“Positive” Bristol residents react to the city’s first Green MP, Carla Denyer

Bristol residents were upbeat despite the rain after waking up to the news that the city had elected its first Green MP – co-leader Carla Denyer. Residents in the Bristol Central constituency shared their hope for “change” and “positive change”.

Others said it was a shame Labor MP Thangam Debbonaire “won’t get her chance to govern”.

Michael Farrer, 28, said: “Carla’s victory is a huge positive for Bristol – the Green Party has already done so many great things for this city. It certainly feels like a big win for the people here locally.”

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The business owner, who runs a cafe in Clifton, added: “I think Carla representing us nationally will only bring good things. It was the Green Party who campaigned for the pedestrianization outside the cafe (on Cotham Hill) so they have a very good rep with local people and have done so much good for the town “Translating that goodness and positivity into government – well, I hope it will only bring good things for Bristol and the UK.”

Bella Spratley, 26, works in a bakery in Clifton and shared Michael’s optimism. She said: “Winning Carla here is a huge success – it’s so positive for the country and for us Bristolians.”

Bella believes that Debbonaire has lost his place because of his stance on some social and political issues. She said: “We need change – Thangam Debbonaire’s reaction and stance on certain social issues is not what the majority of Bristolians believe or want.”

“Thangam was no longer the right person to represent us – we needed change and Carla Denyer can bring that change. I also hope she can hold Starmer to account on certain issues, such as his recent comments about trans people. The government tilted now, we have to be hopeful.”

Bristol Central is a newly created seat – it was formerly Bristol West and has been represented by Debbonaire, the shadow culture secretary, since 2010. Denyer won the seat with 24,539 votes (56.6%), while Debbonaire received 14,132 of votes (32.6%) ).

Dave Matthews, a 73-year-old pensioner from Bristol city centre, was more sympathetic to the outgoing Labor MP. He said: “Thangam Debbonaire was a good MP – I would have liked to see her get her time in parliament as culture secretary. “It’s a shame he won’t get that. I think he would have done a good job.”

“But in the end – the way she marketed herself, some of the views she had – she didn’t represent the people of Bristol, which she’s passionate about. Carla is clearly much more in touch with what the people of Bristol think – where their priorities lie.

“Environmental concerns are a big talking point. I think also what’s happening on the world stage is a priority for people here – and she’s passionate about those issues.”

Meanwhile, friends Taylor Styles, 24, and Lewis McGrath, 27, said Denyer’s win was “a very positive thing” but shared cautious optimism about the national outcome.

Lewis, a project manager in Bristol city centre, said: “We are pleased with the result – but it is yet another case of the lesser of two evils winning in terms of fighting the Tories.”

“Of course we have to be hopeful – and the Greens winning here is a very positive thing – but in terms of the wider outcome, it’s still, unfortunately, a case of the lesser party winning.”

Despite a sense of positivity in the city, there were many in Bristol Central who did not know the outcome of the national or local elections. But those in the know shared an unbridled sense of optimism about Denyer’s appointment to Parliament.

Verity Jones, 38, said: “I’m so pleased that Bristol has voted green – I think it marks a really positive change for the city. The marketing worker, from Bristol city centre, added: “With Carla coming in now I feel it’s going to be a really good move and I can’t wait to see her represent us in parliament.”

“The things that her party stands for — their environmental policies, their stance on certain social issues — gives me a sense of hope for the future.”