THE GREEN Party has landed a seat on North Somerset Council after a by-election this week.
A poll was held on Thursday (November 13) to elect a new councillor for the Long Ashton ward following the resignation of Stuart McQuillan.
Mike Dunn, representing The Green Party, was elected with 1,254 votes – more than three times the number received by second-placed James Gillham, of the Conservative Party.
The full result was of the North Somerset Council by-election for Long Ashton was:
Mike Dunn, The Green Party: 1,254
James Gillham, The Conservative Party: 399
Francoise Johnston, Liberal Democrats: 129
James Read, Reform UK: 349
Ian Ridge, Labour Party: 121
Rejected papers: 3
Turnout was 32.56 per cent of the eligible electorate.
The replacement of a Green Party member with another party member means the political balance at NSC remains the same:
Conservative Party and Independents Group – 15
Liberal Democrats and Independents Group – 12
Labour Group – 10
Green Group – 8
Portishead Independent Group – 4
Independent councillors of no political group – 1
Long Ashton is a two-member ward, also represented by Cllr Ash Cartman.
The next local elections in North Somerset will take place in May 2027 for all 50 seats on the council.
After the result was announced, former Green MEP, and economist, Molly Scott-Cato, said: “What is spectacular win for the Green Party in North Somerset. Huge congratulations to Mike Dunn, who will be a fabulous councillor.”
READ MORE: Politics news from your Somerset Leveller
Congratulations to Mike, but your maths is wrong. James had almost 400 votes, so “more than three times” by Mike. Happy to see the Conservative candidate beat Reform.