Seonad Hoy makes history with first ever by-election victory for Scottish Greens
An experienced campaigner with a background in the third sector and social housing, Cllr Seonad Hoy is the first ever Scottish Green candidate to win a by-election. Seonad is the 11th Glasgow Green councillor, making it Scotland’s largest contingent of Green councillors.
Seonad has been heavily involved with the party in recent years, having served as co-convenor of the Glasgow Greens since 2022 and for two years as the branch’s secretary before that. Seonad was a key part of the re-election campaign for long-standing Hillhead Councillor Martha Wardrop.
Having lived in Hillhead for 20 years, Seonad has an appreciation for local priorities and will work to strengthen the rights of residents, community organisations and small businesses.
The Scottish Greens knocked over 8,000 doors in Hillhead since the campaign began in January, with leaflets hand delivered to almost every home in the ward.
Seonad intends to continue and build upon Councillor Wardrop’s fantastic work over the past 17 years, and the pair will now work together to represent the people of Hillhead and Glasgow.
Newly-elected Hillhead Councillor Seonad Hoy said:
"I am absolutely delighted to have been elected to represent the people of Hillhead alongside the marvellous Martha Wardrop.
“This was a real team effort from the Glasgow Greens. Every single one of our activists worked to make this happen and I can’t thank them all enough.
“But now the hard work really begins. I look forward to bringing that same energy and enthusiasm that saw the Greens win our first ever by-election to my role as councillor in Hillhead.”
Councillor Martha Wardrop’s dedicated work led to the Greens finishing in first place in the Hillhead ward in 2022’s local elections, and that work has been continued by Councillor Hoy’s historic election.
Councillor Wardrop said:
“The election of a second Glasgow Green councillor in Hillhead is a tremendous breakthrough for our party in Glasgow. I look forward to working closely with Councillor Hoy to address people’s concerns across the Hillhead ward and help deliver a fairer, Greener Glasgow.”
The win in Hillhead represents the party’s first ever win in a by-election anywhere in Scotland, and sets a mark for the Scottish Greens to build across the country.
Scottish Green Party co-leader and Glasgow MSP, Patrick Harvie, added:
“I’m so grateful to everyone who helped make this groundbreaking result for the Scottish Greens possible - Seonad, Martha, all our volunteers and every single voter who put their trust in us.
“We’re working hard to make a difference in Glasgow and across Scotland, and it’s clear that Hillhead’s voters understand the urgency of putting Green ideas into practice.”