Greens stand record number of candidates at local elections

15 April 2007

75% of councils in Eastern region will have Green candidates - the highest in England

The Green Party is fielding a record number of candidates at the local elections which will take place on Thursday May 3rd.

Across England, a total of 1,421 principal authority Green candidates will be standing (which includes 8 by-elections and 2 Mayoral contests). This comfortably beats the previous best showing in 1990 by more than 100 candidates. The Greens will be fielding significantly more candidates than any of the other smaller parties, including UKIP. In addition to the 1,421 total, many Green Party members are also standing as parish candidates.

In Eastern region, there are 281 Green candidates (including by-elections), the highest of any region in England. In over 75% of council areas (37 out of 49 councils), there will be Green candidates. Greens are standing in every ward in Cambridge, Colchester, Norwich, Watford and Waveney.

Nationally, the Greens are aiming to increase their number of councillors to above the 100 mark for the first time in the party's history and to win seats on a number of councils for the first time. Currently the Greens hold 93 seat on 39 councils.

In Eastern region, the Green's main target is Norwich where the party is aiming to make gains to become the second largest party on the council. Their campaign has been boosted by further defections of former councillors from other parties. Strong campaigns are also well underway to gain the first Green seats on Cambridge, Colchester and Mid-Bedfordshire councils.

Many long standing Green Party core issues have had a high profile recently, including climate change, public services and transport. The Greens are pointing to the failure of the other parties to deliver solutions and are appealing to voters not to give them yet another chance to fail again - but to vote Green as a positive choice for the future.

Labour has failed dismally to tackle climate change and continues to simultaneously pronounce concern about the fate of the planet whilst promoting activities that are pushing the UK's carbon footprint ever higher - especially airport expansion and major road building. The "cash for gongs" scandal and the disasterous Iraq war have also dealt serious blows to the party's chances at the elections - made worse by the fact that Labour is fielding a record low proportion of candidates for a governing party - in nearly 40% of seats Labour has failed to stand a candidate. The Greens are also warning that voters concerned about green issues should not be taken in by the Lib Dems and the Tories who often make voter friendly green claims at elections but then carry on with business as usual policies once in charge of councils. The best way to get green policies and action is to elect Greens.

The national Green Party campaign will be officially launched this Tuesday, April 17, from 10-11am at the Lewis Media Centre (www.lewismediacentre.com), Millbank, London. Dr Caroline Lucas, South East MEP, will be speaking on why Green councillors matter and the campaign themes - climate change, housing and education. Cllr Keith Taylor, from Brighton and Hove, will be speaking on real Green Council achievements and Brighton's experience, and outlining where we are most likely to make big gains to become the clear fourth party of local government. Principal Speaker Dr Derek Wall will be speaking on why a principled green voice is needed at all levels of government. Principal Speaker Siân Berry will cover why green energy matters for voters at local elections and the session will be chaired by Cllr Darren Johnson, Member of the London Assembly and Chair of the Association of Green Councillors.