Local Disability Campaigner is Green candidate for Stratford on Avon
Local Disability Campaigner is Green candidate for Stratford on Avon.
“I’ll fight for a fairer future” – Karen Varga
The Green Party has announced that local disability and education campaigner Karen
Varga will be their parliamentary candidate for the constituency of Stratford
on Avon in this year’s General Election.
Karen Varga, Branch Officer in
Stratford on Avon for the National Autistic Society, says “Only Green policies can deliver a fair and
healthy future for the people in Stratford, by putting people, families and
communities first.”
Karen Varga has a long history of fighting for a fairer society. Born in Streatham, and a member of Transition Stratford and Friends of the Earth, Karen went on to become the first ever female telephone exchange installation apprentice for Ericsson in the UK. After eighteen years as a telecommunications engineer Karen was forced to leave her chosen profession when the elder of her two daughters was diagnosed with autism.
Karen has lived in
Stratford since 2000 and both of her daughters are educated in the district.
Well aware of the challenges facing youngsters today, Karen is concerned for
many of the area’s youth. She told us, “The recession is causing very high
levels of youth unemployment and others are mired in student debt. We need to
defend young people against the savage cuts to education, abolish student
tuition fees and encourage businesses to offer thousands more apprenticeships.”
With local authorities increasingly facing tough budget decisions Karen is aware of the massive difficulties being faced in the social sector. “If elected I would also fight for an increase in central funding to go towards maintaining essential local frontline services. Many of the organisations which support those who need help the most in society are being starved of cash.”
Karen also knows how important a healthy NHS is. She told us “The Green Party believe it's wrong that
hospitals and health centres are treated like businesses, rather than vital
public services. We want to see an end to money being wasted on botched PFI and
privatisation schemes. We will oppose cuts and closures in the NHS, and protect
the jobs of all public sector workers.”
Over 1.2 million people voted for the Greens in the European elections in June
2009. At the same time, in local elections the Green Party gained 11% of the
vote in the county. The Green Party has two MEPs and 125 councillors. It is the
fourth largest party in the country and is on course to win three MPs in the
next General Election.
Tweet
West Midlands Green Party RSS Feed Further information and interviews:
