A striking fact you may have missed about the 2nd May local election results is the number of candidates from smaller and less well-known parties who were chosen by voters in preference to those standing under the ticket of the three major political parties.
In spite of headlines in the media declaring a sweeping Labour victory, one of the most interesting stories underlying the results was the rise of support for locally-based independents and special interest parties.
A great example is the victory of the Women’s Equality Party’s candidate Stacy Hart in Basingstoke. She gained their first ever borough council seat at the local election in Hatch Warren and Beggarwood. Well-known locally for the campaigns that she has run on school sports equality, ending violence against women and girls, and climate action, her roots in the local community obviously contributed to the result.
She was standing for the seat for the third time. As a new candidate in 2022 she came third out of seven candidates, close behind Labour. Then in 2023 she shot up the ranks to come second behind the incumbent Conservative councillor. This year she won the seat with 1659 votes, storming to victory with a huge 59.3% of the vote. Hatch Warren and Beggarwood ward has historically been a safe seat held by Conservative councillors since it was developed in the 1980s.
Significance of community activism and collaboration
Newly elected Women’s Equality Party councillor Stacy Hart said: “We made political history in Basingstoke. I’m ecstatic to have won this election, proving that people continue to be inspired by our dedication to serving the local community and our approach of doing politics differently. Today’s results are a rejection of the same old politics and a show of support for the kind of values and representatives that the people of Basingstoke want.
“Our dual focus on local issues and on championing equality has impressed voters right across the board whether they have always voted for the same party in the past, or don’t usually vote. I am looking forward to bringing that focus and work ethic to representing them as a borough councillor. I’d like to thank our volunteers and those parties that worked collaboratively with us. I would most like to extend my immense gratitude to the many hundreds of residents who put their faith in me—thank you so much. The Women’s Equality Party have proven that we are a force to be reckoned with, and that’s because equality is better for everyone!”
Focus on local issues
Co- founder and President of the Women’s Equality Party Catherine Mayer also emphasised the importance of addressing local issues. “Stacy Hart personifies the reasons the Women’s Equality Party exists, to open politics to vital talents, insights and ideals. When I joined Stacy and her volunteers in Hatch Warren and Beggarwood, with every door we knocked on it became clear just how much support she had earned—and why. Voters valued Stacy’s work from campaigning to secure funding for the local hospital, to her efforts to tackle violence against women and girls, to ensuring equal access to school sports for girls. They also appreciated her collaborative approach, working with local Greens and independents to secure the best outcomes for local residents.
“When Sandi Toksvig and I started the Women’s Equality Party we were determined not only to drive equality up the political agenda, but to build a movement that brought in the women that politics was sorely missing. Women like Stacy. We knew then what people in Basingstoke have proven to be true: that voters will turn out for equality.”
Note: the above article is adapted from a press release provided by the Women’s Equality Party
