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Full statement

I am Chris Copeman, the Green Party candidate for Runcorn and Helsby. I grew up in Helsby and have lived and worked in this area for most of my life as a vet surgeon. I have been working hard as the councillor for Helsby since being elected last year. I am standing for the Green Party because It's important that we have a green voice for this area to show that we want action on air and water pollution and climate change. This government has failed to tackle the lack of NHS and education funding and failed to take climate change seriously. Brexit has damaged our economy and we have a biodiversity crisis and serious river pollution. Labour will still allow new oil fields to be developed and have already cut their funding for climate change measures supporting the green transition and Green jobs we so desperately need. We need to deal with air pollution by improving public transport and active travel. We need to improve our buildings to reduce fuel poverty and make them healthier for their occupants. Schools and hospitals need to be properly funded. Under Labour it's just going to be business as usual. The greens are the only party offering the changes we need to improve people's lives and protect the future for our next generations.