Birmingham Friends of the Earth Action Briefing Feb/Mar 99

Guest Feature

Vote Green in Euro Elections?

Felicity Norman, standing for MEP for the Green Party, thinks that this June it wouldn't be a wasted vote.

"June 10th 1999 offers the Green Party a wonderful opportunity to get candidates elected to the European Parliament. This will be the first time that any election in the UK has been fought under a system of proportional representation, and while the system chosen (Regional Lists) is not particularly friendly to small parties, it does give us a better chance than we've ever had before.

This is an opportunity for all those who care passionately about the need for a political sea-change, about our environment and its future, about opposition to globalisation and support for local economies, about social justice and real democracy, but who have in the past voted tactically for fear of a wasted vote, to vote Green, confident that this time their vote will count.

The Greens in the rest of Europe are already making a difference, elected to Parliament in 17 countries, and participating in Government in 5 of those countries. Moreover, the 28 Green MEPs in the European Parliament already have been highly effective in championing the environment, human rights, and economic concerns, as well as challenging fraud and the lack of democratic controls in Europe.

As the candidate at the top of the Green Party list in West Midlands, I hope to be joining them. I look forward to discussing these issues with you and listening to your comments and questions."

If you would like to hear more from Felicity about what the Green Party are standing for, then come along to the Friends of the Earth meeting at 7.30pm on Monday February 22nd, when she will be giving a talk. Afterwards, she will be available for any questions you may have.