GPEx External Communications Co-ordinator candidates

As voting opens for the Green Party of England and Wales’ (GPEW) internal elections, candidates for the position of GPEx External Communications Co-ordinator explain why party members should vote for them.

GPEW candidates 2020 External Comms Co-Ordinator
GPEW candidates 2020 External Comms Co-Ordinator
Green World
GPEW candidates 2020 Molly Scott Cato

Molly Scott Cato

I see the role of the External Communications Co-ordinator as crucial to sharing our radical and inspiring ideas with the wider public: I would like to use the experience, skills and contacts I developed as an MEP to gain the maximum possible impact for our communications.

I have always been ambitious for the Green Party and deeply committed to the policy agenda we advocate together. As a member of GPEx I would prioritise good and timely decision-making and the wise investment of our limited funds in ways that would progress and support green politics.

Most voters only know about the Green Party and green politics because of the work of our excellent media team. I see the role of the External Communications Co-ordinator as crucial to sharing our radical and inspiring ideas with the wider public. When it works well this brings us votes but also helps to shift the political climate.

To achieve this the ideal candidate needs three main types of experience: understanding how media works, political judgement, and an ability to work cooperatively with both media staff, other GPEX members, and elected representatives including our local councillors.

  • During my six years as MEP I built up a strong network of media contacts and developed a good understanding of how political media works.

  • I’ve been a Green Party member for 30 years and believe I have developed sensitive political antennae and sound political judgement during that time.

  • I have worked with and researched cooperatives and would use this experience and knowledge to ensure GPEX runs smoothly.

My three main targets as as External Communications Coordinator:

  • Work with the media team to develop the party’s media strategy with clear but achievable targets for media appearances, press releases, and self-generated content like reports;

  • Engage proactively with media gatekeepers to ensure that the Party has access to the media platforms our electoral support merits;

  • Help to build us a strong reputation in particular areas extending beyond the stereotypical green issues.

GPEW candidates 2020 Peter Underwood

Peter Underwood

Let’s aspire to be the country we really want to be and let’s inspire people with our Green vision for that brighter future.

We know people like our policies but this isn’t translating into votes. That’s because we’ve assumed that people vote based on what they think when people actually vote on how they feel. 

We therefore need a clear strategy to engage with people on an emotional level. In the past we have only done this in a negative way through fear of climate change and anger at incompetent and deceitful governments. 

Instead we need to create a clear, coherent, and engaging image of what being ‘a Green’ really means. We need to present a positive vision of a Green future. We need to look like a party that will win elections and do a great job of running the council, the city, or the country.

This means not only improving our messages it also means we need a set of expert spokespeople to put those messages across – the equivalent of a shadow cabinet – to show the public that we not only have the best policies but we also have people in the party who are ready and able to put them into action.

I spent years working in Westminster with government ministers developing messaging and preparing them for events so I am used to working with politicians to help them present themselves and ideas in the most positive and effective ways. I have an MBA and have worked in management and governance roles in the public, private and charity sectors as well as being an officer of the Green Party at local, regional, and national levels. So I have the skills and experience needed to be a success in the External Communications role and as a member of GPEx. 

If I’ve inspired you then elect me to help inspire everyone with our Green vision for a brighter future.

Voting for the GPEW internal elections for leadership positions and the Green Party Executive (GPEx) will run until 31 August. If you are a GPEW member, you can cast your vote on the GPEW members’ site.