Martin Dimery, who, in May, was re-elected to Somerset County Council, has been appointed to stand as the Green Party's candidate in the Somerton and Frome Parliamentary constituency. 

Born in Luton, Martin Dimery studied in London following a short spell with the National Youth Theatre, before becoming a drama teacher. He taught on the Isle of Wight for four years before taking over as Head of Drama at Frome College. He and his wife Anne, have lived in Frome for 39 years, becoming heavily involved in the arts scene. Their three children went to Frome schools.

After a spell at Millfield School in Street, Martin left teaching to take up arts management, firstly at the Cheese and Grain hall in Frome, and then as Creative Director of the Frome Festival. He will be retiring from the festival in the autumn after steering it for 15 years.

In 2017, Mr. Dimery and Councillor John Clarke became the first Green Party candidates elected to Somerset County Council. Martin was elected again in 2022 becoming Leader of the expanded Green Group, and is now Chair of the Environment and Climate Change Scrutiny committee. In 2023, Somerset will become a single unitary council serving over half a million people across the County. 

On being elected by local Green Party members, Martin Dimery released the following statement: I am honoured and delighted to have been selected as the Green Party's Parliamentary Candidate for the Somerton and Frome Constituency. I'm very grateful to all those Green Party members who voted for me as their candidate.

In the past seven years or so, support for the Green Party has grown considerably in the constituency, notably in Frome, where we now hold 4 of the 6 Somerset Council seats.

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Green votes have also increased across this very large constituency, returning several district, town and parish councillors in recent elections. The Green Party is offering a new, dynamic and positive approach, at a time when many are disillusioned and dismissive of conventional party politics.

With an agenda to address climate change, the cost of living crisis and the challenges facing the economy, Green Party policies could not be more important or relevant.

I welcome the opportunity to campaign for the Somerton and Frome parliamentary seat at a general election or by-election, if called. 

Martin Dimery