Why the grass should be greener

GREEN Party by-election candidate Simeon Hart

GREEN Party by-election candidate Simeon Hart strongly believes it is time for change in Oldham - and considers himself the man for the job.

Mr Hart, who is deaf, stood in the constituency in this year’s General Election, in an attempt to become the first deaf and British sign language-using MP. He received 839 votes and is determined to improve on that this time.

“Now I have been nominated again and selected, I was quite surprised. But it is really lovely to have been put in that position. It shows people have a belief in me. The Green Party obviously believes in me. “it doesn’t matter about my deafness, that’s not the issue — it’s me having the skills and experience and hence I have been asked to stand again.

“I have a good insight on what people need; for Oldham West and Royton, for vulnerable people, for any disabled people and any deaf people. For me I am able to think about what support might be needed and I can see so far that that’s not up to standard. I think that’s why I have been asked to do this and why I would be the best lead on that.”

Mr Hart said a big problem facing the Green Party is that people don’t know much about them, which he claims is partly down to a lack of media coverage.

He added: “One important aim that I have is to give people within the area the focus on the Green Party and who we are. When I’m canvassing it’s really interesting to see that some people have never even heard of the Green Party. Then I explain we have been around longer than UKIP.

“There’s so much coverage around immigration and those sort of issues so I understand why UKIP gets that attention, but it’s good for people to understand who we are and what we can offer.

“I know they have had Labour here for 45 years now and it feels like it’s time for a change. At the same time, if they continue to vote for Labour we’re really not learning anything here. Nothing’s going to change.”

Mr Hart was asked what challenges he faces as a deaf person hoping to be an MP.

“Being a BSL-using deaf person I face many barriers. Some I have been able to overcome and move on but some I haven’t,so I have got quite used to hitting barriers and having to overcome them.

“When I think about my career — I have worked in computers, that’s my background — I actually gave up working in that sector because of the barriers I was facing. I ended up leaving and going to a charitable company.”

Mr Hart was asked what constituents say is the biggest issue in Oldham West and Royton.

“People have said there aren’t enough police in the area,” he said. “When it comes to things like burglaries and the increase of crime generally, people don’t feel safe.”

Listen to the full interview here: