Swindon Green Party's manifesto for the 2026 Swindon Borough Council elections, titled Choose Hope, was reported on 17 April 2026. Swindon24 said it called for a break from outsourcing, developer-led regeneration and car-focused transport planning.
Party leader Councillor Tom Butcher said: "This manifesto is about changing the direction of travel in Swindon."
What did the manifesto propose?
- Council services: bringing major services, including adult health and children's services, back under direct council control. The party argued that external contracts raised costs and reduced accountability.
- Buses: the long-term creation of a council-owned bus service, with expanded routes, electric buses and cheaper fares for young people.
- Housing: building on brownfield sites before green spaces, more social and council housing, "pod homes" to tackle homelessness, and infrastructure delivered before large housing developments.
- Town centre: a move away from a retail-only model towards community space, small businesses and affordable housing, with "meanwhile" spaces for start-ups and social enterprises and the restoration of heritage buildings such as the Mechanics' Institute and the Oasis.
- Care and health: keeping more children in local placements and investing more in preventative health.
Mr Butcher said: "We're saying the council should take back control where it matters, whether that's services, transport or housing".
The party said growing membership and support on the doorstep put it in a position to challenge the established parties at the elections. These were the party's own claims and proposals, as reported at the launch.
Source: Swindon24.