An opinion poll which shows nearly two-thirds of UK electors trust neither Tory nor Labour politicians is backed-up by doorstep canvassing in Darlington, say local Green Party councillors.
An annual survey has indicated that around 61 percent of people in the UK think the country “needs a completely new type of political party to compete with the Conservatives and Labour for power”.
“We think that figure is about right,” said Green Councillor Matthew Snedker. “Our members have already been out talking to people about the forthcoming council election and they are hearing very similar comments.
“We are increasingly confident that on polling day, 4th May, the old parties will be rejected by voters after their policies have led to poverty, inequality and division.
“People are telling us that they are ready to give a new kind of politics a try and more people than ever are saying they will vote Green in May.”
Three-quarters of people told communication firm Edelman’s annual “Trust Barometer” that they thought the UK was heading in the wrong direction, a record figure since the survey started in 2001. Two thirds thought inequality was increasing and one-in-five people were either considering using a local food bank or had already been to one.
Darlington elected its first two Green councillors in 2019, since when the local party has increased membership and support. This rise in support means that they will be standing a candidate in every council seat.
The town’s other Green councillor, Bryony Holroyd, said the party’s growth was led by its members’ and supporters’ listening to local people and focusing on community issues, rather than ideological dogma.
“We've been working with Darlington communities over many issues, particularly the new Local Plan for housing and controversial plans for Skerningham and Blackwell.
“We’ve campaigned against cuts to bus services and for more effective measures to boost town centre businesses than just short-term cuts to parking fees on the run-up to an election.
“We work hard all year round, supporting local communities to tackle the issues they care about, not pushing ever-changing policies dictated by party leaders in London who come and go.
“On 4th May, every one of those Darlington people who told the Trust Barometer that they want a new kind of politics will now have the chance to vote for a fast-growing party that looks at the whole picture before making decisions that affect the lives and welfare of us all.”