Our full national manifesto is on on the Green Party of England and Wales website but what are the local issues we are focused on, and which national issues in particular can you expect Ben Parry to focus on if we elect him as our MP?
Of course, much of what Ben stands for is covered by the national manifesto, but the Green Party is a decentralised party. That means we don’t use the “whip” system used by the other parties to keep our MPs and councillors in line. They can vote with their conscience for what is best for the people they represent – in Ben’s case, the people of Eastleigh.
A key part of our national manifesto that Ben stands firmly behind are a wealth tax on those that earn £10 million and above to pay for an improved health and social care system. Aside from that, Ben lists his top five priorities as:
1) Simultaneously address the cost of living crisis and the reliance on fossil fuel by seeking funding to have as many poorly insulated homes across the constituency insulated.
2) Bring about planning reform at a local level to ensure we have affordable homes built in communities that have the correct infrastructure to support it. We need the right homes in the right places, and to be as sustainable as possible, limiting any damage to our frail ecosystems and natural habitats.
3) Meet with the Head Teachers of each of the secondary schools/sixth form colleges in the constituency to ensure the new GCSE in Natural History is available as an option to all students. Additionally, as per the national manifesto, push for free school meals for all.
4) Help local businesses transition to Net Zero. For the past 5 years I have been trying to achieve this with my business and understand how difficult it is! For example, working with them to achieve the Environment ISO.
5) Tackling water pollution, including agricultural run off, and supporting greener communities.
Ben has also pledged that a third of his salary as an MP will go to supporting local societal and environmental causes here in Eastleigh.