Local elections 2022: Green Party vow to insulate homes at Lambeth campaign launch

Green councillors elected in London will insulate homes to help slash energy bills, cut carbon emissions and tackle the cost of living crisis, the party has vowed.

Co-leaders Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay criticised the government for falling “chronically short” while fuel bills, council tax and food prices are all soaring.

They promised retrofit insulation projects led by local communities to keep homes warm.

Speaking at a campaign launch event in Lambeth ahead of the May 5 local elections, Ms Denyer said: “Insulation programmes don’t sound very glamorous but what they can deliver is nothing short of incredible.

“Imagine a warm, snug home even on the coldest days. Little to no heating bill at all. A neighbourhood that has almost zero emissions.

“That’s what Greens are pushing for here alongside residents.”

Also at the Central Hill housing estate event on Tuesday, April 5, Mr Ramsay added: “That’s what Greens are all about: fairness and community; sensible, practical solutions; and protecting the places we live and the people we care about.”

Next month, voters across London will elect their local councillors and, in Hackney, Lewisham, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Croydon, their mayors.

English, Welsh and Scottish voters will also choose their councillors, while voters in Northern Ireland will elect their government.

The ballots will be the first major test for prime minister Boris Johnson and the Conservative government following their response to the coronavirus pandemic, the ‘Partygate’ scandal, the cost of living crisis and the Russian war in Ukraine.

At their election launch, the Green Party spoke to residents who are campaigning to get their homes retrofitted and refurbished.

The party co-leaders said, if elected, they plan to emulate Green-led council schemes in Lewes and Stroud to retrofit council homes with insulation.

Ms Denyer said: “In the middle of this cost of living crisis, we know what needs to be done and yet the government is falling so chronically short.

“We’re so proud to be launching the Green Party local election campaign today to get even more great Greens elected, so they can go even further, secure decent public transport, improve air quality, protect local health and youth services.

“All over England and Wales, voters are coming to the Greens, whether they live in a bungalow or a high-rise, a five-bedroom or a two-up, two-down, people are finding their home with us.

“People are coming to the Green Party because they want fairer, greener communities and that’s what we deliver.”

And Mr Ramsay added: “It’s fair that everyone should have a warm home. It’s fair that no-one should feel terrified of their next energy bill.

“And it’s fair and right that we take the steps needed to protect our natural world.”

Local elections 2022

• Local elections for every council in London - apart from the City - will take place on May 5.
• In order to cast a ballot, you have to be registered to vote at your current address. The deadline for this is April 14.
• For full details about how to register to vote and what the local elections are for, see our full guide to the May 5 council elections.
• Click here for more stories on the upcoming local elections.