Green Party statement on latest developments in Iran war

Responding to the latest developments in the war on Iran, Dr Ellie Chowns, Parliamentary Green Party spokesperson on foreign affairs and MP for North Herefordshire, said:  

“The human cost of the illegal attack by the US and Israel on Iran is becoming clearer every day. The UK Government must stand unequivocally against this reckless war and use every available lever to press for a peaceful solution.  

“The Iranian regime’s human rights abuses are intolerable, and the Green Party stands in complete solidarity with the citizens of Iran and the pursuit of justice for the those who have been targeted and killed by the horrific regime. We also recognise that the illegal US-Israeli strikes on Iran have not and will not ensure the safety of Iranian civilians, nor further the pursuit of nuclear de-escalation. 

“Since the strikes on Iran began, more than 1,200 people in the country have been killed, with many more injured and 13 verified attacks made on health infrastructure. Conflict has escalated throughout the region, with civilians paying a heavy price. Just yesterday Israeli forces launched massive airstrikes in the southern suburbs of Beirut, only hours after issuing an evacuation order for the over 500,000 people living there. 

“This displays an utter disregard for civilian lives. We saw these patterns in Gaza – it cannot happen again in Lebanon.  

“No nation should be able to break international law with impunity – civilians and healthcare facilities must be protected and those responsible for illegal attacks held to account.  

“The Prime Minister has stated he believes the best way forward is through a negotiated settlement, yet he has not condemned the initial attacks made by the US and Israel in the midst of those very negotiations, and has allowed the US to use UK military bases for defensive action. 

“This is a clear error; not only was this permission given without a parliamentary vote, but the Prime Minister has offered no clear assurances regarding how the UK can be certain of the defensive or offensive nature of any US action launched from our bases. At this moment, the UK stands at great risk of being dragged further into another illegal war in the Middle East, forsaking the lessons of past involvements. 

“It is one reason why, with cross-party support, I brought a Bill to Parliament earlier this week that would require the UK government have a viable objective, legal basis, and the backing of MPs before military deployments can be made.” 

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Green Party gains 15,000 new members in a week after historic by-election victory – while Labour double down on migrant bashing 

The Green Party of England and Wales has today announced that their membership has grown by more than 2,000 a day, over 15,000 in a week, since their historic by-election victory in Gorton and Denton going from 200,000 members to over 215,000.  
 
This milestone caps off a good week for the Greens after the weekly Sky News YouGov poll put the Green Party on 21% of the national vote, its highest level ever recorded by and ahead of both Labour and the Conservatives who were tied on 16% each. Crucially the poll put the Greens within touching distance of Reform on 23%.  

Hannah Spencer, the newly elected MP for Gorton and Denton, said: 

“I heard in Gorton and Denton time and time again, this was the first time that people had felt included in politics, and a genuine sense of hope. That hope was reflected in the ballot box last week, in the polls we’ve seen this week and in the huge surge of new party members. People like that we’re clear on not just pointing out the problems, but offering real world, practical solutions.” 

As the party heads toward the local elections in England and the Senedd elections in Wales this May, Greens are looking to turn these recent polling, membership and by-election victories into substantial gains at the ballot box.  

“Across the country we’re hearing the same message: people are ready for bold action on cost of living, on housing, on the NHS, and on real democratic reform,” said Hannah. We’re breaking records left, right and centre and we’re ready to win across the country this May. And believe me when I say we’re only just getting started!”  

“Labour clearly hasn’t learnt the lessons of the Gorton and Denton by-election. What we heard on the doorstep is that people don’t like Labour aping Reform’s grubby practice of blaming migrants for everything. These policies only divide our communities whereas we believe everyone should be treated with dignity, and respect – wherever you are from.” 

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Green Party gains 15,000 new members in a week after historic by-election victory – while Labour double down on migrant bashing 

The Green Party of England and Wales has today announced that their membership has grown by more than 2,000 a day, over 15,000 in a week, since their historic by-election victory in Gorton and Denton going from 200,000 members to over 215,000.  
 
This milestone caps off a good week for the Greens after the weekly Sky News YouGov poll put the Green Party on 21% of the national vote, its highest level ever recorded by and ahead of both Labour and the Conservatives who were tied on 16% each. Crucially the poll put the Greens within touching distance of Reform on 23%.  

Hannah Spencer, the newly elected MP for Gorton and Denton, said: 

“I heard in Gorton and Denton time and time again, this was the first time that people had felt included in politics, and a genuine sense of hope. That hope was reflected in the ballot box last week, in the polls we’ve seen this week and in the huge surge of new party members. People like that we’re clear on not just pointing out the problems, but offering real world, practical solutions.” 

As the party heads toward the local elections in England and the Senedd elections in Wales this May, Greens are looking to turn these recent polling, membership and by-election victories into substantial gains at the ballot box.  

“Across the country we’re hearing the same message: people are ready for bold action on cost of living, on housing, on the NHS, and on real democratic reform,” said Hannah. We’re breaking records left, right and centre and we’re ready to win across the country this May. And believe me when I say we’re only just getting started!”  

“Labour clearly hasn’t learnt the lessons of the Gorton and Denton by-election. What we heard on the doorstep is that people don’t like Labour aping Reform’s grubby practice of blaming migrants for everything. These policies only divide our communities whereas we believe everyone should be treated with dignity, and respect – wherever you are from.” 

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“Rehash of an old BNP policy” – Greens slam Labour immigration reforms


/ by Green Party

Responding to today’s announcements by the Home Secretary, Green Party Deputy Leader Rachel Millward said: 

“Migrants and refugees have always been, and always will be, part of who we are as a country. Migration is a story as old as time. People coming here to live is part of the patchwork that makes Britain great. 

In contrast, today we’ve seen a Labour Home Secretary rehash an old BNP policy of paying people to leave the country. We’ve seen rights becoming conditional on those with language skills. Policies that risk leaving people on the streets, as the rights of those seeking safety from war and persecution are eroded. The impacts will be real both on individuals and our communities. 

Labour clearly have not learnt the lessons of Gorton and Denton. Voters showed Labour that they are not persuaded by their attempts to copy Reform’s rhetoric or to blame migrants for the real challenges facing our country. Voters are looking for honesty, practical solutions and hope that things can get better.

That’s why we support a fair and well-managed migration system alongside serious action on the cost-of-living crisis. This is what people want to see – strong communities and affordable weekly shops. That Labour don’t understand this still is striking. 

While Labour continue to dismiss or caricature Green supporters, we will continue to stand up for the many people who have chosen to make their lives here and contribute to our communities every day. Proudly, we say not only that Britain’s problems were not caused by migrants or those seeking asylum, but that those who come to live, work and love here play a really important role in making us who we are.”

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Greens call on Rachel Reeves to scrap failing fiscal rules to tackle cost of living following Spring Forecast


/ by Green Party

Responding to the spring forecast, the Green Party has called on the Government to scrap its failing fiscal rules, and tackle the cost of living by ending the household benefit cap, bringing water into public ownership, and introducing rent controls.

Dr Ellie Chowns MP said:

“Hannah Spencer’s decisive by-election victory last week shows it is action to tackle the cost-of-living crisis that voters desperately want to see. But the truth is the Labour Party has failed to properly get to grips with this crisis and today was no different.

“When bills are still sky-high, rents are extortionate, and millions of children remain in poverty, it is incredibly disappointing that this government continues to tie itself in knots with its self-imposed fiscal rules, which even the IFS are now calling dysfunctional.

“The Green Party is laser-focused on making our country affordable again, because we knows it is inequality, not immigration, that is to blame for the state we are in. That is why we are again calling on the government to scrap their failing fiscal rules and double down on tackling the cost-of-living crisis, starting with scrapping the household benefit cap, bringing water into public ownership, and introducing rent controls.”

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