Greens claim they will bring new thinking to council politics (From Times Series)

Barnet Greens claim they will bring new thinking to Barnet Council politics at North Finchley campaign launch

3:57pm Wednesday 14th April 2010 in Edgware & Mill Hill By Kevin Bradford

THE Green Party announced they will bring “fresh energy” to politics in the borough during their election launch in North Finchley at the weekend.

Many of the 51 Green candidates standing in the council elections on May 6 were joined by the parliamentary candidates for Hendon, Finchley and Golders Green, and Chipping Barnet, at the event in Tally Ho.

The Party is standing in all wards in the borough, except Burnt Oak and Oakleigh, and are fielding a record number of names.

Noel Lynch, who is standing in East Finchley and is also the London Federation of Green Parties co-ordinator, said: “We are very pleased with the launch. It has been out in the open and people have taken an interest in what's going on.

“It is very important we can put forward this many candidates because people can't vote for us if we are not there. We want to give everybody the chance to vote for the Green Party.

“The wind is at our shoulders. We will bring fresh energy and a new way of looking at things.”

The candidates met at the pollution monitor to meet the public and lay out their manifesto, which includes pledges to fight the Brent Cross Cricklewood redevelopment and to focus on specific issues relevant to each ward.

They were joined by Jean Lambert, Green MEP for the London region, who lent her support to the “encouraging” campaign laid out by the Party organisers in the borough.

She welcomed the record number of nominations, and said: “This is indicative of the fact the Party is being taken much more seriously. We've got more of an opportunity for us because we've got more people willing to stand for the Greens.

“It's really encouraging to see this growth, not only in Barnet, but across London as a whole.

“When people get the Greens elected and it does get the other parties thinking more seriously on environmental issues. It is a real signal to other parties that people care and want something to happen.”