Young PPCs, week 4: Adrian Ramsay

22nd February, 2010 by Adrian Ramsay

Our guest blogger this Monday is Adrian Ramsay. At only 28 Adrian has risen to become Deputy Leader of the Green Party and is hoping to become their first MP by beating former Home Secretary Charles Clarke in this year’s election. Here’s his take on how the campaign is going…

Adrian Ramsay As I write this on the train to our London Spring Conference, I’m feeling a growing sense of optimism. We’ve had a flying start to the Green Party campaign in Norwich South and there’s a real feeling that we can make national history in Norwich by electing one of the first Green MPs to Westminster.

Last week I went political ‘speed dating’ for BBC Breakfast News. It was a great opportunity to speak to young people about their concerns and I was pleased that many of them said they’d like to vote Green at the General Election. Our policies on international justice, fair trade and poverty seemed to resonate with most of the young people I spoke to.

In the past few weeks I’ve met with hundreds of people on the doorstep, and most of them are looking for a fresh, positive alternative to the three big parties. In Norwich South people know that the Greens can win – it is one of our national strongholds. Last year we received more votes across the constituency than any other party at the European and local elections, so we know we will win if people vote the same way at the General Election.

I’ve been a local Councillor in Norwich for seven years, and one of the frequent comments from local people is that the Greens actually listen to them. Of course, people feel betrayed by politicians over the MPs expenses scandal, but for many years they’ve been feeling that politicians are distant and out of touch. In Norwich, the Green Party has been bucking that trend, and that’s why we’ve now got twenty councillors elected. But we cannot be complacent and we’re always seeking better ways to keep in touch with people. A few weeks ago we opened a Green Party shop in Norwich city centre, which has been attracting a lot of attention. People can walk in off the street and tell us their views or ask about our policies. Of course, our election campaign has benefited enormously as many people have walked in simply to offer their help – with leafleting, donations or canvassing. There is a huge amount of work to do between now and the General Election, so every offer of support is vital.

Yesterday I spent the day preparing for this weekend’s Green Party Spring Conference. I’m chairing a panel on civil liberties with Peter Tatchell, Afua Hirsch (Guardian correspondent) and Phil Booth from NO2ID. As national Deputy Leader of the Party I’ll also be giving a keynote speech. I’m focusing my speech around the story of a baby called Martha who I met at a local nursery. I’ll be talking about the ways that Green Party policies would improve Martha’s life – from birth through nursery, school, university, parenting, and into old age.

The key messages in my speech will be the importance of protecting public services and opposing privatisation of the NHS and education, as well as providing a sustainable future for our children. I’ll also be talking about Green answers to the recession – including the Green New Deal proposal to create a million new jobs in sectors and industries that are essential for building a better future. For example, new jobs in renewable energy, public transport, local food production, and housing insulation would all help rebuild a healthy economy and improve people’s lives. Those are just some of the urgent messages I hope to be bringing to Parliament as one of the country’s first Green MPs. You can see my speech at www.adrianramsay.org.uk.

Tags: Green Party, PPC