01 May 2024
The Greens are growing in St Albans. We examine what they stand for, how they’re expanding on the council, and who some of the key candidates are in this year’s
elections.
The Green party has been around long enough for most people to have a sense of what they stand for. And it’s not just about hugging trees. The party talks about two
distinct but related areas: environmental justice and social justice. Or to put it another way, a liveable world and a fair society.
Cllr Simon Grover, leader of the three-strong Green group on St Albans district council said: “People know we stand for the environment, but now people know that’s not just about trees and bunny rabbits. It’s our whole world, literally everything around us – the air we breathe, the food we eat, how we get around, urban, suburban and out- of-town spaces.”
The party has laid stronger claim to the area of social justice since Labour’s move to the right of the spectrum in recent years.
“In a capitalist, free market society,” said Simon, “fairness or equality of opportunity does not always come with the territory. That means governments at all levels have to act to protect and promote it.
“You can’t just shrug and say it’s not my problem – or society just falls apart.
“We know that internationally the happiest societies are the fairest, most equitable ones.”
On May 2, Greens are standing for all 21 of the available local council seats, along with Cllr Matt Fisher standing for the Police and Crime Commissioner post in
Hertfordshire. As a smaller party, they’re focusing their efforts on just a few seats, where they are confident they can win.
Their local appeal is bolstered by being the only serious opposition to the Lib Dems, who hold 48 of the 56 council seats.
Greens beat the Lib Dems in three seats last year, whilst Labour were wiped out and the Conservatives have no councillors in the city.
At council meetings, it’s become the Green voice that is consistently heard questioning policy, scrutinising decisions, and proposing alternatives.
In St Peter’s ward, Cllr Juliet Voisey is defending her seat that she won in a by-election last year.
In Clarence ward, Lucy Swift is challenging the Lib Dems. Her challenger was going to be council leader Chris White – until his surprise announcement that he was
stepping down. Perhaps he was influenced by Matt Fisher’s comfortable Green win in Clarence last year? Certainly, Lucy Swift looks like the favourite, having been
campaigning in the ward for some time.
Another newcomer is Damian Gaskin, again challenging the Lib Dems, in Batchwood ward. Damian is a well-known local figure, running a weekly litter pick in the
ward, as well as the popular ‘Monday Suppers’ in Christ Church.
In Batchwood there are two seats up for grabs, due to yet another Lib Dem resignation. The Greens are confident that Damian can take one of those two, even if the other goes to the Lib Dems.
The end result could be a jump for the Greens from just one councillor a year ago, to five after these elections.
