Adding target ward and second candidates due to 2026 election success

The party and the branch operates a ‘Target To Win’ system. This involves deciding target wards to focus campaigning activity in order to maximise the number of Green councillors elected. As part of the current Branch Election Strategy, 13 wards have been designated as target wards for the 2027 election. As part of this it was agreed to review the target wards after the 2026 Holyrood election in the event of a significant change in our vote.

The 2026 election did see a significant increase in our vote. Across the seven constituencies covering Edinburgh (also including Musselburgh and Tranent), the Greens received the most regional votes of any party. We received 23.0% of the vote, up from 14.7% in the 2021 election, and 13.9% in the 2022 council election.

Based on analysis of the results by the branch Elections and Campaigns Group, it appears to be possible to elect councillors in a further ward, and second councillors in five wards. You can view full details of the analysis and proposal at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lb1lgv002bnxFCnpmiiIuPvXXKd5Lyf3/edit?usp=sh-aring&ouid=118378518916217561124&rtpof=true&sd=true