We’re pleased that Plymouth has rejected the push to further centralise power in the hands of a mayor. But we can’t ignore the low turnout, or how close the result was. 

Unfortunately, Plymouth residents didn’t see a hopeful or transformative choice on their ballot.

We believe the people of Plymouth deserve a local government that truly listens to local people, is open, transparent and empowering – not merely a choice between two flawed systems that keep the power in the hands of too few.

As people become increasingly frustrated and apathetic towards politics and the old political establishment, we want people to know that there is a true alternative.

And if you want to help build a future where power is shared, decisions are made openly, and your voices are truly valued, we invite you to join us, and vote Green next May.

Cllr Lauren McLay, Cllr Ian Poyser and Plymouth Green Party

The post Plymouth Green Party react to the Mayor Referendum Result appeared first on Plymouth Green Party.

Whichever way Thursday’s mayoral referendum goes, Plymouth is being asked to believe that one person can save our city. 

One person can’t fix the fact that one in four children here grows up in poverty. One person can’t fix our homes — which are the dampest and mouldiest in the UK. One person can’t fix our crises in social care, SEND education, or our homelessness epidemic — nor can they independently forge local solutions to the climate and nature crisis.

Our problems are many, and we are undoubtedly being failed. But this failure cannot, and will not, be fixed by one person. Whether Plymouth chooses to remain with the strong leader model, or move to a city mayor, both result in power being in the hands of an elite few, as it always has been. 

The real question should be: how do we build a better, fairer, more democratic, more accountable system for Plymouth? The answer to that, for me, is not a mayor, nor is it staying as we are. 

The choice you aren’t being given on Thursday is the committee system. This model would give you a proper say in how our city is run and unlock more transparent and collaborative ways of working. It’s a system where community groups, citizens’ assemblies, local experts and service users would feed directly into committees in which all councillors, elected by every corner of this city, would work together openly to share decision-making power, informed by your views. It’s a model rooted in listening, participation, trust, and local knowledge and, when done correctly, could restore much-needed faith in how decisions are made.

So where does this leave my vote on Thursday? I will be voting no to a mayor, not because I am defending the current system (clearly!), but because I believe Plymouth deserves better than centralised power, another layer of bureaucracy, another politician’s inflated salary, and less scrutiny over the decisions that affect us all. 

I’ll also continue to advocate for Westminster to empower local communities. I was angered to hear that the government plans to abolish alternative governance models, namely city mayors and committee systems. This to me shows Labour’s true colours — they won’t share power or listen to anyone but themselves and are unwilling to trust communities to lead. Taking away decisions on how citizens want their cities to run is reckless and undemocratic. I absolutely support the legitimacy of this referendum and call on the government to respect the outcome, whichever path Plymouth decides to take. 

Ultimately, this referendum boils down to one word: power. It’s been held in the hands of too few for far too long. In many ways it feels as though this campaign is a sticking plaster for a long-term problem — a change of one face in our city’s entrenched leadership. There are better ways to bring about this change.

If you’d like to be a part of building a different future for Plymouth, one that is more accountable, equal and shared – welcome. Our work will only get more important after Thursday’s result. 

Councillor Lauren McLay
Leader of the Green Group on Plymouth City Council

The post One Person Won’t Save Our City – Councillor McLay on THE Mayoral Referendum appeared first on Plymouth Green Party.

The Bill proposes significant changes to the Universal Credit system, including removing the health element for claimants under 22. This would hit Early Service Leavers and medically discharged younger veterans the hardest.

A Royal British Legion spokesperson told iNews:

“We are concerned that proposed welfare reforms could negatively impact the Armed Forces community, particularly younger veterans. Delaying access to the health element of Universal Credit until age 22 may leave Early Service Leavers and those medically discharged without vital support during a vulnerable period of transition to civilian life.”

Despite this, both of Plymouth’s Labour MPs – Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard and Fred Thomas, a veteran himself – have expressed support for the Bill, even though no veteran-specific impact assessment has yet been published.

Mike Kewish, Green Party campaigner and Royal Navy veteran, says:

Plymouth is proud of its military heritage but these cuts betray that pride. Younger military personnel deserve to be treated with respect. They deserve assurance that our country will be there for them, as they are for us.”

In Afghanistan alone, the average age of casualties was 22 with at least 35 deaths for those aged 19. To become disabled whilst serving your country in any capacity and faced with not receiving the disabled element of Universal Credit because of age, creates an unfair, two-tier system.”

A response to a Parliamentary Written Question confirmed that the Department for Work and Pensions is only “carefully considering the potential impacts… including on veterans”, but no assessment or protections have been made public before MPs vote on the bill tomorrow.

Cllr Lauren McLay, Green councillor for Plympton Chaddlewood, who recently wrote an open letter to both MPs urging them to oppose the measures, added:

“It’s alarming that such major changes are being rushed through without proper data. Plymouth’s disabled community deserves better than vague promises and blind decision-making.”

The risks of the Welfare Reform Bill are extensive, it threatens the financial security, health, and dignity of disabled people across Plymouth and the UK. Councillor Lauren McLay has warned that the reforms represent a fundamental shift away from fairness and support toward a system “designed to punish, not protect.”

Cllr McLay said: “The government is seeking to balance the books on the backs of disabled people whilst creating a two-tier system where people with similar conditions receive different support depending only on when they became disabled. That’s senseless discrimination.”

Cllr McLay brought a motion to Plymouth City Council in June asking councillors to oppose the government’s measures, but it was voted down by Labour and abstained on by the Conservatives.

Councillor Lauren McLay says:

“This Bill poses a direct risk to NHS and local authority budgets with The Disability Policy Centre estimating that councils will face £1.50 in additional care costs for every £1 lost in disability support. With adult social care in Plymouth already under enormous pressure, this bill shifts the financial burden of supporting disabled people away from central government and onto local councils — jeopardising Plymouth’s ability to meet statutory duties and support those in need.”

“That’s why I’ve now appealed directly to our MPs,” she said. “Our MPs must do what our local politicians failed to do – stand up for our city’s most vulnerable. The evidence is clear, these reforms will harm our community and they cannot be supported.”

The post Veterans Overlooked in Government’s Welfare Reform Plans appeared first on Plymouth Green Party.

Green Party Councillor Lauren McLay has written to Plymouth’s three MPs – Luke Pollard, Fred Thomas, and Rebecca Smith – urging them to vote against the Government’s proposed cuts to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and the Universal Credit Health Component. These changes threaten to strip vital support from thousands of disabled people, push families further into poverty, and shift huge costs onto already overstretched local councils and NHS services.

The letter follows a Green motion to Plymouth City Council opposing the cuts, which Labour councillors voted down and Conservatives abstained on. Councillor McLay’s message is clear: these cuts are unjust, short-sighted, and must be stopped.

Read the full letter below:

Monday 30 June 2025

To:
Luke Pollard MP
Fred Thomas MP
Rebecca Smith MP

Urgent Call to Vote Against the Cuts to Support for Disabled People

Dear Luke, Fred, and Rebecca,

I am writing to urge you as Plymouth’s MPs to vote against the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill at its second reading tomorrow, 1 July.

The Government’s so-called ‘concessions’, announced on Friday, are in no way sufficient to address the catastrophic consequences this bill poses to many of Plymouth’s most vulnerable residents by cutting vital support, increasing poverty, and putting further strain on local services. It is a rushed, costly, and unfair bill that fails to uphold the dignity and equality disabled people deserve.

Key concerns regarding recent changes are as follows:

• Creation of a ‘two-tier’ benefit system:

Disability charities have said the recent amendments to the bill will lead to an unequal future for different groups of disabled people, making life harder for hundreds of thousands of future claimants. Most disabled people (8 out of 10) aren’t born disabled; they became disabled through accident, illness and injury. The stricter PIP eligibility criteria and the lower health element of Universal Credit for new claimants create a situation where individuals with similar needs receive different levels of support based solely on their claim date – this arbitrary distinction undermines principles of equality and dignity. Supporting this bill means supporting a system that marginalises future disabled people. 

• Lack of scrutiny:

This bill is being pushed forward at an alarming speed, and has failed to uphold a reasonable and thorough consultation process. The flawed public consultation only ended on the 29th June, meanwhile the terms of reference of the Pip assessment review, details of the ‘right to try guarantee’ and the poverty impact assessment are only due to be published today (Monday 30 June) – these conditions have denied you, our MPs, the ability to fully review the information and properly represent your constituents.

Overall, the measures in this bill are:

• Cost shifting, not cost saving: 

For councils: The Disability Policy Centre estimates councils will face £1.50 in additional care costs for every £1 lost in disability support. With adult social care in Plymouth already under enormous pressure, this bill shifts the financial burden of supporting disabled people away from central government and onto local councils — jeopardising our ability to meet statutory duties and support those in need.

For the NHS: The cuts are expected to result in £1.2 billion in increased NHS demand due to worsening mental and physical health outcomes for disabled people. In Plymouth, where our NHS services are already stretched to the brink, this will mean more hospital admissions, longer waiting times, and greater pressure on already overstretched staff.

Additionally, research reveals the government’s welfare reforms are likely to deliver savings of £100m by 2030, a mere 2% of the £5bn claimed by the Government.

This bill is financially illiterate.

• Poverty delayed, not poverty prevented: 

Even with concessions, research from the Department for Work and Pensions shows these cuts will push 150,000 more people into poverty, at a time when the extra costs of living with a disability are rising steeply.

According to Scope, the extra costs of being disabled in the UK are to rise by almost 12% in five years. Their annual disability price tag report estimates that the extra cost facing disabled people currently stands at £1,095 per month, up from last year’s price tag of £1,010. Based on the Family Resources Survey and forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility, the report estimates this monthly cost will climb to £1,224 by the financial year 2029-30. It means disabled people will be facing an effective annual surcharge of almost £15,000 by the end of the decade to live at the same standard as non-disabled people. 

Taking away vital financial support, as this Bill proposes to do, will push more disabled people into poverty and deepen poverty levels for those already struggling. 

This bill is morally cruel.

• Disabling rather than enabling: 

As already explored, the proposed changes will make people sicker and poorer, making them less able to engage with their lives, communities and work.

PIP is not an out of work benefit: it enables many of its recipients to work. While I echo the support of many disability action groups who  welcome measures such as ‘the right to try’, I share their overall concern that the government’s measures will push more people out of work, as they may struggle to cover the costs of work-enabling measures like transportation, medical equipment and personal care. Added financial strain (as well as its knock-on mental burden) can make it harder to manage a disability while trying to maintain or find employment.

Additionally, new polling undertaken by More in Common in collaboration with Disability Rights UK and Get Yourself Active shows that recipients of benefits like Personal Independence Payment say that losing their benefits would negatively impact their physical and mental health: 

• Nearly half of benefits recipients (45%) expect to be less healthy if their benefits were reduced or removed 
• One third (34%) say they would participate less in their community 
• Four in ten (39%) say they would be more lonely  

This bill will create an unhealthier, unhappier country.

This bill is fatally flawed.

To summarise, this bill does not offer the fundamental support we should all agree is needed to help disabled people live with dignity and  access work, where appropriate. 

I am calling on you to take a principled stance and vote against this Bill. Voting for it will not only hurt disabled constituents in Plymouth but will also undermine public trust in a fair and compassionate social security system.

Last month, I brought a motion before Plymouth City Council opposing these cuts. Labour councillors voted it down; Conservative councillors abstained. I regret that local politicians failed to send a clear message of support and solidarity to disabled people and carers across our city. That is why I now appeal directly to each of you as our MPs: please do what your local parties failed to do and stand up for disabled residents in our city.

Listen to disabled people, listen to disabled campaigners, listen to the data and follow good moral sense – this bill should not,, and cannot be supported.

You can ensure that the UK upholds the dignity, rights, and wellbeing of disabled people by voting against these cruel, ill-conceived, costly, rushed and short-sighted reforms. 

Kind regards,

Councillor Lauren McLay

Leader of the Green Party Group on Plymouth City Council
Councillor for Plympton Chaddlewood
lauren.mclay@plymouth.gov.uk

The post Plymouth Green Councillor Calls on City’s MPs to Oppose Devastating Disability Benefit Cuts appeared first on Plymouth Green Party.

The disruption, caused by a burst main, has persisted for over 24 hours, during which residents have faced long queues at just two water collection points – both accessible only by car. “It’s deeply concerning that South West Water’s response has failed to consider residents without access to a car,” McLay said. “Adequate provisions have not been made for elderly, disabled and vulnerable residents who cannot drive to these limited collection points. It simply isn’t good enough.”

She continues: “Adding this incident to South West Water’s catalog of failures it is impossible to justify the significant increase in customer bills we’ve been subject to,” said Councillor McLay. “We’ve just seen average household bills rise by 28% to £500 a year. It is a scandal that 14% of our bills are used to service the company’s £3.1 billion debt, while £4.5 billion has been paid out in dividends to shareholders in recent years. South West Water’s shareholder greed and persistent underinvestment in infrastructure has led to service outages and record levels of pollution.”​

McLay also raised alarm over South West Water’s record on sewage discharges. “As a keen wild swimmer, I was disgusted to learn that South West Water dumped sewage into the Hoe 1,333 times last year, making it the third worst site for sewage overspills in the UK – a podium no one wants their city to be on.”

These issues aren’t unique to South West Water. The current Thames Water crisis is also a product of privatisation, due to a combination of financial mismanagement, underinvestment and environmental failures. The company has amassed nearly £20 billion in debt, largely due to a leveraged financial model that prioritised shareholder dividends over essential infrastructure maintenance. This neglect has led to significant environmental issues, including a 50% increase in raw sewage discharges into rivers in 2024, totaling nearly 300,000 hours. Despite these challenges, Thames Water has continued to distribute dividends, resulting in regulatory fines and public outcry. The company’s financial instability has prompted discussions of temporary nationalisation and necessitated a £3 billion emergency bailout to prevent collapse.

“Water is a basic human right, it should not be controlled by private companies that put profit before people,” said Councillor McLay. “The Green Party believes water should be owned by the public, ensuring everyone has access to clean, safe water at a fair price. Our communities and our environment deserve better than the pollution and neglect caused by privatisation.”

The post Green Party Councillor Shames South West Water Over Plymouth Water Outages and Sewage Scandal appeared first on Plymouth Green Party.

The Plymouth Green Party has raised serious concerns about the Labour
Government’s English Devolution White Paper, warning that its plans to
introduce Strategic Mayors risk ignoring local residents due to a lack of
local-led consultation.

The Government’s English Devolution White Paper (Power and Partnership:
Foundations for Growth) outlines proposals to reform local government by
creating Strategic Authorities led by directly elected regional Mayors [1].
These Mayors would hold significant powers over transport, housing,
economic development, and environmental planning, covering vast areas that
combine urban, rural, and coastal communities—while also having the power
to override local decision-making.

Mayors’ Powers: A Threat to Local Representation
Green Party councillor Lauren McLay warned that under these proposals,
local communities could be subjected to a one-size-fits-all approach dictated
by regional mayors with broad powers. “The idea of a regional mayor
overriding decisions about Plymouth while living in Exeter or Penzance is
deeply concerning. This is not genuine devolution—it’s centralisation
disguised as reform,” she said.

Fellow Green Party councillor Ian Poyser added, “Residents in Plymouth could
see decisions about housing, transport, and the environment being made by
someone who doesn’t understand the unique challenges of our city. This could
sideline local councils and diminish residents’ voices in decision-making.”

A rushed process with risks for communities
Plymouth Green Councillors stress that the rushed and poorly planned nature
of the White Paper will lead to costly disruption for local councils. Cllr McLay
said:

“Both locally and nationally, Labour have shown that they won’t listen. In
Plymouth, we have seen residents’ views ignored regarding new housing
developments, and their wishes sidelined on our election cycle—all to suit the
interests of this Labour administration. Nationally, Labour has ignored calls to
restore the Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners and refuses to remove the
cruel two-child benefit cap, which has pushed more than 10,000 children into
poverty since they took power in July.”

“These devolution plans, which will radically alter local government in our city,
haven’t been given any opportunity for public scrutiny. These costly proposals
are set to steamroll over local authorities at breakneck speed—change or
have change thrust upon you—with no consideration of the cost to taxpayers
or timely consultation with those it will impact most, our communities.”

Residents deserve true devolution
The Plymouth Green Party is calling for a different approach to devolution, one
that truly empowers local communities. Cllr McLay argued that meaningful
devolution would involve properly funding local councils and allowing
decisions to be made at the most local level possible. “We already have
powers and mechanisms to make a difference. Instead of handing over power
to a single Mayor, we should be giving our councils the tools and financial
support they need to effectively serve our residents. Genuine devolution
doesn’t look like this,” she said.

“Fifteen years of austerity have seen Local Authorities within the region
competing with each other for additional funding—the crumbs on the table.
Mayoral Authorities are not the solution.” Cllr Poyser added: “If the
government wanted to invest in railway infrastructure, healthcare, or
education, it could do so today. The region doesn’t need a Strategic Mayoral
Authority to do this effectively.”

Greens will fight for Plymouth’s voice
While promising to engage with the process to secure the best possible
outcome for Plymouth, Green councillors McLay and Poyser confirmed that
they cannot fully support the current proposals.

Cllr Poyser said: “While we support a careful and well-considered approach to
local government reorganisation, which will likely involve the expansion of
Plymouth’s City Council boundaries, regional mayors do not need to play a
part in this. Plymouth is already working well with neighbouring authorities and
has a Joint Local Plan that includes South Hams and West Devon District
Councils.”

“There are too many risks, too many unanswered questions, and potentially
too much power being stripped away from our communities. In Devon, where
two-tier systems are being dissolved, we must ensure there is no democratic
deficit, and that residents receive the representation they deserve.”
The Plymouth Green Party remains committed to fighting for a fairer, more
democratic approach to devolution—one that strengthens, rather than
undermines, local representation.

Photo: Jay Stone

The post Devolution plans: Labour Won’t Listen appeared first on Plymouth Green Party.

As the new chair for Plymouth Green Party, I aim to give all members the opportunity to contribute, and to organise our activity effectively, making a difference for our communities.

I’ve lived and worked in Plymouth for over 20 years, with my wife, Sarah, and two daughters.

Richard Worrall

I’m Shayna, a co-opted member of the committee, to support all areas where necessary. My skills are based in content creation and events. I believe in equity and diversity as a strong principle of the party and promote this. I work as a social media manager for an independent security firm. I also enjoy performing my own songs at open mics, I have been part of the greens for just under 3 years now! Shayna Newton-Joynes

I’m Kayce and I am the Plymouth Green Party Secretary. My role involves a lot of organising and note taking, within meetings you will see me typing away to keep track of the parties goals. I’m a relatively new member of the Green Party and feel the policies align with my own ethos.
I am also a podiatrist in my day job, and enjoy crafting.

Kayce Allcock

I have been co-opted to the Committee as fundraising officer. I studied Economics at Essex University, where I was a student activist, and graduated in 1974. I started a family in Devon and opened a Wholefood Shop and Cafe, having run a food co-op before. I then moved to Alentejo, Portugal having bought a disused 15 hectare valley farm in 1980. I returned to London in 1987 and trained with KPMG, becoming a chartered accountant in 1991. I held various private company roles, 2 as Finance Director, others as chief accountant. I helped to produce an Arts & Crafts fair in Littlehampton for 4 years.
I retired & moved to Algarve, Portugal in 2009, where I helped organise the local fight against Oil Explorations in the Algarve, and Climate marches. I was an early member of Co-opernico, a cooperative electricity supplier now with more than 6,000 members and €2.5 million in Solar projects. I moved back to the UK in 2023. I’m a member of Climate Action Plymouth and Green Party.

Simon Pannett

Here is the full committee list

Richard Worrall – Chairperson

Nicholas Casley – Treasurer

Pat Bushell and Byran Driver – Membership Officers

Kat Moss – Social Media Officer

Lauren McLay and Ian Poyser – Elections Officers

Jack Witek – co-opted

George Wheeler – co-opted

Frank Hartkopf – co-opted

Shayna Newton-Joynes – co-opted

The post New committee elected appeared first on Plymouth Green Party.

I lived in Plymouth Sutton and Devonport for a decade, first coming as a student then staying and working in the hospitality sector. I know the city well and there is so much to love about Plymouth, but it also faces significant challenges. So often it is felt like Plymouth is forgotten about, cut off from the rest of the country, and left to fend for itself. I believe in a collaborative approach, so as your MP I will open channels of dialogue with constituents, community groups, and councillors to build consensus and find solutions to the pressing issues that people face.

Nowadays, I work for an apprenticeship training provider. I am passionate about education because it is vitally important for giving everybody a fair start in life. However so many children and young adults in Plymouth are not gaining the skills, knowledge, and opportunities they need to lead fulfilling and comfortable lives. Unfortunately, almost 20% of children in Plymouth live in poverty, which has a direct impact on their educational outcomes and future prospects, a reality I faced myself.

I was recently elected as a councillor in Bristol, joining over 800 fellow Green councillors across the country who have been elected in recent years. The Green Party is bucking the trend and showing we can win even with this broken voting system and without the national media attention other parties get. Labour will probably tell you that you need to vote for them to keep the Tories out, but that simply isn’t the case in Plymouth Sutton and Devonport. The Tories didn’t even come close to winning here at the last election when they were at their peak, so they don’t stand a chance this time round. This election is about who you want to be the main challenger to Labour, so if you want Green, vote Green.

The post General Election 2024: Cam Hayward to challenge Labour in Plymouth Sutton and Devonport appeared first on Plymouth Green Party.

Georgia, a dedicated Green Party member and campaigner since 2019, expressed her enthusiasm for her candidacy, stating, “For 14 years, this country has been led by a Conservative government marred by sleaze and corruption, and defined by destruction of public services, lack of action on climate breakdown, and huge social and economic inequality. Labour has the opportunity to change the direction of politics in the UK, but is instead engaging in a race to the bottom, peddling old and tired policies and refusing to take principled stances. The Green Party is the solution to this political stagnation, and in the upcoming General Election, I’m honoured to have been selected as the Green Party candidate in Plymouth Moor View.”

At this general election, the Green Party is standing candidates in a record 574 seats in England and Wales, giving people up and down the country the chance to vote for real hope and real change.

Nelson notes, “In hearts and minds across the country, people are yearning for change and for an alternative to the status quo. With the effects of the climate crisis closing in, the cost of living sky-high, and the NHS on its knees, voters in every corner of the UK deserve the chance to vote Green for real hope and real change.”

“In this election there is no need to vote tactically – who will lead the next government is in no doubt. A Green vote in Moor View will hold fire to Labour’s feet, pushing them to scrap the cruel two-child benefit cap that’s keeping hundreds of children in Plymouth in poverty, save our NHS from creeping privatisation, ensure safe and warm homes for all and be ambitious in tackling the climate and nature emergencies.”

Nelson’s political journey began as a first-year student at the University of Bristol, where she was actively involved in Carla Denyer’s MP campaign in Bristol West. “This campaign was my first taste of political engagement, and I was immediately absorbed. I have since been involved in numerous election campaigns,” she said.

Her political experience extends beyond campaigning; she has held multiple elected roles within the Green Party. As the co-chair of Bristol Young Greens from 2020-21, she led the group through the challenges of the pandemic, maintaining high engagement through online events. Since 2021, she has served as the events officer for the Bristol Young Greens committee. Additionally, Nelson has also served as the staff member for the Green Party’s youth wing, the Young Greens, and now works as Carla Denyer’s Personal Assistant, supporting Denyer in her role as co-leader of the party.

Social Media Handles

Twitter/X: @georgianelson01

Email: coordinator@plymouth.greenparty.org.uk

The post Georgia Nelson announced as Green Party candidate for Plymouth Moor View appeared first on Plymouth Green Party.

Lauren is the Green Party Group Leader on Plymouth City Council representing Plympton Chaddlewood ward. Following her initial election in January 2023 and successful re-election in May 2024 gaining 53% of the vote, she is the first Green Party councillor to be successfully re-elected to Plymouth City Council.

Since her election, Lauren has been working hard to improve play parks, parks and green spaces, advocate for nature and a just transition to netzero, and increase access to democracy. She also sits on Health and Wellbeing, Natural Infrastructure and Growth and Children, Young People and Families Scrutiny Panels on Plymouth City Council. 

Within the Green Party, Lauren is also a member of the Young Greens.

Lauren, who grew up in central Scotland, moved to the South West to work for an environmental charity. She has a professional background in tourism, culture and communications. She says it is a ‘great honour’ to have been selected to contest the seat which has been held by retiring Conservative Gary Streeter for 27 years. 

She is committed to increasing the presence of marginalised groups within politics. As a young, queer, working class woman Lauren advocates that our elected representatives should be representative of us.

Outside of work, Lauren enjoys camping on Dartmoor, snorkelling and wild swimming at Wembury, walking and paddleboarding around Noss Mayo, bouldering, live music and exploring nature with her rescue greyhound.

Lauren says:

“We live in one of the richest countries on the planet. Yet in South West Devon nurses are using food banks, putting a roof over our heads is all too often unaffordable, thousands of children are growing up in poverty, and a hospital or dentist appointment is like gold dust.

We need more than the few tweaks offered by the Labour Party to undo the damage of the Conservatives. We need real hope, and real change. Voting Green sends a message for the serious change this country deserves; to restore our NHS, deliver safe and warm homes for all, stop water bosses profiting from sewage in our rivers and seas, address the cost of living crisis and be ambitious in tackling the climate and nature emergencies.

My work as a councillor in Plympton gives me firsthand knowledge of the importance of good, local public services and how, over the last 14 years, residents in South West Devon have seen the consequences of austerity on these services and their own household budgets. We cannot fix our ailing public services, address rampant child poverty, fix our broken energy system and protect the planet without serious investment. A vote for the Green Party will put pressure on the incoming government to deliver the necessary investment while ensuring that the burden doesn’t fall on ordinary working families.”

The post Lauren McLay announced as Green Party Candidate for South West Devon appeared first on Plymouth Green Party.