Bertie Ballinger is the Deputy Chairman for Fundraising of the Worcester Conservatives.
In 2024, I stood as the Conservative candidate for St Clement Ward in the Worcester City Council elections. I faced the incumbent Green councillor, Tor Pingree, who had won the 2022 election with 730 votes, defeating the then Conservative Leader of the Council, Chris Mitchell, who received 615. Due to changes in Worcester’s electoral system, the 2024 contest was an all-out election, with two seats available. Despite a strong campaign, we were unsuccessful, and the Greens secured both seats amid significant anti-Conservative sentiment.
This outcome reflects a wider national trend: the rapid rise of the Green Party across the UK. Polling from November 2025 places them at 14 per cent, close behind the Conservatives at 18 per cent. Their local government footprint has expanded dramatically from 168 councillors in 2017 to 446 in 2021 and now 856 in 2025, surpassing Reform’s 804.
Why are the Greens gaining support?
A major factor is the growing environmental consciousness among voters. A survey from October 2025 found that 57 per cent of respondents trusted the Greens most on environmental issues. Their support base is also younger, more politically vocal, and highly active on social media—giving the party a disproportionately visible presence.
Among 18–24-year-olds, support is particularly stark: 23 per cent of young women and 12 per cent of young men back the Greens, compared with just ten per cent and six per cent respectively for the Conservatives. Visible, enthusiastic support is another Green Party strength. Their voters are open and proud—displaying window posters and garden boards in large numbers. While Conservatives do this too, it is not to the same scale. If we want to turn the tide, we must be equally confident and open about our values, achievements, and identity.
How do we counter the Greens?
As mentioned, the Greens are unapologetic about their views. Conservatives, by contrast, too often feel compelled to apologise for our 14 years in government. I have done this myself on the doorstep during local elections, and it does nothing but weaken our case. This must change.
We should take pride in our achievements. For example:
- The introduction of mandatory food-waste collection, already required for businesses and soon to be rolled out to all households will create biogas and organic fertiliser at scale.
- In 2010, renewable energy generated just seven per cent of the UK’s electricity; by February 2024, it had risen to 40 per cent. This transformation happened under Conservative leadership.
We must also champion our ambitious new housing proposals, such as abolishing stamp duty for first-time buyers and expanding support to help young people onto the property ladder. These are distinctly Conservative policies and communicating them clearly—especially to younger voters—is essential.
Learning from success stories
It is not only my experience that highlights the challenge posed by the Greens. Last week, I spoke with Nathan Evans, Leader of the Conservative Group on Trafford Council, and Laura Evans, the Conservative candidate for Greater Manchester Mayor. Natalie Shalmon of the Trafford Conservatives recently won the Hale by-election with 46.5 per cent of the vote, a 10-point increase since May 2024. This is a significant and encouraging victory.
Nathan and Laura described their local battle with the Greens as “nasty,” which mirrors what I have seen in Worcester. Their success was supported by targeted campaigning using a ‘Green Watch’ leaflet designed to expose the national implications of Green Party policies. Laura highlighted how Zack Polanski’s growing national profile has unintentionally helped Conservatives by giving the Greens more exposure and revealing the extremity of some of their positions.
In 2023 and 2024, many disillusioned Conservatives cast protest votes for the Greens or Reform. Now, as their policies receive greater scrutiny, some of these voters are reassessing their choices. Trafford’s targeted leaflets helped communicate these realities, a model that should be replicated nationwide.
I also spoke with the Chairman of Hereford and South Hereford Conservatives, who strongly supports challenging the Greens on their national platform, higher taxes, open borders, and drug legalisation, while doubling down on core Conservative values. With the party rising again in the polls and strong leadership under Kemi Badenoch, there is a path back to success. But it will require hard work, confidence, and a clear message.
