Bristol Canvassers relish battle for control of city council

The start of the council election campaign in Bristol has not been without challenges for Green party activists.

- Steven Morris

They have endured T cold and pounding rain while out canvassing, the shock of a dog bite that cost a candidate part of a finger and some pretty fierce swipes from Labour rivals.

But Emma Edwards, the leader of the party group on Bristol city council, said they were relishing the battle to win power in May. "It's a really exciting time for us here. It feels like we're ready to make another leap. We're enjoying being out; speaking to voters; telling them about our policies."

The Greens secured an excellent set of results at the 2021 elections in Bristol, ending up with 24 seats, making them the joint biggest party with Labour. They won an extra seat at a byelection last year, making them the largest group.

But it did not mean they ran the authority. Marvin Rees, the Labour directly elected mayor, did not want to share control and he and his Labour colleagues continued to make the key decisions.

The role of the mayor, however, is being scrapped and the council will return to a committee system, meaning real power could be on the way for the Greens. There is a lot to play for and it was no surprise when the party announced it would launch its national council election campaign in Bristol yesterday.