Green Principal Speaker slams Cameron's 'deceptive' message and tells voters: 'vote Green, get Green'
17 April 2008
Green Party Principal Speaker Caroline Lucas MEP has responded angrily to today's comments by David Cameron, labelling them as "misleading" and "deceptive" after the Tory leader told voters to 'vote blue, go green' during his local election campaign visit to Dewsbury, Yorkshire, (1) pointing out that the environmental policies that Mr. Cameron is taking credit for in Kirklees are in fact Green Party actions.
Green Party councillors on Kirklees council (which serves Dewsbury) have delivered clean, renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives to local residents, subsequently creating sustainable local jobs, making potential savings of hundreds of pounds for homeowners on their fuel bills and cut Kirklees' carbon emissions substantially.
Thanks to the political will and dedication of Kirklees Green councillors, this region alone now produces 5% of the UK's total solar energy output. In addition, the Greens recently secured a further £10 million worth of budgetary funding for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in the Kirklees area.
Dr Lucas MEP said:
"It's highly deceptive for David Cameron to come to Kirklees and start cheerleading the Conservative record on the environment and housing.
"Kirklees is often recognised as one of most green councils in the country, but this certainly isn't down to the Tories. For 12 years, the Greens in Kirklees have been blazing a trail on sustainable housing and renewable energy that has saved the area energy, money and carbon emissions.
"Throughout the country, and at every level of Government - from local councils to the European Union - Conservatives have consistently worked to undermine and oppose environmental negotiations and legislation. 'Vote blue go green' is a grossly misleading claim.
"More and more people are waking up to the fact that if you want genuinely Green policies, you need to vote for Green candidates. Because it's clear what people get when they choose to vote Green - local representatives who work hard to turn radical and progressive ideas into a reality, and who bring a truly constructive attitude to local politics.
"Sorry Mr Cameron, but "vote Green, get Green'."
