"We can't have environmental justice without Social justice"

Has the electorate finally got fed up of the two party politics we have seen in the UK for too long?The multi millionaire Tory Government sneering and smirking as they impose more and more ideological cuts on the poorest and most vulnerable people in society, the uneducated, the disabled and the sick; the slightly less rich, slightly less sneering, slightly less patronising Labour party, refusing to over turn any of the vicious experimental policies the Con Dem government have implemented, and committing to carry on with austerity measures. Both sides more intent on attacking the other than actually asking us the voter how we feel, what we want or what we need.

Then of course on the fringes there are the even nastier parties such as UKIP, who charade as an anti- establishment party but is made up of Tories and bankers whos popularity seems to be on the wane, even leader Nigel Farage seems to have disappeared from our screens lately.

Amid the vulgarity of Westminster and the nastiness of the front benches have emerged a party that really does seem to offer something different.  Its representatives and members appear to be caring, individuals, hell bent on fairness.

The Green surge swept me along this week to the grandeur of Sheffield Town Hall where I met Dr Jillian Creasy, Green party parliamentary candidate for Sheffield Central.

On a freezing cold morning with snow still sitting on the ground I was worried I might look out of place in the splendour of the Town Hall, dressing in my Wellies, but was relieved when Dr Creasy arrived and had also walked to the office in winter wear.

I begun by asking her if the image of the Green party gathering in the woods preventing trees from being felled or campaigning on the Ozone layer was now an outdated perception.  She said “we can’t have environmental justice without social justice”, adding that most Green campaigners now focus on the social justice- 1%of the population have 50% of the wealth, so there is extreme inequality.  It also true that the rich usually have a bigger carbon footprint due to flying in aeroplanes and driving big cars as well as the tablets, laptops, mobile phones etc. 

Dr creasy was a GP until entering politics, in some of the most poverty stricken areas of the city in some cases.  She is still on the register to practice as a locum. She said the NHS will play a massive part in the election campaign, as will all public services.

Defeated in the last election, coming in 4^th behind the main three parties I asked if she thought this year could be different. She said it felt very different to 1010 when it was all about Labour versus Lib Dem, Paul Blomfield (who won by less than 200 votes eventually) versus Paul Scriven. Both were middle aged, well spoken men with similar policies (even similar names) so it was never going to be Greens year. This time Dr Creasy believes that the Greens feel like the official opposition, although even she never expected the new popularity to take off like it has.

A public meeting with Green party leader Natalie Bennett speaking  received over 100 RSVPs in less than 90 minutes recently and there is a real growing number of volunteers turning out to knock on doors.

 I asked considering her defeat 2010 what made her decide to stand again this time?  She answered simply but in no way arrogantly that she feels she is the best person for the job- Labour has lost its way in the city and she has the profile to lead the best challenge. Notably she has previously been involved in high profile campaigns such as getting prisoners held without charge in  Guantanamo bay after the Iraq war released, and led the protests when the G8 security ministers held a summit in Sheffield.  She is leader of the Green group in Sheffield which now has 4 councillors compared to the one (her) it used to have.

I asked if she had ever become lonely in those days and considered joining one of the more high profile parties.

Absolutely not was her response without a moment’s hesitation.

I commented that watching BBCs Question Time last week I was struck by the sheer nastiness of MPs in the main parties and that whenever there is a Green party spokesperson it always seems much more dignified and less personal. I asked if this was by accident or consciously done.

Dr Creasy confirmed this is a conscious effort. She said   “I don’t dislike David Cameron or Ed Miliband, it’s their policies I dislike so there is no need to attack the person just the policy”. She continued to add that in Sheffield Paul Blomfield has led some important campaigns but with Labour backing Austerity and Mr Blomfield being a career politician looking for a cabinet position, he has to toe the line. As a member of an opposition party she isn’t lead by such ideas and can focus on the policies she really believes in such as developing local economies and encouraging people to produce their own food in Market gardens

Dr Creasy is concerned that not only is the capitalist way of life affecting us, it effects other countries as well. Capitalism works by making a few very wealthy while many are exploited. We buy most of our fruit from countries like Spain and France where it is produced using very cheap labour.  She thinks global food could be in jeopardy in the next 10-20years and projects such as Wortley Hall gardens, run by  Heeley City Farm and the Hazelhurst Community supported Aggriculture on the South East of the city,  are great examples of things we can do to not only encourage people to grow at home but educate them how to do it as well.

I asked Jillian if she thought there was a certain group of voters that had swung the way of the greens, for example the students that Nick Clegg let down so badly at the last election. She was quick to point out that it was 5 years ago and most of those students will have left University now but she dis concede that a large number of the membership is made of young people. Not just students but young people from all backgrounds, who don’t trust the  main-stream parties and said that there is also an anti UKIP feeling among members outraged by the racism and the bigotry offered by some groups. Are recent poll showed that the Greens have overtaken Labour and are the leading choice amongst 18-24 year olds.

Dr Creasy has already announced that she will stand down as a local councillor at the next election so I asked if unsuccessful, what next? Hardly planning retirement Dr Creasy suggested that she will spend time campaigning for the NHS as well as the healthy eating projects she will undoubtedly be involved in even  if she is elected.

When I asked Dr Creasy if she would allow me an hour of her time to conduct this interview I also asked three Labour MPs from Sheffield, two of whom are standing  down at the next election. One of them declined immediately ( via her personal assistant) and one didn’t reply yet. The other replied but neglected to mention the interview.