Jobs Central to Greens' Election Message

Lagan Valley Green Party Candidate for the Assembly Election, Conor Quinn, has highlighted that job creation is central to the Green Party’s policies. “The Green Party was the first political party to champion the concept of a Green New Deal for Northern Ireland” explained Mr Quinn. “The Green New Deal is about creating employment through the opportunities afforded by renewable energy technologies, promotion of local food and eco-tourism. Up to 50,000 jobs could be created in Northern Ireland with a concerted effort by the new Executive in these areas. An example of a specific programme would a Northern Ireland home insulation scheme. This would see all of Northern Ireland’s social and private housing stock upgraded to the latest standards of cavity wall, loft and window insulation. Such a scheme would create jobs and help householders reduce their energy bills. The spin-off benefits for improved health and the reduction in fuel poverty are obvious. This is exactly what the Green Party is about; we believe that environmental, social and economic factors are linked. Investment in a Green New Deal for Northern Ireland is a win-win opportunity for our people, the economy and the environment and I will promote it vigorously if elected to the Assembly.”

Northern Ireland stares into the abyss again

Northern Ireland stares into the abyss again today. A huge bomb was discovered in a van beneath a fly-over on the A1 outside Newry yesterday. Police suspect the device was intended for a town centre somewhere and that, if it had reached its destination, it could have exploded with all the deadly force of the Omagh bomb 13 years ago. So tonight, we are all thankful for good police work and extremely lucky.

Those responsible for the device have not yet come forward. Neither has anybody declared responsibility for the murder of PC Ronan Kerr earlier this week, although 3 people have been arrested in relation to that crime.

Dissident Republicans are widely being blamed and there are a few of these groups that could have been responsible. Whoever it was, there seems to be no indication they have listened to the public outpouring of horror and condemnation that followed the murder of the policeman. Their campaign goes on, and we can probably expect it to intensify as the election approaches and the Queen prepares to visit Dublin in May.

Although the bomb failed to reach its destination, it did its job in other ways: it has struck fear into Northern Ireland yet again. The silence of these ruthless killers adds a new dimension to the terror they are trying to instil. In the old days of the IRA, the people of Northern Ireland knew who they were dealing with. But we are now faced with some menacing rogue element that listens to nobody, talks to nobody, just kills. We don't know who they are, what they are trying to achieve, how much ammunition they have and what they are capable of. The discovery of a huge arms cache, including machine guns, was linked to one of the arrests in the week. The scale of the find indicates that there is either some source of weaponry the terrorists are using abroad, or that the IRA did not decommision all of their weapons as promised.

At the moment, we live in great uncertainty and, it seems, we are all potential victims.

Lagan Valley Greens Campaign for Steven Agnew in North Down

The Lagan Valley Greens were out on the campaign trail on Saturday morning, helping out in the Seahill area of Holywood, which is a part of the North Down constituency for the Stormont Assembly.

Steven Agnew, leader of the Green Party in Northern Ireland, will be standing in this constituency, hoping to succeed Green Party MLA Brian Wilson, who is standing down at the election on 5th May.

It was great to see Peter Emerson, one of the founding fathers of the Green movement, helping out on the campaign trail. In 1981 he was a co-founder of the Ecology Party, the forerunner for today's Green Party.

Left to right: Luke Robinson (Lagan Valley Greens), Peter Emerson, Laura Thompson, Steven Agnew, Conor Quinn (Lagan Valley Greens)
Also there, but not in the picture: Paul Roberts, Joanne Dunlop

There are no words low enough to describe the murderers of PC Ronan Kerr, killed by a bomb placed underneath his car yesterday in Omagh.

We can only hope that whoever was responsible is found and brought to account for their actions very rapidly.

If, by some small chance, anybody with responsibility should read this, let us tell you that this act will achieve nothing. It speaks for nobody in Northern Ireland. In fact, it will serve only to strengthen the resolve of the people who work tirelessly for peace and democracy in this country.

Our sympathy goes to those, especially his family, who knew and loved the man.

Lagan Valley Greens Kick Off Carbon Neutral Election Campaign

Conor Quinn hands in election papers and kicks off the Carbon Neutral Election Campaign

Conor Quinn of the Lagan Valley Green Party presented his candidacy papers for the Stormont Assembly Election at Banbridge Electoral Office early this morning.

Mr Quinn is the Green Party candidate in Lagan Valley constituency for the forthcoming Assembly Election.

The Greens intend this to be the first "carbon neutral" campaign in Lagan Valley. Mr Quinn said "Our election leaflets will be printed on recycled paper. The majority of our election posters will be reused from previous campaigns. And our election vehicle is a petrol/electric hybrid car. Any minimal impact the campaign does have on the environment, we will offset via the carbon offsetting company Clear, which has been approved by the UK government's Department of Energy and Climate Change."

"We are delighted to get our papers in early" Mr Quinn said. "Our eagerness to be formally nominated is matched by our enthusiasm  to offer the electorate a real alternative to the old, established parties in Northern Ireland politics."

The Assembly Election will take place on Thursday 5th May, alongside the local council elections and the referendum on the Alternative Vote for future Westminster elections.

Welcome to the new Lagan Valley Greens website!

Hope you like the new look.

Table Quiz at Lisburn Rugby Club

A group of 30 gathered at Lisburn Rugby Club on 28th January making six teams to take part in the table quiz organised by Lagan Valley Greens. The winning team were from South Belfast.

The event and the raffle raised £250 for the Lagan Valley Greens’ forthcoming election campaigns. Just as importantly, everybody seemed to have a good time.