Party members: Pembrokeshire Green Party (Photo: Ben Rice)

P E M B R O K E S H I R E GREEN PARTY announced their Parliamentary candidates last Thursday (Oct 23) at a very well attended Public meeting in St Thomas Hall, Haverfordwest. Over 30 people attended Pembrokeshire Green Party’s fi rst ever public meeting. Guest speakers were there to rally the crowd, and spoke on the theme “Is the Green Party the new Party of the Left and also the party that has the future in mind? Bridgend Green, Andy Chyba gave a rousing and historical speech, including the quote from the late Rosa Luxemburg: “It’s either Eco-Socialism or Barbarism”. First given one hundred years ago, he pointed out that this is as relevant today as it ever has been and that there is always work to be done locally.” Swansea’s Ashley Wakeling gave a highly charged speech about his work with the rapidly expanding ‘Wales Young Greens’ and shared experiences gained recently while canvassing for the upcoming by-election in which he is standing for the Swansea Uplands Council seat.

If successful he hopes to represent the 23,000 students that live within Swansea, alongside independent businesses, struggling to survive the continual growth of multinational corporations. Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire Green Party Candidates for the upcoming parliamentary elections were announced at the meeting and were available to take questions. Frances Bryant will stand as the Parliamentary candidate in Preseli Pembrokeshire next May. She said: “The Green Party has tripled its membership here in Pembrokeshire within the past year alone and now has a vibrant and active local group.

I believe that voters are coming to the Greens in such numbers because they can see very clearly with the current government where the socially catastrophic policies of austerity and climate change denial are leading the country. The Green Party is a progressive party with the emphasis on the common good both socially and environmentally. This contrasts with the policies of other parties who follow policies which benefi t multinational companies and the top 1% of earners at the expense of everyone else. I relish the chance to explain to the people of Pembrokeshire over the coming months the really positive message that the Greens are bringing to the hard pressed electorate.”

Ben Rice was announced as the candidate for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, when asked why he had decided to stand next May he replied: “It often surprises people that I didn’t stand for The Green Party solely because of its environmental policy. The primary motivating factor for me was their progressive social and economic policies. Cameron’s cuts have caused untold suffering to millions but have not reduced the defi cit; they have not got the economy back on course but have resulted in yet more government borrowing.

The current economic model being used by all other political parties is inherently fl awed and The Green Party are the only ones taking that disastrous fallacy seriously. Austerity has not proven successful so I’m standing with the message of “stop the war on the poor.”” Gary Tapley, the candidate for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, while speaking at the meeting pointed out that the Green Party may be perceived as ‘radical’ to some but given the chance would like to reassure his constituents that the Green party has extremely well developed policies and while there are big changes to be made to the economy and the way in which we all use the earth’s resources both industrially and at home, he sees his role as ensuring that there is a smooth transition between where we are now and the more sustainable, social, environmental and economic future that the Green Party has to offer.

Pippa Bartolotti, leader of the Wales Green Party said: ”There is terrifi c energy coming out of our new group in Pembrokeshire. Membership in west Wales has tripled in a very short time. People are joining the Greens all over the country because they know we stand up for the ordinary people who have seen their lives and prospects undermined by a government taken over by big business. She added: “Only the Greens will push the agenda to keep the NHS in public hands, to renationalise the railways and bring on a wealth tax.” For more details please contact Jim Scott on 07814089250 or fi nd us on Facebook at Pembrokeshire Green Party | Plaid Werdd Sir Benfro If you wish to join or support the Green Party please follow the links on the ‘Wales Green Party’ website. www.wales.greenparty.org.uk