Urgent action on the climate emergency

• Seize the potential in the green skills sector (the fastest growing of the economy) for skilled jobs and training
• Invest to save in clean energy:  County should follow Lancaster City Council  example and invest in its own renewable energy generation

 ENABLING SMALL BUSINESSES, TOURISM AND CULTURE TO THRIVE

• Support innovation, digital, and electronics technology manufacturing
• Enable small businesses, tourism and culture to thrive

Affordable and cosy homes – in the right places!

• Ensure well-designed affordable homes to minimise carbon emissions, keep household energy bills low and prevent illness caused by cold and damp in places with good connectivity.
• Push for more social housing
• County must push for energy efficient retrofit of existing homes at greater pace and scale. 

Supporting local communities and vulnerable people

• Invest in prevention measures to keep families and communities healthy
• Prioritise resilience against flooding

Green spaces and public realm for people and wildlife

• Defend nature in our valued parks and open spaces
• Support local food growing and markets

A transport system for clean air and liveable streets

• Fix our roads so that they are safe for all road users
• Re-regulate bus services so that all areas have reliable integrated bus services
• Invest in new safe cycling and walking not as an afterthought to roads

Local Government Re-Organisation

• Specific proposals must: not be rushed; ensure public accountability; keep services local and guarantee service improvements; and have residents’ support.
• Labour’s plans for mega-sized council will cost millions in tax payer’s money and should come with more funding for basic services.
• Greens are not against ‘unitary’ councils in principle but this major  upheaval of councils will be felt for decades-long.

see also:

The Green Party Manifesto and Local Government

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It is a matter of public record that the Greens unanimously voted against the proposal to enter in to the ‘Collaboration Agreement’ with Lancashire County Council in August 2021.

Two years later in June 2023 the Conservative-led Lancashire County Council itself withdrew from the £140m funding agreement with government which would have enabled the ‘South Lancaster Growth Catalyst.’

Tim said: “It is deeply concerning that residents in Scotforth East who are unfamiliar with the detail may take the Conservatives’ claim at face value. I appreciate that Tim Wood, the by-election candidate, has now discussed the content of the leaflet with me, and I asked him to publicly retract the assertion given it is a lie.  It is important that the public know that when it came to the key vote the Labour group did support the Collaboration Agreement; and the Greens did not. 

Green candidate in Scotforth East, Andrew Otway, added: “This is not the way to conduct politics. If there is no regard for truth in what candidates say in their leaflets, it chips away at faith in the whole political process. I hope that the Conservative candidate will publicly retract that falsehood.”

Photo of the Conservative election material shown below.

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Natalie’s visit started with an evening on Tuesday at the Herbarium Bar on Great John’s Street. Unfortunately Natalie’s train was delayed, but a good time was had by all while we waited, having a drink, a chat, and getting stuck in to stuffing envelopes for the campaign to elect Jack Lenox in Lancaster and Wyre! 

Jack Lenox joined us shortly before Natalie to give us a campaign update, including the fantastic news that from canvassing, things are looking very close in Lancaster and Wyre.

Jack said “We have our work cut out to close the gap, but we are within range of doing this!ck had been over at St Thomas’s Church where the main Lancaster hustings had been organised by Lancaster Churches Together. Unfortunately, the Conservative candidate let the organisers know he was not able to attend that afternoon, and did not arrange a substitute. The Labour Candidate was then told by her party not to turn up if there was no Conservative candidate there. After which the Libdem candidate also pulled out.

The organisers confirmed the event was cancelled just shortly before it was due to begin, when Jack and the attendees were already en route to the Church, so he joined them to speak with anyone who wanted to ask him questions or tell him their concerns, which got a cheer from the disappointed crowd! 

Natalie swept into the room to a big cheer, and went straight into an inspiring talk about her holistic, hopeful and practical vision for the future as explored in her recently published book, “Change Everything: How We Can Rethink, Repair and Rebuild Society”.

Afterwards, there was a cue of people to chat to Natalie and buy her book – Natalie said she sold more books here in Lancaster than at any of the similar events. 

Jack said:

“It was an absolute pleasure to host former Green Party leader and peer in the House of Lords, Natalie Bennett. Natalie is an outstanding champion of Green politics, and of dismantling our broken political system to rebuild something much better. She was the leader when I joined the party back in 2015, and it has been a real pleasure getting to know her in my role as Culture Spokesperson over the past few years.”

The following day, Natalie joined Gina Dowding on the campaign trail in Morecambe.

Natalie said: “Great to join Gina in glorious sunshine, with a national icon!”

Their time in Morecambe included Jack joining them for a visit to Morecambe Football Club to talk about football regulation. 

Natalie said: “Great meeting this morning with Gina Dowding, Green candidate for Morecambe & Lunesdale, and Jack Lenox for Lancaster & Wyre – who is also Green Spokesperson on Culture, Media & Sport – with Morecambe FC reps, talking need for a regulator with real teeth through the Football Governance Bill.

GIna added: “I am determined to help push forward with the Football Governance Bill – whatever the result of the General Election. It’s about fairness for fans, and sustainability of clubs. Grassroots football clubs key part of communities – esp here in Morecambe.

It needs to be said that ⁦Morecambe FC⁩ has a fantastic group of (volunteer) people on the board and trust fighting the corner for the club and fans. They made us very welcome … and we came away inspired.”

Finally, Gina, Jack and Natalie met with Councillor Tom Fish and Maria Deery, our candidate for the by-election for University Ward happening on the same day as the General Election. 

Tom and Maria have both been heavily involved in the Palestine Solidarity Encampment on campus and the protests against University complicity with what is happening in Gaza, through its links to arms manufacturer BAE systems. It is Green Policy to halt arms sales to Israel. 

In addition to her support for the encampment and its demands, Maria is campaigning on improved mental health services for students, and more support through the cost of living crisis, making campus more safe and welcoming, and holding the university accountable for their net zero pledges.

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