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The role exists to ensure the Green Party’s electoral objectives, as defined in the Political Strategy, are achieved, to represent the members and to further the achievement of the Green Party’s objectives generally.
The Candidates
Brian Candeland
I am seeking re-election to the post of Elections Co-ordinator following a three year period which has been both challenging and rewarding.
During my time in the role the Green Party experienced its most successful general election ever. We now have 4 MPs having never previously had more than one, and our almost full slate of candidates recorded our highest ever national vote share by far, with many second place candidates exceeding 20%.
This was a magnificent effort by many people – my main role was chairing the General Election Steering Group both in the long campaign and the intense short campaign, pulling together activity at both national and target constituency level. I also chaired the manifesto working group which brought its challenges in balancing the aims of the various stakeholders. Regarding the local elections aspect of the political strategy we have increased our number of councillors from around 550 to over 850 during my time in post.
I am very keen to see us build on these successes, we already have plans in place for selection of development constituencies and Parliamentary candidates for the next general election, whenever it may come. We’re also looking at how we could win Parliamentary by-elections, an ambition which previously the Party never took seriously.
In terms of other projects, we’re currently pushing for our first seat in the Wales Senedd, which has eluded us until now. I am part of a group being set up to provide oversight of our Parliamentary Party. I want to push the introduction of the canvassing/voter engagement system which Party campaigners have longed for.
The unpopularity of the Labour Government and its pandering to the political right opens great opportunities, however this new political landscape also provides threats. – the success of Reform UK in the recent county elections means we need to review our own campaigning strategy and messaging. Government proposals will see far fewer local council seats, particularly in the rural areas; against that the fragmentation of the vote across 5 parties gives us more chance of winning one or more combined-authority mayor elections – this is a tier of government we’ve previously neglected but should now be included in our strategy.
Regarding the wider GPEx role, it is one of responsibility rather than glamour. We have to manage the expectations and ambitions of the Party with the need to balance the books and meet all legal requirements. I think we have achieved this through some difficult times.
A member for over forty years I have done a vast amount of election campaigning, including as a candidate at various levels in the Party. I have held numerous positions at local and regional level, including five years as Chair of the North West region. I believe my experiences both in this role, and more widely in my previous roles, are extremely useful in the situation which we now face, and I would very much like the opportunity to continue this work for a further term.
Faaiz Hasan & Nicola Day
Contact Details
Nicola: I moved to Peterborough at 4 months old where my dad gained employment electrifying the railways for Balfour Beatty. I was elected as a Councillor for Orton Waterville Ward in 2019 and represent the council estate I grew up on. I was elected for a second term in 2023 with 70% vote share and am a strong voice for residents on our local council. At my first full council meeting in July 2019, we declared a Climate Emergency. I have since passed motions on flooding and heatwaves and a Just Transition and we now have five officers working on the Environment at the council.
Faaiz: I was born in Pakistan and moved to the UK in 1997 to work in the financial sector. I was elected to the London GP Regional Committee and am also the Chair of the West Central London GP. I have been active in several election campaigns across the Country and bring energy and analytical skills to electioneering. As a brown Muslim migrant, I am deeply concerned about the rise of the far right—and I see the Greens as a critical force in pushing back against this tide.
As Labour implements Austerity 2.0, the Greens have become the leading progressive voice in the country. We also have a responsibility to step up our election efforts to prevent disillusioned voters from going to Reform and give them a positive alternative to vote for.
We can also win over traditional Conservative voters by demonstrating our diligence, work ethic, and commitment—values they will respect and respond to.
The May 2026 elections will be a defining moment for the GP, with all London council seats and the Welsh Senedd up for election. These are predominantly progressive areas—fertile ground for our radical policy proposals. Yet, our past electoral performance in these regions has been disappointing. Greens have only 1.1% of councillors in London and 0.6% in Wales, compared to our national average of 4.6%.
Our Proposal:
- To build a coalition grounded in youth, working-class, and Global Majority (GM) voters.
- Focusing campaigns on economic justice and housing, appealing to the large base of disaffected voters in London, Wales and beyond.
- strengthen our data capacity, roll out a standardised canvassing App and build community organising infrastructure to embed ourselves more deeply amongst the electorate.
- Developing deeper community engagement after a successful ‘Target To Win’ through the creation of Residents Associations, issue specific Resident-Led Steering Groups, Citizens and People’s Assemblies.
- For some regions, this will mean adopting “Target to Win Plus” approach that genuinely reflects our nation’s diversity. With 46% of Londoners from GM backgrounds, this demographic drove our results in the GE2024 elections. Yet, this is not reflected in our current candidate or ward selection, which remains overly focused on white, middle-class areas.
Over the next 12 months we will work in close collaboration with the leadership team, staff, and local parties to significantly step-up our electoral efforts.
Vote for diversity, vote for ambition, vote for Nicola and Faaiz.
