SAVE JOBS & PROTECT SERVICES AND CREATE 1 MIILLION GREEN JOBS

Caroline Lucas MEP - Leader of the Green Party writing in theGuardian this week says:

 ‘AS LONG-HELD LIB DEM PROMISES ONSCRAPPING TUITION FEES AND MAINTAINING UNIVERSAL CHILD BENEFIT GO UP IN SMOKE,IT'S NO WONDER THAT DAVID CAMERON CAN PROCLAIM IN THE OBSERVER THAT THERE'S"BARELY A CIGARETTE PAPER" BETWEEN THE LIB DEMS AND THE CONSERVATIVES.

 The unedifying spectacle of all three main parties vying to"out-cut" one another, comparing the size and sharpness of theirrespective butcher's knives, scandalously deflects attention from the realissue. Britain's debt as a proportion of national income isn't particularlyhigh by historical standards. At a time when the number of jobless people isnearing 2.5 million, including nearly a million 16- to 24-year-olds, thesubject which should be dominating the headlines is unemployment, not thegrowing frenzy over the government deficit.

The Green party is the only party advocating a different way forward.Massive investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy would createhundreds of thousands of tax-generating jobs, and address the climate crisis.Tax increases for the very wealthy, plus a crackdown on bonuses and chiefexecutive pay, would raise billions, and start to address the shameful increasein inequality under Labour. Scrapping Trident and ID cards would save billionsmore.

The Lib Dems have forfeited any right to claim to be a party ofradicalism. Voters wishing to cast a positive vote for a radical alternativenow have one clear choice - the Green party.'

IN THE WEST MIDLANDS

In our region the West Midlands, Unemployment has risen by 18.6 per centin the past three months - the biggest increase anywhere in England.

The region's jobless total now stands at 249,000 - up 39,000 from210,000 the previous quarter. The unemployment rate in the region is now 9.3per cent.

What we don't need is a return the 80's! - What we do need are positive policiesfor the future!