Trans activist and speaker to stand for Green Party in local elections

Eva Echo, a trans activist and changemaker known for her work with Birmingham Pride, Trans in the City and the Crown Prosecution service among many others, has announced that she will be standing in the upcoming local elections. Eva has joined the Green Party, led by Zack Polanksi and will standing in the local elections as one of the Green Party candidates for the Rowley ward, in Sandwell.

Eva Echo led Birmingham Pride in 2025

Sharing the announcement, Eva wrote: “Realising my political home is with The Green Party, I joined a while ago, after what Zack Polanski said both resonated and inspired me. Meeting him at the Attitude Magazine 101 event earlier this year simply confirmed I found my place.

“So many of you have said I should take this sort of political direction but I guess imposter syndrome got the better of me. After seeing Hannah Spencer show that the Green Party is a genuine force in politics, whilst remains grounded and genuine, I jumped at the chance to do more.

“Our local communities are divided by hate and the focus is on the wrong place. It’s time for change. It’s time for us to unite. It’s time to put the work in that benefits us all. When the most marginalised are protected, we’re all protected. This fight is, and always has been, an intersectional one. So, let’s turn our collective attention to the real enemy and make hope normal again.”

Speaking to Midlands Rainbow, Eva adds: "As with most people I became incredibly frustrated and angry at the Labour party for abandoning the trans+ community, refusing to acknowledge genocide and pandering to the Right, whilst we’re left struggling to live in towns and cities, because of the continued cost of living crisis as well as increased in hate and division.

"I joined the Green Party because they align with my values and my own activism. By standing, and I only want to show the visibility matters but to show he pulled from all walks of life we are more united than divided, we need to work together against billionaires or even politicians that represent themselves, not the rest of us.

"When the most marginalised in society are targeted, everyone is targeted. When the most marginal are protected, everyone is protected. The Green Party’s commitment to the trans+ community shows we are inclusive, and they all are welcome at the table.

"Historically elections have always been a two horse race. This is a pivotal moment right now. We all have the power to say no to that old system and to demand something better. We’ve seen how the Labour Party works. We’ve seen how the Tory Party works. And we certainly seen right through Reform. Why are we allowing the same old script to be p;layed out? So I would say take a chance on something greater. Take a chance on a new approach - one that can provide real change and real hope.

"We really need to think intersectionally. I’m originally from south of Manchester, so I know Gorton & Denton is such a diverse area. Hannah’s win showed that we are so united. We need to keep remembering this whether it’s on polling day or throughout the rest of the year. Every single one of us makes up our local communities and we all contribute significantly, even when we think we don’t. Let’s look after each other and work together.

"Even turning on the news, painful right now. So much negativity and divide everywhere. Most importantly, only certain people are being listened to or platformed. That has detrimental effect on those who want to see a fair society. So hope really is needed to show people that we can get through this, if we stick together and support one another regardless of differences."

Eva will stand alongside fellow Green Party candidates, Joseph Loudon and Benjamin James Morris in the borough councillor elections on Thursday 7^th May 2026.