A crowd of London’s leading Green councillors and most hotly tipped candidates today lined up along Millennium Bridge to announce the details of their election pledges to Londoners, and explain why they believe they are on the threshold of a historic new era for the Greens.
With a record 800+ candidates standing across London and a long list of achievements, the Green Party is hoping to woo more voters than ever before in the count down to May 6th.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Cllr Romayne Phoenix, one of three Green councillors representing Brockley ward, said:
"This is an exciting time for the Green Party, and for all Londoners who want to be represented by people they can trust. The pundits have called this a change election, and this is the message coming from the street, and on the doorstep – the public wants change, and it’s looking to the Green Party for that.
"Our policies have never been more relevant to the problems London is facing. We cannot go on as we are with shocking levels of inequality, people struggling to keep a roof over their heads, battling against cuts and threats of hospital closures. Across London, Green councillors have been proving that you can stick to your principles and get things done. We ask the questions that no-one else will, expose corruption, and root out waste on councils. Greens are now the party of progressive politics, the only party showing leadership – in not just ideas but action in our communities."
Islington’s first Green councillor, Cllr Katie Dawson, added:
"In councils where Greens have been elected, those Green councillors have been seen to be highly effective, punching well above their weight despite not having the backing enjoyed by councillors from the bigger parties. This is because we have the courage of our convictions and are passionate about the things we believe in. Even one Green on a council can have a big effect as I have shown in Islington.
"Green councillors are bold. We have the guts to say what we believe, and people see that as a welcome contrast to the bland rhetoric of the grey parties. Whether it’s saving a local sports centre, making roads safer by getting 20mph speed limits or getting apprenticeships to help local school leavers into work, people are seeing the difference that even a handful of Green councillors can make to London. Imagine what we could do with more!"