With the Prime Minister calling a surprise election, the Green Party has announced that Jon Cousins, a four-time Mayor of Glastonbury, will be the party's parliamentary candidate for the new Glastonbury and Somerton constituency.

Jon Cousins, born in Somerset, has lived and worked in the Glastonbury area for over twenty years. He has been instrumental in setting up and coordinating several local groups, charities, and social enterprises, including Avalon Community Energy Limited, Plotgate Community Farm CSA, and the Glastonbury Information Centre CIC.

A seasoned community activist and organiser, Cousins is a board member of the Glastonbury Town Deal and serves as the community project lead with the Woolavington and Puriton Big Local. He has been a Green Party town councillor since 2011 and served as a Mendip District councillor from 2019 to 2023. Notably, he is the only person in Glastonbury's history to have served as Mayor for three consecutive years.

Cousins has been a strong advocate for local resident participation in council decisions. Following the Green Party's announcement, he said, "With the growing public recognition and commitment to key environmental and social issues, having a Green on the ballot is more important now than ever before! The Greens' increasing popularity across the UK was reflected in our significant achievements in the recent local elections – notably taking control of Bristol, Hastings, and Stroud, and, close to my heart, Greens have been Glastonbury Town Council's majority party since 2015."

He continued, "As the people of Glastonbury know, if elected, I will work tirelessly on behalf of the community, ensuring that integrity is restored to the heart of our political system. There are many issues impacting on our lives – issues like the cost of living crisis, the increasing threat of flooding, the lack of housing, the dreadful state of our roads, and the disastrous loss of our public services as Somerset Council fights bankruptcy… it's clear that local residents have had enough of the same old thing! More than anything, I am committed to representing the people who live and work in our communities. To foster a community spirit that can overcome any challenge and create a fairer, greener future."

The general election will take place on Thursday, 4th July. If you have recently moved or are not currently registered, you can register to vote online in as little as three minutes. You will need your National Insurance number, date of birth, and full address. You can also update your registration or adjust your status on the open register using the online service. Visit register to vote for more information.

• The diverse candidate list for the upcoming election reflects the constituency's dynamic political environment. The Liberal Democrats have nominated Sarah Dyke, the recent by-election victor in Somerton and Frome, signalling strong intent to consolidate their presence. The Conservatives have put forward Faye Purbrick, aiming to retain their historical influence in the area. Tom Carter is standing for Reform UK, Jon Cousins for the Green Party, Angela Henderson representing the Workers Party of Britain, and Hal Hooberman for Labour.