GREEN Party leader Zack Polanski told a meeting in Barnsley at the weekend that the town hall needs councillors who will make sure ‘everyone’s voice is considered’ - and he believes his party’s candidates can do that.
Polanski, who was made leader of the party on September 2, has since made waves in the political sphere with the Greens’ popularity rising in recent months.
He stopped off at the Emmanuel Methodist Church on Saturday as part of his tour of the north, and was greeted by dozens of locals excited to hear what he had to say.
He is currently the only major party leader who has visited the town in the run-up to May’s all-out local elections.
The visit comes during a period of growing Green Party activity in Barnsley, with local members championing safer roads, stronger communities and a more inclusive borough.
He covered a number of topics ranging from local concerns with Barnsley Council to the worries that residents have about the national cost of living crisis and LGBTQ+ rights, as well as international affairs such as the genocide in Gaza.
He also reassured the audience that the Green Party will always have a focus on environmental projects whilst continuing to increase public awareness of our policies which make people’s lives better.
One such policy that he talked about was the Green Party pushing for free bus travel for everyone under the age of 22, which he believes would make a huge difference to the lives of young people in Barnsley and across the country.
Also at the meeting were Darton West candidates Kab Nepal, Trevor Mayne and Roseanna Hanson - three people Polanski believes can make a huge difference in the town.
He said: “Roseanna, Kab and Trevor are part of the answer - no question.
“But don’t underestimate the power of one voice, two voices or indeed three voices in a group where people are making decisions.
“Young people, disabled people, our working class communities, people who need bus services, people who need a bike.
“People who are able to challenge power at the council level and make sure that everyone’s voice is considered.
“People whose focus is not on the powerful and the wealthy, but the focus is on the people of Barnsley and what the community needs every single day.
“Because ultimately that is how we will change Barnsley.”
A spokesperson for the Barnsley Green Party said that Polanski’s visit helped to demonstrate the big increase in activity and support at both a national and local level.
They added: “The excellent turnout showed just how important it is to Barnsley residents that there is hope for a better future for the people of Barnsley and that the Green Party can win here.”
The Chronicle understands the party will be putting up a candidate in each of Barnsley’s 23 wards in May.
