Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas has visited a St Albans community centre and a church ahead of the district council elections in May.
The Brighton Pavilion MP dropped by the Jubilee Community Centre on Catherine Street and Marlborough Road Methodist Church on Saturday to support Keith Cotton, who hopes to become St Peter’s ward’s second Green councillor, along with Simon Grover.
Dr Lucas said: “So much has been achieved in St Albans because of one Green councillor, Simon Grover: from solar panels and electric taxis, campaigning on air pollution, through to helping refugees. Green councillors work hard. Think what can be done with Keith Cotton on the council as well to work with Simon for local residents and to hold other parties’ feet to the fire.”
She spoke to the assembled activists at the church about the Green policies on environmental protection, social care and housing.
She also criticised the government for favouring voluntary action by residents instead of legislation to tackle plastic waste, and for their Brexit policy.
“The government is trying to pull the wool over our eyes by saying environmental protection will be the same after Brexit. But it simply isn’t true.
“We won’t have the EU to back it up by enforcing legislation and levying fines. There are so many areas at risk. We must have a people’s verdict on any deal before any final agreement with the EU.
“This is a vital opportunity to get a second Green councillor on St Albans council who will work hard for green policies and really listen to what matters to local people.”
Mr Cotton will be running against Conservative councillor Alun Davies, who is up for re-election this year to defend a 43-vote majority.
During her visit, Dr Lucas also sat down with The Herts Advertiser to discuss her party’s plans for social care and housing in Britain.
Asked whether a Green government would build homes on the Green Belt, she said: “We do not believe we need to do that yet.
“We know developers have large land banks and are waiting for the value of the land to increase. We want to see a land value tax and more affordable homes.”
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