Isabella Gastel Alejandre (she/they)

As the Green candidate in the recent Southside/Newington by-election, I knocked on thousands of doors, attended community events, and engaged with businesses and residents in person and online. I used my past experience as a student and my relationships with University of Edinburgh groups to advise on strategy and recruit volunteers. The campaigning I have just done gives me a solid knowledge of the issues that sit closest with people, from massive data centres to lack of community centres and safe active travel routes. I know how to be a proactive candidate and am prepared with local knowledge crucial for a successful 2027 campaign.

Alongside sitting on Branch and Women's Network committees, I run the Branch's student engagement campaign. Since the start of the academic year, I have encouraged hundreds of students to register to vote, and have started a dialogue with student organisers around Palestine, divestment, and university cuts.

Outside of the Greens, I live in the Southside/Newington ward and work as a gardener. I also volunteer with the energy charity Changeworks, run a permaculture garden, and do conservation work within communities across Edinburgh. In the past, I partnered with the University to teach mending skills, organised monthly climate forums, and ran a student group for action on homelessness.

I want to be a Green Councillor to fight for a more sustainable future and build a welcoming city where people can afford to live near their family, work, and friends.