Don't give away Green votes

The other parties are chasing our share of the vote – but only the Greens can bring about lasting environmental reforms
    • Jump to comments ()
The Green party want to invest in renewable energy. Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Gordon Brown has been appealing to voters' "moral convictions" during his last-ditch tour of threatened Labour seats. Nick Clegg tried to reach out to Tory voters in an interview with the Financial Times. Meanwhile, in Tory-Labour marginals, Ed Balls and Peter Hain have asked Lib Dem supporters to "bite their lip'' and vote Labour.

This is being sold to the electorate as "smart" voting, rather than by its real name of tactical voting. Tactical voting is against official Labour party policy, which is to support the Labour candidate where there is one standing.

They don't just want each others' vote, they're after the Green vote. Last week Nick Clegg explicitly urged people to vote Lib Dem instead of Green. Labour pitched for the Green vote on the same day, while David Cameron has billed the Tories as "the new environmental party." Green votes are much sought after. But who deserves them?

Are the Lib Dems serious about renewable energy, when their councillors in places like Cornwall, Cumbria, Devon and Worcestershire oppose windfarms? Why are Labour still convinced that such a thing as "clean coal" exists?

Only the Green party would invest £44bn into workforce training, investment in renewables, public transport, insulation, social housing and waste management. As a result, up to one million new jobs and training places could be delivered.

These jobs will provide our country with the vital 21st-century infrastructure it needs, including an efficient public transport system, homes that are warm and cheaper to run and much lower energy costs for businesses.

This is what Britain needs to modernise its economy for a low-carbon future. Britain needs Green representation at Westminster to take the fight to the squabbling parties who want your vote – at any cost. We are on the brink of achieving an independent voice in parliament, and holding the government to account. A Green vote is for a new economic and environmental settlement, and working with each other for everyone's benefit – I urge you to vote Green tomorrow for a greener, fairer Britain.

More Guardian election comment from Cif at the polls

Latest posts

Today's best video

Today in pictures