Greens call for end to arms exports alongside boycotts, divestment and sanctions in wake of Security Council vote

26 March 2024

Reacting to news that the UN Security Council has called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, without the US using its veto to block the resolution, co-leader of the Green Party Carla Denyer, said: 

“The Green Party has been calling for a ceasefire since last October, so this vote is hugely welcome if long overdue. With Israel’s greatest ally the United States abstaining, the Netanyahu regime is more isolated than ever – and rightly so.  

“This Security Council resolution comes too late for hundreds of thousands of people who have seen their families and friends killed, maimed, or seriously injured and their homes, hospitals and schools destroyed. Nonetheless, it ramps up international pressure on Israel to end its deadly assault on Gaza. 

“However, Netanyahu is not listening – the attacks continue. The UK government must now further pressurise the Netanyahu regime by immediately suspending export licenses for arms to Israel. The Green Party also calls for further leverage through boycotts, divestment and sanctions. This means withdrawing all public money from funds with investments in Israel and suspending beneficial trade arrangements with the country.  

“Only a full bilateral ceasefire and release of all hostages can stop more people dying. Israel must immediately stop blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza, where their blockade on aid is causing famine and intolerable suffering. And only a ceasefire can allow talks to begin on the long-term political solutions that will bring peace and security to everyone in the region.” 

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Reaction to Labour’s Great British Energy announcement 

25 March 2024

Responding to Labour’s announcement in Anglesey about Great British Energy, the new energy company the Party plans to set up if they become the government, co-leader of the Green Party, Adrian Ramsay, said: 

“The announcement today of £8 billion for Great British Energy over the course of the whole parliament, which would prioritise investment in floating offshore wind, is a drop in the ocean. Especially since it follows the Party ditching its £28bn a year green investment plan. The Green Party would invest whatever is needed to turbocharge the move to renewables, ensuring wind provides around 70% of the UK’s electricity by 2030.  

“We would also create an environment where communities can genuinely own their own energy, keeping bills down while allowing those communities to benefit from any profits made. By contrast, Labour seems all at sea when it comes to what sort of venture Great British Energy will be. Will it be a fully publicly owned company, as originally promised, or will Labour simply spin it as such when really it is another way for private energy companies to max out their profits?” 

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Greens react to government extremism definition

14 March 2024

Reacting to Michael Gove’s statement on a new definition of extremism, deputy leader of the Green Party, Zack Polanski, said: 

“Is this government seriously asking us to trust them to define extremism? In a week when they failed to condemn blatant racism and a death threat from a major Conservative Party donor? In a month when they are pushing through the Rwanda Bill which demonises the most vulnerable people seeking refuge, asylum and safety in this country? And after years attacking civil liberties and undermining our democracy? 

“Our fundamental and democratic rights are under threat from extremists. The problem is, they’re running the country.” 

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Greens respond to Frank Hester’s remarks on Diane Abbot

12 March 2024

The Green Party has accused the Conservative Party of being funded by racists and have challenged them to donate the £10m received from Frank Hester to anti-racism and domestic violence charities [1]. 

Green Party spokesperson for Policing and Domestic Safety, Amanda Onwuemene, said: 

“It’s clear that racists are funding the Tory Party to the tune of millions of pounds. No wonder they fail to call this out for what it is – a vile racist and misogynist attack on a woman who made history by becoming Britain’s first Black woman MP and who has had a remarkable political career.  

“The Green Party stands in solidarity with Diane Abbott and all Black women. Nobody should have to face the abuse and threats she is subject to.  

“Labour wants the Conservative Party to return the £10m donation – to a man guilty of racism and misogyny. As Greens we challenge the Conservative Party to donate the sum it has received from Hester to some of the many anti-racism and domestic violence campaigns around the country that are doing such valuable work. That would demonstrate the Tories are genuinely concerned about fighting racism and misogyny.” 

Notes

1. Biggest Tory donor said looking at Diane Abbott makes you ‘want to hate all black women’ | The Guardian 

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People can see through pre-election Budget tax bribes

6 March 2024

“People can see through these pre-election tax bribes that will have to be paid for by cuts to our NHS and other vital public services,” says Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer. 

Denyer said: 

“People are crying out for investment in social care, in our NHS and in dentistry. We needed a ‘care full’ Budget but have ended up with a careless, reckless Budget. 

“Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is attempting to bribe the electorate through tax cuts, which can only mean more pain for public services that are already on their knees.   

“People won’t be richer, healthier or happier because of this Budget. People know a con when they see one.  

“The Fairness Foundation found only 16 per cent of the British public and 17 per cent of Conservative voters would support tax cuts if it meant public service cuts. [1] 

“Councils are going bust up and down the country, NHS waits are getting longer, dentists can’t be found, while anyone travelling by train or bus, or visiting our town centres feels the lack of investment all around them. 

“These headline tax cuts will do nothing to reverse the decade-long, real-terms wage freeze most workers have faced under successive Conservative governments. 

“The Resolution Foundation says those earning up to £19k pa will be losers because of freezing of tax thresholds, while pensioners and those on benefits gain nothing at all. [2] 

“There is wealth in the UK, but it is distributed unfairly. Our economy is failing because our wealth, rather than circulating and benefiting everybody, is held in the stagnant assets of the super-rich.  

“So, we needed a Budget that released the money available from a wealth tax to invest in the green jobs of the future, to cut NHS queues and restore nature and the places we live and work. 

“We needed a Budget that introduced a Wealth Tax, and reformed Capital Gains Tax and National Insurance to raise over £50bn per year. [3] 

“That would have provided the vital public investment our country is crying out for. 

“Now we have Labour huffing and puffing but offering no real alternative to being locked into a Conservative-forged cuts straitjacket. 

“Thankfully, a General Election is coming where people can vote Green for the real change that will lead to a fairer, healthier and more caring country.” 

NOTES TO EDITORS 

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