Wakefield Council gets first Green councillor as independent joins party
The Greens have confirmed that Nadiah Sharp, councillor for Wrenthorpe and Outwwod West ward, has become a member
An independent councillor has joined the Green Party to become its first ever representative on Wakefield Council.
The Greens have confirmed that Nadiah Sharp, councillor for Wrenthorpe and Outwwod West ward, has become a member of the party.
Councillor Sharp was elected onto the council in 2022 to represent Labour but resigned from the Wakefield Labour Group in 2023 and continued to sit as an independent.
Coun Sharp told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “I’m proud to be joining the Wakefield District Green Party at a time when local leadership and caring for the community matters more than ever.
“Our district deserves practical solutions to the cost-of-living crisis, stronger protection for our green spaces, and a council that listens to residents.
“I’m excited to work with dedicated members and the wider community to build a fairer, greener future for Wakefield.”
A statement issued by the Green Party said: “We look forward to Nadiah working to deliver our Green Party manifesto commitments to the people and communities of our district, and as a candidate for our party in the coming local elections.
“Along with thousands of others, taking the Green Party membership in England and Wales above both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, she has joined the fastest growing political party in the UK.
“We welcome her commitment to our party, along with all the other hundreds of people that have joined the Greens across the Wakefield District in recent months.”
The party said it would be issuing a full list of its candidates for the May 7 local elections “in the coming weeks.”
The statement added: “We very much welcome Nadiah’s decision to join us, as we welcome all our new members – many of whom have left Labour and other parties to join the Greens.
“We are offering real change for ordinary people across our district, and are delighted Nadiah shares our ambitions and values.
“The recent Gorton and Denton by-election results shows our growing strength as a party that can deliver for people in the Wakefield district, as well as across our wider country.
“Anyone who feels themselves committed to our vision and policies, and abides by the values and rules of our party, is welcome to join us.”