London Green Party will be launching its campaign and manifesto for the London borough elections at the northern side of the Millennium Bridge on Tuesday 16 April.
Darren Johnson, Leader of the Greens on the London Assembly said: "Decent local services are at the heart of the Green Party’s vision of strong local communities. Local libraries, schools, hospitals and health services need proper investment. Many former Labour voters feel that they have been utterly betrayed – they say that Labour doesn’t seem to care and this time they will be voting Green. Unlike Labour, Greens will champion the needs of Londoners."
Jenny Jones, Green speaker on transport on the London Assembly said: "Polls have shown that nine out of ten Londoners oppose Labour’s tube privatisation plans. The breathtaking arrogance of Labour’s decision to plough ahead with it means that they don’t deserve Londoners votes on May 2nd. By electing Green councillors, not only will local people have some real advocates for public transport but Greens will be championing the interests of pedestrians and cyclists, too."
Tom Walsh, Green candidate for Colliers Wood in Merton said: "Londoners are completely disillusioned with the main parties. Now is the time for voters to make a difference and give London a long over-due voice for its communities. Every Green councillor elected will make a big difference, challenging the status quo and championing community concerns. After all, the issues of transport, pollution, litter, health, education and protection of open space are at the heart of Green philosophy and action."
Jean Lambert, London’s Green MEP said: "The planning system is weighted towards the interests of big business rather than local people but Greens say that it is vital that local communities have a proper say in the decisions that affect them. That is why Greens are campaigning for the creation of Community Councils – to give a voice to London’s communities. London is not simply one sprawling metropolis but is a patchwork of over 300 historic ‘urban villages’."
The Green Party’s key policies for local communities are:
· Strengthening Local Democracy – speaking up for London’s communities, opposing cabinets and mayors which take the decision-making away from local councillors, supporting the creation of community councils so local people have a say in decisions about their neighbourhoods.
· Fighting for Public Services – opposing library closures, ensuring sufficient local school places for children, standing firm against privatisation.
· Protecting the Environment – calling for a doorstep collection and recycling scheme for every home, calling for solar panels to be included in every new development to combat climate change, better protection of local green space and an animal rights officer in every borough.
· Demanding improvements to Transport – opposing privatisation of the tube, reducing 30mph zones to 20mph for the safety of pedestrians, safe walking and cycling routes to every school.
Notes
1. In recent years, the Green Party has achieved some of its best results in London. Three Greens were elected to the 25-member London Assembly in 2000 and Jean Lambert was elected as a Green MEP for London in 1999.
2. At the last set of local elections in 1998 the Green Party won two seats on Hackney Council and secured second places in wards in Camden, Hackney, Haringey, Islington, Lambeth, Lewisham and Merton. This time Greens are expecting to make gains in a number of London boroughs on May 2nd.