Interview with Steven Agnew: Green Party
During his pledge to become Northern Ireland’s Green Party representative in the European Elections; Steven Agnew visited a polling station in Bangor. Where I interviewed him on the spot. Topics we discussed were why the European Elections were important and why politics should matter to young people.
He’s a fan of punk rock, supporter of wind power, and on June 4th more than 15,000 voters picked them as their first preference choice in the European poll.
I caught up with the Green Party’s European candidate, Steven Agnew, on polling day when he revealed some of his personal inspirations to become involved in politics.
Speaking at a Bangor polling station Agnew revealed, that music was his influence in deciding to join the Green Party: “Punk music, especially the Dead Kennedys. Their singer Jello Biafra is a big supporter of the Green Party in America and seeing him in several Spoken Word tours inspired me”.
Music inspiring politicians? Given that most politician’s current play-lists include “Money, Money Money” by ABBA, “Money for Nothing” by The Dire Straits and to top it off “Opportunities (Let’s make Lots of Money)” by The Pet Shop Boys, a punk rock fan makes at least a refreshing change.
Having this type of influence means Steven Agnew is much more in tune with many young people. When asked about how he relates to young people Agnew answered: “It is difficult to relate things that happen there to here but children’s rights and the right to play are all important issues for the EU.
“The EU parliament issues guidelines in accordance with the UNCRC.
It is a problem in a sense that if you take an abuse case to the EU parliament or any case to do with Children’s rights, it can take 2 years to get through the process”.
Of course, this begs the question, how will Steven Agnew and the Green Party better cope than the other parties at the EU parliament should they eventually achieve a significant enough vote to be elected.
“One of the main ambitions of the Green Party is environmental issues, such as Climate Change. A lot of people say we can’t make a difference because of China, but if the whole European block is doing something, it will help”.
Of course, with the world in a state of disrepair the environmental question could be pushed to the side.
“These are global issues, such as the financial crisis. We can’t sit in our own little ‘financial silos’, that in our own area… We are okay, however someone else is in trouble. It can’t go on like that.”
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