Green’s accuse Conservatives of half-truths over green belt

THE Green party candidate for the Henley by-election has joined the battle of words over which party party cares most about the protection of the green belt.
Mark Stevenson today issued the following statement:

“The recent revelations over John Howell’s links to
developers have been met with more half-truths. Whilst
the Conservatives are keen to accuse the Liberal
democrats of “dirty tricks” in publicising these
links, they also claim “Only the Conservatives oppose
building on the South Oxfordshire green belt”. Yet
the Green candidate in the Henley by-election, Mark
Stevenson, has consistently opposed it – including in the Green Party’s campaign in last year’s District
Council elections.
“The Green councillors in Oxford City and on the County Council have also consistently argued against the proposed development south of Grenoble Road.

“It seems unlikely that Mr Howell, a County councillor
for the very division in which I live and
campaign, was unaware of this. If he is genuine in his
desire to preserve the green belt, surely he should
know who his allies are?

“The proposal to develop the greenbelt is being driven, in part, by the Labour controlled Oxford City Council. Any campaigner worth his salt would know which City Councillors were opposed to it. So why has Mr Howell failed to acknowledge the Greens?”

Mark Stevenson continued:”The Tories and the Lib Dems want to portray this as a two-horse race – they are both desperately courting the green vote whilst trying to pretend that there isn’t one!
“Mr Howell cannot have been unaware of the Green Party’s opposition to development in Oxford’s
greenbelt. This is the second time Mr Howell’s
campaign has made a false claim and for him to accuse
the Lib Dems of “dirty tricks” is simply hypocritical.

“We all know that this is precisely the kind of
insincere behaviour that brings politics into
disrepute. All we need and all we want is politicians
who will work together for the common good. So I am
happy to acknowledge all the good work John Howell, as
a County Councillor, has done on our behalf. In return
I would appreciate recognition of my work and that of
the Green Party.”