It has been announced this week that the adjoining constituencies of Tiverton and Honiton and East Devon are both to be contested by the Green Party. 40 year old mother of three Cathy Connor of Kentisbeare is standing for Tiverton and Honiton and 37 year old mother of two Sharon Pavey of Membury has already been out and about canvassing in Ottery St Mary, Sidmouth, Budleigh Salterton and Exmouth (the East Devon constituency).
Cathy is the 12th Green Party candidate in Devon – making this a record breaking full slate in Devon for the Greens, who are hoping to get their first MP into Parliament this year.
The two women share similar views on many issues which affect parents across Devon. Sharon has been involved with the recent campaign against cuts at Honiton Maternity Unit, attending a protest at the Knowle a couple of weeks ago, “As I have met so many worried parents in Ottery and Sidmouth who are appalled at these cuts, I felt I needed to get involved to try and stop us from losing such a wonderful facility. I myself, needed to spend five days in hospital after my first baby and cannot understand how exactly taking away the option to stay in for a night or two, would give women more choice”.
Cathy stayed at Honition Hospital after having all of her three children and found the help and support of the staff and midwives invaluable.
Cathy cares about the local economy saying “we need to put the vibrancy back into some of our small towns and villages, make it easier to use local community facilites and keep local shops and services alive. It makes no sense to me that although we live in southern England, we import lamb and apples from the other side of the world!”
Both Cathy and Sharon are very concerned about the environment but are keen to point out that the Green Party has strong polices on a wide range of issues. Sharon says “We want to raise pensions to a decent £170, withdraw our troops from Afghanistan and Iraq, protect our public services and invest in green industry to provide a million much needed jobs.” Cathy adds “Affordable housing must be made available locally so that young families can have a decent place to live without having to travel great distances to work or be separated from friends and family”.
You can contact Sharon or Cathy via the East Devon Green Party – Local Party Contact is Diana Neal on eastdevongreens@googlemail.com or 01395 263728.
Photo above by Geoff Sharples. Sharon Pavey on the right. Cathy Connor on left.