28th Apr 2005

Green Party broadcast grabs mood of the moment

The Green Party's broadcast - shown tonight (BBC2 1755, BBC 1 1855, Radio 4 2240) has fortuitously captured the issues not only of the campaign, but of the last 24 hours.

Green Party communications co-ordinator Matt Wootton said "We're very pleased with the way the broadcast has turned out, and overjoyed with the involvement of the fabulous band Franz Ferdinand and the renowned director Alex Cox. As it turns out, this broadcast has successfully captured the issues not only of the campaign but of these last 24 hours, dwelling as it does on visual jokes about "President Blair", the Iraq war and Blair's revelations of plans for a new era of nuclear power".

Before showing a vision of a green future and impromptu vox pops with a diverse selection of ordinary Green Party candidates, the Green Party broadcast shows a dystopian future of war, corporate domination and curtailed civil liberties under a future Labour government.

Matt Wootton continues "It draws a sharp contrast with Labour's broadcast last night (Wed) showing schoolgate mums: ironically, it's exactly those domestic issues that really matter to people but that Labour has completely neglected in favour of foreign mis-adventures, making their broadcast all their more ironic. The Green stance is that in the international sphere Labour should have concentrated these last 4 years not on terrorism but climate change, which is a far greater potential security concern. Domestically, Labour has had the chance to give people more access to our public services , but instead has opened public services up to privatisation for the sake of corporate interests.

Internationally renowned, and top Scottish band, Franz Ferdinand have provided music for the Green Party Election Broadcast for the UK election. (1) The broadcast has been directed by Alex Cox, well-known Director of Repo Man and presenter of the BBC series Moviedrome.(2)

Director Alex Cox said: "The experience of directing and producing the broadcast really opened my eyes to just how serious the Greens are as a political force. They are not the stereotypical cyclists in sandals - I reckon they hold the key to changing politics for good, and I would urge voters who think Green, to vote Green. Don't settle for anything else."

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. Franz Ferdinand track 'This Fire' is used for the broadcast.

2. The Green Party Election Broadcast was directed by Alex Cox and produced by Kim Ryan. Cox has directed various feature films including REPO MAN, SID & NANCY, REVENGERS TRAGEDY, and WALKER. He was the writer and presenter of the BBC2 film series Moviedrome. Ryan is the director of the film PEACE TRAIN and the producer of several documentaries shot in Cuba.

ENDS

Contact Green Party press office 0207 561 0282