South West Hants Green Party

As we transit out of the dark winter months into the spring it should be a time of hope, of  vigorous new beginnings. This is a truism of nature that holds firm for us as a city emerging out of the darkness of recession into a new phase of growth and prudent rebuilding.

Politicians and pundits often refer to the “green shoots of recovery”. A tree however only as strong as its roots and it is the same for our city in the form of it’s people. It is truly sad therefore that we approach the undoubted challenges ahead as a city cruelly divided.

Perhaps the greatest sadness is that the division is of our leaders making, a Tory council fighting an ideological war with its own workers, a Labour party at war with the very unions that birthed it. Meanwhile hardworking businesses are driven into the ground, our high street laid bare and our cherished services slashed.

It doesn’t have to be this way. The Green party has long argued for a better economic model focused on environmental responsibility and social justice. Under a green administration we would move towards a fair living wage for all workers  and fight vigorously for the maintenance of high quality services for all the people of Southampton. We have demonstrated our intent by our actions in Brighton fighting for local people and local services against the cuts ultimately imposed by a coalition of Tory and Labour councilors  Truly the people’s flag has become tinged with blue.

Chris Bluemel, spokesperson, stressed “As politicians we are often accused of being all the same. I can guarantee as Greens  we have a distinctive vision for the future of Southampton”.

Lidl's U-Turn - The Right Decision for Portswood

Chris Bluemel, prospective Green Party candidate for Portswood, has welcomed the decision by Lidl not to go ahead with a plan to build a new supermarket on a car park in Portswood, as 'the right decision for the area'. 

Lidl had intended to buy the Westridge Road car park in Portswood, and then build a supermarket on the site.  Although they were to keep the car park free to Portswood shoppers as part of the deal, many local residents and shopkeepers were unhappy with the proposals.  The primary concern was that there are already a large number of superstores in the area (there will be six within a mile of the site once the new Sainsbury's is complete), and that this is seen as a very real threat to existing businesses in Portswood High Street.

Chris Bluemel, who intends to stand for the Green Party in Portswood, said: 'I am delighted that Lidl are no longer planning to build a store in Portswood.  I have no doubt that objections from local residents and businesses had left Lidlin no doubt that this would have been a hard one for them to win.  Let us celebrate and protect the local economy in Portswood, and say no to any more supermarket developments in this area.' 
    

Chris maintains that," Thriving local economies are vital to building sustainable communities, and Portswood is a fine example which needs to be protected."