Natalie Bennett, Green Party leader, is visiting Exeter next Tuesday to launch Exeter Green Party’s manifesto ahead of the city council elections in May. Ms Bennett’s visit comes as the local Party becomes ever more confident it will gain its first city council seats in May. Natalie Bennett said:
“I am delighted to visit Exeter again. Membership of the local Green Party has quadrupled in the last year and Parliamentary candidate, Diana Moore, won more votes for the Greens in the general election than ever before, saving her deposit. I am confident that Exeter is one of the places where we will turn the green surge into green seats this May.”
Diana Moore, lead candidate for St David’s ward, said:
“It’s great to receive Natalie’s backing for our plans. Exeter Green Party has a great manifesto which puts people and our local environment first. We’ll push the council to operate in a fairer, more accountable and transparent way. We need to better involve communities in the decisions that affect them.”
“We are concerned about rising inequality in the city and Green Councillors will resist more Tory cuts as these impact on the most vulnerable in our communities. The manifesto sets out how we’ll generate income and spend the funds we have more effectively.”
“Our plans include getting to grips with the mountain of food waste that gets incinerated each month, taking action to tackle pollution, protect our open spaces, plant more trees and get the city moving more sustainably. We will continue to challenge the Council’s plans for the Bus Station development and introduce a Best of Devon Market Square. We need a better deal for the City Centre.”
The local Green Party believe that the ‘all-out’ elections in Exeter this year, in which three councilors will be elected in each ward, offers a great opportunity to win city council seats. They are urging voters to ‘make one or more vote a Green vote!’
Natalie Bennett concluded: “It’s clear there’s a great opportunity to elect Exeter’s first Green councillors this May, who can bring a breath of fresh air and offer new hope for communities that need strong, principled and innovative local councillors.”
During her visit to Exeter, Natalie Bennett will also speak at the University on why the UK is Greener In the EU and how to build a better Europe. She will visit local businesses in Fore Street, especially those accepting the local currency, the Exeter Pound and visit the acclaimed Age UK social enterprise ‘Men in Sheds’, which recycles and refurbishes garden tools.
Read our full manifesto here