Responding to the escalating humanitarian crisis in Sudan, Green Party co-leader Mothin Ali said: 

“Sudan’s civilians are paying a horrific price for the proxy war being fought out by government forces and those of the so-called Rapid Support Forces. 

“Thousands have been killed, millions displaced, and a human–made famine is threatening the lives of many more. 

“The United Nations daily reports widespread ethnically and politically motivated killings, while those with the power to make a difference – including the UK government – stand back.   

“This horror is driven by foreign government’s fuelling the fire with the supply of weapons and logistical support as they use the civil war to try to control Sudan’s gold mines and other natural resources. 

“UK weapons have been used by the Rapid Support Forces, channelled through the United Arab Emirates, despite a supposed international arms embargo. (1) 

“Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper (2) has rightly called for a ceasefire but has stopped short of promoting the actions needed to back it up. 

“It is possible to make a difference. The UK government must support the humanitarian effort to get food and medicines into civilian areas by implementing UN resolutions (3) and impose the sanctions long threatened on those countries openly and covertly breaking the arms embargo.” 

Notes to editors 

1. UK arms licensing system ‘indefensible’ as British-linked weapons used in Sudan
2. Foreign Secretary statement on Rapid Support Forces in El Fasher – GOV.UK
3. https://docs.un.org/en/S/RES/2736(2024)  

Responding to a warning from the UN Secretary General that the world has failed to limit global heating to 1.5C and his call on global leaders to urgently change course at the forthcoming COP30 climate summit in Brazil, Green Party MP Ellie Chowns said:

“It is vital we pay heed to the warnings by the UN Secretary General on the risks posed to the world of breaking through the 1.5C limit, set by the Paris Agreement ten years ago. 

“As the birthplace of the industrial revolution, and its legacy of high carbon emissions, the UK has a special responsibility to be a global leader in the shift towards a green economy – and leading by example at home. 

“It’s welcome that the PM is attending COP 30 and Keir Starmer must use his voice to demand action that closes the global emissions gap. He must also stand firm against the reckless and dangerous attempts to undermine climate action by Reform UK and the Conservatives. True climate leadership also means resisting pressure from the fossil fuel lobby.

“COP30 is taking place against a backdrop of continued financial support from governments for the fossil fuel industry. This includes an estimated £17.5 billion every year here in the UK.

“The government must also refuse permission for the giant Rosebank oilfield, which would create more emissions than the combined annual CO2 emissions of all 28 low-income countries in the world – the very countries that are bearing the brunt of climate breakdown.”

Reacting to a new YouGov poll on voting intentions which shows the Green Party on a record 16%, just one percentage point behind Labour, co-deputy leader of the Green Party, Mothin Ali said:

“When we said we were here to replace Labour and take the fight to Reform we meant it. People are flocking to the Greens because they see we are the party pushing for bold change and are making hope normal again.

“We have now surged beyond 150,000 members – a more than 100% increase in just over a month. In the same period our poll ratings have shot up to their highest ever YouGov showing and the Green Party is now within touching distance of Labour” 

Responding to the election of Lucy Powell as Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Green Party Leader Zack Polanski said:

“Labour members are clearly deeply disappointed with Keir Starmer’s performance and have elected the candidate he sacked from government just a few weeks ago. 

“The truth is, the country too is deeply disappointed by a government that has failed to tackle the cost of living crisis and pushed up bills for food, water and energy. 

“It’s a change of direction that is needed not this political soap drama. I want next month’s Budget to tackle the cost of living crisis by taxing wealth, rewarding work and protecting public services. Let’s see if Lucy Powell will join us in delivering that change.”

Responding to shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick telling the Ring Rob programme on Talk: “I probably would ban the burqa”, Green Party co-Deputy Leader Mothin Ali said:

“This is just the latest in an ever-lengthening list of rage-bait statements from the Conservative front-bench aimed at fostering racist divisions in our communities. What women decide to wear is for women to decide – not this or any other man.”