Talking Politics column with Coun Martin Hey: Let's start improving lives in Calderdale
How do you get people interested in politics? How do you help voters understand that decisions made 200 miles away in London directly affect our lives and have caused some of the problems we now face in Britain?
It's a question that many of us who are interested in politics have dwelt on over the years. So when somebody comes along, understands the average person’s day-to-day experience and talks clearly about what’s gone wrong in the country, it really stands out.
The Green Party's newest MP, Hannah Spencer, is a plumber and plasterer from Manchester who won the Gorton and Denton by election last month. During the campaign, she spoke to hundreds of people in the area, and after the Green triumph was confirmed at the election count, she spoke directly to so many of us, in Manchester and beyond…
“Things have changed a lot over the last few decades, because working hard used to get you something. It got you a house, a nice life, holidays, it got you somewhere.”
"But now, working hard, what does that get you? Because talk to anyone here and they will tell you. They work hard, but can't put food on the table, can't get their kids school uniforms, can't put their heating on, can't live off the pension they worked hard to save for, can't even begin to dream about ever having a holiday, ever.”
“I don't think it's extreme or radical to think working hard should get you a nice life.”
Everyone in Calderdale Green Party was delighted by the result of the by-election. We think that well over 30 Green Party members travelled from the Borough to help the campaign in South Manchester, forming part of an enormous team of volunteers (there were 2000 campaigners out on election day from all over the country).
Those of us who went across were struck by the enormous enthusiasm of the residents who voted Green. Rather than voting out of fear, these people were casting a positive vote for positive change.
And our voters were from all different backgrounds and age ranges. Whilst in Gorton I met Sandra, a traditional Labour voter who had initially decided not to cast her vote but then on the day changed her mind. After visiting the polling station, she talked about how proud she felt to have supported the Green Party’s message of fairness and equality for all.
Young people suffering with low pay and high rents, mothers juggling expensive childcare and minimum wage jobs, older people shocked by their energy and water bills - all these people talked to us about wanting a better life and neighbourhood. That's what our new MP will be campaigning for on their behalf.
And what of the future? We believe that the by-election result will forever end any questions as to whether voting Green is a “wasted vote”. Voters at the local elections in Calderdale in May can now be reassured that they can cast a positive vote for the party that best represents them and their community.
And we’ll be running on the same positive, clear message. Unlike the other parties, we’re not interested in ending this, scrapping that, banning this, stopping that. We aim to start making things better for everyone who lives in the Borough.