Labour’s most recent parliamentary candidate in Hereford, who came close to unseating Jesse Norman MP at the last General Election, has now switched to the Greens.
For a period the face of Labour in the county, Joe Emmett came within 1,279 votes of beating the sitting Conservative in Hereford & South Herefordshire in July 2024, when a huge swing nationally gave Labour a 172-seat majority in Parliament.
But now the teacher, author and parish councillor says he is frustrated and disappointed that the Labour government is not supporting communities, has cut funding for rural areas, and has failed to support farmers or to clean up rivers.
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Instead, as the Green Party’s new “campaigner” in the Golden Valley, he aims to champion and celebrate its community, environment and heritage.
“I’ve lived and worked in the Golden Valley with my family for 15 years, and worked hard to care for our community - actively fighting for affordable housing and cooking for the homeless, while also trying to reduce river pollution, working alongside farmers and landowners to find solutions that meets everyone's needs,” he said.
He has also recently published New Roots, Ancient Lands , a walking guide to the history of Herefordshire.
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His party switch comes less than nine months ahead of key local elections across the county, scheduled for May 6. But a Green spokesperson confirmed the party has yet to select any candidates for this.
Meanwhile Mr Emmett’s Green Party opponent at the last General Election, city and county councillor Diana Toynbee, remains within the Independents for Herefordshire group, after being banned from serving as a Green last November over her views on trans issues.
Given the ban was a the time to last “at least six months”, Coun Toynbee was asked if she would now be readmitted to the party.
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“My commitment to women’s rights and child safeguarding on behalf of residents has not changed, and the party leadership failed to provide the assurances I needed to enable me to be a Green councillor again," she said.
“So I remain part of the Independent group, where common sense and free thinking are welcomed.”
She added of Mr Emmett’s switch in allegiance: “I’m delighted that the General Election campaign I ran in 2024 so convinced my Red opponent that he decided to turn Green himself!"
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