NI council elections: Green Party not facing do or die, says leader
Next week's council elections are not "do or die" for the Green Party in Northern Ireland in spite of its wipeout in last year's Stormont poll, according to its leader. Mal O'Hara was speaking as he launched the party's manifesto in south Belfast. He said the party had "a new energy and a new wave of activists" following the loss of its two assembly seats in 2022. "Greens across Europe have lost seats, have had bad elections and have bounced back stronger," he said. The party is are fielding 37 candidates in the council elections on Thursday next week, compared with 26 in 2019. The party it is committed to '"greener, cleaner and fairer communities for all" and its manifesto pledges are based on those themes and include: Mr O'Hara said: "People are facing into a number of crises without a [Stormont] executive to provide leadership and support. "Green Party policies can help to address these crises at a local government level, whether that be the climate crisis, the housing crisis or the cost-of-living crisis. "I believe that people across Northern Ireland are ready for more inclusive politics aimed at setting out sustainable solutions not creating continuing crisis." He also said the Greens were not a "one-issue party" focusing solely on the environment and climate change. Transparency in councils, reform of the planning process and criminal justice in society around drug use were some of the issues councillors addressed during the manifesto launch event. Race against time to save Morocco quake survivors US denies Cold War with China in historic Vietnam visit How Russia and West agreed on Ukraine G20 language How Russia and West agreed on Ukraine G20 language US denies Cold War with China in historic Vietnam visit 'Everyone in this village is either dead or missing' At the scene of Morocco mosque collapsed by quake. Video At the scene of Morocco mosque collapsed by quake Inside the horror of Europe's biggest wildfire Inside a 'hijacked' South African building. Video Inside a 'hijacked' South African building How chronic pain feels for me. Video How chronic pain feels for me The rise and fall of a parenting influencer Guyana scrambles to make the most of oil wealth Florida's first hurricane-proof town The greatest spy novel ever written? Why is everyone crazy about Aperol? 2023 BBC.