The Wales Green Party has voted with its feet and re-elected its incumbent Leader – Pippa Bartolotti to lead them forwards and into the next general election. As part of the same voting process Anthony Slaughter was elected to be Deputy-Leader.
“I am thrilled that our members have shown such extraordinary support to both Anthony and myself in this way. To be your Leader for a fourth year is an enormous honour. I am humbled by the privilege. Members will know that my hard work and dedication will remain unfaltering as we strengthen our teams and expand our influence across Wales” Bartolotti declared on hearing the election results.
She went on to say “With our powerful Green message of hope, together with an unprecedented surge in Green membership, we will be gathering momentum right up to the General Election, and our first seats in the Assembly are firmly in sight. There has never been a better time to join Wales Green Party.”
Disappointment with other parties, concerns about our environment and worries about attacks on social justice has seen a surge in Green Party membership which now stands at 160% more than it was in January 2014. The majority of new members coming from the Lib Dems (35%), ex Labour voters (25%) and Plaid Cymru (18%).
“We’ve seen a 21% increase in our membership in the last month alone. This is good news for us and good news for Wales.” Bartolotti continued
The research showed that the Greens have attracted new members in large part through their campaigns against N.H.S. privatisation, for a living wage, renewable energy and their opposition to fracking.
“It’s no surprise to me “ Bartolotti added. “ The main parties appear remote and uncomprehending about the lives, fears and aspirations of ordinary people across Wales. We are serious about our ambitions for May and serious about offering the electorate a viable alternative that places the right issues firmly on the agenda”
The Green Party now intends to field candidates in every constituency in Wales in May 2015 for the first time but also has longer view ambitions in mind as well.
“We will also be working had to get a Green into the Welsh Assembly in 2016 and with this growth in membership our prospects are improving every day” concluded the WGP Leader.
A recent ITV/GPC poll indicates that the Wales Green Party could be in line to get not one but three Assembly seats in 2016, but for now their priority is the General Election and giving all Wales residents the opportunity to vote Green.