Natalie Bennett visited Stourbridge this week (March 30th 2023) to join Dudley Greens at their local election campaign launch in the Old Quarter of Stourbridge.
Leader of the Green Party from 2012 to 2016 during the period where the Greens broke into the political mainstream, she was nominated to the House of Lords as Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle in 2019 – one of only two Green Party peers.
In May, Dudley ballot papers will see 20 Green candidates standing across the borough.
Green campaign priorities include insulating homes and buildings to cut energy consumption and help with the cost of living, pushing water companies to clean up local rivers, and bringing common sense to ongoing discussions about balancing housing needs with protecting vital green space in the Black Country.
Natalie Bennett said: “It’s an exciting time for the Green Party – across the country, voters of all stripes are turning to Greens because they see our hard work making a difference for local communities. We are expecting to make big gains once again this year.
“Over 70% of people in England are now represented by a Green – and once Greens are elected, voters like what they see and re-elect them again and again. We’re positive about our prospects to make this happen in Dudley.
“It was lovely to make my second visit to Stourbridge, and see how strong local activists can undo some of the damage done by decades of failed policies from Westminster, particularly the austerity of the past decade.”
Local Green Party spokesperson Stephen Price said: “Whatever the results at the coming elections, because only one-third of seats will be contested, the Conservatives will stay in charge of Dudley Council. This election isn’t about deciding who is in charge – it’s about who will be the strongest voice for local communities.”
He added: “Elected Greens will always speak up for local people. Unlike other parties, we don’t have to toe the party line and aren’t told how to vote. If you elect a Green councillor, they really will be a voice working for you.”
NOTES
Interviews with Natalie Bennett or Stephen Price can be arranged on request
Contact – Andi Mohr 07837 533631 / andi.mohr@dudley.greenparty.org.uk
Green Party candidates in Dudley:
| Amblecote | Adrian Mabe |
| Belle Vale | Deanne Brettle |
| Brierley Hill | Mark Percox |
| Brockmoor and Pensnett | Lawrence Rowlett |
| Castle and Priory | Ant Dugmore |
| Coseley East | Sam Oakley |
| Cradley and Wollescote | Kash Khan |
| Gornal | Dan Spear |
| Halesowen North | Ash Flavin |
| Halesowen South | James Windridge |
| Kingswinford North and Wall Heath | Andrew Bennett |
| Lye and Stourbridge North | Naz Ahmed |
| Netherton, Woodside and St Andrews | Mark Binnersley |
| Norton | Stephen Price |
| Pedmore and Stourbridge East | Catherine Maguire |
| Quarry Bank and Dudley Wood | Pam Archer |
| Sedgley | Colin Drewery |
| St Thomas’s | Zia Qari |
| Wollaston and Stourbridge Town | Andi Mohr |
| Wordsley | Jen Slater-Reid |