Reacting to Israel’s escalating action in Lebanon, Dr Ellie Chowns MP said:

“Israel’s escalating military campaign in Lebanon has already killed thousands of people, displaced more than a million from their homes, and destroyed vital infrastructure, displaying an indefensible disregard for civilian lives and international law.

“This cannot continue. The UK must put an end to the impunity that has enabled and emboldened the Israeli Government on the world stage. The Green Party repeats our calls for the UK Government to end all arms sales to and military cooperation with Israel, to drive independent investigations into war crimes and support justice mechanisms for victims, and to impose sanctions on Netanyahu and all other government officials responsible for breaches of international law.

“The people of Lebanon – like the people of Palestine, Iran, and Israel – deserve to live in safety and peace, not to have their human rights used as bargaining chips which can be disregarded without consequence. The UK must stand on the side of international law and justice, and act now to help prevent further atrocity.”

Responding to reports that Benjamin Netanyahu has given orders to the Israeli army to seize control of 70% of the Gaza Strip, Dr Ellie Chowns MP said:

“Netanyahu’s directive to expand Israeli military control over 70% of the Gaza Strip is horrifying, constituting a grave breach of the ceasefire if carried out and a blatant disregard for the rights and lives of Palestinian civilians already enduring unimaginable suffering.

“This plan will not serve to strengthen the path to security or peace in the region. It will only drive yet more families from their homes, further restrict the delivery of aid, and deepen a humanitarian crisis in a territory already devastated by war, famine, and genocide. The people of Gaza cannot be squeezed into an ever-smaller space and expected to survive without proper access to food, water, shelter, and medical care.

“The UK Government must act immediately: unequivocally condemn any attempt to seize more territory or ethnically cleanse Gaza, insist on full compliance with the ceasefire and international law, and demand unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza at scale. It must also halt all arms sales to and military cooperation with the Israeli Government, drive independent investigations into war crimes, and impose sanctions on government officials responsible for breaches of international law.

“The continued expansion of military control and the forced displacement of Palestinians cannot be allowed to become normalised. The UK must stand up for international law, human rights, and the protection of civilians – not further impunity for perpetrators of war crimes.”

Commenting on the new energy price cap announced today by the Regulator Ofgem, that could see a 13% increase in a typical household’s energy prices, Hannah Spencer, Green MP for Gorton and Denton, said:

“Today’s Ofgem price cap announcement will leave so many people even more stressed out and worried about affording their energy bills. Millions of people are already struggling to make ends meet, and it is unacceptable that energy costs continue to shoot up whilst BP’s profits double. 

“We need immediate government intervention. Rachel Reeves needs to step in and freeze the cap before energy bills go up on July 1st. And if she’s wondering how to pay for it, there are some people doing very well out of this crisis. The government should start by taxing every penny of the huge windfall profits oil and gas giants have made since the start of the illegal war on Iran.

“Our energy market is incredibly unfair, built to line the pockets of shareholders whilst working people foot the bill. It’s a damning indictment of rip off Britain that simply keeping our homes warm enough in winter and cool enough in summer has become a luxury very few people can afford. We need urgent action, now.”

Sarah Wakefield (above) has been announced as Green Party candidate for the upcoming Makerfield by-election. Sarah is 38 years old, a mum with two young children, and a councillor on Manchester City Council. Currently on maternity leave as a charity director, she previously worked in retail with a focus on sustainable food and is a trustee of a community organisation.

On being announced as Green Party candidate, Sarah Wakefield said:

“I am proud to be representing the Green Party in the Makerfield byelection. It is vital in a democracy that voters are given a choice of who they want to vote for. Together we can bring back the hope that politics can create a better life for ourselves and our children. This is what the Green Party represents.

“We showed in Gorton and Denton we can take on and beat Reform, whose backward-looking and divisive politics needs to be challenged head-on with a message that the future can be better and fairer than the failed status quo. Don’t vote in anger, vote in hope.”

Sarah Wakefield (above) has been announced as Green Party candidate for the upcoming Makerfield by-election. Sarah is 38 years old, a mum with two young children, and a councillor on Manchester City Council. Currently on maternity leave as a charity director, she previously worked in retail with a focus on sustainable food and is a trustee of a community organisation.

On being announced as Green Party candidate, Sarah Wakefield said:

“I am proud to be representing the Green Party in the Makerfield byelection. It is vital in a democracy that voters are given a choice of who they want to vote for. Together we can bring back the hope that politics can create a better life for ourselves and our children. This is what the Green Party represents.

“We showed in Gorton and Denton we can take on and beat Reform, whose backward-looking and divisive politics needs to be challenged head-on with a message that the future can be better and fairer than the failed status quo. Don’t vote in anger, vote in hope.”