Isabella Gastel Alejandre

Isabella Gastel Alejandre is the Scottish Green Party candidate in the Southside/Newington council by-election which will take place in Edinburgh on 3 September 2026.

Isabella is standing for election to join Green councillor Steve Burgess on the ward team of councillors for Southside/Newington.

She first moved to the Southside as a student studying maths, and now works as a self-employed gardener. Driven by a desire to tackle the worsening environmental crises we now face, she is focused on fighting for a more sustainable future.

Isabella has a particular interest in waste reduction and circular economies, where products and materials are kept in use through repair, reuse, refurbishment, recycling, and composting.

She runs a permaculture garden where people can grow their own food sustainably, and a mending workshop for students, giving them the confidence, tools, and skills to fix their own clothes. She also facilitates a monthly climate discussion forum for young people.

While at university, she worked closely with communities across Edinburgh through an environmental conservation group and an action on homelessness group.

Isabella’s involvement with community groups has given her a strong commitment to community-based activity which brings people together and connects them to the city. As a councillor, she will listen to and amplify their voices, responding to their needs and providing as much support as she can.

Isabella has knocked on many doors in Southside/Newington talking with residents about local issues, including the cost of living, housing and climate crisis. As a councillor, she will put the issues of most concern to residents first.