The Green Party has welcomed the news that renewable energy overtook coal as the world’s leading source of electricity last year but slammed the Conservatives for ‘plotting’ to ‘drag the country back into the dark and dirty fossil fuel era.’

Green MP, Carla Denyer, said:

“The news that renewable energy overtook coal as the world’s leading source of electricity last year shows our world is moving in a cleaner, greener, healthier direction.  Ultimately, this move towards renewables will lower energy bills too, as wind and solar are now the cheapest way to generate electricity.

“As the world moves forwards and embraces the positive benefits of renewable energy, the Tories are plotting how they can block both people and the planet benefitting from this transition. A series of policy announcements on abolishing the Climate Change Act, scraping subsidies to help boost clean energy and a drive to “maximise extraction” of North Sea oil and gas aim to drag us back into the dark and dirty fossil fuel era, where the only beneficiaries will be the fossil fuel industry itself.”

Greens say Tory policy announcements are a ‘cruel attack’ and ‘show a party quickening its pace towards oblivion.’

Reacting to a host of ‘nasty’ policy proposals that have been announced since the start of the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, co-deputy leader of the Green Party, Mothin Ali, said:

“The announcements from Kemi Badenoch’s Conservative Party so far show the Tories are looking to outflank Reform for divisiveness and hatred. But they also show a party quickening its pace towards oblivion.

“The package so far – turbo charged welfare cuts, draconian anti-migration measures, and axing life-saving foreign aid – would leave few but the wealthiest unscathed. These measures are a cruel attack on the sick and disabled, migrants and asylum seekers, and some of the poorest communities in the world.  

“Nastiness is now at the very core of the Conservative Party. What a contrast to the vision of hope and bold politics witnessed at our own conference where we reaffirmed our policies to tax wealth fairly, fund public services properly and say unequivocally that refugees are welcome here.”   

Responding to the news of the firebombing of a mosque in Peacehaven last night, Green Party Leader of Lewes District Council, Cllr Zoe Nicholson said:

“I am shocked and saddened by the fire at Peacehaven mosque. This is a deeply distressing incident that strikes at the heart of our community.

“I want to express our unwavering support and solidarity with the Muslim community in Peacehaven and across our district. Be in no doubt,  we stand shoulder to shoulder with you.  Sussex Police is investigating, and I encourage anyone with information about this incident to contact the police on 101.”

Green Party, Deputy Leader, Mothin Ali added,

“The police need to urgently seek clarity on the motives of this attack and whether this hate crime constitutes an act of terrorism. People were inside the mosque when it was firebombed and people in this community will be feeling frightened and targeted for their faith.

“My thoughts are with everyone at the Masjid (mosque) and the wider Muslim community in Sussex, who will be feeling shaken and fearful today. Protecting Jews and Muslims in their places of worship must be a priority. We must redouble our commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder and bring communities together.”

Reacting to the Manchester synagogue attack, which has left two members of the Jewish community dead and four others seriously injured, Green Party leader, Zack Polanski, said:

“This horrific attack feels deeply personal for me as I grew up in the Jewish community in Manchester. My heart goes out to all those impacted by this dreadful act of terror. It is a sad reflection of the growing antisemitism we’ve witnessed for several years, as well as rising hate crime. It emphasises the importance of interfaith work; of bringing people together in our communities.”

Reacting to Keir Starmer’s speech to the Labour Party conference today in Liverpool, Green Party leader, Zack Polanski, said:

“Keir Starmer’s speech lacked substance and direction and provided yet another example of Labour benchmarking itself against Reform.

“They have no real solutions to address people’s concerns around economic insecurity, falling living standards and public service cuts.

“This government ignores the climate crisis and continues to arm the genocidal Israeli regime.

“These are not the actions of a serious government delivering for our country. They are the actions of a government that is out of touch and out of ideas, full of empty words and desperately reaching to be re-elected.

“It is time for bold ideas and bold leadership: a wealth tax on the super rich, investment in public services and action to defend the NHS. And a time for making the correct choices such as scrapping the two child benefit cap to lift children out of poverty and bringing water back into public ownership.

“The Green Party is ready transform this country by offering a bold, positive alternative to a failing Labour government. One with clear action and delivery.”