Green reaction to Reform UK’s ‘reprehensible’ proposals for severe cut to foreign aid


by Green Party

Reacting to Reform UK’s plans to slash overseas aid by more than 90% and introduce a “hard cap” of £1bn a year, Green MP, Dr Ellie Chowns, said:

“It cannot be overstated how many lives will be put at risk by this cruel and senseless policy. It would cut vital support to the most vulnerable people on the planet – those who rely on foreign aid not only to survive but also helping provide hope that they can thrive, through funding health, education, housing, energy and environmental projects.

“This policy is also counter-productive, especially for a party that’s raison d’être is to stop migration to the UK. Cutting foreign aid – leaving many more destitute and living in extreme poverty – will drive displacement, forcing people to leave their homes in search of a better life or mere survival.

“Foreign aid can also help prevent conflicts, fight the spread of disease, and mitigate the impacts of climate breakdown. Addressing these are all in our own national interest.

“Foreign aid is the helping hand which, as one of the richest countries in the world, we have a moral obligation to provide.   

“Labour’s cut of foreign aid from 0.7% to 0.3% of national income was disgraceful; Reform’s proposal to reduce it to a pitiful 0.03% is reprehensible.

“Greens are clear: we would increase foreign aid to a full 1% of national income and enable the people of the Global South to take the lead on how aid is spent.”

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Young Greens become largest youth and student wing of any British political party 

The Young Greens of England and Wales is now officially the largest youth and student wing of any British political party. 

Following on from the Green Surge, with Green Party membership now at over 150,000, the Young Greens have over 40,000 members – making them larger than Young Labour.

The Green Party is also polling at over 40% with young people aged 18-24, and is now the most popular party with under-50s.

Zack Polanski, leader of The Green Party, said:

“We meant it when we said we’re here to replace Labour – and I could not be happier that our incredible Young Greens are yet again leading the way.

“Young people have been let down by successive Conservative and Labour governments, so it’s no surprise that they are desperate for an alternative. 

“I said the Green Party wants to make hope normal again, and up and down the country our Young Greens are engaging in bold politics – whether they are members, activists or elected representatives – and doing that each and every day.

“It’s become a media commonplace to say that young people are going to Reform, so let’s set the record straight. The Young Greens are the biggest youth and student wing of any political party in the UK. They are the biggest Green youth movement in Europe, and recent polling shows the Green Party is now the most popular party among young people.

“Britain’s young people are going Green.”

The Young Greens includes all party members who are under the age of 30, or full time students; over 20 universities have Young Green societies, with more campuses organising every day. They also have independent leadership, internal decision-making structures, and policies that are distinct from the main party.

Ciara Alleyne, Co-Chair of the Young Greens, said: 

“Our generation knows that Labour won’t stand up for them or their future. They are looking for an alternative and despite what the media says, it is not Reform they are flocking to.

“Young people know what matters to them, and they are willing to fight for it by becoming part of a movement that spreads hope, not hatred and fear.

“We are ecstatic to have the largest youth and student wing in the UK, but it is only the start. We are organising across the country to take on politicians across the spectrum who are scapegoating the vulnerable and deferring to the wishes of the 1%.

“It’s our future more than anyone else’s, and we’re making sure it’s a bright one.”

Many of the headline policies of the Green Party originated with the Young Greens – they were first to call for the abolishment of landlords, a wealth tax, and have consistently led the party’s support of the trans community.

Young people also make up over 20% of the Green Party, and hold key positions across party leadership.

Callum Clafferty, Co-Chair of the Young Greens, said: 

“When you are a member of the Young Greens of England and Wales you aren’t just a token for politicians to say they listen to young people. You are encouraged at every point to take up leadership positions, stand in elections, and drive the policy of the party.

“The Green Party recognises the enormous advantage the knowledge, experience and values that young people bring – and our ability to drive innovation in the way we do politics.

“For any young person looking to take control of their future and fight for a fairer country, you have a home in the Green Party.”

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Green Party react to ‘extreme, inhumane’ immigration proposals


/ by Green Party

Green Party MP, Carla Denyer, has responded to changes to the UK’s asylum policy, that would see asylum seekers having to wait 20 years to apply to settle permanently, and be subjected to regular reviews every two-and-a-half years, meaning people could be returned to their home nation if it is deemed safe.

Denyer said:

“This is a new low from this government – plumbing the depths of performative cruelty, in hopes that the public won’t notice they have no answers to the real issues facing communities across this country.

“Confiscating the belongings of people fleeing war and violence, and trapping refugees in perpetual limbo, where even those who have been granted asylum would have the constant threat of deportation hanging over their heads, undermining integration and making it impossible to put down roots. These are extreme, inhumane proposals from a desperate and failing government.

“The only way to prevent people making dangerous crossings by small boats is to open safe and managed routes for people to claim asylum in the UK. There are hints Mahmood could introduce such schemes – a sensible government would focus on this workable policy rather than divisive gimmicks.”

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Wales Green Party responds to new nuclear power plans


by Green Party

Responding to the announcement of plans for new nuclear power generation on Ynys Môn, leader of Wales Green Party Anthony Slaughter, said:

“It’s Groundhog Day yet again. Gordon Brown declared a bold future for nuclear power back in 2009, showing us nuclear is of no help in fighting the climate crisis.

“New nuclear power at Wylfa would be nothing but an expensive distraction from the clean, fast and cheap renewables already available to us. We need to cut emissions fast, but even the most optimistic backers admit it’ll take a decade for new nuclear to be up and running. 

“And there is still no answer to the safe disposal of nuclear waste.

“What Wales needs is a fast, ambitious roll-out of solar, wind and wave energy that will create jobs and cut energy bills.”

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Welsh Greens welcome first ever councillor defection  

Former Labour group leader on Carmarthenshire County Council Cllr Robert James has defected to the Green Party. 

Green Party leader Zack Polanski has welcomed Robert, who represents Lliedi ward on Carmarthenshire County Council, to the Green Party.  

The defection comes as the party meets in Cardiff to celebrate almost tripling its membership in two months and to plan a Senedd breakthrough in 2026. 

Announcing the defection at Wales Green Party conference, Zack said:

“I know this will be the first of many councillors who we will be welcoming to the Wales Green Party.  

“I’m delighted to be welcoming Robert in person at this historic Wales conference where members are planning how to break through into the Senedd in the elections in 2026. 

“This defection of a country councillor shows that the momentum is building and more breakthroughs will follow. 

“Rob is a pioneer – he was the youngest Labour group leader in Wales, and now the first councillor in Wales to join the Green Party from Labour. 

“He won’t be the last – I know there are many more weighting up their decision.” 

Cllr James said:

“During a time when our communities are the most divided in decades and the struggles our residents face continue to grow, I have joined a party that puts people and this planet first – by tackling crippling inequality, protecting public services and safeguarding the future of our environment. 

“As a Green Councillor I will continue to fight for the interests of those living in Lliedi and Carmarthenshire, more widely, to get the changes we desperately need.” 

Rob has led campaigns to divest pension funds from fossil fuels, for a locally owned bus company for school pupils and against cuts to local public services. 

Anthony Slaughter, Wales Green Party leader, said:

“The moral courage Rob has shown is exactly why he makes a brilliant Green councillor. It also shows the political tectonic plates are shifting in Wales. Our membership in Wales has nearly tripled in two months, closing in on six thousand.  

“Our call to make hope normal again has galvanized the public to action, and the momentum around the party is going to carry us into the Senedd in May. We’ll be there to shake up the complacent and tired government that has forgotten the people it’s supposed to serve.” 

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