Natalie Bennett Visits Hounslow Greens

Local Green Party doubled its membership over last six months

Hounslow Green Party hosted a social event recently where members, enquiring minds and the press came together at Yun Kim's for a sociable lunch followed by a brief speech from the Green Party Leader, Natalie Bennett.

This was the first local green gathering of its kind in the borough and there was a joyful buzz to Yun Kim's as friends and strangers became friendlier over lunch.

Hounslow Green Party has doubled its membership over the last six months with the trend mirrored nationwide with membership tripling over the last year.

Natalie Bennett and Tony Firkin

Natalie described briefly the big ideas of Green policies. She is enthused by the increased activism by the public during the Scottish referendum which she links to the Green Party surge. The Green Party's emphasis is on bringing decision making down to a local level: local banks for local businesses and communities; increasing small businesses and co-operatives; community ownership of renewable energy, and of course, housing.

She concluded "politics is broader than a political party and must be owned by local communities to help achieve a fairer society".

Speaking to Natalie afterwards, she spoke of the current stagnation of British politics between the main parties and the need for something substantial to change with an increase in grass roots movements and a parliament with ever split minorities. Natalie sees the Green Party as providing the opportunity for young people to restore their faith in taking an active part in politics.

Tony Firkin is the candidate for Feltham and Heston. He joined the party some 10 years ago after getting interested in climate change. On eventually asking why there wasn't a Green candidate locally he was invited to stand...

Daniel Goldsmith was unable to attend due to illness but is standing for Brentford and Isleworth.

ChiswickBuzz.net host a brief video of the event.

Hounslow Green Party invite you to a social at Brentford's Magpie and Crown from 7pm on Thursday 5th March with the opportunity to meet Tony Firkin. RSVP via Eventbrite or just turn up.

February 26, 2015