The planet is on fire and mainstream politicians continue to play party politics: winning the next election is their only prize with little attention paid to the health of our environment, our communities, our children and our planet. The NHS is in crisis and the educational system is failing our children. Meanwhile, the far right is on the rise throughout the world fomenting hostility, hatred and division.

Nationally in the UK, the two biggest parties trade sound bites hoping to set themselves apart and appeal to voters while, at the same time, setting out policies that are increasingly identical. When the Labour Party declares it will campaign and govern as a pro-business party, keeping the Tory policies of low business tax rates and unlimited bankers’ bonuses; dumping their £38 billion green investment pledge to reach carbon neutral targets, and; refusing to take courageous stands calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and a sane and humane response to the migrant crisis.

On a local level, councils are going broke trying to cope with rising costs of social care and housing. If the two largest parties will not offer meaningful solutions to the problems we face on a national level, can we expect them to do any differently in local government?

Using local authorities as case examples, what happens when the voters decide to vote for the alternative and elect Greens to represent and serve them?

What can the future hold with Green administrations? Why are the May district council elections so critical to keeping the Tories from taking control?

The speakers are:

Chris Jarvis

Chris is a Green Party Councillor in Oxford. Since being elected to the Oxford City Council in 2021, he has led the Green Group on the council during which time they have secured major successes including rolling out free period products in community centres across Oxford, greater protections for biodiversity in planning, a pioneering policy on trans inclusion, and improvements in active travel infrastructure. Chris is also the editor of Bright Green, an online publication focusing on Green politics, social movements and the labour movement, and has worked for a number of years in both political journalism and communications.

Chloe Turner

Chloe represents Minchinhampton at Stroud District Council, where she chairs the Environment Committee and Gloucestershire County Council, where she chairs the Environment Scrutiny Committee. She is also the Green Party parliamentary candidate for the North Cotswolds constituency. Chloe lives in Minchinhampton with her family. In her spare time, she plays the trombone in Stroud Red Band and writes fiction.

Pete Kennedy

Pete Kennedy is the Green Party candidate to fight the next general election. Pete, 33, who lives in Chalford with his partner, Charli, and their baby daughter, Summer, has worked for the Green Party for more than five years in a variety of roles.

Working in Parliament, Pete advises the Green Party on legislation and procedure and has been involved in some of the biggest fights against the Government’s legislation like the Police and Crime Bill. Here in Stroud, Pete is an adviser to the 14-strong Green Group of councillors on Stroud District Council and is the Painswick candidate in the District Council elections in May. Pete studied Economics and Politics at the University of Sheffield, where he focused on environmental economics and sustainability. He went on to study law part time alongside working, and qualified as a barrister in November 2021. Outside politics, Pete has worked in the community and public sectors, having worked for a mental health charity and as a warm homes officer for a local authority. In his free time, he loves gardening and playing computer games.

Following the speakers there will be an opportunity for discussion and debate with the audience.

Come and join us – everyone is welcome.

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