Tatchell calls for Labour voters to go Green
Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell will tonight call for disaffected Labour voters to support the Green party in the Norwich North by-election.
In a public meeting in Norwich tonight, Mr Tatchell will say: “Labour has lost its heart and soul. It took us into an illegal war in Iraq. It has eroded hard won civil liberties, commercialised public services like education and heath, and is backing new nuclear and coal-fired power stations, to the detriment of the environment.
“The Greens have replaced Labour as the most progressive party in British politics.
“Don’t give your vote to a government that takes you for granted and has betrayed Labour values.”
Voters in Norwich North will be going to the polls on July 23rd in the final major political event before the summer recess.
The by-election was triggered by the immediate resignation of Dr Ian Gibson, who stood down in protest at being barred from running by Labour’s internal committee on expenses.
The Tories are expected to win the seat, overturning his majority of 5,459.
But the assumption that Tory candidate Chloe Smith will win has led some commentators to suggest the race is theirs to lose, thereby reducing the pressure on Labour.
Tatchell urged voters not to vote for the main parties: “There are already plenty of Tory, Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs. Electing another MP from these big-three established parties won’t make any difference.
Peter Tatchell is the Green party parliamentary candidate for Oxford East.
