North Herefordshire Green MP Ellie Chowns visits Worcester

The Midlands’ first Green MP has visited Worcester.

Ellie Chowns, who took the nearby North Herefordshire seat in last July’s general election, spoke to Green Party campaigners and supporters on Saturday (January 4).

Dr Chowns, a former county councillor for Bishops Frome and Cradley, was one of four new Green MPs elected last year.

She talked about the work she carried out in her constituency and the campaign that led her to Parliament.

She also spoke about some of her experiences and impressions of Westminster over the last six months.

Previously a Member of the European Parliament, Dr Chowns described how seeing the difficulties faced by people in her local community motivated her to move from being a local councillor to standing for election nationally.

She talked about the challenges of reaching out to people in such a large area and about successfully building a big support base.

“Gaining the trust and support of people across North Herefordshire and working for them has been a hugely energising, rewarding process,” she said.

“It was great to discover that most people want a greener, more positive world.

“I’ve been really proud of our party in Parliament and we have been able to speak out where others are reluctant to do so. It’s so important to be those voices holding the government to account.”

City councillor Tor Pingree said: “It was good to hear about Ellie’s campaign and everything that she has already achieved in Parliament.

“It is very impressive that she has already spoken in Parliament more than 50 times.

“She has also supported 180 Early Day Motions, on issues ranging from the effect of Post Office closures on communities to condemnation of the average 21 percent rise in water bills. Hopefully voters will be taking note of how hard our Green MPs work.”

Cllr Pingree stood as the Green Party’s Parliamentary candidate in Worcester but lost out to Labour’s Tom Collins.