Greens launch Ealing By-election Campaign

Sarah Edwards to represent party in hotly fought contest

The Green Party kicked off their campaign for the Ealing Southall by-election, holding a photo-call with candidate Sarah Edwards beside the Grand Union Canal in Hanwell – an area threatened with over-development. John Doyle, Green Party candidate for the by-election in Cleveland ward also participated.

Sarah Edwards has lived in the borough for many years and works for a national charity which helps victims of crime. Her previous work included residential social work, developing a new Dial a Ride service and managing a volunteer bureau. She was founder member of a recycling co-op in West London and has served as a union representative. Sarah has campaigned on a range of social justice and environmental issues.

Sarah said: “Protection of open spaces is just one of a wide range of Green Party policies that differentiate it from the other parties. The policies include: addressing climate change, action on transport, protecting public services from privatisation and saving civil liberties. This election will give voters a chance to express their views on the biggest issue of our time – climate change. Only the Green Party has the policies to reduce emissions to avert global catastrophe. Other parties say they are concerned about global warming, but are actively seeking to build more roads and airport runways. We will end these damaging programs and invest in positive solutions such as better public transport, cycling, energy conservation and clean renewable energy”.

Sarah strongly supports the Green Party’s position on the war in Iraq. “We opposed the invasion from the start and have continually pressed the government to bring the troops home. I believe that Britain’s foreign policies are making the problem of terrorism worse”.

The location for the launch was chosen to highlight the threat to the borough’s green open spaces. A decision on the proposal to build a 7- storey block of flats overlooking the canal and the Brent River Park is awaited. The Green Party objected to the scheme.

Commenting on the scheme, Sarah said: “If planning permission is granted, this scheme will be an example of how central government is trying to force thousands of extra housing units and cars into our already over-crowded borough. The massive Southall gasworks plan is another example. The Green Party is committed to not using spin and meaningless consultations as a cover for centralised control. We will support small scale affordable housing, and have other policies to resolve the housing shortage, such as bringing empty properties into use”.

Green Party Principal Speaker and London Mayoral Candidate Sian Berry said: “A Green candidate means Ealing Southall will be able to vote for action on waste, pollution, transport and the defence of public services. Sarah Edwards will bring honesty and integrity to the campaign. She has clearly demonstrated that she has the experience and competence to serve in parliament.”

The by-election was triggered by the death of Labour MP Piara Khabra last month, at the age of 82.

July 13, 2007