While the surge in support may be a backlash towards the policies of others – the fact remains that the Party’s star has been rising in recent weeks, with the BBC’s decision to exclude the Greens from its leader debates only fanning the flames.
However, with attention also comes a degree of criticism, and media pundits less sympathetic to the Green cause have been rounding on the Party’s track record in Brighton & Hove – where they hold their only council majority.
The Telegraph was quick to point out the council’s “appalling recycling rate” on Monday in its claim that the Greens have failed residents in the city. Indeed in 2013/14 the recycling rate in Brighton stood at an estimated 25% – below the percentage achieved in 2006/07.
The authority’s ongoing spat with the GMB trade union over waste worker pay has also provided Brighton’s Labour candidates with ammunition; yet another round of industrial action was announced earlier this month with residents taking to social network sites to voice their anger.
Brighton council has a history of union disputes that predates the Greens coming to power, but their failure to get a handle on the problem is starting to raise eyebrows in areas away from the South coast.
If the Greens want to win the hearts and minds of the electorate, and the media, they must first address the problems on their doorstep. The Brighton bin strikes have become an unhelpful metaphor which could cost the Party dearly in May.
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