The Green Party and the Good Friday Agreement

[Brocolli]

*Gormley inspired by opportunities in the North for progressive and inclusive Greens *

*– Green Leader addresses Party conference in Belfast*

At a conference in Belfast today, the Green Party Leader John Gormley TD spoke about the immense opportunity for the Greens in the North, as more and more voters begin to look for progressive and future-orientated political representation. "There has never been a more opportune time for a fresh, young and progressive party, truly inclusive and compelling in its ability to attract nationalist, unionist and non-aligned voters from our new communities," he said. "Climate change, energy security and the green economy have reached unprecedented levels of coverage, which drives home the Green Party's message that fundamental change is on the way. As voters in Northern Ireland emerge from conflict they too will seek solutions to this change. We propose policies designed to provide lasting jobs, to manage resources, and to protect the environment that our children will grow up in." Minister Gormley was speaking on the theme: 'building the Green Party in Northern Ireland: a project whose time has come.'

About 100 members and elected representatives from across the island – including TDs, senators and councillors from Carlow, Cork, Donegal, Dun Laoghaire, Louth and Galway – gathered in the Wellington Park Hotel in Belfast to debate and discuss issues relevant to the Party's development in the North. Members elected a new Executive Council, discussed ways to capitalise on the greening of the economy, and presented a 'Green Wash' award – for an individual or company who has damaged, or threatens to damage, the environment – to the DUP's Sammy Wilson, for his support of nuclear power in Northern Ireland. A local South Belfast group of the Party was launched, and Green representatives canvassed constituents in the nearby Botanic Gardens.

[Brocolli]

The Greens in Northern Ireland had a substantial conference in Belfast at the weekend. Attended by local members and elected reps from around the island of Ireland. This included local MLA Brian Wilson and other local elected reps.

We also had a stronger recruiting performance last year in Queens than the DUP, SF, FF etc.

Everyone is jumping up and down about the FF presence in the North that is almost non existant. Why is there such a hushed silence about the Greens very real achievements?

[infamous-el-guapo]

The Greens in Northern Ireland had a substantial conference in Belfast at the weekend. Attended by local members and elected reps from around the island of Ireland. This included local MLA Brian Wilson and other local elected reps.

We also had a stronger recruiting performance last year in Queens than the DUP, SF, FF etc.

Everyone is jumping up and down about the FF presence in the North that is almost non existant. Why is there such a hushed silence about the Greens very real achievements?

Because they have one MLA in North Down

[Evil Eco-Fascist]

The Greens in Northern Ireland had a substantial conference in Belfast at the weekend. Attended by local members and elected reps from around the island of Ireland. This included local MLA Brian Wilson and other local elected reps.

We also had a stronger recruiting performance last year in Queens than the DUP, SF, FF etc.

Everyone is jumping up and down about the FF presence in the North that is almost non existant. Why is there such a hushed silence about the Greens very real achievements?

Because they have one MLA in North Down

Which is still one more than FF, FG, Labour and the PDs put together.

[infamous-el-guapo]

[quote=Evil Eco-Fascist]

The Greens in Northern Ireland had a substantial conference in Belfast at the weekend. Attended by local members and elected reps from around the island of Ireland. This included local MLA Brian Wilson and other local elected reps.

We also had a stronger recruiting performance last year in Queens than the DUP, SF, FF etc.

Everyone is jumping up and down about the FF presence in the North that is almost non existant. Why is there such a hushed silence about the Greens very real achievements?

Because they have one MLA in North Down

Which is still one more than FF, FG, Labour and the PDs put together.[/quotershpzb8]

Yeah none of them have contested elections and exactly how long did it take the greens to get a seat.

[Evil Eco-Fascist]

[quote=infamous-el-guapo][quote="Evil Eco-Fascist":3hlx4w1d]

The Greens in Northern Ireland had a substantial conference in Belfast at the weekend. Attended by local members and elected reps from around the island of Ireland. This included local MLA Brian Wilson and other local elected reps.

We also had a stronger recruiting performance last year in Queens than the DUP, SF, FF etc.

Everyone is jumping up and down about the FF presence in the North that is almost non existant. Why is there such a hushed silence about the Greens very real achievements?

Because they have one MLA in North Down

Which is still one more than FF, FG, Labour and the PDs put together.[/quote:3hlx4w1d]

Yeah none of them have contested elections and exactly how long did it take the greens to get a seat.[/quote:3hlx4w1d]

That's the point that Brocolli is making! There has been lots of huffing and puffing from the larger southern parties, but not much else. I think you need to read the original posts properly. And what does the length of time it took to get a seat have anything to do with it?

[infamous-el-guapo]

[quote=Evil Eco-Fascist][quote="infamous-el-guapo":1dalclas][quote="Evil Eco-Fascist":1dalclas]

The Greens in Northern Ireland had a substantial conference in Belfast at the weekend. Attended by local members and elected reps from around the island of Ireland. This included local MLA Brian Wilson and other local elected reps.

We also had a stronger recruiting performance last year in Queens than the DUP, SF, FF etc.

Everyone is jumping up and down about the FF presence in the North that is almost non existant. Why is there such a hushed silence about the Greens very real achievements?

Because they have one MLA in North Down

Which is still one more than FF, FG, Labour and the PDs put together.[/quote:1dalclas]

Yeah none of them have contested elections and exactly how long did it take the greens to get a seat.[/quote:1dalclas]

That's the point that Brocolli is making! There has been lots of huffing and puffing but not much else. I think you need to properly read the original posts. And what does the length of time it took to get a seat have anything to do with it?[/quote:1dalclas]

That there has been no sway towards green party policies in the north and the 'hushed silence' (which, by the way, what other kind of silence is there?) referred to is becasue:
a) the greens are not effective at getting their message out.
b) the electorate don't seem to care that much

[Just Us]

The Greens in Northern Ireland had a substantial conference in Belfast at the weekend. . . Why is there such a hushed silence about the Greens very real achievements?

the 59 votes in the Dromore by-election?

[Junkhead]

there was a 39% turnout - in an area where we've never stood before, where the focus was clearly on the three unionist parties fighting it out. I don't think it's a clear indication of the entire NI electorate.

[infamous-el-guapo]

there was a 39% turnout - in an area where we've never stood before, where the focus was clearly on the three unionist parties fighting it out. I don't think it's a clear indication of the entire NI electorate.

Nope but getting 1.7% in Assembly Election doesn't really make the Green Party highly regarded by the public