2015 General Election

The Green Party stood in 67 of the 75 North West seats in the 2015 General elections - this is nearly treble the 24 seats which the Party contested in the previous general election in 2010.    2 of the candidates achieved second place - Martin Dobson in Liverpool Riverside, and Laura Bannister in Manchester Gorton; prior to this year, no Green candidate had achieved second place anywhere in the country.   8 of the candidates achieved the 5% vote share required to save the £500 deposit.  

Below is a list of all our general election candidates in the North West; the list is in alphabetical order by county within the region (Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside), and in alphabetical order within county.

There were also local elections across most of the region in 2015, where Green candidates stood; there are full slates of council election candidates in a number of boroughs across the region, including the cities of Manchester and Liverpool and most of the other boroughs in Greater Manchester and Merseyside.   Following these elections Lancaster City Council has 9 Green councillors, and Liverpool Green Party successfully defended their St Michaels city council seat.  

Cheshire

Congleton: Alec Heath

A Green Party follower since university, Alec has been chosen to stand for Congleton constituency where he will be focusing all of his time on getting out and meeting people.

The youngest of four boys born into a historic Church Lawton dairy farming family, Alec went to Scholar Green school then onto Alsager School.

While reading engineering at Southampton, Alec became a prominent figure on the sailing circuit and also gave his weekends volunteering for Guide Dogs for the Blind, where he was the youngest member of the national fundraising team.

After university he decided to become a professional sailor. Eleven years later, circumnavigating the globe twice and working for notable industrialists has opened his eyes to the true meaning of capitalism, greed and the mechanisms corporations need for total control.
After not a little perspiration, Alec rose to the role of Captain but has now decided to focus his time on his biggest passions: liberty, compassion and a fairer society.

alecpeterheath@gmail.com

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Eddisbury: Andrew Garman

Andrew Garman, aged 61, is a semi-retired scientist and lives in Ashton Hayes village, in the north of the constituency. Here he was a parish councillor for 11 years and was responsible for, or involved in, a number of community projects. Ashton Hayes has a reputation for action on climate change with its non-party political "Going Carbon Neutral" project.

Andrew served as councillor for Kelsall on Chester City Council from 2006 until the local government re-organisation in 2009. He was the Lib Dems' Environment Spokesperson. He moved to the Green Party in 2011.

Asked about the change of parties, Andrew said: "I became increasingly concerned about both climate change and the adverse impacts of mounting income and wealth inequalities on the health of our society. The Green Party is the natural place for those who want radical action on these vital issues".

 

Ellesmere Port & Neston:  Michelle Palmer

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Halton:  David Melvin

“ I believe that democracy is broken in this country. The three main parties, and now UKIP,. are looking out for big business and have essentially the same message. They provide no real alternative to continued austerity andcuts in public services. The Green Party in opposing austerity, the renewal of Trident and  fracking is the only credible progressive alternative to Labour. Locally the Greens oppose the proposed HS2 rail link and believe that the railways should be brought back into public ownership and focus funding on improving the infrastructure of the rail system we have so that all travellers can benefit. My objectives are to raise the profile of Halton in the UK and place it at the heart of a society for the common good.”

 

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Macclesfield: Joan Plimmer

Joan has lived in Disley for 21 years and works for a firm of accountants in Stockport. Previously she worked for HM Revenue & Customs for many years.

"I have long been interested in green issues and social justice" says Joan. "I am thoroughly disillusioned with the current two and a half party system. Constant global striving for growth uses up our resources of energy, water and minerals just to keep the system going. This causes financial inequality and shortages which unleash public unrest, cross border conflicts and mass migration.

"Nationally, I have recently been campaigning against NHS privatisation, and against TTIP, an international treaty being largely negotiated in secret, that will allow large corporations to ride roughshod over individual countries laws if they interfere with their profits. Locally, I have also campaigned against the unnecessary airport road which will obliterate ancient woodland and wildlife in Poynton and Woodford and increase traffic and pollution, a problem already causing suffering to the health of residents. I have also joined with people in my area to protest against plans to build on greenbelt land.

"On a personal level as a mother of three teenage children I am particularly concerned about education at all levels, youth unemployment and housing availability. As a frequent user of public transport I am anxious to see this improved and deplore the waste of money spent on HS2 which could be put to better use improving existing railway lines all around the country. I would like an integrated system of bus and rail to encourage less car use".

bestplimmer@hotmail.co.uk

 

Tatton: Tina-Louise Rothery

Tina-Louise Rothery - a prominent campaigner in the North West anti-fracking movement - joined the Green Party two years ago.
 
She says: “The problems with our current situation appear less to do with the economy and far more to do with the way that economy is managed and whom it does - and doesn’t - benefit.

“Corporate interests have an unhealthy influence on decisions made in Westminster.  Look at the planned spending on huge projects like HS2 (due to end Wilmslow’s direct London service) instead of improvements to existing rail - including the Mid-Cheshire line - that would bring greater benefit to the local population; or the way they insist on pursuing short-term, risky energy solutions that will bring no benefits on prices or security for UK residents.
 
Unlike the vast majority of those in politics who claim to represent the residents of the UK, I do not come from a background that has groomed me for the government we know today – and I believe this to be a distinct advantage.”
 

greenpartytina@gmail.com

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Warrington North:  Sarah Hayes 

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Warrington South: Stephanie Davies

"I was originally involved with Halton Green Party in the early 2000s and then moved to Great Sankey in 2004 where I was heavily involved in establishing Warrington Green Party. I've been leader of the group for the last 10 years.

"I have stood as a ward candidate in Great Sankey North on several occasions, and also stood as General Election candidate for the Green Party in Warrington South in the last General Election. I have been actively involved over the last 10 years in a number of campaigns, including the 20mph campaign for Warrington, Meat Free Mondays, anti-fracking, and am currently supporting involved in a number of other groups in the area, including Clean Up My Community and an environmental group looking after a local Park and providing respite activities for young carers. I am also Fundraising Co-ordinator for the North West Green Party.

"I have a particular interest in animal welfare issues, protecting the Green Belt, keeping services local. I am actively involved in supporting local residents to protect the green belt at the latest Omega development site."

warrgreenparty@aol.com

 

Weaver Vale:  Chris Copeman

email 

 

Cumbria

Barrow & Furness:  Rob O'Hara

"I have been a supporter of the Green Party for over 30 years, and a member for the last seven years. I joined the party when Caroline Lucas became its leader, and I have watched the party make significant progress, in many areas, since I became a member. I represented the Green Party as a candidate in the local council elections in 2013.

I have lived in Ulverston for over 14 years. I support the revitalisation of our Town Centre, but am opposed to having a supermarket in the centre of our small town. I would like to see the speed limit in the town centre reduced, and I would support the pedestrianisation of part of the town. I am a former secondary school teacher, with over 25 years’ experience. I now run my own business, as the joint owner of a guest house, night time coffee house and art gallery, in the town centre.

My political philosophy is based on a strong sense of justice, freedom and equality for all people, and I share the Green Party’s concern for the environment and for the catastrophic effect that human behaviour is having on our planet. I believe, very strongly, that absolute honesty, and integrity is a basic requirement for anyone seeking to be elected to office, and I share the public’s disquiet at the way in which our trust of our elected officials has been eroded by the behaviour of many of them, over the last decade or more.

I also support a universal wage for all, an end to the privatisation of our major utilities and services, and a renationalisation of some of the more important ones, including the railway network. I believe we need to tackle the quality of public services, rural regeneration and the economic opportunities of new green industries, green energy and green tourism. We need an end to austerity, and the enormous damage that this approach has inflicted on so many people. Instead, we should invest in job creation, with renewable energy production at the forefront. I also want to make a constructive contribution to the debate concerning the future of, and the alternatives for, the defence and nuclear industries on which this constituency is so reliant."

Telephone: 01229 582190

robert.ohara@greenparty.org.uk

 

Carlisle: Helen Davison

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Copeland: Allan Todd

Allan has lived in Keswick for over 16 years, and has two daughters and two

grandchildren. Originally from Norfolk, he met his late wife in Keswick where she was working in the Royal Oak Hotel. 

Allan taught history teacher for more than 20 years before continuing as a supply teacher in north Cumbria. He currently writes GCSE, A Level and IB history textbooks and revision guides, and is also a history examiner.

Once an active member of the Labour Party, Allan resigned in 1995 as ‘New Labour’ increasingly distanced itself from ordinary peoples’ concerns. He remained unaligned until 2012, when he joined the Green Party and the Green Left – the eco-socialist and anti-capitalist group within the Green Party. 

He is also a member of the Coalition of Resistance, Greenpeace and Unite Against Fascism, as well a secretary of Keswick Chess Club.

Allan believes there are three main – and closely-interconnected – political priorities:

  • resisting the austerity measures, which are making ordinary people pay for a crisis they didn’t cause;
  • preserving and improving our NHS – and stopping this coalition government's 'stealth' privatisation; and
  • protecting and improving the environment – including total opposition to fracking and the nuclear industry

Allan is proud to be a member of the Green Party – the only mainstream party prepared to tackle all these issues.

Telephone: 01768 774553

 

Penrith & Border: Bryan Burrow

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Westmoreland & Lonsdale: Chris Loynes

Chris currently works at the University of Cumbria's Ambleside campus as a lecturer and researcher in Outdoor Education. He also provides educational advice to the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, an educational charity, and has previously worked as a teacher, youth worker and director of a social enterprise.

As well as a love of the outdoors, both the hills and the sea, Chris has a long-standing interest in environmental issues. Work and travel have widened his concerns for social issues both at home and worldwide.

Chris has lived in Cumbria for 35 years and now live in Ulverston with his partner. He joined the Green Party eight years ago and stood in the last general election, as well as in several local elections in the South Lakes.

Chris enjoys the Green Party for its continued commitment to activism and has been involved in a number of issues locally and further afield.

Telephone: 01229 584500

chris.loynes@phonecoop.coop

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Workington: Jill Perry

Jill, 58, is married with two grown-up children. She was previously a high profile and tireless campaigner for Friends of the Earth for 18 years, focusing mainly on energy, climate and nuclear issues. 

Born, brought up and living in West Cumbria, Jill has a degree in German. She taught French and German for many years in West Cumbria. She served on the Lake District National Park Authority and is a Parish Councillor.  She gave up teaching in 2000 and became a maker of fine jams and preserves, working for Wild and Fruitful, which specialises in using local fruit and vegetables and selling through locally owned outlets.

Jill joined the Green Party in 2004. She feels that the Green Party is the only party with strong and coherent policies on social justice and the environment. She is delighted to see the surge in green party membership which means that other people are also recognising this a political reality.

Jill is motivated by the need to make a difference on these issues at a local and national level. She would like to see Cumbria investing its future in renewable energy technologies. It should move away from its past lead in the dirty old technologies of coal and nuclear power.

Telephone 01900 814391

jbpgreenparty@gmail.com

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Greater Manchester

Altrincham & Sale West: Nick Robertson-Brown

Nick Robertson Brown is an underwater wildlife photographer and photojournalist who is actively involved in several marine protection charities.

He was recently awarded his fellow with the Royal Photographic Society in recognition of his book 'Underwater Photography, Art and Techniques'. 

Nick is a former RAF engineering officer and secondary school science teacher, based in Trafford. As a former chair of a ward Labour Party in the early'mid 90s in Manchester, Nick became disillusioned with politics and the way all three of the so-called main stream parties  became establishment centre-right parties.

He has been a member of the Green party for just over two years and has become active in an effort to oppose the austerity measures which are being imposed, principally, upon the least advantaged in our society, whilst the corporations, financial organisations and major companies get richer from tax breaks.

Nick is also committed to maintaining and improving our NHS, and trying to put an end to the underhand privatisation of our national treasure. He also believes there is an urgent need to examine how we are treating and destroying our environment. Having seen with his own eyes what over fishing is doing to our seas and the damage that our discarded litter is doing to the animals that live there, it is time to try and reverse this trend.

Nick is also totally opposed to fracking, having studied the damage that this process can do to the environment and wildlife in the USA.

Telephone: 0161 917 7101

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Ashton-under-Lyne: Charlotte Hughes

"I Was born in Ashton under Lyne and have lived there for most of my life. I come from a good working class family and I have very good roots in the community. I am very active locally and I have campaigned and am campaigning for many things. I have amd still are involved in the local anti bedroom tax and council tax supplement movement. I and other members of my local Green Party have been campaigning continuously outside Ashton Under Lyne Jobcentre every Thursday since August. I have been involved in lobbying the government on this issue as well as starting a well known campaign against the sanctioning system. As a result I now have a successful blog and newspaper column. I am well known in the community for helping my local community. I also have helped dispatches produce two programmes about the DWP and their actions. I am very active politically and enjoy what I am doing."

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Blackley & Broughton: David Jones

Broughton born and bred, David is an environmental scientist and academic who has worked on energy and environmental projects across Europe. He has research papers published in fifty-two countries spanning five continents.

Together with witnessing increasing inequality and the abandonment of the poor and the vulnerable in the UK, it was also seeing how political expediency can devastate the environment that led David to joining the Green Party. 

He is a fully involved member of the Green Party's Energy Policy Working Group, and played a major role in amending the Party's energy policy, helping it dovetail with the climate change policy. 

Recent campaigning work includes opposition to a local inappropriate development on grounds of air quality and helping residents with bedroom tax disputes.  

david.jones@greenparty.org.uk

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Bolton North East: Laura Diggle

Laura works in Bury as an NHS Occupational Therapist in Community Rehabilitation, which involves empowering people with physical disabilities to improve their independence and wellbeing. It is a role that requires her to encourage and motivate people to achieve goals.

She is a mother of two young children and volunteers locally as a leader in Rainbows and Guides, a leadership role that involves planning and coordinating activities with a team of volunteers.

Laura joined the Green Party because their policies offered a real alternative to the ‘business as usual’ politics of the mainstream parties. She is concerned about the rising inequality between the richest and poorest in society, and the way that government listens to corporate lobbyists whilst ignoring the needs of the people that they were elected to represent.

Laura is particularly passionate about keeping the NHS safe from privatisation, reducing the influence of big corporations on government, and preventing environmental damage.  She has been active in campaigns against fracking and against the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership agreement.

Laura is hardworking and conscientious, and dedicated to the Green Party ethos of working ‘For the Common Good’.

ladiggle@gmail.com

 

Bolton South East: Alan Johnson

A Green Party member for 11 years, Alan has wide-ranging life skills and experience acquired from working previously within manufacturing industry and currently within a social care setting.

Alan has devoted himself tirelessly to the pursuit of Green Party policies for a fairer and more sustainable society. He stood as a parliamentary candidate for Bolton South East in 2010 and has been a local election candidate since 2004. He has contested the Rumworth ward in which he lives since 2011.

Alan is active in many local campaigns to protect the interests of the community and promote Green values, such as Bolton against the Cuts, Bolton against the Bedroom Tax, Save Bolton Health Services, and Bolton Against Fracking. He is an active trade unionist, and is a Unison delegate and Green representative on Bolton Trades Council.

0102 462712 or 07908 681915

alan.johnson48@hotmail.co.uk

 

Bury South: Glyn Heath

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Bury North:  John Southworth

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Denton & Reddish:  Nicolas Koopman

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Hazel Grove:  Graham Reid

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Heywood & Middleton: Abi Jackson

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Makerfield:  Philip Mitchell

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Manchester Central: Kieran Turner-Dave

"I moved to Manchester in 2009 to study Philosophy at The University of Manchester. Whilst at Uni I took part in demonstrations against austerity, fracking, the rise in tuition fees and the privatisation of the NHS.

Since completing my degree, I spent two years working as an NHS administrator in Victoria Park. I currently work for Domestic Abuse Programmes at Greater Manchester Probation Service. I am also qualified to Teach English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) and have blogged for The Independent and The Huffington Post.

 I joined the Greens in 2013, and am responsible for running the Manchester Green Party Twitter. I am eager to engage groups with previously low voter turnout, especially young minority ethnic voters. I’m also working to represent Mancunians who feel that their concerns are ignored by the four “business as usual” parties."

ktd42@live.co.uk

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Manchester Gorton: Laura Bannister

"I am standing for the Green Party because I think our communities, nation and world could be better places to live, if we chose to do things differently. Like most people, I want a decent, well-funded NHS, a living wage for everyone, and railways that we all own that serve us better. I want a basic income for everyone, proper social care for the elderly and disabled, real investment in long-term energy supply, and affordable housing for all of us. I am honoured to be able to fight for all this as a Green candidate.

“I have lived in and around Manchester Gorton for ten years, and loved the city from the start. For a day job, I work for Mind in Greater Manchester, supporting local people with mental health problems and learning disabilities. I look forward to many more happy years campaigning for what matters and supporting people in my community here.”

07599 675582

laura.bannister@greenparty.org.uk

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Manchester Withington: Lucy Bannister

“I have been living within the Manchester Withington constituency for over three and a half years now and I am honoured to be able to represent this area, with its strong communities and varied electorate, for the Green Party.

“I have been involved with the Green Party for almost two years but I have deeply immersed myself in it and have become passionate about our success.

“I am a recent chemistry graduate from the University of Manchester and have been very involved with the student activism associated with the University. For the past two years I have chaired the Manchester Student Stop AIDS Campaign which has drastically improved my understanding of activism, politics and advocacy. I am an active member of Manchester Young Greens and have been part of the wider Young Greens movement, including my involvement with the setting up of South West Young Greens.”

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Oldham East & Saddleworth: Miranda Meadowcroft

Miranda has been involved in urban regeneration and community development for 30 years, as a volunteer, as a worker and as a manager.

But what does that mean? Well, she has experience of a range of sectors, having worked to support co operative businesses, co-operative housing, and credit unions. She's have collaborated too with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees and managed a day centre for people with dementia. At the moment Miranda is supporting deaf and hearing impaired children at a local school.

"I counts myself lucky in the work I've been paid for" says Miranda, " and I believe everyone should be paid a decent wage. The Green Party looks toward a different way of running our comunities , it promotes a balanced life where people are treated with respect regardless of where they come from and what they ‘do for a living’."

dizzynortherngal@kickaboo.co.uk

 

Oldham West & Royton:  Simeon Hart 

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Rochdale: Mark Hollinrake

 

Mark is the Green Party candidate for Rochdale constituency, and is also standing in Kingsway Ward in the local elections.

 

Mark was born in Rochdale and has lived here all of his life. He lives in Turf Hill with his family so he knows the area well, cares for the area, and is keen to see the area improved.
For 40 years been a supporter of Rochdale A.F.C.

 

Mark is a Trade Unionist, active in the Unite and PCS Trade Unions.
Mark says; "I am a Green Socialist. I believe in policies that benefit the vast majority of the population; scrapping billions of pounds wasted on nuclear weapons and instead investing in health, education, care for the elderly and a strong public sector. I support the policies of the Green Party; policies that have been ditched by other political parties, as they try to appease the rich and powerful of this country including the media.

 

"Only the Greens have good policies for human and animal rights, and their elected representatives in Westminster and the European Parliament have worked hard for these principles."

mark.hollinrake@ntlworld.com

https://twitter.com/markhollinrake

 

Salford & Eccles: Emma Van Dyke

Born in Belfast, Emma moved to Salford in 2011 and became involved in politics after seeing the effects of austerity on the most vulnerable in society. As well as being the Chair for Salford Green Party, she is also a strong supporter of disability rights, volunteers at a local mental health charity and spends her free time helping to raise money for a range of other charities at events across the Greater Manchester area.

emma.vandyke@greenparty.org.uk

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Stalybridge & Hyde: Jenny Ross

Award-winning comedienne, writer and activist Jenny Ross is passionately committed to environmental and social justice. No stranger to the hustings, Jenny brought her characteristic warmth and wit to the many Barton Moss rallies as well as MC-ing Manchester's huge anti-fracking rally and People's Climate March last year.

Jenny says: “The Green Party are the only party offering policies to tackle the urgent dual problems of widening inequality and increasing environmental chaos. My priorities are taking a stand against austerity and building a sustainable future where the economy is refocused on local communities and away from multi-national corporations. We need a living wage; tax evasion dealt with; a financial transaction tax on the city; and we need to start investing in the people of this country, not leaving them as financial pickings, working on zero hour contracts for big multinationals, and wondering where their kids' next meal is coming from.”

She still works as a stand-up comedienne and writer – a career that began in her early twenties when she won the BBC New comedy Award – before branching out into TV presenting, scriptwriting, journalism and magazine editing. She lives in Mossley with her partner, son and dog.

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Stockport: Gary Lawson  

'I have been a member of the Green Party for 25 years. When I lived in Manchester I contested five elections to the city council as a Green Party candidate for the Sharston Ward between 1990 and 1996.

“When I moved to Bolton in 1998 the posts that I held as a Church of England clergyman were incompatible with being politically active.

"At the end of February last year I retired at the age of 61 and moved to Heaton Chapel, Stockport.  I am now an active member of the Stockport Green Party, helping with their target-to-win campaign in the Edgeley Ward and opposing the plans to build houses on Green Belt land at Reddish Vale Country Park.  I am also the Party's candidate for the Stockport constituency in the General Election on 7th May, 2015.'

gary.austin.lawson@outlook.com

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0161 442 7970 or 07905 343348

 

Stretford & Urmston: Geraldine Coggins

Geraldine Coggins has been a member of the Green Party for several years now, attracted by its commitment to both social justice and environmentalism. 

She has a BA from Trinity College, Dublin, an MLitt from St Andrews and a PhD from Durham, all in Philosophy.

Geraldine worked as a lecturer in Philosophy, teaching and researching at several Universities in the UK, including York, Aberdeen and most recently, Keele. She has published a book and a number of articles.

In 2008 she left work to stay at home full time with her home-educated children. From 2007 she volunteered as an accredited breastfeeding counsellor, setting up and running a support group for five years. She has been involved in campaigning for maternity rights. She has been vegetarian for 25 years.

She represented the Greens in the Urmston ward in the 2014 Local Elections. She lives in Stretford.

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0161 3765094

geraldine.coggins@trafford.greenparty.org.uk

 

Wigan: Will Patterson

32-year-old Will lives in Wigan and works in Manchester as an IT Administrator. He joined the Green Party at the start of the Green Surge as he wanted to stand up and help make a differnece in his local community. 

Since then, he's been involved in the Wigan Branch of the Greater Manchester Referendum Campaign, and taken part in a Day of Action campaigning against cuts to rail services and fare increases. His campaign will focus on taking a stand against fracking, supporting a Living Wage, and defending our public services against further austerity cuts and private sector involvement. 

Will is currently Chair of the Wigan & Leigh Green Party, and is one of the North West Green Party's Equality and Diversity Champions. Outside politics, Will enjoys walking and reading, and has been a Wigan Athletic supporter for 25 years.

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Worsley & Eccles South: Christopher Bertenshaw

“Being a local lad, I'm really proud to be standing in Salford and my home town of Worsley. The Green Party has never really had a strong presence in Salford, but in 2014 we kick started the local party and it’s grown enormously since then.

“So about me…I studied politics at university and work in Manchester. I am from a staunch socialist background, the kind that upholds fundamental ideas such as public services, fairness and progressive attitudes to heart and defends them vehemently. At the Greens we have some cracking ideas of that ilk!

“You’d never guess, being a Green Party type, but I have a rather strong passion for the outdoors and love messing around in Salford’s Green spaces. Unusually though perhaps for the Greens, I also can’t get enough of “dirty” petrol engines, cars and motorbikes, but everything in moderation I suppose.”

chrisbertenshaw.greenparty@gmail.com

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Wythenshawe and Sale East: Jessica Mayo

I have lived in and around Manchester for over 13 years, I moved here to study at Manchester Metropolitan University and have never left. I love this city and it is where I call home. I used to project manage a number of projects within the regeneration of deprived areas, with emphasis on community and social cohesion, with a background in the arts I have a very creative approach to life.

I am standing here now because I have had enough and I say "NO!"

Our country has seen a rise in inequality and a fall in services based on the private agendas of the politicians and corporations. The greed of a few effects the lives of many and as greed serves private interests and not the interest of us the tax paying people this spiral of unacceptable cuts and underfunded services will continue, we are the 5th richest economy in the world !!! Another way is possible. The Green Party offer clear, fair, well planned and symbiotic policies demonstrating the achievability of a better life for everybody, please join us, please jump in, we can change this together.

mayogray@gmail.com

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Lancashire

Blackpool North & Cleveleys: John Warnock

John has been selected by the Blackpool & Fylde Green Party to be their prospective parliamentary candidate for the constituency of Blackpool North & Cleveleys. 

He lives in Fleetwood with his wife Tracie, and serves the community on the town council.

John’s career began in the agricultural machinery trade, where he served a four year apprenticeship. His training included carpentry and welding, as well as structural steel fabrication, before moving on to landscape gardening, and sports turf care with North Bedfordshire Council. 

Another change in direction saw John move to the building trade and property maintenance.

As a town councillor he helped resurrect ‘Fleetwood in Bloom’ after its demise in 2003/4.  He can also be found encouraging local children to tend a plot of land belonging to ‘Places for People’, where they have picked up the RHS neighbourhoods award ‘Thriving’ two years in a row.  With any spare time, John can be found tending his allotment.

 “I came to politics late, after toying briefly with it in my twenties, on reading a Referendum Party leaflet, before discarding it. 

“From my experience of living through the Thatcher era, in growing from a teenager to a father, and witnessing no noticeable improvement with the advent of New Labour, my concern with politics grew.

“From there I joined the Green Party, in response to the increasing Climate Crisis.

“I am standing at this election on behalf of the ignored majority of people, suffering from the effects of the austerity programme, who share my concern for our environment, which is under attack from the vested interests of unregulated banks and big business.

“I want to see a not for profit NHS, real jobs created in the new green local economy, based on renewable energy, home insulation and support for a re-invigorated locally sustainable fishing industry.

“I believe in a fairer society, one built on co-operation rather than competition, a society for the common good.”

leagravell@yahoo.co.uk

 

Blackpool South: Duncan Royle

Candidate Profile

Duncan Royle has been selected by the Blackpool & Fylde Green Party, to be their prospective parliamentary candidate for the constituency of Blackpool South.  He is an environmental consultant, and qualified accountant, living in the Fylde with his wife and two teenage children. Duncan also worked for 18 years in various senior finance roles at BAE Systems Warton.

“I was born in Blackpool, and although I left the area when I was young I have always had strong family ties to the area. I remember with fondness the vibrancy of Blackpool in my childhood. When I returned to the Fylde many years later I was dismayed to see the steady decline of the town, which looks set to continue under current government policies. I have come to realise that neglecting politics will only ensure that the status quo will prevail and that if we want change we have to vote for it.

“I recognise there is wide spread disillusionment with mainstream politics. My motivation for standing is to offer greater choice and a genuine alternative to the electorate of Blackpool. The main parties either offer; market solutions which operate as though people or the planet do not matter; or a confused bag of policies designed to tick as many of the voters preferences as possible, but without the prospect of tackling the real root of our social and environmental problems. The green party values of caring and democracy are needed now more than ever.

“Only the green party offers;

  • a genuine alternative to austerity- we will oppose and reverse cuts to vital social services and benefits;
  • a vision for a fair economy in which people can earn a fair and liveable income for the contribution they make;
  • to preserve the NHS by opposing creeping privatisation;
  • the courage to tackle climate change and other problems of environmental sustainability.

 In short, it is about time we had a vision of politics that created a viable future for us and our children.”

“A commitment to integrity is also vital if public trust in politics is to be restored. I am personally committed to highlighting where vested interests conflict with the public interest and I will work for more transparent and open decision making.”

duncan.royle@greenparty.org.uk

Website: TBA

Facebook: TBA

 

Burnley: Michael Hargreaves

 

Chorley:  Alistair Straw

email

 

Fylde: Robert Dennett

bob@seaweed.co.uk

 

Hyndburn: Kerry Gormley

Born in Blackburn in 1963, mother of three Kerry is a former Art Director. The 2015 General Election is her second time standing as the Green Party candidate for Hyndburn.

For the past couple of years Kerry has worked part-time as the manager of local community-owned, co-operative shop ONE Planet in Accrington, which she was instrumental in setting up in 2010.

Since the arrival in Lancashire of the unconventional oil & gas industry Kerry has been deeply involved in the campaign to keep Britain & Ireland Frack Free (BIFF).

kerrygormley@gmail.com

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Lancaster & Fleetwood: Chris Coates

Cllr Chris Coates

Chris trained as a carpenter before becoming a site and project manager in the construction industry.

He was elected to Lancaster City Council in 2003. In 2005 he became Lancashire County Councillor for the Lancaster Central division.

As a councillor Chris has supported local community groups in the area and served as trustee and director on a number of groups management committees, including the Marsh Community Centre and LESS Community Interest Company.

Chris has particular interests in housing, climate change and the arts. He worked on the Lantern House Arts Centre in Ulverston for Welfare State International when he first moved to the area and was project manager for the first phase of the refurbishment of More Music’s Hothouse centre in Morecambe.

In recent years he has been a director of Lancaster Cohousing building a multi-award winning development of eco houses on the banks of the River Lune at Halton.

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Morecambe & Lunesdale: Phil Chandler

Phil lives in Morecambe with his wife Kathy and their two daughters.

He has had a varied career, starting out as an engineer in the aerospace industry, followed by a number of years in Africa working in relief and development programmes. 

On returning to the UK he retrained in IT and was the IT Manager for HDRA (now Garden Organic), coming to the North West to be part of the local arts organisation, ‘folly’. 

He now works at Lancaster University, helping to run the IT systems there.

He is an active member of Morecambe Warblers, performing soon as Benedick in ‘Much Ado About Nothing’. He is a keen sailor with Morecambe Sailing Club, a member of Unite and is the Quaker chaplain to Lancaster University. 

“I believe Morecambe Bay could be a world leader in the technologies vital for a secure future. I know that from Skerton to Silverdale, and from Heysham to Arkholme, this is an area of great beauty with a proud history, living through tough times. However, with a dramatically renewed vision it could, and should, be an example of how to combine a love of where we live, with enough good quality housing, sustainable and affordable energy, secure employment, and a society that allows all to flourish. 

“I am standing because I feel politics has let us down badly over many decades. The Green Party are striving to bring an end to the politics of scapegoating, cuts to essential services, a creaking health service, almost permanent war, a growing reliance on food banks, and ecological degradation. 

“Labour, Liberal and Tory governments have created a very insecure world yet we have all the ingredients for a more co-operative, shared one.  The present system promotes unconstrained greed, rising inequality and forced growth that puts corporate profits ahead of the well-being of people and planet.

“It is possible to have a society where the job of economics is to allow people to live the best lives they can. It is time for us to make that happen. Green Party policies have a different emphasis and direction based on the common good of all, now and for future generations. “

campaign@morecambelunesdalegreens.org.uk

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Pendle: Laura Fisk

 

Preston: Gemma Christie

email

 

Ribble Valley: Graham Sowter

Graham, a native of Leicestershire, has lived in Ribble Valley for 40 years. He has been politically active for over 50 years (MP for his school in 1959!) and has been a green at heart since the late 60s.

“I always believed that electoral reform (PR) was the Holy Grail and would enable smaller parties to develop new ideas and grow organically. In the interim I kept politically active in successively the Labour Party and the SDP before ending up in the LibDems, for whom I was a councillor for 13 years. The ill-fated AV referendum ended the PR dream and I joined the Green Party two years ago.   

Some people might see my age (72) as an electoral handicap, but I intend to use it as a major part of my campaigning narrative. People of my age vote in the greatest numbers and it’s we who need to think seriously about the kind of country and world we are handing on to future generations, as well as inspiring younger people to help secure a more sustainable planet.

I regard myself as part of the luckiest generation that has ever lived. We’ve always benefited from the NHS, many of us received free university education; we’ve enjoyed relatively full employment, got on the housing ladder easily, often retired early and with good pensions.

It was once expected that each generation would be better off than its predecessor. Now, that dream of continuing economic progress is starting to fade and we’re set to leave future generations with huge environmental and ecological deficits to contend with. The better off should not feel comfortable that their standard of living is being secured at the expense of the insecurity and reduced living standards of large numbers, especially of the young.

I have enjoyed a broad education, holding degrees in Chemistry and Business Administration, and have done a wide variety of jobs in a 40 year career. While a borough councillor I served for 10 years on Lancashire Waste Partnership and eventually became its chairman. I am now the chairman of Whalley Community Hydro, an award winning renewable energy scheme (www.whalleyhydro.co.uk)

Both my political and general life experience give me a background on which to base a credible election campaign. I am not there to make up the numbers, but to give an unpopular incumbent MP, Nigel Evans, a serious challenge.”

graham.sowter@btinternet.com

 

Rossendale & Darwen: Karen Pollard-Rylance

 

West Lancashire:  Ben Basson

email

 

Wyre and Preston North:  Anne Power

email


Merseyside

Birkenhead: Kenny Peers

email

 

Bootle:  Lisa Tallis

email

 

Garston & Halewood: William Ward

email: william.ward@greenparty.org.uk 

www.greengarstonhalewood.co.uk

 

 

Knowsley:  Vikki Gregorich

email

 

Liverpool Riverside: Martin Dobson

"I came to live in Liverpool Riverside 28 years ago. Originally I came to work for OXFAM as their full time Area Campaigns Organiser. Since then I have brought up my family here while managing a voluntary rights organisation for people with learning disabilities. Currently I run my own business developing easy web applications for people who are unable to read or write.

Recently I have become more prominent after setting up the campaign to Save Sefton Park Meadows.

I joined the Green Party in 2003 after leaving the Labour Party because of what I saw as their illegal invasion of Iraq and alignment with neo-liberal economic policies which seemed to be giving our public services over to private companies.

The biggest challenge for our civilisation over the next generation is to mitigate the effects of man made climate change. We need to change every policy so that everything we do in some way prevents the worst devastation that climate change may bring.

I believe that we can create a sustainable pleasant environment for the future which does not pollute or destroy our planet through giving power and a voice to local communities, and promoting strong efficient public services which give an equal quality service to everyone."

Martin is the Green Party national spokesperson on Culture, Media and Sport.  

martinsydneydobson@gmail.com

 

Liverpool Walton: Jonathan Clatworthy

Jonathan has been a member of the Green Party for 30 years. He came to Liverpool in 1998 to be Chaplain to Liverpool University and is currently editor of the liberal theological journal Modern Believing. Jonathan lives on the Aigburth/Dingle border with his wife Marguerite. They have three children and three grandchildren.

As a member of Parliament, Jonathan would fight for:

  • Ending austerity and restoring good public services. Britain is still one of the richest countries in the world and there is no need for anyone to live in severe poverty.
  • Restoring the National Health Service as a publicly funded, publicly provided service the country can be proud of.
  • Taking serious action on climate change by working with other countries to ensure global temperatures do not rise beyond 2 degrees.

Website

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Liverpool Wavertree: Peter Cranie

Peter Cranie is an anti-racism activist, who has been involved with the Merseyside Coalition Against Racism and Fascism. He re-established Liverpool Green Party in 2002 and since then the local party has won two council seats.

He is a former Elections Co-ordinator for the national Green Party and was the North West Green Party's lead candidate in the 2009 and 2014 European Elections, narrowly missing out on election to the European Parliament. 

Married, and a new father, Peter has a wide range of experience:

  • in the private sector, working in retail banks in the 1990s
  • in the public sector, as a social care worker and FE lecturer
  • in the charity sector, where he currently works for a Parenting Support charity

Peter is an economic migrant to England. His family moved from Scotland in the early 1980s as manufacturing jobs and employment collapsed under the early years of the Thatcher government.

He has lived in England for over 25 years and in the North West for over a decade.  

petercranie@greenparty.org.uk

 

St Helens North: Elizabeth Ward

“I was born in Birmingham but came to St Helens at the ripe old age of two!

“I grew up in Windle and attended De La Salle high school. I went on to Carmel College studying Physics, Chemistry, Biology and French. It was here I began to nurture my love of writing, creating my own music blog and writing for several publications. I attended the University of Reading studying Zoology, where I was lucky enough to spend time studying the flora and fauna of the Bornean Rainforest. 

“It was when I moved back to St Helens in 2013 that I joined the Green Party and felt compelled to make a change to local politics. I love my town, but I don’t love what’s happening to it. That’s why I want to make a difference in 2015, and help forge a cleaner, fairer future.” 

Twitter

lizmaryward@gmail.com 

 

St Helens South & Whiston: Dr James Chan

Born in 1985, James grew up in Eccleston and went to Rainford High School before moving to Leeds to train as a doctor.

As a student, James campaigned on global health and environmental causes. As a junior doctor he started campaigning against the privatisation of the NHS and the changes that the current government wanted to carry out.

“I know what it means to be on the frontline of the NHS. After volunteering as a children's doctor in Malawi, I have returned to St Helens, and would like the opportunity to represent a fresh take on politics for the people of St Helens South and Whiston.

james.chan@greenparty.org.uk

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http://jameschansthelens.wordpress.com

 

Sefton: Lindsay Melia

“I've lived in Sefton all of my life. Growing up in a poorly-represented area, where people feel they have no real say in how things are run, strongly motivates me to put right that wrong – both for the better of my community and those surrounding. I want to make Sefton an even better place to live for everyone.

“I believe that widespread involvement with politics is healthy for society; it is important that politics is not something only for those with an active role, but something open to input from all people.  

“As a young, working class female I feel that I am able to relate to those who are un-represented at present – there are not enough female candidates and, as the Green Party is committed to addressing all types of inequality, it is important that women stand up and show that strong voice.”

lindsaymelia@live.co.uk

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Southport:  Laurence Rankin

email

 

Wallasey:  Julian Pratt

email



Wirral South:  Paul Cartlidge

email

 

 

There are also local elections across most of the region in 2015, where Green candidates will be standing; full slates of council election candidates are expected in a number of boroughs.    

North West Green Party

The Green Party is the only major political party in the UK that commits to a life based on democracy and justice within the planet's limits.

The Green Party has always dared to be different,  and we’ve always known the power of good ideas. We understand that inequality is not just unfair, but damaging to everyone in society. 

We understand that not everyone wants to live to work. The Green Party has the bold solutions to deal with the problems we face today: recovering from the impact of coronavirus, while tackling the climate and biodiversity crises and creating compassionate communities where everyone can thrive.

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Green Party Programme for Local Government

The Government’s ideological commitment to austerity has seen £50 billion cut from council services since 2010. These cuts - forced through from Westminster - have closed libraries, forced councils to sell public land and laid off the council staff that collect litter, repair roads and care for older people. The cross party Local Government Association estimates that councils face a further shortfall of £8 billion by 2025 with the most basic of services being eroded, decimating our communities.

A vote for the Green Party in May is a vote against such outdated, disastrously imposed establishment thinking. It is a vote for a new, fresh approach.

The Green Party is committed to campaigning to restore the £50 billion of public money taken from councils – having Greens elected to councils will send a strong message to Westminster that people have had enough of losing cherished local services.

At a local level, having Greens on your council means having champions for investment in local services, fighting to improve public spaces, increase access to social housing and to provide more walking, cycling and public transport opportunities.

It means having councillors looking beyond the tired stock answers and convention-sapped ambitions of the establishment parties. Green councillors embrace the new and relish the bold; harnessing resident’s skills and trusting local knowledge to solve local challenges, from declining high streets to under resourced public transport.

Unlike councillors from the establishment parties, Greens are not subject to a Party whip that orders them to vote according to the needs of the party machines and their colleagues in Westminster. This means they are free to put the residents they represent front and centre, and to fight without fear of favour for their interests - and the radical solutions that will make their lives better.

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