In a seasonal boost to his General Election campaign, the Green Party's deputy leader Adrian Ramsay has revealed that ten former Norwich councillors from Labour and the Lib-Dems are making a Christmas gift of their support by switching it to him.
The latest to make the change is former Norwich city Labour councillor Graeme Gee.
Adrian Ramsay said:
"I am delighted to have Graeme Gee as the tenth former councillor of another party backing my campaign. This shows that we are getting more support from former Labour and Lib-Dem supporters all the time. They want a fresh voice for Norwich and I'm pleased to have their help in my campaign to defeat Charles Clarke and get a Green MP for Norwich South."
"I know that many people who've become dissatisfied with the direction that politics has taken are finding a new home in the Green Party."
Graeme Gee said:
"I left the Labour Party because it had lost its soul, direction, principles and energy. Years later it was the dynamics of the Green Party that expressed these and that's why I joined them. It's also why I look forward to working with them, hopefully to get a Green MP in Norwich South and a Green Council."
Others now backing Adrian Ramsay's Green Party campaign in Norwich South are former Norwich Labour councillors Andy Pearmain, Bryan Heading, Susan Curran, Derek Pardey and Andy Panes. Former Norwich Lib-Dem councillors giving active support are Paul McAlenan, Vicky Hopkins, Simon Richardson and Dawn Castle-Green. All ten live in the Norwich South constituency.
Paul McAlenan believes that the election of a Green MP for the UK would have a far more positive impact than re-electing Charles Clarke or one extra person on the Lib-Dem benches. Paul said:
"Local election results show that the Green Party can win here. The next General Election will be an opportunity for Norwich South residents to make history by electing a Green to Parliament. I urge Norwich residents to put aside their usual political allegiances and unite behind Adrian. He would not only be a tireless advocate of solutions to environmental challenges, but, judging by his local work, would also be a committed constituency MP."