The South West Region is currently represented by three Conservatives, two UKIP, one Labour and one Lib Dem MEP. In the last Euro-elections, the Green vote in the South West was the highest outside of London and the South-East, with over 100,000 voters supporting the Green cause. The party’s aim this time round is for one in eight voters to back the Greens’ lead candidate, Ricky Knight, and give the region its first Green MEP. The region’s tally of MEPs will reduce from seven to six at this election – making the Green Party’s task all the more challenging.
If elected as MEP
Ricky relishes the opportunity to join the Green/European Free Alliance group, currently 42-strong, in the European Parliament. He has been inspired by the Green MEPs he saw in action at last year’s Green Summer University at Frankfurt-an-Oder and during a recent visit to the European Parliament. Ricky’s main policy interests are energy, farming and accountability, all of which are of real relevance and concern to voters in the South West. Ricky is convinced that renewable energy can provide Europe with all its energy needs – with the South West playing its own part as a powerhouse for clean electricity generation. As a life-long peace campaigner, Ricky is also keen to promote the EU as an ‘honest-broker’ in negotiations with the Middle East, a resurgent Russia and failed states around the world.
Background
Ricky took early retirement from teaching modern languages this February to work full-time on the Euro-campaign. Giving up a profession that he loved was one of the most difficult decisions of his life, made easier by his partner L’Anne’s encouragement and unstinting support. Despite being political all his life, having been on the first Aldermaston marches with his family, it was the illegal invasion of Iraq that finally pushed him into the electoral arena. He organised a protest occupation of Barnstaple Town Square, then put himself up for election on an anti-war Green ticket. He was returned convincingly to his local Town Council as a result.
Successes in the Region
Ricky has been a Town Councillor in Barnstaple for six years. He stood in the last General Election for the North Devon constituency and doubled the Green vote. His most satisfying achievement to date has been the successful campaign to grant planning permission for the 66 megawatt wind farm at Fullabrook Down – in the teeth of opposition from the County and District Councils and local ‘anti’ groups. His hard work earned him a nomination from Regen SW as ‘Best South West Politician’.
Ricky’s own council successes have been mirrored in other parts of the region. For example, Bristol has won its first Green City Councillor and is working hard to win more. Stroud Green Party has continued its long-established record of electing councillors at town and district level, while Totnes’ recruitment drive has been astonishing. At the far end of the region, West Cornwall Green Party has seen six town councillors elected in St Ives, making them the largest political group on the Council.
The Regional Campaign
The regional campaign was officially launched in Bristol on 13 March, with a special appearance by long-time party member Jonathon Porritt and coverage on the local television news.
The candidate list represents a healthy mix of experience, youth, knowledge, enthusiasm and grassroots activism. A campaign headquarters has been set up in Bristol, with a prominent shop front near to the city centre and rail station.
With much of the region facing local council elections on 4th June, the Euro-campaign aims to integrate with local election activities on the ground – supporting activity in target wards, raising the profile of local election candidates and reinforcing the green message in these areas.
Looking forward to the 2009 European elections - a word from Ricky Knight
Voting Green on June 4 is the perfect antidote to the fear, anger and frustration that now afflicts us. The Greens are the only credible alternative to a business-as-usual vote for the three centrist parties, who are desperately re-inventing and re-stocking their tired stalls with re-packaged, vacuous promises. But the environmental and economic crises have happened on their watch: they are part of the cause and they have shown themselves not to be part of the cure.
The Greens are solution-driven, principled, bursting with energy, ideas and ability. A Green vote is the strongest possible message to the UK Government and Brussels that enough is enough. The Greens want to empower the disenfranchised, motivate the young and first-time voters, re-energise the disillusioned and reinvent politics that puts Planet and People before profit. From the smallest Parish, District and County Council to the pan-European stage, Greens will be the change.
If you want to help out with the campaign in the South West, email: office@southwest.greenparty.org.uk; Telephone: 01173 763 742; or write to: 72/73 Old Market Street, Bristol. BS2 0EJ
