Political Viewpoint

BY Coun Stuart Allen, Green & Progressive Independents Group Spokesperson.
A fairer, Greener Southend.
Residents will head to the polls again this May, after the Greens alongside Coun Ron Woodley put forward a motion last July to make sure these local elections went ahead.
This may be the last election before Local Government Reorganisation, so it’s vital that you have your say. Democracy matters, and so does your voice.
A great deal has happened since Richard Longstaff was elected as Southend’s first Green councillor in 2023, followed by myself in 2024 with the biggest vote in the city.
At the last election, the Greens came third across Southend in overall vote share. Support is growing year on year, and this May every resident once again has the chance to elect a hard working, listening Green voice in their neighbourhood. We have proved we are no longer a protest party – we are a credible alternative to the two-party system.
Even with just two Green councillors, we have made a difference. We have helped shift the focus towards a greener, healthier Southend. That includes stronger tree policies, phasing out harmful weedkillers, better protection for hedgehogs and wildlife, pushing for improvements to HMO policy, and getting everyday issues such as forgotten shelters and drains sorted. And we are only just getting started.
Over the past two years, Southend Greens have developed clear, practical local policies so we are ready to lead if residents put their trust in us. We have built a strong team with real world experience. We are ready to serve and put residents first.
If we’re fortunate to be in a position of power, we want to deliver a programme of straightforward, common sense policies that are focused on improving life for everyone who calls Southend their home.
A Clean, Green Southend, Cleaner streets. Cleaner water. More trees.
We will clean up our beaches and waterways, tackle fly tipping and litter, protect
parks and green spaces, and make Southend greener, cooler and healthier for all.
Homes People Can Afford – Fix the housing crisis, not fuel it.
We will build new council homes, bring empty properties back into use, manage the impact of short term lets and second homes, protect our precious Greenbelt, and work to ensure no one in Southend is left without a safe place to live.
A Better Quality of Life for All – Support families. Invest in people.
We will restore youth services and family hubs, tackle delays in SEND and EHCP support, protect health visitors and school nurses, and make sure adults can access help earlier through strong community services and lifelong learning.
Getting Southend Moving – Better buses. Safer streets. Less congestion.
We will bring buses back under local control, make public transport more reliable and affordable, and open the door to free bus travel for under 22s, create safer walking and cycling routes, to cut congestion across the city.
Lower Bills, Better Jobs – A fairer local economy.
We will reduce the council’s energy costs by moving to self-sufficient green energy, support our valuable local businesses and high streets, create secure green jobs for the future generations, and keep more council spending within Southend.
A Council That Works – Honest. Competent. On your side.
We will improve how the council is run, start to bring key services back in house, pay staff fairly, narrow the pay gap across the council, and make the council more open and accountable so that your voice is heard.
We have shown year-on-year we can win. We work hard. We put residents first, not large corporations or party donors. We are grass-root led, funded by our ever growing membership.
Across Southend West and Leigh we have an excellent team ready to serve from May:
Anita Forde in Leigh ward, a small business owner and former Town Councillor who is passionate about our community;
Simon Gittus in West Leigh ward, who brings international retail and hospitality experience and a desire to dramatically improve our public transport;
Kay Mitchell, a former City Councillor and cabinet member with long term experience in social care and equality;
Lauren Ekins, a local school teacher and former police officer standing to represent families and communities.
Check out www.southend.green to see who is standing for your community. Southend is a brilliant city which I’m proud to call home. With energy, integrity and clear priorities, we can make it cleaner, fairer and greener for everyone.
If you want that future, it starts with your vote on Thursday 7 May.
Picture: Coun Stuart Allen
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