I moved to Brackley in 2007 to farm nearby.

Full statement

My family originally farmed near Aynho and then in the Scottish Borders. I’ve supported environmental organisations for more than 50 years and view climate change as an existential threat to us all.
For too long, the two main parties have failed to tackle this crisis with the urgency it demands. In 2006, the Conservatives ran with the slogan “Vote Blue, Go Green.” Some may have believed it - but it wasn’t long before they “cut the green crap.” Both they and the current Labour government have made promises to be “the greenest government ever - but neither has delivered anything like enough.
The Green Party and its allies must continue to hammer this message home. Transitioning to a greener future will cost money, but the cost of inaction will be far greater. Climate change is real, and it’s already affecting us. Last year, we lost the crops in five fields due to extreme weather. That may seem small in the global picture - but it’s a clear warning. Climate change is not someone else’s problem.
In fact, “climate change” is too weak a phrase - we are in a full-scale Climate Reset. Yes, Earth’s temperatures have fluctuated over millions of years, but today’s rate of warming is over 10 times faster than historical norms. The cause is undeniable: us.
In 1950, the global population was 2.5 billion. Today it’s more than 8 billion. Even here in the UK, we’ve added 20 million people in that time. (Brackley then had a population of around 2,500; it soon will be closer to 20,000.) We urgently must rethink how we use our resources. We only have one planet. There is no Planet B.
Meanwhile, global powers like Russia under Putin and America under Trump are scrambling for land and resources in classic power plays. Europe will need to increase its defense spending - but we cannot let climate policy be pushed to the sidelines.
Too many politicians are backpedaling - or worse, denying climate science altogether. We’ve had more than half a century of solid research. Ignoring it now isn’t just short-sighted; it is both stupid and reckless.
The Green Party must broaden its base and work at every level - local and national. We already have 812 Councillors across England, including 3 in Northamptonshire. We need more, to hold councils to account and help shape policy. We must plan for the future rather than clinging to a mythical past. We can fix potholes and protect the planet!