18 April 2019

The Green Party welcomes the European Elections and the enthusiasm being shown for them by those who, like us, believe we must do everything possible to stay in the European Union. The Green Party is the largest remain party in the EU Parliament, with the largest number of MEPs and is currently the lead remain party in the polls. We are the most credible choice for pro-EU voters. 

In terms of joint lists, the deadline for formal arrangements passed before the EU Council meeting on 10 April, which granted the “flextension” that makes fighting the European elections possible. As far as informal arrangements are concerned, no party has made any approach to us about them, and claims that we have turned down overtures are untrue, since none have been made. We understand, however, that Change UK has in any case ruled them out.

While we agree with other remain parties on continued membership of the European Union, we have fundamental ideological differences on other issues – not least on the urgent priority of bold action on the accelerating climate crisis, and on major economic transformation.

The European Parliament elections are conducted under a proportional system, meaning that, unlike the UK parliamentary voting system, you are much freer to vote for what you believe in. In the last European Elections The Green Party finished 4th, above the Liberal Democrats, and had 3 hard working and effective MEPs elected. 

The Green Party is clear that our country’s best future lies within the EU, with as many Green MEPs as possible elected to help bring about the improvements and reforms to the EU that we believe are necessary. We understand why many people voted to leave. The status quo is intolerable and we are pushing for the reforms necessary in both the UK and the EU to make a transition away from the current system – one which fails us all so badly, and hits the most vulnerable hardest. 

We welcome the votes of all pro-EU voters to help us to achieve this aim, as well as those who are more skeptical about the EU, but realise that Brexit is a recipe for chaos.

We stand firmly against the rise of hate, and we reject the rhetoric and dog-whistle politics used to stoke further division.  

Our energies, and those of all those who support remaining in the EU, are now best spent actively campaigning to maximise the pro-EU vote and resisting the rise of the far right.

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16 April 2019

Today, Greta Thunberg, the Swedish climate activist, will address the Environmental Committee of the European Parliament from 14:00 to 15:00.

Coinciding with this visit, the Green Party of England and Wales MEP for South-West England Molly Scott Cato has helped launch the Greens/EFA 10 priority measures to save the climateincluding measures to finance the transition to a Green economy.

Scott Cato said:

“It’s not enough to simply champion climate activists like Greta Thunberg, as policy makers we must follow their example. The IPCC report tells us we have less than twelve years to solve this problem so the time for platitudes is long over.

“The Greens/EFA in the European Parliament have proposed a bold ten point plan to radically reduce CO2 emissions and shift Europe to 100% renewable energy within a generation. We want Europe to stop subsidising fossil fuels, to support a just transition and to completely rethink our energy and agricultural sectors.

“With Brexit dominating so much of the discourse back home, British MEPs have a duty to take the lead on the fundamental crisis of our times.”

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11 April 2019

The Green Party has responded to news there will be European Union elections will be held on May 23 unless the Prime Minister can pass her Brexit deal in Parliament.

Sian Berry AM, co-leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, said:

“This is the moment to tell the establishment what kind of Britain we want to be. The Green Party is ready to fight the EU elections, mobilise one of the strongest pro-EU movements anywhere and champion a fairer, greener more democratic EU.

“We will not let the Government downplay how important these elections are. This isn’t just about the European Union – it’s about the country we live in. One thing we can agree on is that our politics is broken, and has failed to fix the intolerable inequality and insecurity which caused the Brexit vote. A vote for the Greens is a vote against this chaos, a vote for change, a vote to remain and a vote for an open and confident Britain.”

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9 April 2019

* Green Party set to launch biggest ever local election campaign

* Party will pledge to give communities control of local land

* Jonathan Bartley: “This will be our biggest ever local election campaign – and I’ve never seen Greens so ready to win.”

* Sian Berry: “Green councillors will always work to put land in the hands of communities who know best.”

The Green Party will promise to give local communities the first say on how land in their area is used as it launches its biggest ever local election campaign today.

Sian Berry, co-leader of the Green Party, will pledge to give communities the first chance to buy local land that comes up for sale by extending Scotland’s Community Right to Buy policy [1] to England and Wales.

She is expected to say Greens “believe local decisions should be made by the communities that know them best” and that Community Right to Buy would “help bring land back into use where it is being neglected and hoarded by people who are hanging on for profits”.

The Green Party will also pledge to give communities and councils the power to stop landowners sitting on or neglecting land by following Scotland’s lead and introducing Compulsory Sale Orders [2], enabling abandoned land to be brought back into community ownership.

Berry will make the promises at the launch of the Green Party’s local election campaign in Trafford [3], where Greens have helped the local community save playing fields from being turned into unaffordable housing that wouldn’t meet the community’s needs.

The Green Party is this year fighting its biggest, strongest local election campaign ever with 2595 candidates standing for election across the country, as the party works towards its ambition to have a Green on every council.

Last year the Green Party elected a record number of councillors onto a record number of councils [4]. Since then it has added to its numbers further with a total of 178 Green councillors now elected across England and Wales.

Jonathan Bartley, co-leader of the Green Party, is expected to say:

“The Government has failed local communities. While Westminster crumbles and the political establishment tears itself apart, ordinary people are paying the price. Local services have been decimated and the most vulnerable worst affected.

“Up and down England and Wales local Greens are filling the gap. While Conservative and Labour candidates are getting doors slammed on them, more and more people are seeing that Green councillors work in and with communities to win the change they need.

“This will be our biggest ever local election campaign – and I’ve never seen Greens this ready to win and take us one step closer to having a Green on every council.”

Sian Berry, co-leader of the Green Party, is expected to say:

“Across the country local Green councillors are empowering local communities, like here in Altrincham where Greens and the community saved children’s playing fields from being turned into unaffordable housing.

“The Green Party believes local decisions should always be made by the communities who know their needs best, and that communities should get first say on how local land is used. That’s why today we promise to give communities the right to buy any land up for sale, as well as the power to force landowners to sell neglected brownfield land.

“Green councillors will always help bring land back into use where it is being neglected and hoarded by people who are hanging on for profits – and in the hands of community groups, and parish and town councils who will use them for the common good.”

Michael Welton, Green Party candidate for Altrincham, said ahead of the launch:

“Local action to protect our green spaces is at the core of Green Party values. Our councillors will always support groups like the one here at Cow Field. We are fighting to save a place where people of all ages come together to play games, walk the dog or just take time out to relax in nature.

“Green space brings communities closer together and we will work to ensure that the community in Altrincham can have their say on how local land is used.”

Notes:

1. https://www2.gov.scot/Topics/farmingrural/Rural/rural-land/right-to-buy/Community

2. https://landcommission.gov.scot/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/CSO-Proposal-final.pdf

3. Green Party co-leaders Sian Berry and Jonathan Bartley will launch the Green Party’s local election campaign at 11am, Tuesday 9 April 2019, in Oldfield Brow Recreation Ground, Stokoe Avenue, Altrincham, Trafford, WA14 4L.

4. https://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/2018/05/04/green-co-leader-wins-lambeth-council-seat-in-record-breaking-elections/

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4 April 2019

In the wake of the Cooper-Letwin bill passing through the Commons last night, the Green Party has welcomed the prospect of a longer extension to Article 50 to ‘provide valuable breathing space’ and allow European elections to take place.

Molly Scott Cato MEP, Green Party Brexit spokesperson, said:

“A longer extension would give the country valuable breathing space for more democratic engagement and provide an opportunity for the many millions of people who believe our best future lies in the EU to vote for pro-EU, pro-remain candidates in the European elections. 

“The Green Party stands ready to fight EU elections. We plan to use these democratic and proportional elections to mobilise one of the strongest pro-EU movements anywhere on the continent and champion a fairer, greener, more democratic EU.

“A strong vote for pro-European candidates will massively increase the chances of winning a future People’s Vote so we can begin to heal our divided communities and our relationship with our EU neighbours.  

“Politicians could and should also use this time to address the causes that gave rise to feelings of powerlessness, alienation and being left behind which prompted so many to vote leave in 2016.

“Of course, many will seek to use this period to further ferment hatred. We must be on our guard against the forces that will continue to mislead, misrepresent and undermine our democracy. It is also essential we continue to expose those who lied, cheated and broke the law in the European referendum campaign of 2016.”

The Green Party of England and Wales has in recent weeks been preparing for European elections by selecting their list of candidates. The results from each region will be announced over the next two weeks.

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