Greens register modest national gains

The Greens became the official opposition on a council for the first time after registering modest gains across the country.

They gained three seats in Norwich to become the second largest group on the city council. The party now has 13 councillors in the city to Labour's 15 and it claims to be on course to win the Norwich South seat held by Charles Clarke, the former home secretary.

The party ended with 116 councillors, an increase of five, and the highest total in its history.

The Greens picked up a seat from Labour in Sheffield, taking their number of councillors to three, and gained one in Stroud, Gloucestershire, where they now have six councillors. They won a by-election in Camden council, London.

They gained their first footholds in Cambridge and Solihull and took a seat in Liverpool to double their representation. But they lost a seat in Oxford, where they still have seven councillors, and lost their only Manchester seat.

Caroline Lucas, party spokesman, said the results showed that the Greens appealed to inner cities, suburban and rural areas.

"By offering a Green alternative to the grey parties, the party can grow outside its strong bases around the country," she said. "That really matters, because Greens, when we get elected, deliver what we promise."

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