From Council Estates to the Green Surge, Local Power and National Shifts with Cllr Julian Pritchard

In this episode, RoyField Brown revisits his Birmingham radio roots with an interview that blends the local and the political. Green Party councillor Julian Pritchard joins from his ward of Druids Heath and Monyhull, a place that even the most civic-minded Brummies might struggle to locate on a map. But that’s the point. Pritchard has been trying to change that for over seven years, turning up, knocking doors, chasing bin collections, and campaigning for a more equitable form of regeneration that isn’t developer-led and value-extractive. His success there is more than a hyper-local curiosity. It’s part of a wider green moment.The conversation moves between the nitty-gritty of grassroots activism and the broader surge in national Green Party support, spurred in part by leader Zack Polanski’s recent media breakthrough. Pritchard, a methodical campaigner, credits Polanski with articulating long-held Green values, on social justice and climate policy alike, with clarity and conviction. Unlike Labour’s technocratic drift, the Greens now appear to be talking about transformation and redistribution, and crucially, they’re being heard.As for Druids Heath, it's a case study in how regeneration can alienate when it doesn’t centre residents. Pritchard pushes back against full demolition plans for the estate, highlighting the murky logic of “affordable housing” that may not be affordable at all. He’s advocating for proper social housing, not policy euphemisms. Amid a national housing debate, the fate of Druids Heath could be a local test case with national implications.5 Selected Quotes"We need somebody like your leader who can grab the attention and articulate a vision, not just for now, but where we are going." — RoyField Brown"It's about changing systems and policies, not saying that everybody makes real choices." — Julian Pritchard"People felt taken for granted, and nobody did anything." — Julian Pritchard"This is trust us from the council that's delivered us equal pay liability, bankruptcy, Oracle disaster, yearlong bin strike..." — Julian Pritchard"To save the planet fairly, we’ve got to focus on both people and planet." — Julian PritchardFurther Reading & Links MentionedGreen Party UK – Official party siteZack Polanski's profile – London Assembly bioBirmingham Regeneration Plans – Birmingham City Council’s regeneration proposal for Druids HeathShared Ownership vs. Social Rent Explained – Shelter UKPodcast Producer Connor Begley Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.