Green sympathy with the public's disillusionment with main parties

I completely understand many of the views expressed in your Voxpop
‘What the people on the street are thinking’ (22/4/2010) over the
disillusionment of the current political campaign. My motivation for
standing was fuelled by similar feelings towards the main political
parties.

It is amusing the Libdems are ‘marketing’ themselves as bastions of a
‘new politics’ when their roots go back to the nineteenth century.
Certainly their tenure as leaders of Cornwall Council showed that,
until they were kicked out, there was nothing ‘new’ about the various
cock ups they caused, including signing away our millions in the
incinerator contract.

The Tories should be walking this one, with Gordon Brown and Labour so
discredited after thirteen years of disappointment; particularly after
initial optimism in 1997 that ordinary people’s interests would be
prioritised. People have long memories, and even David Cameron’s PR
smile does not make us forget eighteen years of Tory misrule. We should
not forget the record so far of our now Tory controlled council, which
has spent £11 million since April 2009 alone, on consultants (West
Briton 22/4/10). Is that really a template to cut waste and what the
Tories mean when they ask us to ‘Vote for Change’?

The current ‘X factor’ style ‘beauty contest’ of the leader’s debate on
TV, particularly with the exclusion of the ‘small’ parties, has shown
that despite the bickering, there is a broad consensus to cut public
services, do little to protect the environment, stay in Afghanistan,
and keep nuclear weapons of one sort or another. Hardly a manifesto
from the ‘Big Three’ for a sustainable future, but more of the ‘same
old, same old’, that we are used to.

If I had a pound for everybody who said they won’t vote with their
conscience and vote Green, I would be a wealthy man. Once people read
the Green Party manifesto they know it makes sense. In Brighton, the
bookies have the Green’s odds on favourite to win, and the LibDems in
last place. Our leader, Caroline Lucas, unlike Nick Clegg, is truly
inspiring. Voting Green is a vote for the future and we are starting to
gain momentum. People should not vote tactically but vote for real,
genuine change. 'Change' and 'Fairness' are just mere buzzwords as far as
the 'Big Three' are concerned.

We offer a progressive alternative where there would be real change to
our political and economic system for the better. Our policies would
tackle climate change, the current financial deficit and close the tax
loopholes exploited by big business and the very wealthy. By developing
a progressive tax system, where every one pays their fair share, we
would ensure there is enough money not to cut public services but
create a sustainable future with ordinary people and the environment at
its core. The leaders’ debates are a turn off. Green’s want to
inspire those who don’t vote, or are disillusioned by the main parties.
Just like the people in your article. Subsequently we want to ensure
there is an alternative where the future is not grey but green.