More than doubling its presence on BCP Council has been heralded as a real success for the Green Party.
Heading into polling day on Thursday, the party had two councillors elected to the local authority – both representing the Winton East ward.
Yet after the first declaration at the BIC on Friday there a sense of positivity and change for the Green Party members present.
Alasdair Keddie defeated two incumbent Conservatives to secure a seat in the Queen’s Park ward.
This was soon followed by double delight for husband-and-wife duo Joe and Kate Salmon as they claimed both spots in Moordown, which were previously held by the Tories.
Simon Bull and Chris Rigby were both re-elected in Winton East before the Green Party fell narrowly short of a sixth elected representative on BCP Council when Sara Armstrong finished fourth in the three-seat ward of East Cliff and Springbourne.
Reflecting on the outcome of the election, Cllr Bull said: “I am very pleased with the Green Party results.
“There is a sea change. It is a big change in Bournemouth.
"It is down to the Conservatives who have not looked after the area and they have been shown the door pretty much.
“We are delighted with how we have got on with our five seats.
“We were very hopeful. Our target was probably to get four, so to get five was better. Obviously, we are disappointed by East Cliff and Springbourne by 12 votes.”
Full list of Green Party councillors following election results
Kate Salmon – Moordown
Joe Salmon – Moordown
Alasdair Keddie – Queen’s Park
Chris Rigby – Winton East
Simon Bull – Winton East
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