Aberdeenshire finely balanced as new Council meets
Green Election chiefs boost Gordon campaign
Key members of the Scottish Green Party's national election machine are visiting the Gordon constituency this weekend, including the co-convenors of the Elections and Campaigns Committee, the party's treasurer, and the communications coordinator.
They will be holding strategy and planning sessions with the local Scottish Green Party branch about preparations for the UK General Election, now expected to be held in May, and will visit Menie to see the dunes threatened by the Trump proposals.
The local branch is
currently selecting for the Gordon seat, and the candidate will be announced at
the end of January. The Scottish Greens have not previously contested this seat.
The decision to do so this time comes in the wake of two independent councillors
in the constituency, Martin Ford and Debra Storr, joining the party during 2009.
The local party is now also the only political opposition to recent decisions
made by Aberdeenshire Council which have put billionaire developer Donald Trump
ahead of the interests of local residents and the local
environment.
Aberdeenshire branch convenor Rhonda Reekie said:
"The events of the last few years - especially around the Trump development - have changed the political landscape in Aberdeenshire. The other parties have alienated many of their supporters by failing to stand up for residents' rights and democratic decision making, and our experience is that former Liberal Democrat voters are now particularly disillusioned.
"Many in Aberdeenshire are looking for a new political home. Our job over the months ahead is to make the case for voting Green to the many Gordon residents who have lost faith in the other parties over the disgraceful way their councillors and MPs have behaved."
Clare Cooney, co-convenor of the Scottish Greens' Elections and Campaigns Committee, said:
"Our session with the local branch will be practical and focused, looking at coordination with the national campaign, doorstep activity and local campaign materials. The other parties in the constituency seem to have forgotten about the rights of local residents and have instead been seduced by the allure of Trump's money. Without a strong Green campaign, there will be no voice in this election against the evictions and compulsory purchases planned by Mr Trump and Aberdeenshire Council. We intend to work with our colleagues on the ground to provide exactly that voice."
Aberdeenshire branch convenor Rhonda Reekie said:
"The events of the last few years - especially around the Trump development - have changed the political landscape in Aberdeenshire. The other parties have alienated many of their supporters by failing to stand up for residents' rights and democratic decision making, and our experience is that former Liberal Democrat voters are now particularly disillusioned.
"Many in Aberdeenshire are looking for a new political home. Our job over the months ahead is to make the case for voting Green to the many Gordon residents who have lost faith in the other parties over the disgraceful way their councillors and MPs have behaved."
Clare Cooney, co-convenor of the Scottish Greens' Elections and Campaigns Committee, said:
"Our session with the local branch will be practical and focused, looking at coordination with the national campaign, doorstep activity and local campaign materials. The other parties in the constituency seem to have forgotten about the rights of local residents and have instead been seduced by the allure of Trump's money. Without a strong Green campaign, there will be no voice in this election against the evictions and compulsory purchases planned by Mr Trump and Aberdeenshire Council. We intend to work with our colleagues on the ground to provide exactly that voice."
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