Andy Hewett is the Green Party candidate for Greenwich & Woolwich in the General Election. Here are his answers to questions put to him.
I’d like to know what the candidates would do about the Blackwall Tunnel closure, and what their views are on two-way traffic through one 1/2 of the tunnel.
Our transport priority will be investment in public transport and increasing citizens’ accessibility to walking and cycling. Traffic congestion is a consistent problem in Greenwich, and with some of the most polluted stretches of road in the country the people of Greenwich have for too long deserved better public transport.
Do you think that MP’s should be allowed to have extra jobs and consultancies while holding Parliamentary office?
No, MPs are elected to serve the people, not to serve themselves. If elected I would take no more than the average skilled workers’ wage.
Does your party support the Olympics in Greenwich Park given it would entail long closures of this vital amenity and potential damage to this World Heritage Site, not to mention the obscene cost, lack of
legacy and transport problems?
The Green Party produced a set of 6 principles in 2003, updated in 2006, by which the party will assess the sustainability of any sites used in the Olympics. My personal view is that the use of Greenwich Park for Olympic equestrian events does not fulfil these criteria, and will not be of beneift to the majority of the citizens of Greenwich. I have sent a letter to NOGOE outlining my reasons for this which they have posted on their website: http://www.nogoe2012.com/
What was the last book you read?
Aside from the Green Party Election Manifesto ‘Fair Is Worth Fighting For’, my previous light reading on the train was ‘Critique of the Gotha Programme’ by Karl Marx
Greenwich Hospital is appealing the decision to reject their redevelopment of Greenwich Market – do you support redevelopment of the market?
No, I outlined my views on this last year which you can find on our website
Do you support reform of the voting system?
Yes, the Green Party supports PR using the Additional Member System for Parliamentary elections and introducing fixed term Parliaments. We support the right to vote at 16. The House of Lords should be reformed to become a fully elected body chosen by PR, each member elected for one fixed term of ten years, with half the house elected every five years.
If elected, what would your priorities be?
Social and environmental justice. This includes reducing inequality, creating green jobs, defending public services, a living wage and decent pensions.