Linda Lusingu, who elected for Labour in 2022, sat as an independent before joining the Greens last week reports David Floyd

Two women in the foreground, one wearing a green rosette, the other wearing a magenta scarf, with a group of supporters in the background — Barnet Green councillor Linda Lusingu with Baroness Jenny Jones – (Credit – Sam Davis Photography

The Green Party is celebrating having their first ever councillor in Barnet after an independent member announced last week that she had joined the party.

Linda Lusingu, who was elected for Labour in Friern Barnet ward in 2022, was suspended by the party in January 2023 and has since been sitting as an independent. She finally resigned from Labour in 2024 after withdrawing her legal action against the party.

Barnet Greens announced the move at an event in North Finchley on Thursday, where Cllr Lusingu was welcomed into the party by veteran Green parliamentarian Baroness Jenny Jones.

Cllr Lusingu said: “I stood to be a councillor for one reason only: to ensure that people who look like me, and people whose voices have been overlooked for far too long, have a seat around the table.

“True representation is about ensuring our council chambers reflect the communities they serve, from the grassroots up. When the people in the room don’t look like, live like, or understand the lived experiences of those they represent, we cannot call the system fair or progressive.”

She added: “That is why I have decided to join the Green Party and will now be sitting as a Green Councillor in Barnet. Until now, I have served as an Independent, but I know the Greens are a place where I can thrive, where my values, my commitment to justice, and my belief in genuine community representation are truly aligned.”

Cllr Lusingu’s new colleagues in Barnet Greens joined Baroness Jones in welcoming her to the party. Charli Thompson, Green Party candidate for Woodhouse ward said: “This is a genuinely historic moment for Barnet. Having our first ever Green councillor sends a powerful message that people are ready for a different kind of politics, one rooted in tackling inequality, community and care for the future.

She added: “Linda has already shown herself to be a principled and hardworking councillor who stands up for marginalised communities and puts residents first. We’re proud that she has chosen to bring that experience and commitment into the Green Party.

While it may be a step forward for the Greens to have their first representative at the town hall, their embrace of Cllr Lusingu also comes with risks. The former Labour councillor was suspended from her previous party following allegations of antisemitism which she has always vehemently denied.

Barnet Post asked the Greens how they expected the move to affect the party’s reputation with Barnet’s Jewish community.

In response, a spokesperson for Barnet Greens said: “Cllr Lusingu has gone through the Green Party’s standard defection and vetting process, in line with our code of conduct, as all incoming councillors do. The Green Party does not comment on the internal disciplinary processes of other parties, but we can confirm there is no ongoing investigation.

“We are unequivocally opposed to antisemitism, as we are to all forms of racism and discrimination, and we are committed to building respectful and positive relationships with all communities in Barnet.

“Linda brings with her a strong track record as a councillor who has consistently stood up for local people, challenged inequality, and worked to make politics more inclusive and anti-racist. We are proud to welcome her to the Green Party and look forward to working with her to confront racism, discrimination, and social and economic injustice in all forms.”

The Post also asked Barnet Labour if they were able to clarify why Cllr Lusingu had originally been suspended from the Labour Party and also for their reaction to her decision to join the Greens.

In response, a Labour Party spokesperson said: “Cllr Lusingu has been an independent councillor for three years.”

They added: “Since 2022, Barnet Labour has focused on delivering on its mandate, including a £97 million programme to fix roads and pavements across the borough, bringing community safety back into our streets with improved CCTV and targeted patrols, and supporting residents through the cost-of-living crisis by helping people into work and financial stability via council-backed employment and income support initiatives.

“We look forward to making our case in May that Labour in power locally, working with a Labour Mayor and a Labour government, is the best offer for residents in Barnet.”

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