Sunderland council elections 2026 party statement (Green Party)

Sunderland City Council normally holds its elections by ‘thirds’ for its 75 councillors, with one council seat in each of the city’s 25 wards up for grabs each election cycle.

However, a landmark round of local elections is taking place this year following changes to ward boundaries by the Local Government Boundary Commission, with 75 councillors due to be elected to new wards.

Electors can vote for no more than three candidates in their ward and anyone wanting to vote must be on the electoral register.

More than 360 candidates from five established political parties are throwing their hats into the ring, as well as three independent candidates.

All political parties and independent candidates have been given the opportunity to tell readers why you should vote for them.

Here’s what the Sunderland Green Party have to say.

Richard Bradley – Sunderland Green Party spokesperson 

Across Sunderland, local people are fed up with not being listened to, failing public services, destroyed local communities and dwindling green spaces.

A vote for the Green Party in this election is a vote for hope and change. Green councillors are not subject to a party whip and vote with their conscience.

Our councillors will listen to you and work with you, instead of making unaccountable decisions and bowing to vested corporate interests.

Green councillors across the country are effective, hardworking, and driven by values. We work for the local people and the planet.

Whenever elected, Green councillors make a real difference:
• Protecting your local green spaces: In neighbouring South Tyneside, Green councillors successfully defeated a Local Plan that put vital green belts in jeopardy.
• Energy efficiency: In Bristol, Greens initiated a £25 million retrofit programme, providing free or subsidized home upgrades for around 750 households.
• Fair pay: Green councillors nationwide have championed 1:10 pay ratios, ensuring council executives aren’t paid more than ten times the wage of the lowest-paid staff.
• Social housing: In South Oxfordshire, Greens helped deliver the first council-funded, energy-efficient social housing in over 30 years.

Read more:

Some will tell you change is impossible, others will tell you to blame your neighbour.

We’ve proven that when Greens are in the room, we deliver.

On May 7, we’re asking Sunderland to vote for a different kind of politics; one that listens, acts, and makes hope normal again.