Political Viewpoint

BY Coun Stuart Allen Green Party Councillor for Leigh Ward.

Why the Greens are different.

Almost a year has passed since I joined Richard Longsta in representing Leigh residents and the Green Party on Southend Council.

Over the past year, we Greens have worked hard to solve local issues, challenge policies that threaten our community, and advocate for a more sustainable approach. However, with the Labour Government imposing devolution on our area, the next year will bring uncertainties.

In January, the Greens led in scrutinising Labour’s devolution plans, which will remove local decision-making in favour of centralised Mayoralties pursuing Westminster projects.

The proposal to create 500,000-resident “super councils”, and a new Greater Essex Mayor raises serious concerns.

This restructuring risks stripping Southend of its autonomy, diminishing local accountability, and placing additional financial burdens on taxpayers.

While possibilities of improving public transport are welcome, the planned changes to local say in planning threatens to undermine councillors’ ability to represent our communities effectively.

When questioned, Southend’s Labour-led Cabinet cited the Government’s so-called mandate; a mandate based on just 20% of the registered electorate – hardly a strong democratic consensus.

Most residents would be unaware that council reorganisation of this scale was even in Labour’s manifesto. That’s why I encourage all residents to participate in the public consultation, which runs until 13th April. This is our only opportunity for our community to voice concerns about the plans that will reshape our area for generations.

The threat of large-scale developments built inappropriately on green belt land is more real than ever.

This could see thousands of high-profit and poor-quality homes built on natural spaces, eroding our dwindling green belt and straining local services. Everyone can agree that building quality, affordable and sustainable housing is crucial, but this approach ignores community and environmental needs and will only worsen existing problems.

The Government’s pursuit of GDP growth remains concerning. Infinite growth on a finite planet is scientifically impossible and irresponsible.

For decades, GDP has been used as the measure of our national success, but has this focus on growth made us happier or healthier? The reality is that it hasn’t. It’s time for alternative measures of progress that prioritise sustainability, and which put people’s well-being and quality of life over profit-driven expansion.

People want change because the current system is failing to meet the needs of ordinary people.  People have less money in their pockets, and every household is feeling the strain of ever-increasing bills. It is shameful that so many people – especially young people in full-time employment simply cannot afford somewhere to live.

These challenges should be the top priority of this new government, but we’re just seeing a continuation of the same tired mindset; leave it to the markets and corporations to fix. This thinking has never worked, and it’s time for something different, something that prioritises the urgent needs of our country.

Locally, the Council has recently set its annual budget. The Greens have been asking tough questions to ensure public funds are used effectively. A major concern of ours is the growing proportion of taxpayers’ money being channelled into lucrative private sector contracts. This is evident in children’s social care, which was overspent by around £8 million this year.

The privatisation of essential services is unsustainable, yet councils remain trapped in a failed mindset. The reality is declining service standards, escalating costs, and financial instability. When I challenged this, raising these concerns at Council, the reaction, audible gasps from some councillors,  just reinforced my belief that the Green Party is the only group standing up for common-sense policies in the interests of residents.

Our priority is clear: ensuring that our public services serve residents, not overseas shareholders.

Since Coun Longstaff’s last Political Viewpoint article, we have welcomed two outstanding individuals to the Green team: Kay Mitchell and Tricia Cowdrey, both former Councillors and both bring a wealth of experience and will contribute towards our mission for residents.

I look forward to working with both of these fantastic community champions and the many new members we’ve welcomed in recent months, in holding our Council and MPs to account.

The Green Party remains committed to standing up for residents, challenging flawed policies, and offering an alternative vision, one that prioritises well-being and the health of our people and planet.

Our fight for a Fairer, Greener Southend continues, and I encourage everyone to join us, get involved, and work with us to make change happen.

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