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.
Finances of certain schemes have certainly been a point of criticism of the Green Party, but Agnew’s response to the Bangor Wind turbine:
“It’s great, I like it! It has got a lot of bad press recently but it’s up and running and within 4 or 5 years the council will be generating money from it.”
He went on to explain this is not short term either,
“Wind turbines like these have a lifespan over 2 decades, the councils will get money for at least 20 years which hopefully will help improve the local areas.”
His support of local events doesn’t stop there – Agnew is keen to back local musical talent. When asked to recommend some local bands he name checked some hidden gems: “Not Squares’, ‘Yakuza’ and ‘La Faro’. I have friends in these bands and that’s how I know them. You should look them up”.
As for bands beyond these shores Agnew tips at least one band worth adding to your iPod right away. “Murder City Devils! I love the Murder City Devils, still to this day. The Stooges, who inspired the Devils and at the other end of the spectrum Elliott Smith”.
Steven Agnew’s willingness to answer questions and his relaxed attitude proves that politician can balance their personalities. On one hand, he is a punk rock fan and on the other he works in politics. My only wish is that there were more like him. Northern Ireland is healing and to heal faster it needs new blood in the system, so to speak; we need new ideas and even though this is only the European elections, it does have an effect on us all. As Steven explained to me, the EU parliament sets out directives, such as those on waste, and in some ways it is more powerful than Stormont or Westminster.
Who knows, maybe in a few years time, we can trust politicians again. Maybe in a few years we’ll move to a truly inclusive society with global reach. Steven Agnew is in the vanguard.
Until then, it seems, in the words of Agnew’s punk inspiration, the Dead Kennedys, “We’re all stuck with the Government Flu.”
Liked it
