AS Green Party candidates in the Shropshire Council elections, we would like to express our thanks to all who voted for us and to those who voted for Felicity Norman in the Euro-elections.

At the count, and whilst out canvassing, it was suggested by some that our presence would split the vote. There seems to be an assumption behind this thinking that the Green Party is merely a variant of the main parties, who are already doing their bit to combat global warming and save the planet.

Although this is a welcome position, in that they recognise that there is a problem, it has little bearing on what the Green Party is really about.

We are a progressive party that wishes to see a fundamental change in the direction in which the country is moving.

Central to this is the recognition that the current economic system, based on continuing growth, is fatally flawed and not sustainable.

Society has to be based on a new economic approach which has different human, ecological and environmental values and which considers sustainable life and survival above material wealth, now and in the future.

Such a system has its problems, but these principles have to sit alongside social justice for all and a fair access to resources to make it acceptable to all the electorate. We believe that we have policies that will not only make for a secure way of life but also a happier one.

Consequently, we intend to fight all future elections, where and whenever we can, in order to give the electorate a real choice.

HELEN BYRNE (Church Stretton and Craven Arms Division) DAVID GIBBON (Church Stretton and Craven Arms Division) IMOGEN HARFORD (Ludlow North Division ) JACQUI MORRISH (Bishop’s Castle)