Greens stand record candidate numbers in local elections

Monday 7th April 2008

The Green Party is standing a record number of candidates in Eastern Region for the local elections on May 1st. There are a total of 170 Green candidates*, which is 41% of all seats up for election. There will be at least 1 Green candidate in 80% of council areas where elections are taking place. Whilst not the highest absolute number of Green candidates ever contested in the region, at 41% it is the highest proportion, as the Greens make further strides to challenge the "main three" parties.

The Greens are fielding 7 full slates - in Norwich, Cambridge, Colchester, North Herts, Watford, St Albans and Waveney.

The main Green targets are:

• Increasing the number of councillors on Norwich City Council from the current 10 to become the largest opposition party - which would be the first time this has happened on a UK Principal Authority council.
• Making gains in a number of council areas including Waveney.
• Making breakthroughs on to Cambridge City and Colchester Borough Councils.

Green Party MEP and Principal Speaker Dr. Caroline Lucas launched the local election campaign in Eastern Region in Norwich on April 3rd, which was featured on regional TV and radio coverage.

Dr Lucas said:

"A Green vote is a vote for local communities, public services, healthy lives, environmental sustainability, peace and democracy - and, of course, a vote for seriously tough action on climate change."

Green Councillors across the region are active in:

• Opposing Post Office closures and supporting new branches.
• Campaigning for higher levels of recycling and opposing Tory plans for waste incineration.
• Supporting proposals for renewable energy to help combat climate change.
• Opposing airport expansion at Stansted, Norwich and Luton.
• Lobbying for improved public transport.
• Calling for reductions in Labour Government imposed development targets.
• Ensuring that new development is truly sustainable, not "false eco-towns".
• Opposing all major new road building, but instead investing in the railways and road safety.
• Supporting campaigns to save the NHS from privatisation.
• Supporting the retention and development of local non-acute community hospitals.

Notes:

* Including 3 co-incident by-elections.

The Eastern Region is rapidly becoming a major growth area for the Greens, who have expanded their number of principal authority councillors from just 2 in May 1999 to over 20 in May 2007. This year elections are held on May 1st and the party is expecting further gains, with Norwich being tipped to see the Green Group of Councillors become the largest opposition party - the first time on any principal local authority in Britain. Greens are also campaigning hard to make gains on other authorities such as Waveney as well as win their first seats on authorities such as Colchester and Cambridge.

The Greens are also gearing up for the County Council and European Elections in 2009, with Cllr. Dr. Rupert Read being tipped to become the region's first Green MEP