Thanks from Greens chief

Photo: Anthony Miller

STEPPING down... Natalie Bennett, who has just announced she will stand down as Green Party leader, visits Oldham to thank volunteers for their support. Pic taken at Sabah Community Enterprise, Sabah Snack Bar, Westwood.

IN THE same week it was announced that she would be stepping down as Green Party leader, Natalie Bennett was in Oldham thanking local members for their work during the recent local election campaign.

Ms Bennett revealed at the weekend that she will not be standing for re-election when her two-year term in office expires in August, saying that she had been “proud to lead a party through a period of phenomenal expansion and increased impact”.

Ms Bennett, who added that she intends to remain “fully engaged” in the Green Party after August, was in Oldham on Friday to meet with new volunteers and members who took part in the local campaign in the run-up to May 5’s council elections.

The Green Party leader thanked them for their hard work and she also took the opportunity to visit a local community enterprise and talk about the role of small businesses in the local economy.

She said: “When people hear about the Green Party policies and ideas our vote goes up. Getting the message out is a challenge and the hard work of the Oldham and Saddleworth branch increased our share of the vote.

“I am visiting Oldham to thank the branch and all the people in Oldham who voted for us. While I am in Oldham I greatly welcome the opportunity to visit a local enterprise. The Green Party policies champion small firms, community and social enterprises, and cooperatives to build a stronger, fairer local economy.”

Vital

The Green Party in Oldham and Saddleworth increased its share of the vote across Oldham and ran a positive campaign in the Coldhurst ward where it stood for the first time.

The Green Party’s Campaign Manager for Coldhurst, Miranda Meadowcroft, said: “During this campaign, our volunteers have met with local employers, and restaurant workers, they have supported striking junior doctors at Oldham hospital, and they have campaigned tirelessly, knocking on doors and delivering leaflets.

“Small businesses are vital to the local economy. They are part of the local community, create local work opportunities and can be set up to run for community and social purposes. The Green Party has policies on taxes, funding and training for supporting and developing different kinds of small local businesses.”

Ms Bennett was in the area to speak at an EU debate in Manchester. The Green Party are campaigning to remain in Europe, but also campaigning for radical reforms of the EU to make it more democratic.