representing the city, we prove that greens can and do win!

Mothin Ali in Gipton and Harehills secured 51.63% of the vote (3,070 votes), Tim Goodall in Headingley and Hyde Park won with 51% (2,688 votes), and Lou Cunningham reclaimed Armley with 43% (2,113 votes). Alongside them, Ed Carlisle in Hunslet and Riverside Penny Stables in Wetherby, and David Blackburn in Farnley and Wortley Ward continue to advocate for policies that directly benefit their constituents.

These results are more than just wins—they show that Greens listen to the community and can deliver real change !

Our candidates and councillors in Leeds exemplify what it means to serve the community actively.

We are at the forefront, addressing everyday concerns—from local safety measures to environmental projects.

Our achievements in areas like community safety, environmental protection, and infrastructure improvements are testaments to our commitment and efficacy in governance.

By voting Green, you support a team that doesn’t just promise but acts and delivers on those promises.

Listening to the community is at the heart of our ethos. In Leeds, we’ve prioritised listening to our constituents, ensuring that the solutions we implement are reflective of the community’s needs and aspirations.

This open, inclusive approach has not only led to more effective governance but has also strengthened the bond between residents and their elected officials, fostering a collaborative atmosphere essential for meaningful community development.

Press Release, Leeds, 4 January 2025

The Leeds Green Party stands in solidarity with Councillor Mothin Ali and firmly rejects the misleading implications made in a recent video circulated online.

The video, narrated by Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (also known as Tommy Robinson) and later shared by Elon Musk on X (formerly Twitter) on 3 January 2025, has received over 21 million views in less than 24 hours.

 It unfairly features Councillor Ali, presenting him as an example of a Muslim councillor in a discussion about grooming gangs.

Read more

Despite being smaller in comparison to the major parties the Leeds Green Party holds a distinctive and proactive role in the city’s local governance.

The party addresses critical issues that are often overlooked by more established parties.

With a focus on social and environmental justice, the Green Party has successfully positioned itself as a key player in advocating for sustainable development and community-focused policies in Leeds.

1998: David Blackburn became the first Green Party councillor for Farnley and Wortley ward, a position he has maintained ever since.

His campaign, alongside his wife Ann Blackburn, set the precedent for the party’s grassroots engagement.

Expansion and Challenges

2000-2023: The early 2000s saw further successes with Claire Nash (2000-2006) and Ann Blackburn (2002-2022) joining the council. Despite fluctuations in the number of Green Councillors over the years, the party remained a crucial voice on the council.

In recent years, new elections brought Ed Carlisle (2022), Penny Stables (2023), and Mothin Ali, Tim Goodall, Lou Cunningham, and David Blackburn (2024) to represent diverse wards, reflecting a significant shift in the party’s presence across Leeds.

The Greens have been key players in pushing for eco-friendly policies and sustainable development.

Their involvement in a joint administration (2004) and a confidence-and-supply agreement with the Labour Party (2010) led to significant policy wins, including housing insulation programs and the appointment of a Climate Change Officer, despite disagreements on issues like the proposed incinerator.

In 2024, the existence of five distinct local parties in Leeds prompted a re-evaluation of the Green Party’s structure in the city.

The idea was to unite the troops for a bigger impact, though it’s not always been smooth sailing in getting everyone on the same page.
So, there you have it.

The Green Party in Leeds is more than a few council seats and policy wins; it’s about a bunch of determined folks coming together to make the world a bit better !