[...] vdogg wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptI definitely agree with the issue of the media coverage making it into a Boris or Ken election. With the constituency memebers’ election and London Member’s election almost forgotten. The BBC rudely cut off the post results speeches … [...]

Thanks for your post, I was a little disappointed that the greens didn't do better in London, The green party put some very strong candidates forward and ran a great campaign, Siân did an excellent job. I hoped that this would be enough to atleast gain some more seats. Politics is harsh as i'm sure Ken and Siân are feeling right now.

I definitely agree with the issue of the media coverage making it into a Boris or Ken election. With the constituency memebers' election and London Member's election almost forgotten.

The BBC rudely cut off the post results speeches after Brian Paddick's, so I am still awaiting avidly to hear Siân's take on the results. If anyone have a link ?

Anyway Well done and congratulations to Norwich Greens and all who voted that way.

[...] Mark Noonan wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptRupert Read (Norwich, The Green Party): So, it’s Boris. Gulp. I’m not looking forward to Boris Johnson’s Mayoralty, partly for reasons of personal familiarity with his political methods (as indicated here). But one has to congratulate … [...]

Well said, Rupert!

I turned to the Greens in 2005 as I saw the Green Party as a "breath of fresh air" (in more ways than one!) who are obviously a caring Party having taken over some of the better policies which Labour used to have but had since dropped.

Surely, we must do our utmost to persuade voters not to believe the Tory "con" which the Consevatives are historically rather good at! I just don't want them back in power!

Good post, and very well done in Norwich. I hope the rest of the national party realise the huge opportunity we have in Norwich of getting our first Green MP.

London was disapointing, but there was cheer to celebrate. We did very well in the constituency contests, gaining a third place in one, and being just shy of 3,000 votes in another.

I think we still have to prove we are the fourth party in UK politics, I think we have proven in London that we have a strong core vote, one which is increasing, and one which is happy to vote Green despite the perception of the contest being between 'Ken' and 'Brois.'

Let's keep our heads high, and start now for the EU elections. All the best to you Rupert and the Eastern region.

On London,

I think Sian did incredible well. When there was a similar squeeze in Scotland, Greens lost 5 of our 7 MSPs. While the Lib Dems were battered by the Boris and Ken storm, Sian managed to put the Green vote up, and both the Assembly seats were saved. Again, given how much the Lib Dems suffered, this is a massive tribute to Sian and her campaign.

On Norwich,

Nice work. I think the crucial thing now is remembering (as I'm sure you do!) that it isn't just about how big your campaign is, or how many leaflets you can get through letter boxes. To get an MP, you need to articulate a vision. It's not enough to just say that "only we can beat Labour".

If Adrian Ramsay succeeds in explaining what a Green Norwich with a Green MP would like like, it will happen.

Good luck, and let me know if I can help.

Not a 2-horse race in Norwich either; adding all votes cast in the last 3 elections (the City Council elects a third in rotation) these are the figures:

Conservative 21630 (21.4%) Labour 27837 (27.6%) Lib Dem 23196(23.0%) Green 26702 (26.5%) Others 1482 (1.5%). Actual result: Con 5 Lab 15 LD 6 Gn 13 (= 39)  simplest PR result would be Con 8 Lab 11 LD 9 Gn 10 (= 38, 39th probably Con). A few extra votes could see Gn +1 LD -1, a few more & Gn +3 LD -2 Lab -1 is possible!                  Watch with interest!