Interview with Gavin Hawkton, Green Party candidate in Castle ward, Carlisle

 Interview with Gavin Hawkton, Green Party candidate in Castle ward, Carlisle

Why a Green candidate in Castle?

Castle Ward is the ward that is right in the heart of Carlisle, yet it’s also a ward that continues to be largely ignored by the major political parties who only show up at election time when they want votes.

At this level of politics, the standard of councillors is pretty poor, they have little imagination or any real ideas how to improve the wards they are representing. It’s a shame because in the centre of the city this is a ward with huge potential.

This is also a ward that the Green Party has performed well in the past. It’s a ward we can win, despite our difficult first passed the post system. While Labour Party in Carlisle continues its slide into dysfunctional irrelevance, we need a strong Green Party to provide real opposition to what is increasingly a cruel and backwards Conservative Party. To provide a positive and progressive voice on the council, the Green Party needs to win seats and Castle Ward is a great opportunity to do so.

 

What are the main issues you want to prioritise in this campaign?

I am prioritising the need for hard working councillors, those who work with residents around the year and don’t cynically show up at election time with dodgy leaflets that contain false promises. Local elections should be about local issues, that is our central message, politicians should work with residents throughout the year and not just election time.

There is a range of issues in the ward itself, the main one is really neglect with dirty streets and anti-social behaviour on the rise. To tackle this issue our message is that a stronger voice is needed, one that works with the community and presents a positive vision for a cleaner and greener city.

Why is the Green Party the best alternative to the other parties in your area?

The trap that most politicians fall into here is wanting to ‘be somebody’ instead of ‘doing something’ for the community they will represent. As a result, nothing gets done and communities are ignored.

The Green Party is active, engaged and listening to residents. Most importantly we are getting things done for them. In that respect we are the only real alternative to politics as usual in Carlisle.