• THE Tribune was right that “Labour’s vice-like grip on Islington remained firmly in place” after its five council by-election victories on May 6, (Is Islington a ‘one party state’ as Labour dominate (again)? May 14).

On the same day, though, the Green Party received the highest vote share in its history, with more Green councillors elected nationally than ever before, as voters come to recognise the importance not just of a “green recovery” but of having policies and elected representatives in place that understand what the term actually means.

Now, for example, Greens are the largest or equal largest party on Brighton and Hove and Bristol city councils; we have three members on the London Assembly – ahead of the Liberal Democrats and all other smaller parties – and in the local Highbury West by-election, our candidate, Katie Dawson, gained a 13.6 per cent swing from Labour to come a close second, with more than 30 per cent of the vote.

Islington still has a Labour super-majority, though, with 47 of its 48 councillors elected as Labour, even if a handful have now moved on.

Many residents here believe the super-majority is not good for democracy and the Electoral Reform Society has demonstrated that councils provide better value for money where they are challenged by a strong opposition.

On July 1 there will be another by-election, in Tollington ward, as former council leader Richard Watts has stepped down to go to work in City Hall.

One more Labour councillor in Tollington won’t make any difference. A Green one will.

ANDREW MYER
Islington Green Party