THE DEPUTY leader of the Green Party paid a visit to Stroud to meet local party members at Brimscombe Mill. 

On Saturday he hosted a workshop at the mill at which party leaders, members and councillors discussed their strategy for the 2025 County Council elections, at which they aim to add significantly to the existing five-strong Green councillor group.

Afterwards, Zack went door knocking with party activists, to meet local residents and talk about their issues.

On Sunday he went for a walk in the Heavens Valley with members of the Heavens Valley Community Benefit Society, to find out about one of the many ongoing local campaigns around community access and ownership of land.

He said:  “Nearly two million people voted for the Greens at the ballot box, considerably more than ever before.

"And a lot more wanted to, but thought we couldn’t win.

"The media certainly didn’t expect us to win four MPs, but we demonstrated that even under First Past the Post we can win seats, with the Green Party offering real hope and real change, and an alternative to the two-party system."

Referring to the 22 Green councillors on Stroud District Council, which made the party the minority administration in May, he said: “We know how effective Greens in this area can be.

"We have demonstrated that we can win at a local level.

"We can and must be an even bigger force in British politics and locally this starts with the elections for Gloucestershire County Council.”