Ralph Cook, Cardiff County Councillor and former Deputy Leader of Cardiff Council joins The Wales Green Party
Ralph Cook, the popular local Cardiff Councillor who represents Trowbridge and St. Mellons has joined the Wales Green Party. Ralph joined the party after reading the Wales Green Party manifesto, launched last week, ahead of the National Assembly elections in May 2016.
Ralph Cook said: “I have been a life long practical environmentalist and certainly was a long time before I became a Labour Party Councillor. I am delighted to have joined a party that holds true to its values whilst also allowing its representatives to express their own positions on the big issues of the day: such a refreshing contrast to the controlling attitude of the Labour Party. I have been impressed by the Wales Green Party manifesto, their strong candidates for the National Assembly elections and their campaign to shake up the Senedd.
Part of the motivation for my joining the Green Party is their opposition to the proposed M4 Relief Road. This road threatens the ancient landscape and wildlife of the Gwent Levels SSSI and will cost £1 billion - money that I believe would be better spent on the South East Wales Metro. An integrated public transport network built around the Metro concept would provide an enormous boost for the economy of South East Wales, is far better for the environment than building a few miles of motorway and would, I am sure be welcomed enthusiastically by the people of Wales.”
The Green party has seen a surge in membership in the last few weeks ahead of the Assembly elections and local elections taking place across the UK. Hannah Pudner, Deputy Leader of the Wales Green Party said:
“We've had a spike in people joining the party recently and we welcome them all, including Councillor Ralph Cook. He isn’t the first, and wont be the last, disillusioned Labour Party member who wants a fresh approach to politics in Wales and to join the Green party. He is a popular Councillor and will continue to serve the people of Trowbridge and St. Mellons over the next year".