- Southend Green Party launches its 2026 local election campaign
- First eight candidates introduced at community action day
- Membership now surpasses Conservatives nationally at 140,000+
- Party pledges to give every Southend resident a Green option next May
Southend Green Party has announced its first eight candidates for the 2026 local elections at a launch event and community action day.
The announcement comes as Green Party membership across England and Wales surpasses 140,000 – now higher than the Conservatives.
Greens say this marks the start of the partyโs biggest campaign yet, aiming to give every Southend resident the chance to vote Green next May.
Southend Green Party has announced the first group of candidates who will stand in next yearโs local elections.
At an event for members and supporters on Saturday the 18th October, eight candidates were formally introduced before campaigners took to the streets for a day of community action, sharing the Partyโs message of hope and unity across the city.
The announcement comes as the Green Party of England and Wales celebrates surpassing 140,000 members nationwide, now outnumbering the Conservative Party for the first time. Membership of the Southend branch has also grown rapidly in recent months. One new member commented:
โIโve never been part of a political party before, but I felt I needed to support the Green Partyโs politics of hope when the other parties are causing so much harm.โ
Councillor Stuart Allen opened the event, joined by branch coordinators Simon Gi๏ฌus and Lauren Ekins, who announced the first set of candidates for the 2026 elections.
Lauren Ekins, Co-Chair of Southend Green Party and candidate for Belfairs Ward, said:
โWeโve shown that residents really value our hardworking councillors in Leigh, and we will once again give the whole of Southend the opportunity to vote Green next May.โ
Councillor Richard Longsta๏ฌ, the first Green ever elected to Southend-on-Sea City Council, added:
โPeople are realising that the Greens are the party that stands for them – with a hopeful vision, practical policies, and a commitment to putting people first, not playing politics.โ
Southend Green Party says this marks the beginning of its largest campaign yet, with further candidate announcements to follow in the coming months.
South East Essex Green Party
Branch Co-Chairs: Lauren Ekins & Simon Gi๏ฌus