Greens hold seat in by-election 

THE Green Party’s James Crawford  has been elected by  residents as councillor for Bishopston and Ashley Down.

The by-election came after fellow Green Lily Fitzgibbon,  who had been Bristol’s youngest  councillor, stepped down to move closer to her family.

The Greens retained their seat with a majority of over 300 votes, to  remain the largest group on Bristol City Council with 25 councillors in the group. Citywide elections to decide who runs the council arecjust over eight months away.

James said: “I am honoured that residents have voted for me as the new councillor for Bishopston and Ashley Down. Being a councillor is a big responsibility, and I will be working hard between now and the elections next year to show that their trust in me is deserved.”

This is a second by-election victory for the Green Party after Hotwells & Harbourside earlier this year. 

James added: “This election shows yet again that Bristolians are looking for change in the way that their city is run, voting for a party which does  politics differently, and I’m ever more confident that they’ll elect a  Green MP at the next General Election. I am truly excited to take part  in building a fairer, kinder, greener Bristol which puts people at the heart of every decision.”

Barry Cash, Lib Dem                      184

James Crawford, Green            1,294

Roddy Jaques, Conservative 91

Andrew Milton, Labour                981

Amy Sage, Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition                             26