Green budget for a better future for all

Molly Scott-Cato, the Green Party’s South West Euro MP, will be speaking at Exeter Castle next Wednesday (18 March) at 7.30pm.

Hosted by the Mid Devon Green Party, the renowned Professor of Economics, a leading figure in the fight against the deeply damaging TTIP trade agreement, will explain the Green Party's unique approach to the banking system and why we need to neutralise the stranglehold private banks have over the public’s lives and return financial control of the country to democracy.

She’ll show how and why we need to end the punitive austerity measures that have led to food-banks on our streets, crippled the NHS and seen thousands of people denied the social security they’re entitled to.

As the Greens’s national spokesperson on finance, she’ll explain how a Green budget can increase prosperity for the majority, why we need to change the system and how to pay for that. Along with three Devon Green candidates, Andy Williamson (Central Devon),

Diana Moore (Exeter) and Paul Edwards (Tiverton and Honiton), she’ll be taking questions from the floor and leading the debate.

Diana Moore, parliamentary candidate for Exeter said, “As Exeter grows by 50% in the next ten years – the Council’s core strategy – we need to make decisions today as if tomorrow matters. We need affordable social housing and investment in a modern and affordable transport system. And we need to protect the City’s green spaces. The Green Party’s budget proposals will create a strong localised economy employing local people to build a sustainable future for Exeter."

Andy Williamson, Green candidate for Central Devon added, "For me, it's the Green Party's economic policy which truly unlocks a fairer, more sustainable future for us all. This is a great opportunity to hear from one of our leading economists and to understand why we need to change so many of our failing policies and assumptions."

In turn, Paul Edwards said, “Despite all the important national issues such as the privatisation of the NHS and the huge lack of affordable, high quality housing, there is one issue that looms over everything else and that is climate change. Only the Greens have the guts to deal with the issue and we need to reshape our whole financial system to do that. The one we have now is just making things worse.”

As part of its untiring commitment to empowering women in politics, the event will be chaired by Laura Conyngham and Jane Schofield of Mid Devon Green Party.