Bristol Green Party announce nominees for Leader and Deputy Leader of City Council

Left to right: Heather Mack (nominee for council Deputy Leader), Tony Dyer (nominee for council Leader), Emma Edwards (Green group Leader)

Bristol’s Green Party have announced Councillor Tony Dyer as their nominee for Leader of the Council and Councillor Heather Mack for Deputy Leader after May’s election.

Following a successful campaign from the Greens for a move to a committee model, the role of Mayor has been scrapped. From May, the council will be run by a series of eight policy committees made up of councillors, along with a Leader and Deputy of the council. Councillor Emma Edwards will remain as Green group leader.

Southville councillor Tony Dyer was elected in 2021, and is Chair of Scrutiny in the Council. He has worked with all parties on the city’s Housing budgets and investment plans as well as on the Local Plan Working Group. He has been involved in local politics with the Green Party in Bristol for over a decade having previously stood for Mayor.

“I am proud of my working class, South Bristol heritage which has shaped my politics and my desire to see our city deliver for all its residents. Green policies recognise that social justice cannot be separated from the challenges facing our climate and environment.”

“While our manifesto lays out the policies we will seek to deliver for Bristol, I am under no illusion about the financial pressures facing all local authorities.”

“As the Leader of the Council, I would work collaboratively with the new committees, members of all parties, council officers and, most importantly, the communities of Bristol, to develop practical solutions with social and environmental values at their centre.”

Tony added:

“Much has been said about valuing the diversity of our city, but that also needs to recognise the value of the diversity of opinion within our city too.  We will never reach full and total agreement on every decision, but in a committee model we will work together to find solutions.  Our constructive disagreement is a strength of our city rather than a weakness and should be recognised as such.”

Cllr Heather Mack has represented Lockleaze since 2021, where she won that election’s biggest swing from Labour to the Greens in what was previously a Labour stronghold. In City Hall she has focused on local government finance as vice chair of Budget and Resources scrutiny. She has a background in environmental science with a career in sustainability and charity work.  Heather said:

“Having grown up on a council estate and also been a foster carer for Bristol City Council, I have a deep emotional connection and understanding of the importance of local government in protecting our vulnerable.”

“As Deputy Leader of the Council, this will be in the front of my mind at all times. I care deeply about our impact on the environment and I am really frustrated at the state of our public transport in Bristol – we will prioritise getting Bristol moving and making buses and active travel easy choices for everyone.”

Emma said:

“While my focus will continue to be on leading and coordinating the ever-expanding Green Group of Councillors, I am looking forward to working closely with Tony and Heather to push forward the progressive policies laid out in our manifesto for Bristol.”

“I am confident that we can re-shape politics in our city for the better, working closely with councillors from all parties in the new committee model and community groups from right across the city.”

“With clear policies, steadfast values and a competent leadership team in place, Bristol’s Green Party is ready to lead.”