Local Politics for Local People

‘The political economies of the future will be essentially local’
– David Fleming

Thanks to all the folk who voted for me in the Essex County Council elections and to the small group of local people in Maldon District Green Party who all volunteered their time and energy to making sure the electorate had clear Green voices to vote for across the three Divisions in Maldon District.

Representing a national party means you’ve got a connection to voices in Parliament that are voting and campaigning on issues that have an effect locally: issues like cuts to local government finance, and the National Planning Policy Framework – which lurk behind our local infrastructure and overdevelopment problems.

What representing a national party doesn’t necessarily mean is that you have a bunch of resources behind you. Certainly for us, whether it was getting leaflets designed and printed, hand-delivering those leaflets, responding to questions, commenting to the press, doing social media, facing trolls, generally being mutually supportive, and all the rest – it was all down to a few committed people who care about this place, its people and its future. They all deserve respect and admiration for helping deliver the upswing in local support for the Green Party and its vision for a Green Recovery that puts people and the planet at the heart of decision making – building a future that is Green and equal.

Well done to the victor, independent Wendy Stamp, a great victory over the incumbent Conservative candidate and I wish her the best of luck in continuing to put residents first for a caring, biodiverse, resilient, zero-carbon and nuclear-free Dengie.