In the third of Island Echo’s interviews with those standing for election as the Member of Parliament for the Isle of Wight, the Green Party’s Vix Lowthion has chatted with our interviewer.
Vix Lowthion was born into a farming family in Cheshire. She studied History at University. She first moved to the Island in 2005 to be near her sister. Vix has taught at Medina High School and
the Isle of Wight College and currently teaches at the Isle of Wight Innovation Sixth Form Campus. She has 3 boys aged 8, 11 and 14.
What is the main issue in this election for you and the Green Party?
“For me, the main issues are green issues and climate change. 97% of scientists say we have just ten years to take meaningful action to protect the planet. We should have taken this action 30 years ago. We have had complacent politicians.
Article continues below this advertisement “The world climate emergency has become so serious that koalas have become functionally extinct because of bush fires in Australia.”
What do you say to those who point out that the UK only creates 1.5% (or less) of global emissions?
“The industrial revolution started in the UK, so we should be leading the way in putting this problem right. Here in the UK we are blessed with natural resources of energy that can be used to fight climate change, including hydro-electric, wind power and tidal energy”.
You have been attacked by another candidate for “destroying a small forest of trees” by producing so many leaflets for your campaign. What is your response?
“We have produced so many leaflets because the Isle of Wight is a target seat. Green candidates in some constituencies have handed out no leaflets at all. Also, we have made sure that all our signs are recyclable”.
What is your and the Greens position on Brexit?
“Brexit is a total shambles. We need a 2nd referendum based on whatever deal is negotiated. We need to trust the people rather than Boris Johnson”.
Why is voting Green the best way to block Brexit?
“I don’t trust Jeremy Corbyn on Brexit. I’d respect him more if he were honest about his position. He’s just sitting on the fence”.
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Do you have a realistic chance of winning on the Island?
“We do have a realistic chance. This is the most organised Green campaign in the country. Plenty of Conservatives are now opting to vote Green. They appreciate Green values such as
conservation and protection of the countryside”.
You have been attacked by right-wing blogger, Guido Fawkes, for your former partner’s activities in the mining industry, which do not sound very ‘green’. What is your response?
“No other candidate is asked about their former partners. I find it bizarre that this is even brought up. I have no shares, only a personal bank account. I get working tax credits. Do I look like someone who owns quarries and stores money away in tax havens?”
What would you say to Lib Dem voters who are disillusioned with their party’s decision to stand down in your favour?
“The Greens have stood down in favour of the Lib Dems in 50 constituencies across the country. The Lib Dems have only withdrawn 10 candidates in our favour. The arrangement is more than fair to their voters”.
Finally, please tell Island Echo readers why they should vote for Vix Lowthion and the Greens.
“If you don’t like what either Boris or Jeremy Corbym are saying, then vote for me. The most powerful vote you can make in this election is for the Green party. Islanders need to think about who would work hard for them over five years. I’m prepared to roll up my sleeves to work on your behalf. I’m a working Mum, with the energy to support a number of campaigns. I shall be an independent voice for the Island, someone who won’t be whipped.
“I don’t just turn up at election time, stick on a rosette and expect people to vote for me”.
Island Echo has interviewed all 6 candidates standing for the position of Member of Parliament for the Isle of Wight. All interviews will be published before polling day on Thursday 12th
December 2019.
There’s a candidate that wants clear off
It may be a target seat but 60 leaflets in total to our block of 15 flats (four different leaflet drops) is bloody criminal for a ” green ” candidate.
Vote for the Conservatives. Any party, who disregards the democratic vote to leave the EU, is NOT to be ever trusted in Politics
Fine if you don’t believe the UK leaving the EU is good for the nation, BUT leave then when your case is proven, then gain support to re-join, IF it is not what the UK expected.
Most likely they know in their hearts, leaving will be more than beneficial for the UK, as, face it, most of us have seen life for many getting far far worse, WITH being ‘in’ the EU.
So all we are saying, is ‘give leave a chance’.
I agree ‘give leave a chance”
Go on Seldom Seen Seely LEAVE this Island in the hands of someone who cares about the people and their prospects. Someone Who lives here. Someone Who is not conflicted by having a board member of Red Funnel as family. Go on leave, clime the greasy career pole somewhere else.
You have been attacked by right-wing blogger, Guido Fawkes, for your former partner’s activities in the mining industry, which do not sound very ‘green’. What is your response?
“No other candidate is asked about their former partners. I find it bizarre that this is even brought up. I have no shares, only a personal bank account. I get working tax credits. Do I look like someone who owns quarries and stores money away in tax havens?”
…………………
in other words …she deflected the question away – she has personally benefited from mining activities, by the very fact that her partner, who is the father of her children, has financially supported his children and her by paying her money that he has obtained from his work. His work is in the mining and quarrying industry.
She spouts green rhetoric, however, has lived off of money earned from environmentally damaging mining practices
hypocrite.
Isn’t there some good philosophy about “people who have no sin to cast the first stone”? (Or insult). Grow up.
@migs
I am not standing as a prospective MP on a green ticket, demanding that all the environmental issues be at the fore and at the same time, paying my own bills, doing up my house, driving my kids to school and eating food all paid for by the father of the kids who got the money from environmentally damaging mining and quarrying.
it is no different to someone standing up and stating that we should not be flying around the world due to the pollution from airplanes, after arriving by plane to give the speech about not flying.
hypocrites.
I have had 6 flyers for the Green Party 4 for the conservative party’s 2 for lib. For the candidates to my one bed bungalow. Get a grip!
Save the trees and don’t bother as the iow council axed a lot of needed services that is in great need but still have money to give to the pathological liars to run the county that can’t organise how many leaflets they hand out to property’s. Well done pmsl. Post truth politics all the way. Yay!