Featured Candidate: Libby Brown

21 April 2015

In the run up to the General Election we will be giving you the opportunity to get to know some of our candidates. Our key candidates and spokespeople can be found here.

This year we will be standing in over 90% of seats in England and Wales.

Our featured candidate for Sutton and Devonport: Libby Brown

Why are you standing for the Green Party in Sutton and Devonport?
The reason I'm standing for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport is that as a young woman, I don't feel that I am in any way represented by the current government. The deciding moment for me was when I went to a debate specifically for young people and some of the panellists were so out of touch with my generation, and women, that I couldn't stand by any longer. I felt passionately that if there was anything I could do to change this I would.

What are your three top priorities if elected?
1) Opposing the privatization of the NHS – the NHS should be run for the benefit of the people that use it, not for big businesses to make money.
2) Making minimum wage a living wage – everyone deserves a good quality of life, which is impossible without the money to pay the bills.
3) Protecting our green spaces – not only do we need to protect the environment, access to nature also has proven health benefits to all.

What made you want to get involved in politics?
I have always been frustrated by the attitudes of the politicians in power, and I am a firmly believe that if you haven't made any attempt to change something, you have no right to complain about it. To that end, I joined a political party that wholly represents my views and started becoming an active campaigner.

What's your favourite thing about your constituency?
Going down to the Hoe on a beautiful day (preferably with an ice-cream) and enjoying the sunshine with everyone else that had exactly the same idea. As much as we complain about it always being windy and rainy in Plymouth, everyone knows that when the weather is good, it's the best place to be and sitting on the grass with so many other residents from all walks of life is always heart-warming.

Who is your political hero?
I think I would have to say Wangari Maathai. She was a Kenyan political and environmental activist who once told a story about a hummingbird that really inspired me. The moral of the story is however impossible something seems we should always do our best and keep fighting for what we believe in. And when everything seems overwhelming and I feel like giving up the political ghost, I watch that video and keep campaigning.