Edinburgh — The Scottish Greens say they are now confident they can help take control of City of Edinburgh Council next May after a strong showing in Thursday’s council by-elections.

In Portobello/Craigmillar, the party increased its first-preference vote share by almost 12% and took the seat from the SNP in a closely fought contest. In Southside/Newington, Green candidate Isabella Gastel Alejandre finished second behind Labour’s Ruth Elliott and lifted the party’s vote share by 6.4%.

Greens point to momentum

Speaking after his win, new councillor Lorenzo Martinico said the result was a “good sign” ahead of next May’s full local government elections.

“We were not expected to win Portobello/Craigmillar, so I think it speaks well to our chances for next year,” he said.

That message was echoed by senior Green figures in Scotland and beyond. Ross Greer, co-leader of the Scottish Greens, said: “For the first time ever our capital has elected a Scottish Green councillor at a by-election, showing the failing Labour administration that Edinburgh demands better.”

He added: “By electing Lorenzo, voters in Portobello/Craigmillar have demanded radical change in Scotland’s capital. Just a few months ago, Greens won our first ever Holyrood constituency here in the heart of the city. This result confirms that we are fighting to win next May’s council elections in Edinburgh.”

Co-leader Gillian Mackay called the result “truly historic” and said on X: “Portobello-Craigmillar is now the first ward in Edinburgh to be represented by two Green councillors,” she remarked on X. “Residents there will benefit hugely from Lorenzo being their new local councillor.”

Zack Polanski of the Green Party of England and Wales also congratulated Mr Martinico. “I was delighted to be at Lorenzo’s launch in Edinburgh last month,” he said on X. “I was even more delighted to see the historic result last night as the Scottish Greens won their first ever byelection in Edinburgh!!!

“Congratulations to the entire team.”

What the numbers show

The Labour administration also made gains in one ward, with its vote share rising by 8% in Southside/Newington, while the party’s share in Portobello/Craigmillar fell by 1.7%.

The SNP recorded the sharpest losses, with vote shares down 7.9% and 13.3% respectively as it lost both seats.

The by-elections were triggered by the resignations of SNP councillors Kate Campbell and Simita Kumar after they were elected as MSPs.

Despite the changes, the SNP remains the largest party on Edinburgh council with 15 councillors. The Liberal Democrats are second with 14, while Labour and the Scottish Greens are tied on 12 councillors each. The Scottish Conservatives have 10.

Looking ahead to May

Edinburgh Green Group co-convener Alys Mumford said the party’s work on the visitor levy and climate and nature spending showed what it had already delivered in the city.

“Greens in Edinburgh have won huge successes for the city – from ensuring that the visitor levy is used for houses for workers, through to mass investment in tackling the climate and nature emergencies – and we are delighted to be welcoming Lorenzo to the group to continue this work.”

She added: “We’d like to congratulate Lorenzo on his election and also pay tribute to Isabella, who narrowly missed out on securing our second by-election win in Southside/Newington, but whose vote share increase reflects a growing desire for change.

“Green volunteers and activists ran a fantastic campaign across both wards and the results show that our message of hope is resonating with the people of Edinburgh.”

The Greens have been building support in the city in recent months. At the Holyrood election earlier this year, the party returned four MSPs, including Lorna Slater, its first constituency MSP.

Last month, Polanski suggested the party could go even further in Edinburgh. “Loved visiting Edinburgh this weekend – as the Green Party prepare to run the council from next May,” he wrote on X.