For the past year and a half, Sam Jones has served as a prominent, dedicated Green voice in Warwickshire, building a social media following of nearly 45,000 followers across all platforms, many of whom have joined the Green Party due, in part, to his outspoken comments on important issues. He has consistently championed core Green Party policies; from campaigning for public utility nationalisation and disability support to standing in solidarity with international human rights and combatting extreme wealth.

Six months ago, Sam was handed a "no-fault suspension" by the national party. This suspension was requested by a small faction within the local party leadership under the claim that proper complaint procedures had been carried out. The timeline is such that the suspension has now sat in place until the local government nomination deadlines passed, effectively blocking an active, popular councillor from standing to challenge Reform UK in Warwickshire next May.

Sam Jones does not pose a reputational risk to the Green Party. The real risk to our party's reputation comes from opaque decision-making, a lack of local accountability, and allowing entrenched local factions to disenfranchise new members through their actions.