3 May 2013
The Green Party has achieved an historic breakthrough on to Essex County Council by wining seats in Rochford West and Witham Northern Divisions.
Essex has long been regarded as "True Blue" territory yet both seats won by the Greens were from sitting Conservatives.
In Rochford West, Michael Hoy, already a district councillor, secured a majority of 336 votes over the Conservatives with the Tory, Labour and Lib Dem vote shares all falling from the 2009 elections.
In Witham Northern, James Abbott, a district councillor of 14 years standing, won narrowly from UKIP in a 4 way marginal contest with a swing to the Greens of 3.2%. Cllr. Abbott had secured second place in 2009. Labour came 4th and the Lib Dem vote collapsed.
The Greens targeted the 2 divisions to concentrate their resources whilst also standing in 88% of seats across the county.
Natalie Bennett, Green Party Leader, visited both Witham and Rochford during the election campaign. She said
"I'm delighted that we've elected our first county councillors on Essex County Council. Both James Abbott and Michael Hoy are district councillors who've proven themselves to be highly effective local representatives.
As a group, they'll be able to do a great deal to hold the still Tory-dominated council to account. I know from visits to both of their campaigns that James has particularly focused on councillors' spending - far too many junkets and chaffeur-driven cars - and campaigning for improved local rail services and road safety.
Michael has been particularly effective in standing up for the residents of park homes, and also in work on defending the green belt."
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