The Bristol Labour councillor who defected to the Greens this week said his former party’s decision no longer align with their values.
Alsayed Al-Maghrabi said that Labour’s accountability “represents a betrayal of principles the party was founded on,”
He added that values such as “fairness, compassion and social justice” gave people hope and compassion.
He emphasised his withdrawal is no reflection of his local Labour colleagues, who continue their hard work for communities around Bristol. And his commitment to the residents of Frome Vale will continue as normal, as he strives to improve the community.
Alsayed referred to the importance of accountability and principle, which comes with what he says is Labour’s refusal to recognise the concept of wealth tax, which could be seen as “an attack on the working class.”
He claims that the Labour Party has made significant steps that “undermine the fundamental rights to peaceful protest and free speech.” This comes following their decision to ban Palestine Action, which he says “despite countless examples of historic direct-action groups.”
Welcome @AlsayedPolitico to the Green Party and our growing movement for a fairer society, an economy that works for everyone, & a safe future for our children
— Carla Denyer (@carla_denyer) October 30, 2025
I look forward to working with you to make the lives of all Bristolians better and for a fairer future for everyone https://t.co/VupbGPN1nT
Carla Denyer, Green MP for Bristol Central expressed she was pleased to welcome Alsayed to the Green Party. She said the “growing movement” of the Party’s popularity towards “a fair society, an economy that works for everyone, and a safer future for our children.” With hope to “improve the lives of all Bristolian’s and to fight for a fairer future to us all”.
This news comes as Green Party popularity surges, as its members in Bristol alone have soared to over 4500, and nationally to 150,000 following the introduction of the new leader Zack Polanski to the Party in September. The Green Party now has 34 councillors at Bristol City Council, meaning they are one councillor away from holding a majority.
💚 Delighted to welcome our new councillor in Bristol!
— Zack Polanski (@ZackPolanski) October 30, 2025
🥀 Alsayed is one of 20 councillors to leave Labour & join the Greens this year.
🎤 “I will never stop standing up for equality, justice & the right to speak truth to power."
Huge welcome, Alsayed!https://t.co/lYcpX069Lv
This comes ahead of Zack’s visit to Bristol on Monday where a Q&A will take place with Carla Denyer at St George’s. Tickets for the event sold out in less than four hours, highlighting faith in Bristol’s Green Party.
