THE candidate for the Green Party for the Stroud constituency at the next general election has been decided. 

Stroud Green party members have chosen Pete Kennedy as their candidate to fight the next general election.

At an event held yesterday afternoon (Saturday August 6) at Stratford Park the party announced Pete’s candidacy at the bandstand. 

In a statement he said: “I’m excited to begin our campaign and build on the Green Party’s long history of making a difference in Stroud.

“The current cost of living crisis proves that the economic system is broken.

“Billionaires and bankers have extracted wealth from our communities and public sector, aided and abetted by both Labour and Conservative governments. 

“We live in inefficient homes that cost too much to run, we are heavily dependent on fossil fuels and polluting industries and we struggle with expensive and unreliable public transport that doesn’t meet our needs. 

“The good news is that the Green solutions to all these problems will create many new well-paying jobs and training opportunities.” 

Pete, 32, lives in Chalford with his partner Charli and their baby daughter Summer. 

He was selected in a process where all local members could nominate and vote for their preferred candidate and has worked for the Green party for more than five years. 

He first joined the Green party in 2011, after being inspired by Caroline Lucas who was elected as the first ever Green Member of Parliament for Brighton Pavilion in 2010. 

Pete is a political adviser to Stroud District Council's 13 Green party councillors, including new council leader Catherine Braun.

He has also worked in Parliament, where he helped the Green Party on legislation and procedure and has been involved in some of the biggest opposition against Government's legislation such as the Police and Crime Bill.

As an activist and campaigner, Pete has been involved in a number of campaigns including opposing austerity cuts to public services, fighting plans for fracking and protecting pubs as community assets.

He studied Economics and Politics at the University of Sheffield, where he focused on environmental economics and sustainability.

He went on to study law part-time while working and became a barrister in November 2021.

Outside politics, Pete has worked in the community and public sectors, having worked for a mental health charity and as a warm homes officer.

In his free time, he loves gardening and playing computer games and is a Formula 1 fan. 

Lynn Haanen, Stroud Green Party co-coordinator, said: “Pete is a really great candidate.

“It will be brilliant to have a young MP who already has experience in parliament and is part of the millennial generation. 

“Alongside all his other attributes, Pete lives locally so knows and cares about Stroud constituency.

“Because the Green party does not impose candidates on local parties our members in and around Stroud were free to choose the candidate they wanted and Pete was the unanimous choice. 

“Greens know that we need to work with other parties to create the future we all need and are committed to making this happen.”

The Green party has been part of the alliance on Stroud District Council for 10 years and is currently the largest party. 

Pete Kennedy will face Labour candidate Dursley GP Dr Simon Opher and current Conservative MP Siobhan Baillie at the next election. 

Unless an earlier one is called, the next general election will not take place until January 2025.