‘Patriotic environmentalist’ goes for Thatcham NE council seat

The Green Party has announced its candidate for the Thatcham North East by-election.

Michael Wakelyn-Green, an NHS alcohol and other drug specialist, works in a local inpatient mental health hospital.

“I work with patients, train staff, and participate in multi-agency partnerships that help develop local public health policies,” he said. “It’s important and rewarding work.”

Michael lived in Thatcham growing up. “I went to Kennet School; I worked at the little Tesco at 17, and played for Tornados as a kid. I know Thatcham.”

The local Green Party wants the Lib Dem district council to increase the youth service budget to £1,000,000 annually. The current budget is £0.

“If you don’t invest in young people, you don’t invest in the adults of the future.

“The Greens champion common sense, tough on the causes of crime policy.

“We know proactive youth work leads to safer streets, happier children, healthier adults, new skilled local jobs, and saves money.

“What’s not to like?

“It was economically reckless for the Conservatives and Lib Dems to cut these vital services to nothing, damaging our Thatcham community.”

He also opposes the Thatcham North East housing development. “The UK does need more housing, but it needs the right homes, in the right places.

“Greens support smaller, sustainable developments that don’t decimate our green spaces and destroy wildlife – this isn’t that.”

He pledges to work with local residents to robustly represent their concerns at council.

Defining himself as a “patriotic environmentalist”, he said: “If you want honest, hard-working, and principled politics, please lend me and our Green team your vote.

“We want to prove ourselves to you by our actions, not just words.”