I AM thrilled and honoured to have been elected as the first Green MEP from the South West. Together we made history last week and I hope I will be able to deserve your respect as your representative, whether you voted for me or not.

The South West bucked the trend in this election, rejecting the politics of fear and division and emerging with the same number of UKIP MEPs and additional Green and Labour representatives. I take this as a sign of the way people in our region are responding to their neglect by the Westminster establishment not with negativity but by building an alternative.

As a Green politician I hope to be able to support these moves towards a real prosperity in the South West. We have fantastic resources in our skilful people, our beautiful natural environments, our rich soils, and our fabulous potential for renewable energy. I hope to be part of a move to use these fairly and wisely in the service of all the South West’s people.

Finally, I see part of my role as working with the media to encourage a better connection of people with politics, and the European Union. I hope that this newspaper will support me in that endeavour.

MOLLY SCOTT CATO

Stroud