Greens Choose Solihull to launch national campaign

The Green Party hosted the national launch of its local election campaign on Wednesday, 7th May, in Solihull.  The Greens used the launch to highlight their policies on housing.

Solihull has been chosen for the launch as it is a hotspot of Green Party activity.  The Green Party gained their first seat in 2008, growing to 7 seats as things stand today and has aims to end these elections on 9 or 10 seats 

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The Green Party is using the launch to highlight their desire for house building in the right places such as the brownfield site, the location of their launch.  The Greens also wish to highlight their demand for controls on private landlord rent increases as private rental costs spiral out of control.
The location, the former Powergen headquarters in Shirley, Solihull, was chosen as a brownfield location the Green Party is calling for urgent house building.

Green Party Leader Natalie Bennett said "We chose Solihull to highlight that the Green Party is doing well here.  We could well be the official opposition in Solihull after May 22nd.  We are winning here in traditional Conservative territory as well as more traditional Labour territory, all in a place with a Liberal Democrat MP.  "

Councillor Andy Hodgson, who defected from the Liberal Democrats two years ago in Solihull and is one of 4 defectors from the Lib Dems to the Greens said: "The Lib Dems are a dying party.  They betrayed their supporters like me and many voters in places like Solihull have switched to the Green Party as a result.  On issues like housing, the Greens are the only people with the direction and energy to fight for people in the council chamber on issues that matter".

Above: Councillors Andy Hodgson (Shirley South), Chris Williams (Chelmsley Wood) and Jean Hamilton (Elmdon) with Green Party Leader, Natalie Bennett at the Powergen site, Shirley.