The Green Party Arrives in Westminster

by Liz O'Neill

On Thursday evening I secured my place in history by telling a woman in Brighton where her polling station was.

Okay, it’s a pretty small place in history, but she was one of the 237 potential Green voters that my husband and I telephoned during the evening of Thursday 6 May 2010 to remind them that they had the chance to vote in the UK’s first Green Member of Parliament. Many of them had already voted and others were heading out to do the same. But a few really welcomed the reminder and that one particular voter had mislaid her polling card and wasn’t sure what to do. If I hadn’t called her, she wouldn’t have gone to vote.

Green Party members across the UK came together over recent weeks to make our biggest dream come true. In true collaborative, green style we shared the task of returning Caroline Lucas MP (Brighton Pavilion), with each person taking the role that best suited their skills and circumstances. At least five other Trafford Greens took part in the “tele-knocking up” that allowed me to play a valuable role. Others donated their time to ongoing policy development, or money to the vast cost of staging a winning campaign. Yet more Greens around the country help sustain the movement that supports and inspires us all.

We’re not forming the new government. We’re not expecting a call from Cameron or Brown, but we have secured a place at the table. The (almost certainly) outgoing Prime Minister has finally gotten the point about proportional representation but we didn’t wait for the promised electoral reform to make our mark. The Green Party pulled together and beat the big boys on their own terms. We all know that hard times lie ahead but I say bring it on – the Green Party has arrived in Westminster and we’re going to make a difference.

Britain Elects First Green MP

by Christine McLaughlin

Caroline Lucas has made history by winning Brighton Pavillion for the Green Party.  The future of our country looks brighter today.

Choose Green on 6th May

Why vote Green on 6th May? The Green Party will fight for a sustainable future for our country and our planet. We believe that fair is worth fighting for and we insist on a living wage, affordable housing and equality for all. Our manifesto embraces the concept of a green economy and sets out in detail how we will achieve this.

Green Party policies have been voted the most popular in a survey of 230,000 people, yet many people plan to vote for one of the major parties.  But what are our choices?

The Conservatives: plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose
David Cameron is a life-long Tory voter who was 23 when Thatcher became Prime Minister. He supported massive cuts in education and health funding, draconian measures against striking workers, endless privatisation and the scapegoating of single parent families, gays and lesbians and anyone else who didn’t ‘fit in’ in Thatcher’s non-existent society. He voted enthusiastically for the dismantling of the UK manufacturing industry which led to our dependence on ozone-wrecking, air-freighted, sweat-shopped goods. He applauded Thatcher as she sold off the majority of our local authority housing and implemented policies that pitched one in three children into the misery of life below the breadline.
Cameron’s shadow cabinet includes Ken Clarke, Oliver Letwin, William Hague and Francis Maude, all of whom served as cabinet ministers under the previous Conservative administration. Little has changed at the heart of the Conservative Party. Cameron doesn’t signal a new, compassionate Toryism. He’s a mean-spirited, over-privileged, would-be grim reaper of public services whose election as Prime Minister would harm the most vulnerable people in our society.
Don’t vote Conservative: they stand for everything that’s wrong.  Vote Green on 6th May.

The Labour Party: the party of destruction
Labour has on its hands the blood of many thousands of Iraqis and British troops, the economic detritus of shoring up the banks with our money and the ticking clock of impending environmental disaster, to which they have turned a deaf ear for far too long.
Don’t vote Labour: we can’t carry on like this.  Vote Green on 6th May.

The Liberal Democrats: Eco Charlatans
They have made good progress in the polls but their record on environmental matters is dismal. The Green Party last week branded the Lib Dems ‘eco charlatans’, citing Lib Dems' support for roadbuilding, airport expansion, incinerator projects, and opposition to windfarms.
Don’t Vote Liberal Democrat: they don’t care about the environment.  Vote Green on 6th May.


Trafford Green Party are fielding local election candidates in every ward and for the first time, a parliamentary candidate. In Brighton, Norwich and Lewisham there is an excellent chance of returning Green Members of Parliament. If you agree with our policies, vote Green. Let’s make a difference tomorrow.

by Christine McLaughlin

Green MEP Jean Lambert on Radio 5 Live

Jean Lambert, the Green MEP for London, will challenge representatives from the ‘big three’ (Alistair Darling confirmed, others tba) on the subject of public services and their commitment to the PFI on Kate Silverton’s Radio 5 Live show on Sunday, May 2, at 10.45am.

The BNP/SNP/UKIP and Plaid Cymru will also have their turn to grill the panel on a particular issue.

Tune in for a lively show!

The Election Approaches: Vote Green on 6th May 2010

Green Party beats all other parties on global justice, says World Development Movement

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Join us. Fair is worth fighting for.

Party Election Broadcast for the Green Party