The Sheffield Green Party election campaign for May 3rd will be launched in Sheffield on Friday February 9th by party Co-Leader Caroline Lucas MP. Arriving 4pm Friday Caroline will speak at a student meeting, a sold out evening public meeting and join Greens campaigning in the Nether Edge & Sharrow area on the morning of February 10th.
Cllr Alison Teal will be defending her seat in Nether Edge & Sharrow ward. Martin Phipps (City) and Kaltum Rivers (Broomhill & Sharrow Vale) will be seeking to gain seats in wards where there are already Green councillors. Former Cllr Bernard Little (Walkley) and Paul Turpin (Gleadless Valley) aim to build on strong second places in the last elections to gain seats.
Ahead of her visit, Caroline Lucas praised Sheffield Greens for their opposition to street tree felling in the city. She said:”In the face of a draconian crackdown from the council, tree protesters like Alison Teal have stood against this needless destruction. Indeed it’s Green councillors who are really standing up for what matters in Sheffield – and it’s only by voting Green that people in the city can guarantee they’ll have people on their side in the council chamber. ”
Former Green Party leader and Sheffield Central general election candidate Natalie Bennett comments: “Since the last local elections in 2016 we have seen police pre-dawn raids on Rustlings Rd and anti-trade union legislation used to arrest peaceful tree protesters. You have to question what this Labour-run council represents when it publicly states their intention to have a city councillor jailed – Cllr Alison Teal.
Natalie continues: “The Green council group has worked very hard in the last 12 months to hold Labour to account in the face of measures to restrict council motions and debate. The Labour-led Council has a big majority, and Labour councillors’ actions are fully controlled by their Cabinet. On May 3rd residents can elect more Green opposition councillors who will stand up for local residents against a dictatorial Council.”