Ruthi Brandt has applied to stand as the Green Party candidate for Carfax ward in Oxford City Council. The selection meeting is in two parts.

1. She answered questions from members at the Green Fair in Oxford Town Hall, on Saturday 7 December from 3 to 4 p.m. Her answers and her election statement will be circulated at the selection meeting on
2. Members will vote to select her as our candidate, or re-open nominations, during the Oxfordshire Green Party meeting on Thursday 12 December, 7.30 to 9.30 p.m.

Below is her statement.

Ruthi Brandt's statement

Hello everyone,

My name is Ruthi Brandt. I was born and - mostly - raised in Israel, but have been living in Oxford for the past 10 years (I spent some time in the US as a child, so don’t be surprised if I sound a bit American when we talk).

My background is in science, more specifically—biology. I came to Oxford to pursue a research degree in animal behaviour, but realised that the imperative of climate change, and other forms of societal unravelling, is pushing me to be more actively involved in changing the world for the better (pardon the cliché…). Which is why I founded the Oxford Roots & Shoots Society, while still a student (though, sadly, it has since been disbanded) and, after volunteering with various environmental groups, including the local Greenpeace group of which I am still a member, I started volunteering with the UK Tar Sands Network, where I now work as a campaigner.

Prior to coming to Oxford I have been active as an undergraduate - and later a graduate - student in the Israeli environmental movement. These years taught me the interconnectedness of environmental and social issues and the importance of having political representation for people who put both environmental understanding and progressive ideals at the heart of their manifesto. In other words—green parties.

My involvement with the local Green Party in Oxford started with the Tar Free Oxford initiative, which the City Council adopted this past summer (making Oxford the first Tar Free Town in Europe!).

As a long-time supporter of the Green Party’s principles, it would be a privilege to stand on the Party's behalf in the local elections.