This is what Bristol residents had to say about the city's first Green MP Carla Denyer

Residents in the Bristol Central constituency shared their hope for “change” and a “positive shift”.

Others said it was a shame the outgoing Labour MP Thangam Debbonaire, “wouldn’t get her chance in government”.

Michael Farrer, 28, said: “Carla’s win is a massive positive for Bristol - the Green Party has already done so many great things for this city.

"It certainly feels like a big win for the people here on a local level.”

The business owner, who runs a cafe in Clifton added: “I think Carla representing us on a national level will only bring good things.

“It was the Green Party who actually campaigned for the pedestrianisation outside the cafe [on Cotham Hill] so they have a really good rep with local people and they’ve done so much good for the city.

“Translating that good and positivity into government - well I’m hopeful it will only bring good things for Bristol and for the UK.”

Bella Spratley, 26, works in a bakery in Clifton and shared Michael’s optimism.

She said: “Carla winning here is a really great success - it’s so positive for the country and for us Bristolians.”

Bella believes Debbonaire lost her seat because of her stance on some social and political issues.

She said: “We need change - Thangam Debbonaire’s reaction to and stance on certain social issues is not what the majority of Bristolians think or want.

“Thangam was no longer the right person to represent us - we needed change and Carla Denyer can bring that change.

"I also hope she can hold Starmer to account on certain issues such as his recent comments on trans people.

“But with a more left-leaning government now, we’ve got to be hopeful.”

Bristol Central is a newly-created seat - it was formerly Bristol West, and had been represented by Debbonaire, the shadow culture secretary, since 2010.

Denyer gained the seat with 24,539 votes (56.6%), while Debbonaire received 14,132 votes (32.6%).

Dave Matthews, a 73-year-old retiree in Bristol city centre, was more sympathetic to the outgoing Labour MP.

He said: “Thangam Debbonaire was a good MP - I would’ve liked to see her get her time in parliament as culture secretary.

"It's a shame she won't get that. I think she would’ve done a good job.

“But ultimately - the way she marketed herself, the certain opinions she had - she wasn’t representing the people of Bristol, what they’re passionate about.

“Carla is clearly much more in touch with what the people of Bristol think - where their priorities lie.

“Environmental concerns are a big talking point.

"I think also the things happening on the wider world stage are a priority for the people here - and she is passionate about those issues.”

Meanwhile, friends Taylor Styles, 24, and Lewis McGrath, 27, said Denyer’s victory was “a very positive thing” but shared a cautious optimism for the national result.

Lewis, a project manager, in Bristol city centre, said: “We are pleased with the result - but it’s still a case of the lesser of two evils winning in terms of Labour beating the Tories.

“Of course we have to be hopeful - and the Greens winning here is a very positive thing - but in terms of the wider result, it’s still unfortunately a case of the less evil party winning.”

Despite a sense of positivity across the city, there were many in Bristol Central who were unaware of the election result on either the national or local scale.

But those who were aware shared an unbridled sense of optimism for Denyer’s appointment to Parliament.

Verity Jones, 38, said: “I’m so pleased Bristol voted Green - I think it marks a really positive shift for the city.

The marketing worker, in Bristol city centre, added: “With Carla now coming in, I feel it’s going to be a really good move and I can’t wait to see her representing us in parliament.

“The things her party represents - the environmental policies, their stance on certain social issues - it gives me a sense of hope for the future.”