Tag Archives: Green Party

29 May 2017

*Jonathan Bartley and Ben Fletcher, first ever Deafblind parliamentary candidate, to highlight struggle against cuts

*Disabled people entitled to basic rights and opportunities being removed by Conservative Government

The first Deafblind person ever to stand for Parliament in the UK, Ben Fletcher, will join Green Party Co-Leader Jonathan Bartley today (Monday 29 May) at the launch of the Greens’ disability manifesto (1) in Putney, south west London.

Ben, born profoundly Deaf (2) and partially sighted (3), who is standing as the Green Party candidate for Putney, Roehampton and Southfields, said:

“Disabled people are desperately under-represented in public life in Britain. At a time of deep disillusionment with politics in the UK, it is really important for the MPs elected in 2017 to reflect the diversity of the people they are meant to represent.

“There are over 11 million disabled people in Britain. That’s one in six. And yet many of us are still prevented from participating fully in education, in employment, and in politics because of inflexible, outdated attitudes, needless barriers to access and a general lack of understanding about what disabled people can really achieve if they receive the support they need.”

Jonathan Bartley, who co-leads the Green Party as a job share so he can support his disabled son Samuel, will attack the Government’s record on supporting disabled people and present a bold alternative vision:

“This General Election is about the kind of country we want to live in. Is it the kind of country the Tories tell us we must accept, in which austerity cuts are inflicted on those least able to withstand their impact, including disabled people who already face huge barriers to basic equality?

“The Green Party refuses to accept that the UK, as the fifth largest economy, cannot do better. The Government should focus on removing the real barriers to disabled people finding work, and tackle the widespread prejudice against disabled people rather than fostering it.”

The Green Party’s disability manifesto highlights the daily struggle disabled people continue to face, from their battle to hold on to essential Personal Independence Payments (PIPs), the recent loss of £30 per week for people in the Employment Support Allowance Work Group, and the scrapping of the Independent Living Allowance which enabled disabled people to live autonomous and dignified lives, to the over 40% reduction in the number of d/Deaf, disabled and older people receiving social care due to slashed budgets.

At the heart of the Greens’ disability manifesto is a plan for a community-led Care & Support Service where we will train, support and resource communities to better help each other and the most vulnerable in our society, at the same time saving money by supporting wellbeing and helping communities to identify and meet their needs, alongside councils, the NHS and Government.

Ben Fletcher, 36, who lives in Southfields with his partner Lauren, works as Lead Developer for FT.com at the Financial Times. His first language is British Sign Language (BSL) (4). The Green Party is campaigning for full recognition of BSL as an official language of the UK.

He decided to stand for Parliament despite the closure of the Access to Elected Office Fund (5) by the Conservative government after the last General Election. The fund, which provided financial support to disabled candidates standing for political office, has never been reopened, despite a recommendation to do so by the Equality and Human Rights Commission in September 2015(6).

Fourteen percent of the Green Party’s candidates in this election describe themselves as having a disability.

Ben said:

“I have been able to stand for Parliament thanks to the support of the Green Party, who have shown themselves to be an inclusive, diverse and modern political party. I am proud to represent a party that stands up for what really matters. If elected to Parliament by the people of Putney on 8 June, I look forward to doing the same”.

Ends

For more information contact: press@greenparty.org.uk / 0203 691 9401

For a contact on the day call Mike Blakemore 07718 570675

Notes:

The launch takes place at Church Square, St Mary’s Church Putney, Putney Bridge Approach, Putney SW15 2JQ at 10.30am on Monday 29 May.

1. The disability manifesto will be available at 10.30am at https://www.greenparty.org.uk/green-guarantee/all-manifestos-alternative-formats.html

2.“Deaf” with a capital ‘D’ is often used to refer to those people who sees themselves as “culturally Deaf”, members of a cultural and linguistic minority, who tend to use British Sign Language to communicate and are proud of their Deaf identity. “Deaf” with a lower-case ‘d’ is often used to refer to people who see their deafness as a medical condition, and who prefer to use speech rather than sign language. They do not tend to see themselves as part of a Deaf community. See: https://www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/your-hearing/about-deafness-and-hearing-loss/deafness/describing-deafness.aspx

3. Ben has retinitis pigmentosa (RP), the name given to a group of inherited conditions of the retina that all lead to a gradual progressive reduction in vision. See: http://www.rpfightingblindness.org.uk/index.php?tln=aboutrp
4. British Sign Language (BSL) was recognised by the British government as a language in its own right on 18 March 2003. BSL is a separate language from spoken English, with its own vocabulary, grammar and syntax. It is also different from other sign languages around the world (eg American Sign Language). See: https://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200203/cmhansrd/vo030318/wmstext/30318m02.htm
5. The Guardian, 25 Jan 2016. See: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/jan/25/government-urged-restore-fund-disabled-election-candidates
6. Equality and Human Rights Commission response to the UN Special Rapporteur on Disabilities’ inquiry into the right of disabled people to participate in political and public life, September 2015. See: https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/file/4661/download?token=PIl5W6zL

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28 May 2017

*Deputy leader Amelia Womack: “Progressive parties have a responsibility to the public to work together to protect democracy”

Green Party deputy leader, Amelia Womack, will today (May 28) use a high profile panel at Hay Festival to warn Labour and the Lib Dems that they urgently need to come together in an attempt to stop what she will describe as an “attack on democracy” by the Conservative Party.

Womack will point to pledges made in the Conservative manifesto to change the voting rules for mayoral and assembly elections in England and Wales in ways that will favour them [1]. The Conservatives want these elections to be conducted using first past the post, a system which usually favour larger parties.

Womack will appear on a panel with Guardian columnist Zoe Williams, author David Boyle and Andrew Simms of the New Weather Institute to discuss ‘The Alternative – Is it time for a new progressive politics to arise in Britain?’ [2].

Speaking ahead of the festival, Womack said:

“There’s no denying our voting system is broken but the Tories are trying to overhaul it for the worse. Their push to spread the first past the post system to mayoral and assembly elections is an attempt to gain control at all levels and a direct attack on fairness within our democracy.

“Other progressive parties need to wake up to what’s happening. In particular Greens, Labour and the Lib Dems have a responsibility to stand up for every member of the public’s right to a vote that counts, to democracy. We should work together to stop this power grab and advocate for proportional representation, which is widely supported [3] and would result in fairer representation in the age of multi-party politics.

“The Labour leadership’s refusal to even have a conversation about electoral alliances during the election campaign [4] is dangerously neglectful of the people they claim to represent. The Lib Dems were at least prepared to talk but, sadly, were not able to agree any reciprocal agreements in key constituencies. Despite the obvious challenges around forming electoral alliances during a snap general election campaign, we have seen significant and growing grassroots support for doing politics differently, with widespread recognition that our broken electoral system is denying too many people a voice. It will be deeply disappointing if the other progressive parties continue to be complicit in this after June 8.

“This is the most important election in a generation and the outcome will affect us for years to come – but it is not the end of the road and we must consider how to work together to build a positive future for the next five, 10, 50 years.

“When I’ve been on the doorstep talking to voters across the country the appetite for grown up politics is there, we just need the political will to make it work. I hope that progressive parties will be able to get round the table, look at the state of the political system and agree that it needs root and branch reform.”

Ends

For more information contact: press@greenparty.org.uk / 0203 691 9401

Notes:

http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/june2017/2017/05/are-conservatives-trying-change-rules-politics-so-they-never-lose-again
https://www.hayfestival.com/p-12259-zoe-williams-amelia-womack-david-boyle-andrew-simms.aspx
https://www.change.org/p/make-this-the-last-general-election-to-use-our-broken-voting-system
https://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/2017/05/09/lucas-labour-and-lib-dems-have-betrayed-the-people-they-represent/

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27 May 2017The Green Party has responded to Jeremy Corbyn’s speech on foreign policy and terrorism. The Greens praised Jeremy Corbyn’s ‘tough on terrorism, tough on the causes of terrorism approach’ but noted only 11 Labour MPs voted against the milita… read more

23 May 2017

*Jonathan Bartley: “Our country will never be divided by terror“

The Green Party has suspended campaigning today after last night’s terrorist attack in Manchester. 

All national campaigning events, including the billboard launch and Welsh Green Party manifesto launch are cancelled. 

In a statement following the attacks, the Green Party co-leader Jonathan Bartley said: 

“Our thoughts are with those affected by this appalling incident in Manchester. For young people to be targeted in this way is utterly atrocious. 

“As ever our emergency services have done us proud – and we pay tribute to the police, firefighters and paramadics who stepped up in this time of need. 

“Our country will never be divided by terror. The people of Manchester showed last night just how strong the bond of friendship is between the people who live on these islands – and in the coming days and weeks we’ll show that we won’t let terrorism tear us apart.”

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22 May 2017

The Green Party has launched its ‘Green Guarantee’ in London this morning [1], setting out the key priorities for MPs elected to Parliament on June 8th, to transform politics and create a confident and caring country.

Co-leaders Caroline Lucas and Jonathan Bartley pledged Green MPs would protect the environment, reverse the privatisation of the NHS, give people a referendum on the terms of any Brexit deal and bring forward plans for a basic income and shorter working week [2].

Notes:

1. The manifesto was launched at 10.30am on Monday 22 May, at Wayra offices, 20 Air Street, Soho, London, W1B 5AN.
2. https://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/2017/05/22/green-party-launches-plan-for-a-confident-and-caring-country/
3. The Green Guarantee is available at: https://www.greenparty.org.uk/green-guarantee/
4. A pdf copy of the Green Guarantee is available at:https://www.greenparty.org.uk/assets/files/gp2017/greenguaranteepdf.pdf
5. Full speeches (check against delivery):

Jonathan Bartley

Thank you for coming to today’s launch of the Green Party’s Green Guarantee.

It sets out what any Greens elected to the House of Commons would stand up for on your behalf.

These are big bold ideas that, with the right political will, are possible. They are about building a confident and caring Britain and a future that we can all be proud of.

Confident because we are creating a resilient, diverse and people powered economy that allows us all to live larger lives and cope with the challenges ahead.

Caring because we are redefining the welfare state, striving to end inequality and committed to redistributing both wealth and power.

We live in the 5th richest country in the world. In such a country no renter should have to live in damp, cold, and neglected accommodation, no parent should have to compete with other parents to find their child a decent school, no one should have to wait ten hours in an emergency ward before getting the care and attention they need.

 Most importantly of all: no one should tell you that your voice doesn’t matter, that when it comes to the biggest decision this country has faced in generations, you will not get a say on whether, having seen what life outside the EU will look like, we should choose that future or choose to remain.

 The media and the old parties will tell you that there are only 2 options on the ballot paper at this election. That’s not true – and it is a disservice to our democracy.

 If you believe in a welcoming Britain, a country of compassion, a fair economy where those with the most contribute more, the protection of our countryside and a nation confident enough to build bridges, not walls – then you have a choice.

 If you believe things can change for the better, and that the next generation must be defined by fairness, not foodbanks – then we give you that choice.

 If you believe that our future will be defined not by the size of our nuclear arsenal but by harnessing the enormous potential of the people who live in this country – then join us and stand up for what matters.

And on June 8 chose a positive future and Vote Green for a confident and caring Britain.

Caroline Lucas

I want to thank Wayra for hosting this launch. Since 2012 they have supported 160 new start-ups – getting behind bold, creative ideas, setting the agenda and shaping the future through brave leadership.

By being here today, we are choosing a future of opportunities for pioneers and innovators like them.

A new kind of economy, that meets people’s needs and protects the environment.

A confident and caring Britain that reaches for a bigger future that we can be proud of.

The Green Guarantee is about hope, at a time that feels more uncertain than any other in my lifetime.

Brexit. Climate change. An NHS in crisis.

We face challenges that we can’t possibly pretend to fix in 100 days or even 1,000.

Threats to our economic future and our security. Threats to the planet

But by working together and standing up for what matters we can change the course of history.

While other parties ignore the environment, Greens will protect it

We will transform people lives with bold policies like a basic income and shorter working week.

We will protect the NHS and roll back privatisation.

We will defend free movement and we will give the British people an explicit option to remain part of the EU as part of a ‘ratification referendum’ on the Brexit deal.

This election is about our country.

It’s about the future we choose for our children.

It’s about protecting our values of openness, compassion and co-operation.

The Green Guarantee is our promise that a confident and caring future is possible if we work together, do politics differently and dare to be different.

It says: we are ready – and we hope you’ll join us by voting Green on June 8.

Ends

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