Green breakthrough

Wilson victory in North Down: Standing in front of the television cameras and giving interviews to jostling journalists, Brian…

Wilson victory in North Down:Standing in front of the television cameras and giving interviews to jostling journalists, Brian Wilson, the Green Party's first ever member to win a seat at Stormont, appeared relaxed yesterday.

Mr Wilson joined the North Down branch of the Green Party three years ago after deciding that as an independent, he lacked political clout.

He explained: "I stood as an Independent twice and didn't get elected, and now I have, so I will finally be able to make a difference."

His warmth and affability make it obvious how he was able to convince 2,839 North Down residents to give him their first preference vote. Mr Wilson's knowledgeable conversation about environmental issues supports his assertion that he has always been concerned by climate change and pollution.

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However, the former lecturer said his first job is to tackle the unpopular rate increases and water charges.

"These are going to create great hardship during the next few months in my constituency. Obviously, we want to get the Assembly working so we can implement the Green policies, for example rural revitalisation and alternative energy sources.

Criticised as being too expensive and impractical to implement, Mr Wilson insisted that the Green policies are a viable way forward for Northern Ireland.

"The Green agenda can create jobs, which will generate more economic activity and benefit the economy. It doesn't automatically follow that Green policies are expensive. The problem is that some of the new technologies are in their infancy - once they have been developed they become much cheaper," he said.

Speaking of a new beginning not just for North Down, but for the Assembly, Mr Wilson is determined that Northern Ireland as a whole goes Green.