NATALIE Bennett, the leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, has today been visiting local residents and business on the streets of Skipton.
Natalie met with local traders (Dalesox) in Skipton who are suffering under the ever rising rents from greedy London landlords, poor parking and transport into Skipton centre and the cut price competition from multinational corporations who pay low wages and avoid taxes.
Natalie Bennett said, ‘We need strong local economies supported by a living wage for employees and a fair tax system that means local businesses actually have a lower tax rate than large corporations.’
Fiona Protheroe, Green Party candidate for Skipton West, added, ‘the residents I have been speaking with are concerned about the impact of a large out of town shopping centre. As a Green councillor I would always put the local economy and local residents first.’
Following local Green Party pressure a bid has been submitted to pave the canal towpath from Skipton to Gargrave which would join up with the national cycle way and allow children to safely cycle to school. The project could be funded through a £12million government fund that will cover three projects throughout the country. Following this visit Natalie will be putting pressure on the government to increase the size of this fund so that more communities can get the health benefits of improved walking and cycling.
The Green Party is standing a record 25 candidates across North Yorkshire, nearly double the 13 they stood in 2009. Nationally there are over 900 Green Party candidates standing in this election.