Green Party candidate Tamasin Rhymes has won the Shooters Hill by-election to become the first ever Green Party Councillor in Greenwich.
Tamasin won the contest with 34.6% votes ahead of Labour with 30.1%. Turnout increased by 10%, as more residents were inspired to vote by the competitive campaign in what was the fourth safest seat in Greenwich. And 684 more people voted Green this time compared to the previous Shooters Hill by-election in 2024.
Tamasin’s campaign focused on representing residents who had grown disillusioned with Greenwich’s Labour-led council over issues such as the repair of council homes and the proposed sale of valued community assets such as the Olympic Equestrian Centre and Green Garth at Shrewsbury House.
Tamasin Rhymes said: “I am humbled and thrilled that Shooters Hill residents have chosen me to represent them as the first Green on Greenwich Council. I look forward to working with residents and community groups to propose new solutions to the many issues raised during this campaign. We are listening.
“We are especially grateful for the support during the campaign of Ivis Williams, the previous Labour Councillor who resigned over her treatment when she defended the concerns of a big group of residents who wanted to save the Shooters Hill Equestrian Centre and Green Garth at Shrewsbury House.”
Greenwich Green Party elections coordinator, John Holmes, said: “Reform UK finished third in this election. During the campaign, the Labour Party repeatedly distributed literature stating ‘Only Labour can beat Reform in Shooters Hill’ citing a national Survation poll that was not reflective of Shooters Hill residents. We will remind them of this if they use similar messaging in Greenwich in future.
“The mood in the country is changing as people are turning to the Greens as a more progressive party than Labour. We have also seen in by-elections across the country that the Greens can beat Reform.”