Last week’s by-election in Gorton and Denton turned a new page in the script of UK democracy.
The Green Party’s victory was the result of their growing national profile since the 2024 General Election. They won by a confident margin, which may be a surprise to some; but within UK communities, the signs have long been there, as issues including (but not limited to) the climate agenda have seen many voters aligning with greener politics and seeking a progressive alternative to Labour. The Greens have consequently seen a surge in membership, more than tripling in six months, and recently crossing the 200k mark. A YouGov poll this week placed them as second most popular party, in terms of voting intention. This puts them within striking distance of longer-established UK parties.
Is the UK moving beyond the two-party system?
This could significantly shift the political make-up of the next government, posing a fundamental challenge to our two-party system. Even taking into account recent shifts in voter support – and some politicians redirecting their allegiance – from the Conservatives to Reform UK, the rise of the Greens is the latest chapter in what has been called an ‘embedded shift in our democracy’ towards a multi-party system by the Institute for Government, a partner in the national Joined-Up Sustainability Transformations (JUST) Centre.
While coalition governments are common in European democracies and devolved assemblies and parliaments, our Westminster experience of the Conservative-Liberal Democrat administration (2010-15) gives many analysts cause for hesitation – and voters too. The reality looms large, however; if parties previously considered small or even niche – among them the Greens and Reform UK – enjoy the success widely predicted in the upcoming May elections, we will see increased multi-party leadership and increase of ‘no overall control’ in some areas of local government. This could bring both swift change and stagnation; incoming Reform councillors and leaders have already led to sharp turns in policy on certain issues, and deadlocks in decision-making on others. Retracting the declaration of climate emergencies, as one example, is disrupting partnerships, policies and local businesses already making progress towards a greener economic model.
What coalition politics could mean for local government
On a brighter note, the possibility of a UK multi-party coalition or a hung parliament can stimulate innovation at all levels of government. On issues from vaccine hesitancy, to inclusivity, community-informed strategy, net zero transition, and more, local government can be trailblazing in their readiness to embrace systems change. And in local democracy, work such as the Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission; the Newham Just Transition strategy; and the Luton Fairness Taskforce all demonstrate creativity and commitment to advancing community participation and social innovation. This is vital for rebuilding trust in politics both locally and nationally.
Turning back to the Green Party itself, the influx of new supporters in such a short time will inevitably challenge its policy and decision-making structures. Recent history shows us that political parties can struggle, in such circumstances, to create meaningful mechanisms for members to participate in internal debate and feel genuinely represented. The Labour Party’s surge in membership under Corbyn, ultimately, did not translate to electoral success. The Green Party in Germany, which had previously been viewed as an international model for how to transition from primarily issue-based support to wider appeal, has recently encountered its own difficulties. Internal divisions have been accompanied by a stark drop in public support, from a high of 30% to only 10% in recent polls.
Community participation, trust, and the future of democratic governance
This may be a moment for rapidly growing parties to meet increased interest and demand with deeper, distributed, and more diverse opportunities for people to engage, to be heard, and to take a role. Stronger participatory structures focus the energy and diversity of new members, using grassroots-organising strategies and mission-based working, to embrace deliberative democratic models. In this, the UK Greens can draw on their long legacy of environmental organising – but any party committed to strengthening democratic representation can embrace best practice of participatory governance, asset-based community development, community engagement, and approaches to grow community power. Navigating wide-ranging priorities behind a big-picture framework for change is difficult but will be vital to translate gains in the UK local elections this May into longer-term delivery. And the reality is, long-standing supporters and spokespeople – who may previously have focused on green policy and a just transition to net zero – may take more convincing of an expanded policy agenda than newer ones. Reaching consensus while respecting subjectivities and differences will be critical in finding common but still compelling ground.
All of which may sound familiar; a recognisable challenge for parties of all colours – as the churn of cabinet ministers, succession of reshuffles, and shifting political landscape across the UK in recent years can attest. What feels new since plumber and plasterer Hannah Spencer became a Greater Manchester MP last week is the breadth of parties now knocking audibly at the doors of power, and the increasing role local people have to influence change. This May, every vote counts.
Dr Sue Griffiths is CEO and Emily Morrison is Director of Sustainability at the community research and social innovation non-profit, The Young Foundation.
Climate change Just transition Local economies Local government and public services by-election climate agenda coalition governments democracy general election Gorton and Denton local elections local government The Green Party Posted on: 6 March 2026 Authors: Sue Griffiths, Emily Morrison, Jessica Moore,