Hi, I thought it might be useful if candidates in the upcoming elections were available online to engage with :) Hope that's ok to do here? I am the Parliamentary Candidate for Tatton (Green Party) and the following explains why:
In deciding to get involved more deeply in the way our country is governed and finding the policies of the Green Party aligned perfectly with my own thoughts on issues, I am grateful for this opportunity to be further involved.
I have been a community activist for more than three years now, campaigning against the shale gas and other unconventional energy industries …and what that the introduction of them implies ie: the power of industry lobbyists in our government, the inadequate safeguards and protections for our communities that are not championed by many elected officials, the clear revolving-door between roles in government and roles in industry and more. I find the definition ‘democracy’ is not what I perceived it to be and believe the Green Party is the solution.
The priorities, concerns and challenges in our everyday lives are not reflected in the policies of the current government and haven’t been for as long as I can remember. Looking at the grey suits and behavior in the House of Commons is like looking back in time to a fossilised place that just isn’t part of the ‘real world’ anymore.
My roles in community activism have been many and varied; from presenting public meetings and leading on media liaison to standing in front of trucks in acts of peaceful resistance; staying in tents at ‘protection camps’ and with the Occupy movement to giving evidence in the House of Lords to Nigel Lawson and others on the committee looking into shale gas in the UK. I have appeared on panels alongside union representative, politicians, academics, celebrities and activists and been part of the coverage of these events and issues – examples can be found at:
Keiser Report -
Channel 4 News - (w/ Jacob Rees-Mogg )
Occupy Democracy -
CNBC Squawk Box -
Talk Fracking -
This grounding has enriched my network of connections and helped to shape the way I present the issues. I’m in the Green Party because unlike other parties, it is not funded by big business and is not influenced, swayed, encouraged or bullied by corporate interests and because we are focused on the issues that matter:
- our NHS
- our education
- our railways
– affordable energy
– fair taxation
– local jobs
– affordable housing
– action to tackle air pollution
– refusing the advance of dangerous industries
Unlike the vast majority of those in politics who claim to represent the residents of the UK, I do not come from a background that has groomed me for the government we know today – and I believe this to be a distinct advantage.