Greens’ co-leader Carla Denyer unseats Labour in Bristol Central
The Green party’s co-leader Carla Denyer has been elected as MP for Bristol Central in a major upset for Labour.
Denyer won 24,539 votes in the newly drawn constituency, easily beating the Labour candidate and shadow frontbencher, Thangam Debbonaire, to second place with 14,132.
Debbonaire, who represented the constituency’s predecessor Bristol West from 2015, was on course to take a seat in a Keir Starmer cabinet as culture secretary had she won.
In her acceptance speech, Denyer, 38, who has co-led the Green party with Adrian Ramsay for nearly three years, said: “Bristol you made history today. Together we did it. We elected our city’s first Green MP.”
She thanked Green voters as well as those who voted for other parties, volunteers, council staff, and Debbonaire.
“This incredible city has long had my heart and the warmth and positivity I have felt during this campaign has been truly humbling. 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. I can’t wait to get started.”
The full results in Bristol Central, where turnout was 69.4% were: Reform UK 1,338, Liberal Democrats 1,162, Labour 14,132, Green party 24,539, Party of Women 196 and Conservatives 1,998.
In her concession speech, Debbonaire congratulated Denyer and said: “Across the country, and these islands, people have voted for a Labour government and I couldn’t be prouder of my part in seeing that happen.”
She added: “Democracy is so special, people across the world try and get it, people across the world die for it, and we must always treasure and respect it.”
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According to the exit poll, the Greens are set to hold the Brighton Pavilion seat, where Siân Berry has taken up the mantle from the former party leader Caroline Lucas.
However, the exit poll also suggests co-leader Ramsay will not succeed in Waveney Valley in Suffolk, and the Greens will not take North Herefordshire either, another target seat.