By Cllr Rob White
At the 2022 council elections the Green Party became the second largest party on Reading Council overtaking the Conservatives (Labour 32, Green 7, Conservative 6, LibDem 3).
Green candidates like Councillor Josh Williams (Park Ward), Sarah Magon (Park Ward), Councillor Doug Cresswell (Katesgrove Ward) and Kate Nikulina (Redlands Ward) have worked tirelessly, all year round, alongside our local communities. Together we have achieved much, but there is still plenty to do. We want to make our vision for a fairer, greener and cleaner town a reality.
Vote Green Party for more hard work all year round and to keep us as the main opposition party in Reading, ahead of the Conservatives.
Reading Green Party working hard all year round to make a difference
Hopefully with more councillors after the 2023 council elections we will continue to work for a fairer, greener and cleaner town:
1. TACKLING POVERTY: We will support everyone particularly those on low incomes to get through the cost of living crisis. We will insulate houses to bring down energy bills. Our campaign means the council is now an accredited Living Wage employer. All organisations should pay at least a Living Wage.
2. CLIMATE ACTION AND GREEN SPACE: Doubling Reading’s tree cover, zero carbon and protecting our wildlife will improve our green spaces and environment.
3. HEALTH: Protecting budgets to tackle drug and alcohol dependency. Increased support for mental health across the borough will all support public health.
4. AFFORDABLE HOUSING: More council housing, funding for tackling rough sleeping, licensing all landlords and a mass insulation scheme will mean a safe, warm home for all.
5. SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT: Boosting walking and cycling with 20mph zones and car-free school streets will cut congestion and air pollution. Solutions like a Clean Air Zone will protect our green spaces from more road-building.
6. PROTECTING PUBLIC SERVICES: Decent public services are vital to residents’ physical and mental health. Under Labour children’s centres are being closed, swimming pools drained and library hours cut. Greens will stand up for public services.
7. CLEANING UP READING: We will push for kerbside glass collection, action on fly-tipping and support reuse groups to promote better waste management.
For more information on our priorities see our website: https://reading.greenparty.org.uk/manifesto/
Greens second largest party in Reading after 2022 elections
Fortunately, there’s now real, constructive opposition to Labour on Reading council. At the local elections in May 2022 the Green Party overtook the Conservatives becoming the second largest party on Reading Council.
If you’re keen on being part of the change in Reading, get involved and help us make Reading fairer, greener and cleaner: https://reading.greenparty.org.uk/get-involved/
Vote Green Party for more hard work all year round and to keep us as the main opposition party in Reading, ahead of the Conservatives.
By Green Party councillor Rob White, Leader of the main opposition group on Reading Borough Council
