Green support grows in south of county

Nationally the party has set out plans to create one million quality and stable jobs, bring an end to austerity and rebuild public services.

The party is also pledging that no new major roads should be built and the money saved – £15 billion – be used partly to fund a reduction in public transport fares by an average of 10 per cent on 2015 prices, at a cost of £8 billion over five years.

In addition, students would get free public transport, the railways would be renationalised and night flights would be banned. And in south Shropshire – one of the greenest areas of the country – the party is hoping this message will bring success.

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The main rival for the Ludlow seat – held last time by Conservative Philip Dunne – has been the Lib Dems. But with bookies' odds suggesting the yellow rosette is on the wane, the Greens are looking to pick up the votes of those who are liberal with a small L.

The Green Party is even placed ahead of Labour by the bookies, and rural towns such as Ludlow, Church Stretton and Bishop's Castle are known for their high population of eco-friendly residents.

But candidate Janet Philips said the Green campaign was also focusing on an end to austerity and better healthcare services locally and nationally.

She said: "Green Party membership continues to rise in the Ludlow constituency, and we have a very lively campaign.

"Our commitment to restoring the NHS to its founding principles, publicly owned, managed and staffed is getting a great deal of support.

"Also attracting interest are our policies to support local businesses, the farming community and the economy of rural Shropshire."

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