Green Party claim council seat from Labour in Cardiff
The win has bolstered the Greens' confidence ahead of the 2026 Senedd elections, where they are targeting the Caerdydd Penarth constituency and believe they could secure their first Member of the Senedd (MS).
Anthony Slaughter, leader of the Wales Green Party and widely tipped as a potential MS candidate, said: "This result in Grangetown proves what we've always known: people want someone willing to work hard for their communities.
"This is another sign of the Green vote is surging here despite Labour's traditional dominance.
"It's clear people are feeling let down by Labour and want a fresh political choice: one rooted in fairness, sustainability and community.
"We now stand on the brink of electing our first Green MS in Caerdydd Penarth, through a wholly proportional system where our support can finally translate into representation."
Mr Slaughter finished second in Cardiff South and Penarth during the 2024 UK General Election, further demonstrating growing support for the party in the area.
The Green Party now views south Wales as a key battleground ahead of the 2026 Senedd elections, with hopes high for a breakthrough at the national level.
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BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Lib Dem leader backs calls for urgent locks work on the River Cam
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The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Tens of thousands of renters booted out of homes as ‘no-fault' evictions surge – despite government plan to crack down
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It was due to come into force this autumn but a report in the Financial Times has suggested it will be pushed back because of delays in Parliament. Campaign group the Renters Reform Coalition raised fears the delay could mean the bill until spring next year. Director Tom Darling said at the time: "Renters will feel let down yet again on hearing that Section 21 no fault evictions are now unlikely to be scrapped until 2026 - a year and a half since the government was elected on a manifesto pledge to 'immediately abolish' them… "Everyone needs a decent, secure home, but with every month that passes thousands more renters are faced with a no-fault eviction." Landlord Responsibilities Homelessness charity Shelter has reacted angrily to the latest Section 21 figures. 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What to do if you've been served a Section 21 notice Here is what you can do, according to the Renters' Reform Coalition… Check the form - a Section 21 notice must be on an official form, known as a 6a form. Your landlord can't issue an eviction notice just by telling you in person or by text/email. Check if the form is valid - you must be given at least two months notice to vacate a property. You also can't be given a Section 21 if your tenancy started less than four months prior. If you are on a fixed-term contract you can't receive a Section 21 unless there is a break clause in it. These things can also make a Section 21 notice invalid: The council has given your landlord an improvement notice to fix things, or an emergency works notice, in the last six months Your deposit isn't in a deposit protection scheme. In that case the landlord must return it to you before they can issue a Section 21 The property is a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) but it doesn't have a HMO licence from the council. In some areas all rented properties need a licence - check with your council The landlord has charged you illegal fees - such as a deposit worth more than five weeks rent, or admin fees. In this case they must return the money to you before serving a Section 21 You never received key paperwork for the property - the Energy Performance Certificate, the 'How to rent' guide, and a gas safety certificate (if there is gas) What to do if the Section 21 is valid You don't have to leave the property at the end of your Section 21 notice. Your landlord still has to apply to court for a possession order and a warrant for eviction, to use court bailiffs to evict you. 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Telegraph
4 hours ago
- Telegraph
Rayner embroiled in hypocrisy row over war on allotments
Angela Rayner has campaigned for allotments in her own constituency while overseeing the sell-off of communal gardens elsewhere, it has emerged. The Deputy Prime Minister has been accused of hypocrisy for praising local allotments as vital spaces for children and adults to socialise, while allowing councils to sell off such assets elsewhere. Last month, The Telegraph revealed her department, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, has given the green light for cash-strapped councils to sell off allotments to raise funds. The decision fuelled a backlash from MPs, including Jeremy Corbyn, the former Labour leader, who said it would 'fill many with deep dismay'. The selloff is at odds with comments Ms Rayner made in April that championed a community allotment in her constituency that helps special needs children. She told the Tameside Correspondent the allotment gave the children 'the chance to have fun and meet other local families in an environment that was secure'. While serving in opposition, Ms Rayner Minister also praised the role that allotments in her Ashton-under-Lyne constituency in Greater Manchester played in helping to build a community spirit. In April 2024, just before the election, she visited Curzon Ashton football club which runs an allotment programme for veterans. Ms Rayner praised the scheme, funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, which is aimed at helping ex-servicemen and women suffering from loneliness. In October 2022, she visited a community garden allotment in Droylsden, describing it as a 'fantastic initiative'. Writing on her website at the time, she said: 'Those that work on the allotment say the initiative has also helped them through some tough times and reduced loneliness and isolation in the area. 'Members have used donated wood to make planters, trestles and troughs to grow tomatoes, strawberries, corn and pumpkins. 'They hold regular open days where residents can turn up and take food for free. The fruit and veg bags are topped up with store cupboard essentials to help those struggling with the cost of living crisis. 'The ultimate NIMBY' However, since Labour came to power, Ms Rayner has personally approved the sale of eight allotment sites. Those that have already been sold include a site in Storrington, West Sussex, that will make way for 78 new homes. Two allotments and two in Bolsover, Derbyshire, are also to be closed. Paul Holmes MP, the shadow housing minister, said: 'Rayner has been exposed as an arch-hypocrite, the ultimate NIMBY who thinks selling off everyone else's allotments is fine – just not in her back yard. 'By declaring war on Jeremy Corbyn's treasured allotments, she has sown the seeds for the next iteration of Labour's Left-wing civil war. 'Rather than trying to prune her rivals by any means necessary, perhaps she should grow up and focus on what the country really needs to cultivate.' Under the Allotment Act 1925, any disposal of allotment sites requires Westminster to give the go-ahead. 'No need to sacrifice vital green spaces' Mr Corbyn, who is forming a new Left-wing party to challenge Labour, accused her of hammering a 'nail in the coffin' of community allotments. Writing for The Telegraph, he said: 'Of course, social housing is desperately needed, but we need not sacrifice these vital green spaces to build it. 'We can build on ex-industrial land and take over empty properties. Even then, we should ensure social housing is accompanied by community gardens and adequate growing space.' Ms Rayner's department said in response to the controversy that the rules surrounding the sale of allotments had been in place since 2016. It added that ministerial approvals for sales in 2024, only the second half of which Labour was in power for, had been lower than in previous years. A spokesman said: 'Councils have been able to sell assets since 2016 and these rules have not changed. They should only do so where it is clearly necessary and offers value for money. 'We know how important allotments are for communities and that is why strict criteria are in place to protect them, as well as school playing fields.'
