The Leeds Green Party formally launched its 2014 local election manifesto Towards a Green Leeds today, and announced their first ever full slate of 33 candidates. The launch took place at 1pm at the front of Leeds Civic Hall. Green Group Leader Cllr David Blackburn launched the manifesto along with a number of the candidates and party activists.
Cllr David Blackburn said of the news:
“As Leader of the Green Group it gives me great pleasure to be able to say we are fielding a full slate of candidates this year, and we have an excellent manifesto to show what a Green run council would look like. If people want a real alternative to business as usual politicians, they can now look to vote Green right across the Leeds area. Locally, nationally, and in Europe we have polices that put people and the planet first, and when elected you’ll see our councillors working hard for you all year round on issues that matter and not just turning up at election time asking for your vote”.
The manifesto sets outs a vision of a sustainable and fairer future for the city of Leeds and what the citizens of Leeds could expect if the Green Party formed an administration. As well as typically green issues like the local environment and better waste management,Towards a Green Leeds includes the Leeds Green Party’s policies on issues like community safety and crime, education, health and social care, housing, the local economy and transport. The full manifesto is available under Policies on this website.
One of the key targets for the party is to obtain a third councillor in the Farnley and Wortley ward, recapturing it from Labour. Council elections since 2010 and recent canvassing suggest candidate Terry Wilford is on track to join Ann and David Blackburn the current Green councillors in that ward. Terry Wilford said of the election:
“I am looking forward to the chance to join the hard working Green councillors in Farnley and Wortley to help improve the lives of the local residents. As a local man who lives in the ward I am as keen as the local people to make sure the area is a pleasant place to live and if elected will do all I can to achieve that.”
With a candidate in every ward there is an opportunity on 22nd May to vote for something positive and different to the three main parties. The manifesto shows how Green policies can make huge improvements to people’s lives. Joe Salmon, candidate for Headingley said:
“The public have finally got a genuine alternative to the self serving politicians and political system they’ve been let down by for far too long. This is the first step in genuinely addressing challenges posed by the economy, environment and globalisation in a sustainable fashion”.
As well as aiming to increase the number of Green councillors across Leeds, it is hoped the full slate will help boost the Green Party vote in the European Elections and elect a Green MEP for the Yorkshire and Humber region.
Farnley & Wortley Green Party 