Environment not top of the agenda for local voters

• Jun. 2 by Lucas Coe (0)

Residents of Smethwick and Bearwood in Birmingham admitted to Birmingham Recycled that the environment was not top of their agenda when it comes to voting fro political parties at European Elections this Thursday.

Voters will go to the polls on June 4 and elect regional MEP candidates from all major political parties and smaller movements.

But nearly all of the residents that Birmingham Recycled spoke to, the vast majority said the main issue to win their vote was trust, not the environment.

In fact, out of the fifteen people that aired their views, thirteen said they were disgraced by the MPs’ expenses scandal and the most trustworthy politicians would gain their support.

Katy Gregory, 20, of Smethwick, said:

‘To be honest it’s not the environment at the forefront of my mind when it comes to voting for a political party, recent events with those disgusting expense claims have made me think about basic ethics, like trust and honesty.’

These views were share by Kamir Azek, 24, of Bearwood, who expressed that the environment and climate change just doesn’t matter as much as the economic downturn:

‘Normal people don’t think about the environment in the same way as pressure groups and all these scientists do. When you ask people to change their way of life, they ain’t gonna do it, especially now with the credit crunch and everyone is struggling with money.’

Ironically, smaller political parties such as the Green Party and Respect Party are predicted to fair better in the elections because of MPs’ expenses, which in turn may lead to a stronger environmental agenda in Europe, if the latest polls are to be believed.

One voter suggested that many people care passionately about the environment but with corrupt politicians in power, it is impossible to get the public’s voice heard.

Jean Hampden, 52, Smethwick:

‘Most of my neighbours and friends do care about the environment, the problem is the people we’ve got running the country never listen and the people lose heart.’

To view the opinions of the fifteen people questioned, click this map.

Visit www.europarl.europa.eu to view the standing candidates.