There’s been a small political earthquake in Barnet borough. Well, maybe more of a tremor, but significant nonetheless.

Green Party candidates outscored the Liberal Democrats in 18 of the 20 wards contested in last month’s local elections. In High Barnet, Phil Fletcher, with nearly 1,000 votes, and AM Poppy, with well over 900, achieved the Greens’ best votes ever in Barnet borough elections and easily beat the top Lib Dem, a former councillor.

Nor is this a fluke, but confirms a trend that began in 2012 when the Greens beat the Lib Dems across Barnet in all three sections of the London Assembly elections — mayor, Barnet & Camden constituency and party list.

The Greens have become Barnet’s third party and in a proportional voting system, we would now have several councillors fighting to reverse the One Barnet sell-off, get more affordable homes built and so on.

The Green tide has also risen across many other London boroughs as the Lib Dem vote collapsed. In nearby Islington, Green councillor Caroline Russell is the sole opposition, taking on 47 Labour councillors. Around the country, more Green councillors were elected to a wide range of local authorities.

Many thanks to all who voted Green in Barnet. You helped a genuine progressive party make genuine progress.

The Greens are now the only serious alternative to the traditional Tories and Labour in Barnet.

Andrew Newby

Barnet Green Party