South East Dorset Green Party is delighted at the news that the Green Party today accepted the nomination of London Assembly Member, Jenny Jones to the second chamber in the Palace of Westminster. Ms Jones was chosen as the Green Party nomination by a ballot of all members of the Green Party of England and Wales.
She has been a London Assembly Member for 13 years, which has included being Deputy Mayor of London, and prior to that was Chair of the National Green Party Executive.
Ms Jones said:
“It is an honour and a privilege to be chosen as the Green Party representative in the Second Chamber. My holding the Metropolitan Police to account for over a decade has shown me that issues around policing are a constant concern UK wide and there’s a clear need for strong voices protecting civil liberties and the right to protest. I am looking forward to a new battlefield for green ideas and policies and I shall do my best to fulfill the trust and expectation that my party has shown in me.”
The appointment of Ms Jones to the Second Chamber restores the Green Party back to its previous level of representation prior to 2008. Ms Jones will be using the post to support the many worthy changes to legislation put to the Second Chamber by Green MP Caroline Lucas.
Natalie Bennett, Green Party leader, said: “I’m delighted that the Green Party has provided the second chamber of the British parliament with its first elected representative*.
“We can only hope this can act as a spur towards wider reform of this house, for which reform has been promised for more than a century.
“Reform was included in the manifestos of the three largest political parties in Britain in 2010, and it isn’t too late for action within the term of this parliament.”
Natalie added: “Jenny will be an excellent addition to the second chamber, and one small step towards political balance there. Of course a full-elected chamber, on the basis of a proportional vote, would produce a body entirely reflecting the democratic wishes of the British people.”
Helen Woodall
