Scottish Greens Take Up Euro Challenge (Launch of 'Everyone' European Campaign)
Tue., March 30, 2004. 00:00.
With the launch this morning of the 'Everyone' European campaign by Scotland's leading environment organisations [1], the Scottish Green Party said that the environment is at the top of their agenda for the Euro elections and called on other parties to give the environment the same importance and then stand by it if elected.
With the controversy last week over the LibDem failure to oppose GM commercialisation in the Scottish Parliament, the Greens said it was important that elected politicians stick to their promises. Caroline Lucas and Jean Lambert, have been tireless campaigners for the environment in there term as a Green Party UK MEPs.
The Scottish Greens' top Euro candidate Chas Booth [2] said:
'The Greens aren't just promising to put the environment top of our political priorities, we will stand by our promises when we are elected. We won't be reneging on election promises like the LibDems did last week by voting through GM crops in the Scottish Parliament.
'Scotland's environment organisations are a very strong lobby with half a million supporters likely to vote in ten weeks and with the LibDems failure to stand up against GM crops, many green-thinking voters disillusioned by their behaviour, the Greens will do well.'
The Green Party pointed out that Environment LINK rated their Scottish election 2003 manifesto above any of the other parties and are confident they will be way ahead again in the Euro election.
Eleanor Scott MSP, Green Party Leader said: 'This major initiative will put the environment at the top of the political agenda in the run up to the Euro elections. Because ninety percent of laws and regulations that protect and enhance our environment coming from Europe it's vital to have strong Green representation in Europe to make sure that these laws are effective.
'As with the Scottish election last May, the Greens will be putting the environment foremost in their campaign. We'll see if the other parties live up to that.
'Of course we don't just want promises from politicians at the time of elections, we want elected politicians to live up to these promises. We've seen recently the LibDem MSPs vote through GM crops in Scotland against their own party's national policy. We need integrity as well as fine words if we are to properly protect our environment.'
EDITORS NOTES:
[1] Scottish Environment LINK is launching a campaign this morning to highlight the importance of the European elections for Scotland's environment. 90% of environmental initiatives come from Europe not from the Scottish government. See www.everyonecan.org
[2] The Greens are standing a slate of 7 Euro candidates. Top candidate, Chas Booth has been International Spokesperson for the Scottish Greens for the last three years. During that time he has also managed the Edinburgh office of Sustrans, the sustainable transport charity, and served on Green Party National Council. Previously he worked in the European Parliament for the European Federation of Green Parties, and taught English in post-war Bosnia. A photograph of Chas Booth is available on request.
[3] With 33 MEPs in the European Parliament already, two of them from the UK, and going from 1 to 7 MSPs in the Scottish Parliamentary elections last year, the Scottish Greens are strongly competing for a Euro seat. Under the PR election they need around 15% of the turnout.
CONTACT:
Chas Booth, Top Euro candidate, 0790 514 7552
Contact the Scottish Greens' press team on 07909 933 074.