It has just been announced that Mark Pond will replace Joseph Champion as the Green Party Candidate for Blaenau Gwent. Joseph has had to stand down as a result of his position within the RAF Reserves as it renders him ineligible to stand for election
The leader of the Wales Green Party said, “We are saddened that Joseph has not be able to stand for election as originally planned, but we are delighted that Mark has stepped up to the plate to ensure that the residents of Blaenau Gwent have the opportunity to vote for a more just and sustainable future. Mark will make a great candidate who is well known and is a respected tradesman in the area.”
Mark has said "I am delighted to be given this chance to represent my community and to offer them a real alternative to the austerity measures that Labour and the Conservatives are offering, and the fear based policies of UKIP. We stand for the people of Bleanau Gwent, who I meet everyday while out and about working and living in Blaenau Gwent".
The Wales Green Party is buoyant after gaining popularity with the public on policies such as renationalising the railways, raising the minimum wage to £10 an hour, and putting a wealth tax on the richest 1% of Britain's who own over £3million in assets.
Growth in the Wales Green Party has recently soared by 76.39% since January this year.
Pippa Bartolotti, leader of the Wales Greens explained, "Only the Green Party offers a way forward for our country without austerity. It is time that the rich started paying their fair share of tax, that banks repay us for the bailouts given to them by the Labour Government, and that we stop letting the interests of Big Business trample over the needs of people.
“It is only the Green Party who have the guts to stand up and say these things - that's why people are getting behind us and going Green. The Vote for Policies website puts the Greens well ahead on matters which have deep meaning for ordinary people – like renationalisation of the railways and keeping the NHS in public hands."
The Wales Green Party has just announced it will stand 36 candidates in Wales for the General Election in May 2015.