An open letter to the Green Party: I was expecting more support
I’m not sure how I feel about the Green Party.
It’s an odd thing to think because for a long time I felt absolutely sure how I felt about the Green Party – my kind of people with my kind of values. A philosophical basis that is entirely modern. Not to mention the obvious: the party that speaks truthfully, with eyes open, about the greatest challenge of our day. I heard Larry Sanders on Radio 4 the other day and was reminded of why I am a member; but that reminder compelled me to write a little on why I had started to forget.
Over the last nine months I’ve worried about the party. Not, I hasten to add, its direction or ambition, but rather its structural ability, funding and the availability of resources to really keep building upon the progress made.
In May 2015 I was elected to the local council for my village, situated on the outskirts of the New Forest. I had stood primarily because I was the only active Green Party member in my village and agreed with the prevailing thought: that it was important for the party to have a presence on as many ballot papers as possible. I also stood for election to the district council, achieving nearly double the number of votes of the Labour candidate but nowhere near enough to beat the two winning Conservatives.
Now, I must word carefully what I am about to say, because I fear that I risk sounding like a spoiled child.
I think I was expecting more… support.
Being a local councillor is ultimately as time consuming as you let yourself be involved. Aside from an initial learning curve in figuring out how the meetings work and what your role fundamentally consists of, there is really little difficulty in the essentials. You turn up, learn as much as you can, occasionally give your opinion, and offer assistance where you feel you’re able. I was a trustee for my students’ union some years ago and the roles are in many ways similar.
But there’s something really fundamental missing. I stood as a candidate representing the Green Party. I never had high hopes that – should I be elected – my role as a councillor (local or district) would come with any real power as such; but there is a kind of value to the title now that I have it. It’s a value that I wonder if the party is really making good use of.
Perhaps my case is unique, perhaps not. Communication is a two-way thing and I admit that I have not been pro-active in contacting the party for support. Yet, whom would I contact?
What does it mean to be a Green councillor? Shouldn’t this all have been made clear from the beginning – even before May 2015? As time goes on it seems stranger and stranger to me that nobody outside of my local party has really been in touch. I’m not the only Green local councillor in this area now, but I can’t help but feel that I’m not really a ‘Green’ local councillor anyway, and I wonder if others feel the same.
I’m worried that if my case is not unique there is a great deal of political capital not being spent, and that this is capital that the party cannot really afford to waste. With dwindling attendance to local party meetings (often I too am unable to attend, my council commitments seem more pressing and I am unsure of the party line on priorities) it feels like all the progress and excitement that had been building before last year’s election is just fizzling away. I know that this isn’t true of all parts of the country, but here in Conservative heartlands it surely is.
Green and blue might both be primary, separate colours – but when mixed they still look blue. Without first a catalyst, then a clear purpose to engagement, we risk irrelevance. We risk looking just the same as everybody else. All devoted activists must surely be championed and supported so that they can inspire. To suggest that those of us who stand and are elected are anything less than devoted activists seems to disregard the kind of commitment we have made.
But we aren’t all natural politicians. In fact, many of us stood and try to represent our party and communities precisely for that reason. We aren’t looking for personal gains in status and power, far from it. We are looking to further that philosophical basis that underlines all our hopes as Green Party members: to spread the word. At least in my own case, it feels like a little direction from those higher up this organisation would go a long way.
As I say, perhaps I am alone in feeling this way. I’d really love to hear from other Green local councillors either way. Communication is a two-way thing, and though not all of us are so great at starting a conversation it doesn’t mean we have nothing to say.
Colin Thurston
@scatter_chatter
Hi Colin
I am another Green Councillor recently elected and I empathise with you, in fact, thanks for saying the unsayable.
However, i’m lucky enough to be in a group of 6 newbies so we cling on to one another!
I agree with you that there is not enough support across councils and the AGC is a useful contact to access
I will email you privately for more specific communication,
Green isn’t a primary colour…
Frankly, I am astonished at the description of Colin’s plight. If anything, it puts me off considering standing for local elections.
Colin, you deserve much better than this.
Councillors are the highly visible flag-bearers of the Green Party. They work at the very sharp end of community problems and solutions. They (or at least the national party on their behalf) promise a different approach to local politics, and a challenge to the ‘business as usual’ way of matching needs to services and empowering communities.
How on earth are they expected to deliver that promise without so much as induction training and ongoing support?
How on earth can GPEW demonstrate that it can be taken seriously by the electorate, when the flag-bearers start on the back foot and have to make up the ‘lines to take’ as they go along?
How can they be pro-active when they have to work reactively, out of necessity.
I would like to see far more resources directed at supporting councillors and building up a reputation for professional and effective local politicians – Mayors and Crime Commissioners as well as councillors.
I want to see a diverse range of people standing for election as councillors and this won’t happen if they know that they will be left to their own devices and have to make it up as they go along, once elected. It’s hard enough to attract women, the young, the working class and BME candidates and I don’t want them to be put off by the (rather weak) suggestion that they network with the Association of Green Councillors.
This situation needs addressing.
Hi Colin, I’m a green parish councillor in deepest darkest Lincolnshire. When was the last time you attended a Green Party conference? In my limited experience that is one excellent method of reaching out to other Greens beyond the confines of your local party. In her conference speech as the outgoing leader Natalie Bennett reminded us, that we are all leaders. That is or should be particularly true for those of us who are sitting as councillors. So lead on, and hopefully others will follow.
Best wishes
Gerhard Lohmann-Bond
It is unfortunate that since, I think 1974, candidates in local elections in England have been required to have the name of a political party (or the word ‘Independent’) as well as their own name printed on the ballot paper. In Scotand, our progressive northern neighbour, the law requires no such thing and people often put themselves forward to serve their local community using nothing but the name people who know them, call them.
Not allowed in England but there we are. It might sound hair splitting Colin, but you didn’t stand to “represent” the Green Party of England and Wales You put yourself forward for election “in the interests of” the Green Party of England and Wales.
As we know, political parties, their Officers and Elected Officials (both internal and external) don’t always act in the best interests of a Party and I am sorry you have become downhearted.
Elected public office is a noble calling and whilst there is a cogent argument that the desire to be elected ought to be grounds for disqualification from standing, once there, there are moral and civic obligations.
Rather than look to a national party structure, (that will come but is not available to you yet) I would urge you to look for political, practical and, if necessary, psychological support amongst your neighbours, your electors and your local allies, but expect to find it in surprising places neither you nor I can imagine.
Please, please keep talking in forums like this if that’s helpful. At the moment we are more of a movement than a Party. That’s mostly good but I do get how difficult it must be to first fathom, and then be effective, in elected office in a hostile political environment. Lonely is the head that wears the District Councillor’s headgear. But you are most definitely not alone as you act in all of our interests, in council, in the Co-op, at the bus stop and the bar.
Perhaps a Progessive Alliance would help?
Best, Sebastian
hi colin, 3 of us got elected onto Mendip District Council. The AGC list mentioned by others above is invaluable and the place to ask.
We have a few local members in a Councillors Support group as and when needed. A good look through AGC posts should give you a few ideas.
best wishes
Shane Collins
The AGC is really useful. Join the discussion group and follow the website. But I’m not surprised you feel as you do. I’ve been a District Councillor for 9 years now. For the second 4 of those I was a lone councillor. I do find it difficult to be pro-actively Green as a Councillor when I’m not part of a group and when I always seem to be trying to catch up rather than initiating things. It’s still useful; I make the Green voice heard strongly from time to time and do get some things changed. Also the title gives you more clout in the local media. But yes, we should do better.
Hi Colin, I am just down the road from you in Bournemouth and I feel the same. I am the first GP Councillor in Bournemouth and the local party does not have much experience, although there are 2 former Councillors from elsewhere. I struggle with what I am supposed to do. I am a third way through my term and feel that I am not doing enough to keep my seat and to increase the chances of GP getting more. I was expecting more support. I am a member of AGC and have got a lot from attending two AGC annual conferences.
Simon Bull
Are you a member of the AGC (Association of Green Councillors)? Because that’s the national mechanism for supporting councillors, and – if there are no other Green councillors near you – should be your first port of call for help with the role of councillor.
As a result of this article the AGC Coordinator has written to Colin inviting him to join AGC (and the hugely helpful and supportive AGC email list).
Have you been to conference, or contacted the association of green councillors? Conference is an amazing resource and is where most of this stuff happens. I have also found the AGC absolutely brilliant and very supportive.
Well done on getting elected… most of us in Labour heartlands wish we’d been able to get elected as easily as you seem to have done!
A noted on Facebook, there is a whole organisation set up to help Green Party Councillors and support you in your role – the Association of Green Councillors.
Information on this can be found:
Via London Office
At every Conference
Via the AGC website
Via the members website – if unsure, please ask on a forum.
Via your local regional representative.
Also, for all new members – we are a party who trust people. We don’t hand hold, we assume you are capable and that you will ask for help if needed. Maybe this isn’t good for some who are used to another way of working but please bear this in mind. Experienced members are generally nice and happy to help (but also mostly volunteers) who you need to contact and we believe you to be clever enough to find our contact info.
Dear Colin, I’m sorry to hear of your experience. The best place to contact would be the Association of Green Councillors. The reason they haven’t contacted you is that there’s no central list of parish and town councillors anywhere, so they don’t have everyone’s details. They are very active and offer lots of support. You can find their details in the Green Party magazines or on the website or email agc@greenparty.org.uk
I also stand regularly on behalf of the Green Party for election to various Councils. I have been pleased to do quite well, but I also have not yet matched the rural Tory vote. So I have remained unelected, but I am sure that I will persevere.
I can empathise, insofar as if I was elected, I’d definitely be looking for Party support. I thought that they provided this: I’m sure that I’ve seen reference to training courses for new Councillors and such.
I think that your point is well made. Where people do break through and achieve electoral success on a Green Party ticket, the national party would do well to nurture and support these small successes.
David Humphreys
Do you have a regional party? Are you involved with the association of Green Councillors? Conference has just gone but guess that must be a good place to make contacts and talk to others. Did you have an election agent? What about local meetings where you as councillors do report back etc. Contact people ‘higher up in the organisation’ Maybe your area needs more priority from those higher up in the party who visit local areas. Natalie has done a brilliant job where I am. And her support and encouragement has helped I think. Im not s councillors but have always felt it must be quite an isolating job in many ways, I think our councillors find it so even being part of a big party. I’d doubt if you are the only one feeling as you do. Think you are right to say so and ask for some back up! Best Rachel.
Hi Colin
This is a public site and we don’t want to wash too much dirty linen in public. But suffice to say yours is a common view. A great deal of party energy goes into national campaigns, parliament, publications, policy, conference and target seats. For good reason. But elected councillors also need to be supported – after all, we’re the ones actually making – or in a position to make – a difference.
I’ve been a lone district councillor for five years, and only recently have had any meaningful support without having to go and find it. This has come from our regional coordinator.
Bottom line is, go and ask for help. There’s a local party coordinator, and you’ll have a regional coordinator too. You should also contact other Green councillors in neighbouring areas, for advice and encouragement. Use the Association of Green Councillors too, for inspiration and support.
Hi Colin,
To answer your predicament quite simply: you should join the Association of Green Councillors. It is everything you are looking for: a support network, communication channel, and good place to learn from the people who have been doing this for years. They have their own conference/convention, a regular newsletter, and an active email list full of discussion. Google “Association of Green Councillors” to find their website and information about how to join.
Congratulations on getting elected, and good luck for the future.
Best wishes,
Pete
Hello Colin,
I agree with everything you say. There is an organisation that supports councillors both at the district, county and parish level. It is the Association of Green Councillors. It costs just £10 a year for parish or town councillors to join. We have about 100 parish/town councillors on our books and we endeavour to arrange networking meetings for them on as many occasions a possible to supplement the email support list we also provide and some resources on the members’ site. You can sign up here https://agc.greenparty.org.uk/how-to-join/
Hi Collin I wish you all the best, however I am in Cheshire East & spend a lot of time in Europe, so not really able to help you physically. I am sorry to say you will have to have a bit more patience. there must have been many people who voted for you, you need to contact these people more although I guess you do & is there a local news letter where you can ask for more help or advice, it is probably difficult when you are the only Green councillor but hopefully there may be more soon.
Best of luck & maybe make more contact with the admin team??
Neil Armstrong.
I have forwarded your article to the coordinator of the Assocation of Green Councillors. Reading your article it occurred to he that you might not be aware of their existence. Many Green Party members serve as town and parish Councillors often as the only like minded person on that body and liaising with others through the AGC can be very helpful.