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Green Party hails 'poll success' Greens double numbers in Brighton
(about 1 hour later)
The Green Party has claimed an early success in the local elections after winning an extra seat in Norwich. The Green Party is celebrating after doubling its number of councillors in Brighton and Hove from six to 12.
The result takes the number of Green councillors in the city to 10 and the party says it expects further gains as more results are announced on Friday. Spokesman Keith Taylor said he was pleased the party had won seats in a part of the city that David Cameron was campaigning in only two days ago.
The Greens also won an extra seat in Norwich, meaning they now have 10 councillors in the city.
The party had set a target of gaining 30 seats and 10% of the vote in areas where it is standing.The party had set a target of gaining 30 seats and 10% of the vote in areas where it is standing.
Leaders said they were hoping to capitalise on the major parties talking about green issues.Leaders said they were hoping to capitalise on the major parties talking about green issues.
'Amazing job''Amazing job'
Sian Berry, Green Party principal speaker, said current councillors had shown it was worth voting for the party.Sian Berry, Green Party principal speaker, said current councillors had shown it was worth voting for the party.
"They are showing what Green can do when they get elected," she said."They are showing what Green can do when they get elected," she said.
"Our councillors in Norwich are doing a great job. Our councillors in Kirklees similarly have done an amazing job and have turned Kirklees into one of the greenest places in the country."Our councillors in Norwich are doing a great job. Our councillors in Kirklees similarly have done an amazing job and have turned Kirklees into one of the greenest places in the country.
"So it is worth voting green in the local elections. We are hoping to, and we almost certainly will, break through the 10% barrier in every place we stand.""So it is worth voting green in the local elections. We are hoping to, and we almost certainly will, break through the 10% barrier in every place we stand."
Mrs Berry said the party, which claimed it was fielding 1,400 candidates, hoped to make further gains in Kirklees and Brighton. The party, which said it fielded 1,400 candidates in England, gained an extra councillor in Kirklees, boosting its numbers to four.
Other areas where the Greens could end up holding the balance of power include Colchester, Luton and St Albans. In Brighton and Hove, Conservative Steve Strange unseated Sue John, deputy leader of the Labour group.
The council remains under no overall control, with the Conservatives securing 26 seats, Labour 13, Greens 12, the Lib Dems two and one Independent.