15/04/2010

Greens Launch Election Manifesto

The Green Party of England and Wales today launched its General Election manifesto with the pledged 'fair is worth fighting for'.

The manifesto was unveiled by Caroline Lucas, the Green Party leader who is standing in Brighton Pavilion on 6 May.

Speaking today to assembled journalists, Ms Lucas said: "Our key messages are those on the environment, on the economy and on fairness.

"We believe that the choice between safeguarding the environment and the economy is a false one - if you want to see how 'green' a party is, look at its economic policies."

She continued: "We are calling for a major change, for social and economic justice that would see 87 per cent of the population significantly better off. Now is the time for radical tax reform, with those on higher incomes paying more, and those on lower incomes better off."

Ms Lucas said: "For example, we have pledged to provide a citizens pension of £170 per week. At the moment, a quarter of pensioners are living in poverty.

"Thirteen years ago Labour promised to link pensions to earnings - and we're still waiting."

(PR/NS)

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