Green Party leader Carla Denyer becomes MP for Bristol Central

One of the co-leaders of the Green Party has won the newly created seat of Bristol Central to become the city’s first Green MP.

Carla Denyer defeated Labor candidate Thangam Debbonaire, who has been MP for the former Bristol West constituency since 2010.

Ms Denyer won the seat with 24,539 votes (56.6%), while Ms Debbonaire received 14,132 votes (32.6%).

She told BBC News: “I feel absolutely crazy and so grateful for all the support I have received from voters in Bristol Central and across the country.

“We know voters like our policies. Policies such as an increased minimum wage and better investment in public services.

“We entered these elections with an ambitious but realistic goal of quadrupling our number of parliamentarians.

“The voters have spoken, I think this is the direction to go for the Greens from now on.”

The number of people who voted in Bristol Central was 62,735 – a turnout of 69%, down 4.1% on 2019.

The area covered by Bristol Central’s newly created headquarters was part of Bristol West, which has now been disbanded.

As the name suggests, it encompasses the city centre, including the areas around the harbor and Hotwells.

Its residential wards include areas such as Clifton and Bishopston, as well as St Pauls and St Werburghs.

Reacting to losing her Bristol MP role, Ms Debbonaire said representing the city was an “incredible honour”.

She congratulated Ms Denyer and said: “People who have put their trust in you will come to see what a great job you are about to do.

“Across the country, people voted for a Labor government and I couldn’t be prouder of my role in seeing that happen,” Ms Debbonaire added.