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Greens eye record council seats Greens eye record council seats
(20 minutes later)
The Green Party say they are on course to achieve a "record result" in English local elections.The Green Party say they are on course to achieve a "record result" in English local elections.
Principal Speaker Sian Berry said they expected to become the second largest parties in Norwich and Brighton - and hold the balance of power on others.Principal Speaker Sian Berry said they expected to become the second largest parties in Norwich and Brighton - and hold the balance of power on others.
She accused other parties of claiming green credentials, while rejecting wind farms and other eco-friendly measures.She accused other parties of claiming green credentials, while rejecting wind farms and other eco-friendly measures.
Labour, the Tories and the Lib Dems are also pushing green issues in the run-up to the elections on 3 May.Labour, the Tories and the Lib Dems are also pushing green issues in the run-up to the elections on 3 May.
As the Greens launched their local elections manifesto on Tuesday, Ms Berry told the BBC they had more than 1,400 candidates standing for seats in more than two third of council elections.As the Greens launched their local elections manifesto on Tuesday, Ms Berry told the BBC they had more than 1,400 candidates standing for seats in more than two third of council elections.
We are virtually guaranteed to break through 10% this year and that is actually a huge milestone for us Sian BerryWe are virtually guaranteed to break through 10% this year and that is actually a huge milestone for us Sian Berry
"It's a huge amount of coverage and we are expecting a record result," she said."It's a huge amount of coverage and we are expecting a record result," she said.
"We are virtually guaranteed to break through 10% this year and that is actually a huge milestone for us," she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme."We are virtually guaranteed to break through 10% this year and that is actually a huge milestone for us," she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"If you think back to the 1989 elections, which is when everybody remembers we did brilliantly in the European elections, that year we only got 8.5% in the local elections and this year we are going to break that spectacularly and do incredibly well.""If you think back to the 1989 elections, which is when everybody remembers we did brilliantly in the European elections, that year we only got 8.5% in the local elections and this year we are going to break that spectacularly and do incredibly well."
Poll boostPoll boost
The party hopes to win more than 20 seats, bringing their total number of councillors to about 120 - twice the figure they had four years ago.The party hopes to win more than 20 seats, bringing their total number of councillors to about 120 - twice the figure they had four years ago.
The Greens do not control any councils, but last year's local elections saw them gain 20 councillors - including nine in Norwich. They hope to become the second biggest party in Norwich and Brighton this year.The Greens do not control any councils, but last year's local elections saw them gain 20 councillors - including nine in Norwich. They hope to become the second biggest party in Norwich and Brighton this year.
The party has seen a boost in its opinion poll ratings as environmental issues climb the political agenda.The party has seen a boost in its opinion poll ratings as environmental issues climb the political agenda.
Ms Berry accused the other parties of failing on wind farmsMs Berry accused the other parties of failing on wind farms
The Conservatives are urging people to "vote blue, go green". They have unveiled plans to tackle train overcrowding, as part of leader David Cameron's efforts to change the party's image as the party of road transport.The Conservatives are urging people to "vote blue, go green". They have unveiled plans to tackle train overcrowding, as part of leader David Cameron's efforts to change the party's image as the party of road transport.
Meanwhile Environment Secretary David Miliband will later unveil Labour's "climate change pledge card" - setting out what the government is doing to save energy and combat climate change, as well as giving householders advice.Meanwhile Environment Secretary David Miliband will later unveil Labour's "climate change pledge card" - setting out what the government is doing to save energy and combat climate change, as well as giving householders advice.
And for the Lib Dems, leader Sir Menzies Campbell has backed loans for homeowners to help them make their properties more energy efficient, by installing double glazing and insulation, to cut carbon emissions.And for the Lib Dems, leader Sir Menzies Campbell has backed loans for homeowners to help them make their properties more energy efficient, by installing double glazing and insulation, to cut carbon emissions.
But Ms Berry dismissed of Mr Cameron's efforts to improve his party's green image.But Ms Berry dismissed of Mr Cameron's efforts to improve his party's green image.
"Actions speaker a lot louder than words. The Tories on the ground particularly are as bad as ever."Actions speaker a lot louder than words. The Tories on the ground particularly are as bad as ever.
"They are still backing road building, incinerators, airport expansion they are turning down wind farms which is an absolute scandal that all the other parties are involved in." "They are still backing road building, incinerators, airport expansion and they are turning down wind farms, which is an absolute scandal that all the other parties are involved in."