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GREEN KNIGHT CHARGES INTO EUROPEAN ELECTIONS |
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 11th December 2007
Call to protect the region's food producers
Announcing selection of their lead candidate for the 2009 European
Election, South West Greens have called for greater protection of local
communities, in particular, food producers against the effects of
globalisation. Elected by Green Party members across the South West,
Cllr Ricky Knight, a modern languages lecturer living in Barnstaple,
will lead the party’s team in the European elections which take place
in spring 2009.
Ricky Knight said: "I am honoured to have the opportunity to represent the South West in Europe. We will have a complete and positive policy manifesto on Europe to put to the electorate. I am particularly concerned to protect the South West's food producers against cheap imports, bring agricultural policies back under UK control, and aim to achieve self-reliance for healthy, local, organic food in the South West. These are issues where we can make a real difference as Greens in Europe."
Ricky, 58, entered local politics after the invasion of Iraq, having been active with CND and Greenpeace since his student days and he has served as Green Party Councillor on the town council since 2003. He said: “This is such an exciting opportunity for me after nearly three decades of political activism. It represents the culmination of all I have worked towards since joining the Green Party in 1984. The European Parliament is one of the few places where responsible environmental and sustainable policies can be formulated and put into place. I have great faith in its ability to represent the real concerns of the electorate, despite the deep-seated belief that this is a centralised organisation with grave faults in need of serious reform."
Cllr Philip Booth, a Stroud District councillor and spokesperson for the Gloucestershire Green party, said: "We are delighted to have Ricky as our lead candidate. He will make an excellent MEP. In the European Elections every vote counts and more people are realising that the Green Party is the only choice people have for a just response to the social, economic and environmental challenges that combating climate change will require. It is critical we get more Green voices elected."
In 2004 the Greens received 7.3% of the vote in a 38% turnout and the Green’s lead candidate David Taylor just missed being elected. Commenting today on Ricky's selection, David said: "I am delighted that Ricky has been chosen to succeed me and I will be playing an active part in the campaign supporting him. With expansion of the EU and increasing concern over our environment, the interest in real Green solutions has never been higher. Greens have comprehensive policies for tackling climate change, and we need more Green MEPs to drive a real change in priorities."
Ricky added: "Our issues are now at the top of every serious politician's agenda, but we are the only party that has thought through the complete implications of building a successful, sustainable future for our children and grandchildren. It is essential that we elect Green voices to the European level where we need to work with our neighbours to solve our common problems – I am really looking forward to the challenges ahead, and to serving the people of the region.."
South West Green Party will announce its full list of candidates for the Euro elections in March 2008.
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