*Natalie Bennett: It’s time for a peaceful revolution
*New slate of spokespeople features a 50/50 gender split
The Green Party has announced its full slate of spokespeople ahead of the May 2015 General Election. Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion, remains as the Green Party’s spokesperson on economics, one of the key battlegrounds for the election campaign.
Lucas and the Green Party are committed to providing a positive alternative to austerity economics and taking bold steps to redistribute wealth and create an economy that supports the needs and aspirations of all, not just the 1%.
A number of candidates in target constituencies, where the Green Party are hotly tipped, will operate as spokespeople. Darren Hall, PPC for Bristol West, moves into Home Affairs. Lesley Grahame (Norwich South) is the Greens’ new Peace and Disarmament spokesperson. Rupert Read (Cambridge) remains as Transport spokesperson. Jillian Creasy (Sheffield Central) will speak on Health (including social care), Martin Dobson (Liverpool Riverside) on Culture, Media and Sport and Howard Allen (Solihull) on Business, Innovation and Skills.
Leader Natalie Bennett and Deputy Leaders Dr Shahrar Ali and Amelia Womack will continue to operate as spokespeople across issues. All the Party’s MEPs continue to act as spokespeople – Jean Lambert (Immigration), Keith Taylor (Environment and Climate Change), and Molly Scott Cato (Finance).
Bennett said:
"I'm delighted to see such a strong, experienced team of spokespeople that reflects the overall growing strength of the Green Party and the quality of our team of candidates for the General Election.
"In the coming months I'm confident the public will have the chance to hear increasingly from a wide range of these voices - and will like what they hear in our message of a peaceful revolution that sees society working for the common good within the environmental limits of our one planet."
Other spokespeople retaining their roles are Pippa Bartolotti (Wales), Jonathan Bartley (Work and Pensions), Jason Kitcat (Local Government), Caroline Russell (Local Transport), Andrew Cooper (Energy), Tony Clarke (Foreign Affairs), Caroline Allen (Animals) and James Abbott (Science & Technology).
The new slate, which features a 50/50 gender split, includes other new spokespeople Charley Pattison (Justice), Mags Lewis (Disability), Dave Cocozza (Further & Higher Education), Laura Bannister (International Development), Benali Hamdache (Equalities), Samantha Pancheri (Schools) and Tom Chance (Housing).
The Green Party is polling at its highest levels ahead of a General Election since 1989, a breakthrough year.
The Green Party is standing candidates in at least 75% of seats in May 2015. That means 50% more people will be able to vote Green in 2015 than were able to do so five years ago.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ALL THE SPOKESPEOPLE PLEASE VISIT http://greenparty.org.uk/people/green-party-spokespeople/