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Greens becoming 'national party' says Natalie Bennett Greens becoming 'national party' says Natalie Bennett
(about 4 hours later)
The Green Party is becoming a "national party" after making progress in the local elections, its leader has said. The Green Party is becoming a "national party" after making progress in the local elections, leader Natalie Bennett has said.
Natalie Bennett pointed to Bristol, where the Greens gained two seats, giving it a total of six councillors. The Greens became the second largest party in Liverpool and Solihull, replacing the Liberal Democrats in each case.
With 89 of 161 councils declared, the party had gained nine councillors overall across England. With 151 of 161 councils declared, the party had gained 17 councillors overall across England.
It also became the official opposition in Solihull behind the Conservatives, gaining three councillors to overtake the Liberal Democrats. Ms Bennett also pointed to Bristol, where the Green Party gained two seats.
In Liverpool it won two new councillors, and three in Solihull.
Ms Bennett, who was elected leader in 2012, told the BBC: "We are seeing progress right around the country.Ms Bennett, who was elected leader in 2012, told the BBC: "We are seeing progress right around the country.
"We're becoming much more of a national party.""We're becoming much more of a national party."
Ms Bennett has said her party could triple its number of MEPs from two to six in the European elections, which were also held on Thursday.Ms Bennett has said her party could triple its number of MEPs from two to six in the European elections, which were also held on Thursday.
The results for the European elections are due to start coming in late Sunday, when voting has finised across the EU. The results for the European elections are due to start coming in late Sunday, when voting has finished across the EU.
She has accused the main political parties of "pandering" to UKIP and complained that Nigel Farage's party had been able to "capture the agenda".She has accused the main political parties of "pandering" to UKIP and complained that Nigel Farage's party had been able to "capture the agenda".