Our Coordinator, Jonathan, presented his annual report at the recent Annual General Meeting:
Coordinators Report 2025
Firstly, I would like to thank all members for their continued support in SMGP. It has been another successful year, due in the main to the hard work, tenacity and vision of SMGP members. In particular, I am grateful to Helen Stead for standing in the 2024 general election as well as to all local members who assisted in the campaign. In the July election we achieved our largest ever vote share, 5.3%, 2293 voters. We had our £500 deposit returned. We had a Green Party Candidate leaflet delivered into most homes in the constituency and the Crowdfunder initiative covered the printing costs.
This success was reflected nationally with the number of Green MPs going from 1 to 4 and all winning with a big majority. In 40 other constituencies they came second. This work during the general election reflects a broader development relating to a positive working and campaigning environment within our SMGP. When tasks are identified, members willingly go the extra mile (or 10). There is commitment, enthusiasm and mutual respect. Recently we have become more actively engaged in writing to local government and councils to raise concern and ask for action on local environmental issues. I feel this is a positive move for our Green Party and is well received by members.
Additionally, this year we have recognised that although some members are passionate about nature and the environment, attending regular meetings isn’t a realistic option. In response we are becoming more flexible in how we engage and involve members, either in terms of encouraging targeted and time limited action or through creative ways of getting in touch.
We are now gearing up for the May 2025 elections. This time around the election preparation hasn’t been without its challenges, particularly with the recent news of local government reorganisation and the impact this has had on our campaign strategy. I would like to thank all the members who are willing to stand as we now have candidates in every division of the Staffordshire Moorlands. I am also grateful to all members who are engaged in coordinating and organising responsibilities in preparing for the election. Hopefully we will have some good news to report back on in the months ahead. Thank you once again and here’s to another successful year.
Jonathan Kempster