Against the new manager bounce of national leader Zack Polanski's ascendance – given a keen pledge to take the fight of populism to the far right – the Green Party is celebrating newcomers from different parts of the political spectrum as growing disaffection within the Labour government continues to simmer.

Two former Labour Stroud District Council councillors have shifted their alliegiance: Jessie Hoskin and Robin Layfield both saying their political home now lies with the Greens, while Helen Elliott-Boult and Helen Fenton have also signed up. 

The former Helen is the vice-chair of Rodborough Parish Council and the latter had been a previous SDC Labour councillor who was re-elected to Stroud District Council as a Green in April 2024.

Ms Hoskin said: "The Greens have been a consistent voice of hope during this new government, supporting policies that really improve people's lives: a tax on the super-rich, public ownership, and more funding for the NHS – commonsense stuff."

Mr Layfield added: "The Green Party has the been only party with the honesty and moral clarity to challenge the government's position on Palestine, as well as challenging the government's increasing use of legislation to control dissent and civil protest."

He added: "I'm also very impressed with the electoral juggernaut that is now leading Stroud District Council. Local people want local people who speak on local issues. Greens are doing that; they are very visible and hard-working."

Ms Elliott-Boult added: "I believe we need to take a strong stance to support those who are less privileged as I believe in a fair and equitable society that represents our rich and diverse culture. The Greens are now the only party that have shown real commitment to replacing the antiquated systems currently dividing our country."

Adrian Oldman, coordinator of Stroud District Green Party, said macropolitical issues were clearly resonating locally: "The rightwards direction of travel of Starmer's Labour Party proved incompatible with their beliefs in social and environmental justice and progressive politics, and we are pleased that they have now found their tribe in the Green Party."

Having been a Green Party member for a while as a student, Robin Layfield said he had always felt aligned with the Green Party's ethos of environmental and social justice and felt it is the party that most directly represents his values.

Mr Layfield added: "Notably, the Green Party has the been only political party with the honesty and moral clarity to challenge the Government's position on Palestine, as well as challenging the government's increasing use of legislation to control dissent and civil protest. The moment came when I realised this is the one party in Parliament that stands up for what I believe in."

A freelance website developer, Mr Layfield said he was delighted that Zack Polanski's successful campaign to become the party's new leader: "It is refreshing to hear a politician giving straight answers in a clear, direct and unapologetic way. I think he's exactly what we need right now to get people to sit up and pay attention."

He added: "I'm also very impressed with the electoral juggernaut that is now leading Stroud District Council. The Greens are winning election after election here, while Labour has become very diminished in terms of resources locally and the Tories have just disappeared, giving way to Reform."

For leadership, he said the Greens had become self-disciplined and consistent over policy.

Ms Hoskin, who had represented Labour on SDC for two years and been deeply involved in the national party, working for two Labour shadow ministers resigned from the party in 2023 over Keir Starmer's support of Israel's war crimes against the Palestinians.

She said of Zack Polanski and the current leadership: "They're the ones who cut through and don't compromise. They offer a genuine alternative and communicate it in a way that speaks to people and most importantly, they offer hope."