Elections 2026: Green Party deputy leader Rachel Millward writes for The News

Millions of people across this country are crying out for something different. Labour promised change but have failed to deliver. And evidence shows all too clearly that whenever the Tories get into power, or Reform take the helm locally, the consequences are catastrophic.

Nigel Farage and Reform offer scapegoats instead of solutions; division instead of bringing communities together. And their promises – be it on cutting council tax or reducing bureaucracy – quickly disappear in a puff of turquoise smoke.

In Kent, a leaked video of a Reform councillors’ meeting showed the council leader shouting and swearing at her colleagues. Several councillors were subsequently suspended, revealing an atmosphere of bullying, poor leadership and internal breakdown. In Worcestershire, Reform is pushing through a council tax rise of almost 10% after promising to do the opposite. Meanwhile, in Nottinghamshire, they spent £75,000 on putting up Union Jack flags while services are stretched to breaking point.

While Reform mess up, Labour melt down. People realise how badly they have been let down by a party continuing with the same austerity agenda as the Tories – and refusing to offer local authorities the extra funding they need to deliver effective local services. In many places in England, Greens are the only party that can take on Reform and win.

Whenever Green councillors are elected, people like what they see and want more. This also means that Greens tend to be re-elected – voters see how hard they work to get things done in their neighbourhoods.

The Green Party is a grassroots, member-led party – not a party where the agenda is set by vested interests or the highest bidder buying influence. As a result, our elected councillors are embedded in their local communities, pushing positive, practical policies that reflect the interests of ordinary people. Policies such as delivering sustainable social and affordable homes; introducing rent controls in areas where the cost of having a roof over your head is sky-high; bringing local buses into public ownership; rebuilding our crumbling public services and protecting the NHS; reopening youth centres and protecting green spaces for local people and nature to enjoy.

Our promise is this: vote Green and you’ll see the benefits. Vote Green and make hope normal again.