Real Progress in local councils

The Green Party’s 2004 local election campaign in 200 words

The Greens are fighting the local elections this year under the slogan Real Progress. This means focusing on cutting-edge technology that can regenerate local economies, improve quality of life and help protect the environment.

The Greens want a Smart Energy strategy. Solar energy creates local jobs, cuts pollution and ultimately pays for itself. By 2020 we want solar panels on every council house in Oldham, every suitable public building and as many private buildings as possible. Grants are available but must be more widely publicised. Germany is building a million solar roofs and has already created 20,000 jobs doing so. Britain is way behind, so let's take the lead in Oldham!

Greens want a Zero Waste strategy. This means that by 2020 we want nothing incinerated or landfilled, everything recycled. They're doing this in New Zealand, Western Australia, California and elsewhere, and are creating thousands of new jobs because recycling employs more people per tonne of waste than landfill or incineration does - and without the adverse side-effects. Again Britain is way behind and we want Oldham to become a beacon of Real Progress for Britain to follow.

We have a plan for a £25 million Green transport revolution which would mean improving bus and rail services and improving provision for pedestrians and cyclists. It would reduce congestion and pollution, improve health and safety and quality of life, and we can show how to pay for it.