Tag Archives: Green Party

Green Party launches plan for a 'confident and caring country'

22 May 2017

*While other parties ignore the environment Greens will protect it

*Green MPs will protect NHS and roll back privatisation

*’Ratification referendum’ promised to the British public

*Party pledges to fight for bold policies like a basic income and shorter working week

The Green Party has today set out its key priorities for MPs elected on June 8th [1]. At their Green Guarantee launch in central London the co-leaders of the party pledged that Green MPs will fight to transform politics and create a confident and caring country.

They promised 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.

Caroline Lucas and Jonathan Bartley focussed on young people, claiming that a generation has been let down by a Government ‘hell-bent on an extreme Brexit’ and an economy that ‘fails the majority’.

The Green Party also announced plans to introduce an NHS Reinstatement Bill to Parliament, to reverse the privatisation of the Health Service. They also pledged to ‘reverse the NHS funding gap’, in part paid for by scrapping Britain’s nuclear deterrent.

The Party pledged to immediately guarantee the rights of EU citizens, protect freedom of movement and give the British public, rather than just Parliament, the final say on any EU deal.

The Green Guarantee also promises to ‘take steps towards the introduction of a universal basic income, including a government sponsored pilot scheme’ and ‘phase in’ a shorter working week.

At the launch Caroline Lucas, the party’s co-leader, said:

“The Green Party has big, bold ideas to create a confident and caring country we can all be proud of. That means protecting our environment for our children and grandchildren. Saving our NHS from crisis and ridding it of private sector profiteering. It means giving people a proper say on the Brexit deal, not shutting them out of the process. And it means exploring changes to our economy to make it fairer and fit for the future. Green MPs elected on June 8th can be trusted to protect our public services, fight for a close relationship with the EU and truly hold whoever is in Government to account.

“If we do end up with a Tory Government you can be sure that Green MPs will hold Theresa May’s feet to the fire.”

Jonathan Bartley, the party’s co-leader, said:

“By voting Green on June 8th people can elect MPs who will always fight their corner, and push for the major changes we need to make this country a world leader, rather than the little Britain envisioned by the Tories. We are unapologetic in fighting to remain close to Europe, and in defending free movement as a wonderful gift to my generation that is being robbed from the next. We will always defend our public services, stand up for our NHS and push for bold changes so our economy delivers on fairness and on pioneering new technology.

Notes:

[1] The ‘Green Guarantee’ outlines the key priorities for MPs elected to Parliament on June 8th. It is available here: https://www.greenparty.org.uk/green-guarantee/

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May 22, 2017 GovWorldMagGreen PartyGB • Green Party

Greens respond to Conservative manifesto

18 May 2017

*Caroline Lucas brands Conservative manifesto as “misguided” and “cruel”

The Green Party has responded to the Conservative manifesto, saying it reveals the “recklessness at the heart” of the party’s plans.

Caroline Lucas, Green Party co-leader, said:

“The Tory’s dementia tax and their hardline approach to migration are deeply misguided, and reveal a recklessness at the heart of Theresa May’s plans. The social care changes will hit those in need worst, shifting the cost burden onto individuals and further undermining the welfare state. The lockdown on migration isn’t just economically illiterate and bad for business, it’s cruel too.

“Next week the Green Party will unveil its manifesto and when we do we will be setting out our vision for the confident and caring nation that we believe Britain can be. We will be talking about investing in essential social care, not making people pay more for the privilege of being looked after, reshaping the economy so that it rewards our passions and nurtures our talents, and building an education system that inspires children to create the kind of future we want to see.”

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May 18, 2017 GovWorldMagGreen PartyGB • Green Party

Green Party responds to Lib Dem manifesto

17 May 2017

*Co-leader Jonathan Bartley: “These pledges will never be enough to win back the young voters the Lib Dems betrayed”

The Green Party has responded to the Lib Dem manifesto, which has been published online and will be officially launched at an event in London later today [1].

Jonathan Bartley, Green Party co-leader, said:

“The Lib Dems are trying to repair their broken relationship with young people but these pledges will never be enough to win back the young voters they betrayed in coalition with the Tories. While the Green Party shares some similar policies, such as votes at 16, banning fracking and taking in more refugees, how can we trust the Lib Dems to actually implement them?

“The Lib Dems are not the only ones with a strong stance on Brexit – the Greens have already promised a second referendum with the option of staying in the EU if voters don’t like the Government’s deal [2].

“But Brexit isn’t the only urgent issue we’re facing – the Lib Dems need to take off their Brexit blinkers and commit to tackling inequality as well. Shouting about Brexit and trying to woo young people will not hide Tim Farron’s terrible voting record: for reducing housing benefit, for the Bedroom Tax and against a bankers’ bonus tax.

“If the Lib Dems truly wanted to create a better future for young people they would be putting the fight against climate change and protecting our planet at the heart of their manifesto. The Lib Dem manifesto lacks a bold vision for the future. The Green Party is the only party committed to offering a real choice on the Brexit deal, protecting the environment and tackling inequality caused by Tory cuts.”

Notes:

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May 17, 2017 GovWorldMagGreen PartyGB • Green Party

Greens respond to Labour manifesto

16 May 2017

*Manifesto is a ‘step in the right direction’ but ‘fails to address some of the biggest issues of the day’

*Co-leader Jonathan Bartley: ‘Labour is trying to be all things to all people and failing’

The Green Party has responded to the Labour Party’s manifesto, which was launched in Bradford this morning [1], calling on the party to go further and commit to a full vision for a fair and sustainable future.

Jonathan Bartley, Green Party co-leader, said:

“This has been called the boldest Labour manifesto in a generation, and that’s no surprise since much of it appears to be based on the Green Party’s 2015 manifesto. Where the Greens have led, Labour has followed – but they still have a long way to travel on the road to a truly sustainable future and a fair, open society. It’s said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but they have to be consistent.

“Labour is trying to be all things to all people and failing. You can’t pour money into Hinkley and create a renewable energy revolution. You can’t solve the air pollution crisis while expanding airports and roads. You can’t be a peacebuilder while renewing Trident. You can’t transition to a new economic model while hanging onto 20th century ideas where growth is the only answer. It’s time Labour embraced our full vision for the future instead of cherry picking a few good Green policies, then contradicting them.

“To see the Labour Party give up on freedom of movement and fail to offer a ratification referendum on a final deal with the EU is disappointing. Only the Green Party is committed to keeping Britain close to our European neighbours, building a truly fair economy and protecting our environment. Labour’s economics have shifted in a positive way – but they still don’t offer a complete package to transform this country for the better.”

Notes:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2017-39930865

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May 16, 2017 GovWorldMagGreen PartyGB • Green Party

Green Party accuses Tories of ‘empty promises’ on workers’ rights

15 May 2017

The Greens have responded to the Conservative Party’s announcements on workers’ rights today [1].

Jonathan Bartley, Green Party co-leader, said:

“The Conservative credibility gap on workers’ rights couldn’t be wider. It is almost laughable that the Tories are trying to pitch themselves as a party that stands up for workers’ rights. The Conservative Government tried to bring in anti-strike laws [2], oversaw a huge increase in zero hours contracts [3] and attempted to shut down trade unions [4].

“Leaving workers in a precarious position, unsure if they’re going to have enough money to pay their rent or food bills, and trying to silence their collective voice is no way to create a happy, healthy workforce. Today’s empty promises will not make us forget how the Tories have treated workers with total disdain during their time in Government.

“Theresa May repeatedly says one thing and does another. But the Green Party will always stick up for workers’ rights, not just during an election campaign. We’re the only party with a positive vision for the future world of work, exploring bold ideas like a shorter working week and universal basic income.”

Notes: