Ani Townsend
Ani Townsend (born March 1980) is a Green Party of England and Wales councillor, milliner and university lecturer. Townsend was first elected in 2015 for the ward of Cabot in Bristol, which was later renamed to "Central ward".
Early life
Townsend grew up in Filton, England. Speaking of their early life, Townsend said they grew up "in poverty in a working class family in the 80s".
Politics
Townsend was originally elected in 2015 for the ward of Cabot in Bristol.
In 2021, Townsend supported a campaign for a dedicated play park for disabled adults in Bristol.
In June 2022, Townsend was one of four members of the Green Party Women committee who resigned over the Green Party’s policies on transgender rights, having experienced "numerous issues with process, procedures, and communication" while attempting to make the party more inclusive for transgender people.
In January 2024, Townsend threatened to take the Labour group at Bristol City Council to court for defamation over accusations of racial and religious abuse during a November 2024 planning meeting, a claim which the Bristol Post reported was “disputed by other councillors and members of the public who had attended the meeting.”
Townsend in the constituency of Bristol East in the 2024 UK general election, receiving 31% of the vote and coming in second place to Labour. Their result was the best second-place finish of any Green Party candidate in England in the 2024 general election.
Electoral performance
Activism and other work
Townsend has said they have been an environmental activist since the age of five.
Townsend is a university lecturer, milliner for stage and screen productions, costume designer and a project manager. Townsend has worked on productions including Doctor Who and Poldark.
Townsend is a co-chair of the Bristol One City Culture Board.
Townsend has volunteered with charity organisations including night shelters, domestic violence organisations and mental health organisations and advocates for marginalised demographics.
Personal life
Townsend identifies as queer, disabled and working class.<ref name="BGP"/>
Early life
Townsend grew up in Filton, England. Speaking of their early life, Townsend said they grew up "in poverty in a working class family in the 80s".
Politics
Townsend was originally elected in 2015 for the ward of Cabot in Bristol.
In 2021, Townsend supported a campaign for a dedicated play park for disabled adults in Bristol.
In June 2022, Townsend was one of four members of the Green Party Women committee who resigned over the Green Party’s policies on transgender rights, having experienced "numerous issues with process, procedures, and communication" while attempting to make the party more inclusive for transgender people.
In January 2024, Townsend threatened to take the Labour group at Bristol City Council to court for defamation over accusations of racial and religious abuse during a November 2024 planning meeting, a claim which the Bristol Post reported was “disputed by other councillors and members of the public who had attended the meeting.”
Townsend in the constituency of Bristol East in the 2024 UK general election, receiving 31% of the vote and coming in second place to Labour. Their result was the best second-place finish of any Green Party candidate in England in the 2024 general election.
Electoral performance
Activism and other work
Townsend has said they have been an environmental activist since the age of five.
Townsend is a university lecturer, milliner for stage and screen productions, costume designer and a project manager. Townsend has worked on productions including Doctor Who and Poldark.
Townsend is a co-chair of the Bristol One City Culture Board.
Townsend has volunteered with charity organisations including night shelters, domestic violence organisations and mental health organisations and advocates for marginalised demographics.
Personal life
Townsend identifies as queer, disabled and working class.<ref name="BGP"/>
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