The Green Party’s bid to win Bristol West gathered momentum this week as Caroline Lucas opened Darren Hall’s new campaign space at 127 Gloucester road.
Caroline provides an inspiring example of what voters in Bristol West can expect if they elect Darren Hall on May 7th.
As the party’s only MP in the last Parliament, Caroline has championed Green Party values. She has led opposition to the privatisation of the NHS, campaigned to bring the railway back into public ownership and backed statutory PSHE in schools.
Darren is committed to working with Caroline in Parliament on these issues of national concern, whilst also standing up for Bristol’s distinct and independent voice. In particular he will work to tackle Bristol’s housing crisis, fight for better public transport and improve the city’s air quality.
Paul Baltrop from the BBC and other local press were out in out in force to capture the event.
Caroline and Darren gave some short speeches to fire us up for the campaign to get the UK’s second Green MP in Parliament.
Caroline highlighted how important it was to get out knocking on doors and spreading the word, because when people hear about our policies, most people agree with them. This is most certainly true in Bristol West. The online policy voting webpage vote match has had over 2500 Bristol West residence take part, and 1499 (59%) of those have come out as supporting Green Party policies.
Caroline signed copies of her new book ‘Honourable Friends? Parliament and the Fight for Change’, a reflection on her first term in Parliament and the urgent need for parliamentary reform.
Caroline’s visit provides an important boost to the final weeks of Darren’s campaign in Bristol West, where support for the Greens has been continuing to surge, as the tide of public opinion here and across the country turns against the failed austerity economics of the establishment parties, and towards a distinct and sustainable alternative. Hopefully May the 7th will see not only see more Green MPs in parliament but also a wave of new Green Bristol councillors fighting for local sustainable development, an integrated transport authority, better air quality and dealing with Bristol’s housing crisis.
[With special thanks to Rowan Quarry and John Kent for providing photos]