Matt Sellwood: Green parliamentary candidate for Hackney North
Matt Sellwood is the Green parliamentary candidate for Hackney North and Stoke Newington.
He grew up and went to school in south-east London, and then attended New College, Oxford, where he studied Modern History. He was elected as the city’s youngest councillor in 2004.
Matt Sellwood was Deputy Leader of Oxford City Council Green Group from 2004 to 2008, and served as an opposition member of the City Council Executive Board from 2005 to 2008. He was a member of the Green Party National Executive in 2005.
In 2008, he moved back to London to work for Friends of the Earth. He now lives in Stoke Newington is a freelance campaigner and writer on issues of environmental and social justice.
Matt Sellwood’s priorities
Tackling the unacceptable levels of poverty and poverty-related illness in the borough
Making Hackney a leading borough in combating climate change through green collar job creation and money- saving energy efficiency programmes
Creating a new, grassroots community-led politics
Supporting local businesses in the face of competition from large chains
—
Matt Sellwood said, “I’m standing for Parliament because, now more than ever, Hackney needs fresh ideas and fresh hope. The increasing levels of poverty throughout the borough illustrate the failure of Labour policies in Hackney to address the issues that affect people’s everyday lives.
“The growing gap between rich and poor has become entrenched, and this just isn’t good enough from a national government and local council that pays such empty platitudes to equality and fairness.
“Increasing inequality throughout the borough illustrates the failure of the Labour party to address the issues that affect people’s everyday lives. It has failed dismally by its own standards.
“We need a Green New Deal for the borough and for the country. While unemployment rises and climate change becomes more urgent, the Green party’s policies can reduce poverty and create hundreds of jobs here in Hackney – and a million jobs nationwide – through renewable energy and energy efficiency programmes, while reducing carbon emissions and building a more sustainable future for us all.
“Now is not the time for tinkering around the edges of politics. Now is the time to vote for a party that offers communities a better Hackney, a party that isn’t squabbling over the same politics that has failed us so badly, a party that speaks up for the people who really need a voice in Parliament. Only the Greens are bold enough to offer this promise.”
Find out more about Matt Sellwood on his website.