Green Party

Councillor's speech as new Green deputy

From the Norwich Evening News, 9 September 2008

A city councillor who has just been named deputy leader of the national Green Party has used his first speech to throw down the gauntlet to Norwich South MP Charles Clarke.

Adrian Ramsay, who represents the Nelson ward, was elected last week to become the Green Party's new deputy and yesterday he made his debut speech to the party's annual conference in London.

In it, the 27-year-old, who has already stated his intention to run for parliament at the next general election, challenged Mr Clarke, who is vocally pro-privatisation, to fight the election on public service matters.

Mr Ramsay criticised Mr Clarke for his calls in July for more charges to be introduced in the health service and education system.

He added: "The government is now being offered advice on public services by Charles Clarke, and if they were to take his advice we would see even more social exclusion and even more privatisation when it comes to public services.

"He says the Labour Party needs to change direction. Well, the government does need to change direction but not in the direction he has in mind.

"If Mr Clarke wants to fight the election on the future of public services, that's fine with me."

In this year's Norwich elections history was made for the Green party nationally as it became the official opposition on a council for the first time, behind the ruling Labour group.

In his speech, Mr Ramsay went on to speak about the battle to prevent Tesco from developing a store on Unthank Road, in Norwich's Golden Triangle.

He said: "Greens across the country have been working tirelessly protecting local shops and services, and standing up to large multinationals and supermarkets.

"Tesco is one of the most powerful corporations on the planet. But, when Green councillors help communities organise, we can do what it takes to win."

In the closing keynote speech of the conference, Mr Ramsay celebrated the work of Green councillors across the country in defending local economies, tackling homelessness and repossessions, and cutting energy bills and fuel poverty.

He also emphasised the need for an energy windfall tax to kickstart a Green New Deal to tackle recession and the fuel crisis.