Greens Launch Manifesto for their Biggest-ever Leicester Council Campaign

Leicester Green Party launched its 2003 Manifesto for Leicester on April 3. The party is fielding its biggest-ever number of candidates, 30-plus in the city as a whole, including a full slate in Leicester South, where all voters will have two or three Green candidates to vote for.

The Green Party has withdrawn its candidates from Westcotes Ward in favour of anti-war candidates Val and Greta Smalley, and urges all its supporters in Westcotes to vote for these two candidates.

"It is highly possible that this election will end in a hung council," said Bob Ball, one of the three Green candidates for Castle Ward. "Greens could then hold the balance of power and make rapid progress towards achieving a really sustainable city."

Fosse Ward candidate Geoff Forse said: "We are campaigning on issues that New Labour has forgotten in its love-affair with big business. If elected we will work with all parties to set the city on a more inclusive and socially just path.''

The party's 16-page manifesto (which can also be seen on the party's website at www.leicestergreenparty.org.uk) includes policies to:

• give priority to sustainable transport improvements for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport
• tackle air pollution and traffic congestion
• work towards a car-free city centre within ten years
• bring empty houses back into use
• improve energy efficiency and establish a zero waste strategy
• bring greater openness and accountability to local government
• provide for green space in all major new developments
• employ an animal rights officer.