Local elections 2009
A record number of Green Party candidates are to contest the County Council elections in the West Midlands this year. Candidate numbers have TREBLED since the last County elections in 2005. The dramatic rise in Greens contesting seats is down to increased membership and members wanting to stand for election to give people an opportunity to say no to the BNP and yes to positive politics with solutions to today's problems.
Overall, 144 candidates will contest seats in the region compared to 47 in 2005, the last comparable set of elections. Every single District in the region will have Green Party candidates standing for the County Council (or Unitary Council in the case of Shropshire), and in many cases, it will be the first time a Green candidate is running for election in the area.
A FULL LIST OF CANDIDATES can be seen here.
WARWICKSHIRE - every single voter will be able to vote Green in the County Council elections. Not even Labour or the Liberal Democrats can offer this in the county. More on the Warwickshire elections can be read here.
WORCESTERSHIRE - 80% of voters can vote Green this year at the local election.
STAFFORDSHIRE - nearly half of voters will have a Green choice. Go here for more info on the Staffordshire elections.
SHROPSHIRE - 13 candidates will be running for seats in Shrewsbury, Ludlow, Bishop's Castle, Craven Arms, Church Stretton, Oswestry and Whitchurch.
If you want to support the Green Party in preparation for the elections, get in touch with Chris Williams by emailing westmidlands@greenparty.org.uk or look up your local party here.
Everyone in the West Midlands region will be able to vote Green in 2009 at the European elections, which will take place on the same day as the local elections.
Past election success
In 2008, the Green Party celebrated a huge win in Solihull, where Mike Sheridan was catapulted on to the Council, beating the Council's Labour Leader. Mike came fourth with 9% in 2007 and first with 45% in 2008. Cllr Sheridan is now adding a much needed progressive voice to the Borough. In Herefordshire, Jacqui Tonge has since taken a seat on Lower Bullingham Parish Council.
In 2007, the Greens celebrated a gain in Herefordshire where Gerald Dawe won in Hollington ward, near Hereford, in a four-way nail-bighting contest. Gerald's principal campaign was against the proposed Rotherwas access road, which passes over an ancient archaeological site much loved by local people. Greens also held seats on Malvern Hills and South Shropshire District Councils. At the same election, the Green Party saw the election of Parish and Town Councillors in Leominster and Cradley in Herefordshire, Bishop's Castle and Longden in Shopshire, North Staffordshire, Evesham, Pershore, Malvern Wells, the Lickey Hills and Suckley in Worcestershire.
Get involved or support us in 2009 for Green action in your area.
