“I’m thrilled to be selected as your candidate in the upcoming Litherland by-election, following the shocking resignation of former Labour councillor, Paul Tweed. Why am I standing as your representative? Because what bothers you, bothers me too. I feel that the Labour-run council and our local Labour Councillors do not look after us or our area. I want to make a difference.

“I ask you to vote for positive change for Litherland on 21st November with me, Jack Colbert.

“Like you, I love our community as a great place to live and work. However, the Labour-dominated council lacks a convincing vision for improvement, and there have been no positive changes made to Litherland. Just look at the state of Church Road year after year. For over 25 years, three Labour councillors have represented our area and we’ve only seen local problems increase.

“I’m invested in the future of our area, which is why I will lead local campaigns to:

• Preserve our vital green spaces
• Reduce harmful air pollution
• Keep our streets free from fly-tipping, and 
• Reinstate winter fuel payments

“It’s hard to understand why all our Labour councillors voted against calling for the Labour government to reinstate payments for our most vulnerable pensioners in September’s full council motion.

“You may have spotted me locally, working as a volunteer for the NHS, Plaza Cinema, and British Legion. I am not just showing up at election time. If I become your councillor, I can do even more for and with you.

“I can win this election. This is a contest between me and yet another Labour candidate. Even if you normally vote Labour, I ask you to lend me your vote, as you’ll still have 2 Labour councillors in Litherland. By voting for the Green Party on November 21st, you would be choosing to invest in an alternative vision for Litherland; we need to think big and act boldly. As your representative, I commit to work hard, listen to your perspectives and push for truly transformational change in our area.

“Let’s work together to elect the first Green councillor in this area and add a second Green Party representative for South Sefton. By voting for me, you’ll support an independent voice dedicated to what’s best for local residents. It’s not right for one political party to dominate all decisions affecting residents.

“Make a positive change this year—vote for me, Jack Colbert. If you’ve never voted Green before, please consider lending me your support. Together, we can create a new, ambitious vision and make real changes for Litherland.“

– Jack Colbert

The post Jack Colbert standing in Litherland by-election appeared first on Sefton Green Party.

The Green Party strongly opposes plans to construct a new road through Rimrose Valley Country Park in the borough of Sefton, Merseyside. We believe there are better ways to improve transport links to and from the Port of Liverpool which would avoid the long-term consequences and harm to the local environment and to the health and well-being of the surrounding communities.

The proposed road would worsen air quality in South Sefton, which already has some of the worst levels of pollution in the country and therefore represent a grave threat to public health.  The CO2 emissions generated through its construction and subsequent use would contribute to the global climate emergency, at a time when the transport sector urgently needs to reduce its CO2 emissions; it being the only sector to see emissions grow in recent years.

Rimrose Valley, and places like it, serve as a vital green space for the surrounding communities, and offer a sanctuary for residents to connect with nature, engage in recreational activities, and find solace amidst the hustle and bustle of urban life. As such, they need to be recognised and protected as resources for both physical and mental well-being. It is the Green Party’s view that we must prioritise the preservation of such green spaces, which are increasingly rare in our rapidly urbanised world.

Green spaces such as Rimrose Valley are home to a rich and diverse range of plant and animal species, making them essential habitats for our biodiversity to thrive. This biodiversity is under threat. We therefore have a responsibility to protect and preserve such places, as they contribute to the overall health and resilience of our planet’s ecosystems.

Building a road through this park would further perpetuate the mindset of prioritising economic growth over environmental sustainability and public health and wellbeing.

It is the Green Party’s view that we must strive for alternative solutions that promote responsible, sustainable development and ensure the preservation of our natural assets, at all costs.

The post Rimrose Valley: Green Party Statement appeared first on Sefton Green Party.