Greens launch election campaign as polls show strong support

Written by Pete Sunday, 17 May 2009

Bristol Green Party chose Castle Park to launch its local election campaign in Bristol today, as polls showed record numbers of voters are considering voting Green.

There's a Green candidate in each of the 23 seats up for election in Bristol on June 4th, when the party has high hopes that its present councillor, Charlie Bolton, will be joined by others to make a real impact on the city. 

In four wards (Ashley, Bishopston, Cabot and Cotham) the Greens came second last time, ahead of Labour and Conservatives.  In a fifth, Easton, canvass returns are showing that the crisis of confidence in the main parties could tip the balance in favour of the Greens' Katie Buse, a local resident and campaigner.

Nationally, the respected polling organisation YouGov is reporting that as many as 34% of electors are considering voting Green on June 4th, while a UKIP commissioned poll in the Sunday Express found 11% have already made their minds up.  That suggests that Britain would be sending significantly more Green MEPs to Brussels, including Ricky Knight, lead candidate on the South-West's Green list.

Best local prospect of a new Green councillor, is in Ashley, where Daniella Radice came within 110 votes of defeating Shirley Marshall Brown of the LibDems in 2007. 

Introducing the Greens' policy summary for Bristol, Daniella said

"I am pleased to be here in Castle Park to introduce the Green Parties policies for Bristol. It is still a beautiful green space, enjoyed by people from all over the city. It is under threat from development which we the Green Party have opposed. The defence of our parks and open spaces  -the city’s lungs – is a one of our key policies.

"As Greens our aim is to secure the future of our planet but we know that it’s the little things that matter to people too. We want cleaner streets and more street trees to raise the quality of life for everyone. We want better, cheaper public transport  which we will achieve by getting all the councils in the region to work together to solve Bristol’s transport problems. We want twenty mile an hour speed limits on all our roads to make them safer for children and people on bikes.  

"Greens think deeply and clearly about how to solve the problems facing our planet and society today. In the face of a world-wide economic crisis we think the solutions can be found here in our local economy.  Bristol should be leading the way investing in green jobs and green businesses.  Investing more in domestic energy efficiency, for example, would fight climate change, keep homes warmer, bring in significant extra funding from government and help everyone save money.

"I am here today with my young children, and its them and their children that are going to suffer the real effects of climate change. Time is running out. I’d like to see this city reduce its carbon emissions by 25% in the next six years.

"Its not just because I am a mother that I am concerned about education, we are appalled by the councils’ policy of closing some schools and expanding others. The Green party believes in education on a human scale, all children should be able to be educated in their local communities.

"We know from talking to people on their doorsteps that support for us is growing, our message is that Greens can win in Bristol. We can make a real difference to this city. "

Notes:

For a full list of local Green Party candidates, see  www.bristolgreenparty.org.uk/Local-Elections/

For the local policy statement, see www.bristolgreenparty.org.uk/General/policies.html

Contact:

Daniella Radice, 0117 952 5796

Katie Buse, 0117 955 6680

Peter Goodwin (Press Officer) 01275 543280 - from 21st May