The Green Party has published a 9-point plan and has highlighted a number of their key national policies which will relate to the Bath and North East Somerset area.
The Green Party say they stand out from the other parties in opposing the steady run-down of the economy through a policy of discredited austerity cuts.
The Greens want to keep the profit motive out of the health service, rebuild local communities and a spirit of cooperation in public services.
It recognises that if the public want to leave a decent legacy for their grandchildren, they have to deal with environmental degradation and dramatic changes in the climate.
In B&NES, the Green Party has nine priorities for action:
- Air Quality: Reduce levels of air pollution with a comprehensive range of measures including low emissions zones.
- Social Justice: Work towards a living wage of £10/hour for all council employees, and for all providers of council commissioned services.
- Climate Change: Combat climate change by setting an ambitious target for reducing carbon emissions (75% by 2030) in Bath and in the B&NES area
- Transport: Make walking, cycling and public transport real priorities and budget accordingly.
- Property: Use the council’s property portfolio to prioritise lettings for local and small businesses, to help ensure money stays in the community.
- Energy: Promote energy conservation by subsidising building insulation and other schemes. Identify sites suitable for renewable energy and encourage renewable energy production. Oppose all fracking.
- Social care: Ensure that Social Services budgets are able to meet people’s needs
- Democracy: Devolve power as far as practical and set up local neighbourhood councils
- Open Spaces: Protect open spaces. Oppose any attempts to build on Green Belt land.
The party says these policies in B&NES will lead to a greatly improved quality of life, as well as fighting against climate change and lead to a safer, healthier, happier, and more prosperous region.
Polls show that the majority of people support these positions.
Natalie Bennett, Leader of Green Party, said: “If you want change, you have to vote for it. If you want a fair economy, a public NHS, a stable climate, vote for change: vote Green.”
