Today, professional political pundits and armchair Twitter experts alike are poring over the results coming in from across the UK from yesterday’s local elections. While it was clearly a bad day for the sleaze-ravaged Conservatives and a mixed day for Labour, one big story emerging again is the ‘Green surge”.
Across England (the other three nations had not yet declared any results at time of writing) we have seen Greens win council seat after council seat. In places like Plymouth, yesterday’s vote brings a Green voice to local decisions for the first time.
And we want to see this happen in South Glos too!
Why does it matter?
Earlier this year, the latest IPCC report delivered stark news:
“The world faces unavoidable multiple climate hazards over the next two decades with global warming of 1.5°C (2.7°F). Even temporarily exceeding this warming level will result in additional severe impacts, some of which will be irreversible. Risks for society will increase, including to infrastructure and low-lying coastal settlements.”
Nearly three years ago, South Glos Council declared a climate emergency. But progress in implementing changes has been slow. And, as we saw last year with the proposals for five new roundabouts on the ring road (which we successfully campaigned against), all too often climate emergency commitments can be used to justify “business as usual”.
To be effective, the Council must embed its response to the climate and ecological emergencies into all areas of its work. And it must do so in a way that supports and protects the most vulnerable in our local communities, including those who have been hit the hardest by rising energy costs and the long-term impacts of COVID-19.
In short, we need Greens at the table!
How you can help
We have 363 days until South Gloucestershire residents vote for our district council. There are many ways you can help:
- Delivering leaflets
- Sharing posts on social media
- Telling your friends
- Standing as a candidate (if you are a party member)
- Sharing your stories and telling us what issues matter to you
- Vote Green on 4th May 2023!
And, if you aren’t a member of the Green Party, we’d love to welcome you to join us! Join here!