In a day and night full of drama, the Green Party won its first seats on Somerset County Council.
Formerly held by the Liberal Democrats, Martin Dimery secured a stunning victory for the Green Party in Frome East with 983 votes; with another victory for the Greens in Frome West: John Clarke took the seat from former Independent Cllr Derek Tanswell with 987 votes.
However, by far the largest Green Vote went to Green Mayor of Glastonbury, Cllr Jon Cousins – who received a massive 1,196 votes. However, this was not enough to win a seat in the unique ‘double’ Glastonbury & Street Division.
Jon Cousins said after the result was announced, “We know from the verification of the ballot papers that only a handful of voters in Street voted for me – the incredible result is that over 1,100 people voted Green in Glastonbury! This is a phenomenal vote. It is higher than the vote that won Green seats in Frome.”
“If Glastonbury was a single Division, Somerset could arguably have three Green Councillors returned this morning. We need to ask the question: Have the people of Glastonbury been disenfranchised by the cynical, politically motivated creation of this double Division? I suggest that to anyone looking at the situation from outside, it could appear to be outright gerrymandering – the result of which means that no one in Glastonbury is now represented by a Councillor from Glastonbury…”
“On a positive note, I would like to thank everyone who voted for me. 1,196 votes is quite possibly the largest ever vote for a Green at County level in Somerset. Thank you to all those hard working members and supporters of the Green Party in Glastonbury. Together, we are a flourishing, strong, and stable political voice for the Common Good.”
Full results will be published on the Mendip District Council website, HERE: