Sunderland councillor quits Labour for Green Party

Councillor Fiona Miller, who was first elected to serve the Washington East ward on Sunderland City Council in 2011, announced her resignation as a Labour councillor at a full council meeting on Wednesday, March 25.

The long-serving Washington councillor, and former deputy cabinet member on the local authority, said she was now a “Green Party member and wished to move to the opposition side”.

In a separate statement this week, Cllr Miller outlined the reasons behind her move to the Green Party and hit out at the Labour Government.

“I can no longer in good conscience support a Government that feathers its own nest and silences those who speak out,” she said.

“I am joining the Green Party because they represent real hope for
Sunderland.

“I will continue to fight for publicly owned water and transport, and to protect our residents from corporate environmental damage.”

Richard Bradley, secretary of Sunderland Green Party, confirmed Cllr Miller would be standing as a Green Party candidate in the May 2026 local elections.

Richard Bradley, Secretary Of Sunderland Green Party

“We are delighted to welcome Fiona. She has been an excellent councillor for her residents and we hope will be elected for another three years,” he said.

“Her decision proves that the ‘politics of old’ is failing. The Green Party is now the natural home for those dedicated to social justice, local democracy, and the environment.”

The announcement comes ahead of Sunderland City Council’s “all-out” local elections on Thursday, May 7, with all 75 seats up for grabs on the Labour-run authority following a review of the city’s electoral wards.

Sunderland Green Party secretary Mr Bradley added that the Green Party is planning to “field green candidates in every ward in the upcoming election”.

When contacted for comment, a Labour spokesperson said: “Cllr Miller’s resignation is regrettable, but Sunderland Labour will continue the important work of delivering for our city.

“Under Labour, Sunderland is a city on the up – from the £1.85 billion to fund the expansion of the Metro, to securing funding for the Crown Works Studio, and the regeneration we have seen across the city centre, we will keep focusing on getting the work done to keep our city going in the right direction.”