The claws are out for local elections, as the Green Party kicks off campaign on controversial council estate.
The Green Party launched its local election manifesto this Thursday on the grounds of south London’s Central Hill estate.
The party announced it would be contesting 2200 seats at the May 3 elections, a record number for the 39,000 members-strong group.
The Greens have picked social housing as one of their flagship policies for the upcoming elections, with co-leader Jonathan Bartley lambasting the Government’s record.
In his launch speech, Bartley said:
“It’s time the Government treated social housing with the value it deserves and ended the Right to Buy scheme which has pushed stock to crisis point.”
Right to Buy rules changed under David Cameron’s premiership in 2012. The number of social homes sold off has increased by 409% since.
Bartley added:
“Any community which puts a Green on their council chooses someone who values social housing and will fight to protect it. Greens will always work to give people a say in their futures – and stand with them to oppose the demolition of homes against their wishes.”
The party’s campaign launching spot isn’t accidental. The Central Hill estate, near Crystal Palace, south-east London, has been earmarked for regeneration and possible demolition. The estate also lies in the Labour-controlled borough of Lambeth, which has been facing criticism from the community members opposed to the pulling down of the housing complex.
Bartley has argued that:
“In these local elections people have the choice to add one more Labour or Tory councillor to already complacent councils – or choose a Green who can change everything.”
The party currently counts 166 councillors across England and Wales.
Joana Ramiro is a reporter for Left Foot Forward. You can follow her on Twitter for all sorts of rants here.
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