Why you should vote Green

Ian Brandon, Watford PPC says....

Watford has been let down too long by an MP who wants to climb the political career ladder rather than work on behalf her residents.

Claire Ward has always been part of the Government since being an MP, and therefore has not allowed herself to put her residents’ concerns first before her Government role. This has meant she has never allowed herself to sign Early Day Motions, attack the Government or put her own views across on many of the national issues that concern Watford residents.

A Green MP would see a return to constituency based politics, where I would stand up for Watford, rather than pay homage to a party political machine.

There are many key areas in this election, including the economy, but my focus is what I can do as an MP for Watford. I would defend Watford General Hospital, but I would also argue that you can keep Hemel Hempstead General open as well. The Green Party does not believe in big super hospitals and feels that hospitals should very much stay within each community rather than only be on a regional basis – something none of the other big three parties are willing to back.

I would fight for local businesses. I am already doing so in my role as a County Councillor, funding St Albans Traders Association so they can develop and grow to represent the local independent traders. I also supported the Empty Shops organisation, which helps some of our currently empty shops around the Town to be filled by the local community, giving a more local feeling to the Town and giving our shopping streets a better look. I also support the Watford Market traders to keep the market indoors and updated.

I will also be campaigning for more focus on provision for our youth. Watford has a number of schemes which I have supported, that provide for teenagers and young adults. However, many of these schemes are reliant on charities or community projects. We need to invest much more into youth facilities – the local youth centre and Bill Everett Centre in Leggatts were terrible to lose and the Green Party supports a £1bn fund into youth facilities across the country – something I would fight to get a good proportion of in Watford.

I am a keen advocate of local public transport. Watford’s network of buses and its local train system are in dire need of investment. I support a return to nationalisation of our trains and buses, and look to use public investment to increase the bus network in Watford. I support the decision to convert the Abbey Flyer to tram, but would also look at extending its reach so it also goes into Watford town centre and possibly to the hospital, as well as going further into St Albans and to the main Central station.

The lack of secondary school provision is also an issue in Watford. The Conservative run Hertfordshire County Council allowed the situation in WD3 and North Watford to spiral out of control and it is only now, with resident pressure, that any funds are being put towards further school provision. A Green Government would extend the ‘Schools for the Future’ initiative and ensure that school places exist where there is a clear need for them.

As a Green Party councillor, I have already put forward proposals that I would also make on a national basis, such as 20mph zones, reduction in politician allowances, road pricing, reducing waste, increase recycling as well as more focus on local policing. As a Member of Parliament, I would lobby for these to be introduced on a wider scale.

An ideal local MP should be from or have a history with the constituency. I have been living in Watford over the last 5 years, now in North Watford, and my family originates from Watford, with my grandparents formerly living in Meriden and my mum now living in Nascot. I have a good understanding of the town and its issues and I hope from the above, I have proven that.

The Green Party is known for standing up for local residents – as Member of Parliament, I would continue to do the same. These are just a few of my election pledges but I hope it helps to show you why I should be your next MP.

Many people are concerned that a Green vote is a wasted vote. But what good is a vote if you do not believe in it?

The Lib Dems, Tories and Labour are the same grey parties they have been since 1997, with very little difference between them. The Green Party offers a real, radical alternative. We were not caught up in the expenses scandal and our MEPs and local councillors have consistently battled to have more openness and transparency in what our politicians get paid.

In addition, remember there are also Mayoral and local council elections on the same day, so even if you do not vote for me as an MP, you can vote Green in those other elections where the Greens have even more chance of getting elected.

This article was created on Thursday, 22nd April 2010. It was last tinkered with on Saturday, 24th April 2010.

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