Green Party savours first Westminster seat
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Green Party was this morning celebrating having its first MP in Britain with the election of Caroline Lucas.
She won the Brighton Pavillion constituency from Labour in what many consider is the nation's most 'alternative' city.
The leader of the Greens was regarded as the frontrunner but there were fears of a surge by the Liberal Democrats amid the excitement surrounding Nick Clegg.
However, as the Liberal democrats suffered a disapopointuing night nationwide, Ms Lucas was able to claim victory in the south coast resort.
She said as the Greens began their celebrations: "Tonight the people of Brighton Pavilion have made history by voting Britian's first Green MP to Westminster." She added that the result was a triumph of hope over fear.
Around the country, early indications suggested the party polled more than 200,000 votes which, if proportional represnetation were to be introduced, would be likely to give them more seats.
In a sign of the party's growing influence and support the Greens fielded more than 100 candidates in the election and already ahve 126 councillors spread around 43 local authorities.
The victory in Brighton ends Britain's status as the only major European country never to have had a Green MP. There have, however, been Green MEPs from Britain.
Zac Goldsmith, the millionaire former editor of the Ecologist magazine and green adviser to the Tory party, took the Richmond Park seat for the Conservatives from Susan Kramer, the Liberal Democrat.
He overturned the Liberal Democrats' 3,700 majority but said the poll had "gone down to the wire", adding: "I don't think anybody would have wanted to call the result at all until a few minutes before it was called."
Despite his party allegiance he said he welcomed the election of Ms Lucas for the Greens in Brighton.
"The presence of a more green-thinking Parliament is a good thing," he said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments