HS2 fails to get the Green vote
A Green Party candidate has called for HS2 to be scrapped and the railways to be nationalised.
Mike Shone, the party's candidate in Stafford, spoke out against the £50bn high speed rail line which will see homes in nearby Hopton and Marston demolished.
The former Mayor of Stafford said: "We are totally opposed to HS2. It would concentrate resources, money and people even more on London and not benefit the people of Stafford one bit. Instead, we'll see it slicing through the countryside, with all sorts of negative environmental and social impacts.
"The Green Party is not against high speed rail in principle, but this route is ill conceived and the proposed scheme does not offer value for money."
"We would rather see the billions earmarked for HS2 invested in improving the existing rail network .and greatly improved bus services so that, unlike now, would get people to and from work comfortably, affordably and at suitable times."
Mr Shone moved to Stafford 44 years ago to work at Stafford College as a sociology lecturer. He served as a Labour councillor for 24 years before moving to the Greens seven years ago,
He said: "I joined the Green Party because of its commitment to equality, democracy and sustainability."
