Carla Denyer – The next green MP?

A mechanical engineer turned politician, Carla Denyer is running for Bristol West MP in the next general election. Denyer, a councillor for Clifton Down, previously ran for the same position in 2019, where she gained 18,809 votes (24.9%) as the Green Party candidate. Denyer says that while she feels excited about her candidacy, she is not complacent and knows the election will be hard-fought. She believes that Bristol is a “swingy area in terms of politics” and that there is a “very good chance of getting a Green MP elected here.”

Denyer’s interest in climate change began halfway through her engineering degree when she realised the severity of the issue. While working in the industry, Denyer became increasingly frustrated with the government’s policies around renewable energy, leading her to become more involved in environmental activism. Through a campaign against Tesco, Denyer met members of the Green Party and discovered their dedication to environmental and social justice.

Denyer joined the party and became a councillor for Clifton Down in 2015. Her most significant political achievement to date is the climate emergency declaration in 2018, which committed Bristol to be carbon neutral by 2030. However, Denyer feels the current administration could do more to achieve this goal. While Bristol City Council has taken steps towards reducing emissions, such as owning wind turbines in Avonmouth, Denyer believes the process needs to be accelerated.

Denyer is frustrated by the delays to the Clean Air Zone, which is crucial to addressing Bristol’s air pollution problem. The Greens proposed a motion for a CAZ in 2016, and Denyer feels that more could be done to get it up and running. However, Councillor Kye Dudd, the cabinet member for climate, ecology, waste and energy, says that Labour has invested £92m into low-carbon projects in the city and secured a further £424m through the City Leap project, which will help decarbonise Bristol’s energy system.

Carla Denyer’s experience in the renewable energy industry and her commitment to environmental and social justice make her a strong candidate for Bristol West MP. While she faces a tough election, she believes that the seat is winnable and that there is a good chance of getting a Green MP elected in Bristol. Denyer’s focus on accelerating the pace of change on climate issues is much needed, and her track record in local politics suggests that she is committed to making a positive difference.