Greens celebrate their 'best ever result' for a general election in Reading

MEMBERS of the Green Party in Reading are celebrating their 'best ever result' at a general election in the area locally.

The general election in Reading central saw Labour's Matt Rodda keep his seat winning the election contest with 21,598 votes and a 12,637 vote majority.

Tory candidate councillor Raj Singh came in second place with 8,961 votes, beating out fellow councillor Dave McElroy, the Green candidate, with 6,417.

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Green Party members have since spoken out of their 'best result' in a general election in Reading. Their vote share increased fivefold from the last result in Reading East giving them a third place ahead of the Lib Dem candidate Henry Wright (3,963) and Reform hopeful Andrew Williams (3,904).

Reading Green Party are the main opposition party on Labour-run Reading Council with more councillors than the Conservatives and Lib Dems combined.

Councillor Dave McElroy said: “We got the biggest vote increase of any party in Reading Central. Compared to the last Reading East result we multiplied our vote share five times over with 14 per cent of the vote.

"It is humbling that so many have found a new home with the Greens, where people are welcome no matter who they are or where they're from.

“With fewer people choosing to vote Labour in Reading, and more and more choosing to vote Green, it really underlines what people in Reading want.

“Across the country we now have four Green MPs to hold the new Labour government to account and push for policies to tackle the climate crisis, fund the NHS and make sure everyone has a decent roof over their heads. We will also keep working for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and for hostages to be released.

“A big thanks to everyone who voted Green. And to everyone who nearly did hopefully these results give you confidence that if you vote Green you can get Green."

Across the wider area in Berkshire, the Labour Party have won all three new constituencies in Reading.

Yuan Yang won the seat for Labour in Earley and Woodley, however, by just 848 votes leading to a nail-biting final finish, and Labour's Olivia Bailey had to wait until after 6am for final counting to be confirmed to find out she had won.

Your new MPs in the Reading area are: 

• Matt Rodda, Labour MP for Reading Central

• Yuan Yang, Labour MP for Earley and Woodley

• Olivia Bailey, Labour MP for Reading West and Mid Berkshire