“I’ve lived in Stevenage for over thirty years and have made my home here. I currently live in Bedwell, where I have stood as the Green Party candidate in local and county elections. I joined the Green Party because it is a party of social and environmental justice, which supports a radical transformation of society for the benefit of all, and for the planet as a whole. The Green Party understands that the threats to economic, social and environmental wellbeing are part of the same problem, and recognises that solving one of these crises cannot be achieved without solving the others. Transforming our communities requires the bravery to be radical and the generosity of spirit to work together. I believe we can make a sustainable future based on respect for the environment, justice and fairness for all.

I am one of many people who commute from Stevenage to London and elsewhere to work. I know well the strain created by long commutes on overcrowded and expensive trains. The Green Party intends to make public transport public. Reducing the demand for long journeys by re-balancing economies so people can live and work in the same place. Stevenage is blessed with cycle paths that support walking and cycling and it would be wonderful to see more people using them to travel to work.

Climate change is a reality we have to deal with sooner rather than later and I will support calls for a new Environmental Protection Act to ensure that leaving the EU doesn’t leave the UK with weak legislation for the environment. Without re-balancing our communities and lives our future will not be bright or hopeful. Local energy companies owned by the community and distributing energy from renewable sources provide jobs and affordable energy and I want to see Stevenage leading the way by setting up a local energy scheme. New housing developments should be safe, energy efficient and wildlife friendly. There are many ways we can create a place that people love to live and that minimises our impact on the environment.

A Citizen’s Income would go a long way to transforming our community. According to the End Child Poverty coalition, over 5,000 Stevenage children are living in poverty. In a country with the 7th largest economy in the world, that figure is shocking.”