Anja Jungmayr
Green Party
Healey Ward
I grew up in Rochdale, and chose to come back here after university because it is my home, my community, and I wanted to work to make this community the best it can be for everyone who lives here. I might be young, but that just means I have more future to care about.
More of my life has been spent in austerity than out of it, and it has only been for the benefit of self-serving politicians and corporations. Our services have been gutted, our education system doesn't care for the wellbeing of students or teachers, and the government continues to allow the exploitation of the environment for their profit, at the expense of honest people's health, with no true benefit for the majority of people in this country, or the majority of people in Rochdale.
These issues may seem large, and removed from the scope of local politics, but I believe in the power of communities to make change and demand better. If I am elected, I will actually listen to what residents care about, and drive innovative responses that actually make a difference.
I am committed to active travel initiatives and increased public transport which will reduce cars on the roads and parking on pavements, as well as creating safer streets for everyone. I support permanent school safe streets, so children can go to school in safety. I would also fight for measures to restrict HGV traffic, reducing emissions, as well as creating safer streets and better air quality.
I want to increase local, in ward, access to publicly funded activities, especially youth worker led activities, that can get to the root causes of anti-social behaviour and reduce said behaviour, while providing more opportunities for self-development for everyone.
I will support better training for police, and more PCSOs who have real ties to Healey, who understand crime as more than just figures but the real experience of all residents.
The Green Party has a proven track record across the country of making councils better, and as we believe in decision making at the lowest possible level, I would always vote for what is best for Healey, not according to a whip like others.
I would advocate for community energy projects, that both reduce reliance on polluting energy sources, and put power back in the hands of residents at a lower price point.
I support the protection of green belts and other green spaces, against any form of development. There are better ways to ensure housing needs are met, including redevelopment of existing buildings and more efficient use of space. I would also fight for local planning authorities to retain the right to set their own higher standards for developers' sustainability.
It's important to me to recognise that any community does not exist in isolation, it is tied to those around it, and if we work together, we can make our ward, town, city, country, and planet, the greatest in can be. Which is why I would advocate for a resolutions at the local level that call for ceasefire in Palestine, and commitment to Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions actively against Israel, and the right to undertake BDS with regards to whatever issue local people care about, including fossil fuel companies. It is everyone's responsibility, whatever level of influence or power they may have, to call out injustice and atrocities wherever they may be.
The status quo in Healey, and Rochdale at large, has failed people for too long. Use your vote to make real change, vote Green.
You can also check out a full local manifesto on Rochdale Green Party's website, https://rochdale.greenparty.org.uk/2024-local-manifesto.html
Reach me on socials directly @anjajungmayr
