19 December 2018

Caroline Lucas MP said:

“Confronted with negative headlines, Theresa May has a habit of diverting attention by pointing the finger at migrants.

“But this latest announcement affects us all – stripping British people of our freedom to live, love, study and work across 27 other countries without needing a visa.

“The white paper’s arbitrary £30,000 income threshold will worsen the severe staffing crisis in our NHS and leave all of us poorer – both economically and culturally. And ministers appear to be doing nothing to address people’s genuine concerns about low pay and pressure on public services by strengthening workers’ rights and properly enforcing the minimum wage. 

“In 2016 the public voted to take back control – not to give up their rights.”

Notes: 

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/dec/18/cabinet-stand-off-over-30000-threshold-for-skilled-migrants?CMP=twt_gu

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12 December 2018

Responding to last night’s attack in Strasbourg, in which three peolle were killed and 12 others injured, Green MEP Molly Scott Cato, who was close to the attak when it happened, said:

“Following the shocking attack in Strasbourg last night I would like to offer my sympathy to the families of those who were killed and the many people who were injured and to send solidarity to everybody in the city who feels shaken and brutalised this morning.

“Strasbourg is at the centre of the European peace project and also the heart of human rights in our continent since it houses both the European Parliament and the European Court of Human Rights. As Greens we therefore restate our total commitment to both these idealistic and hopeful projects this morning.

“Strasbourg is also a beautiful historic city which is a truly magical place to be at Christmas time. The spirit of peace, solidarity and goodwill of our continent is stronger than the hate of a few people who seek to threaten our social cohesion.

“My own staff and my parliamentary colleagues are all safe and well and intend to continue with our legislative work this morning.”

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10 December 2018

In reaction to the conviction of the Stanstead 15 [1], Green Party of England and Wales co-leader Jonathan Bartley denounced the treatment of the activists as “unprecedented and wrong”. He also called for root and branch reform of the UK’s immigration system and an end to charter flights.

Bartley said:

“The treatment of the Stansted 15 is unprecedented and is wrong. From the trumped up charges they faced to the verdicts handed down. The principled action the Stansted 15 took exposed the brutality of these secretive charter flights, and a number of people set to be removed from the UK on that plane have been able to stay in the UK safely as a result of their principled actions. The Stansted 15 are human rights defenders – the real criminals are the Home Office. 

“We need root and branch reform of our immigration system and that can start with stopping the use of charter flights for deportations immediately.”

[1] https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/stansted-15-deportation-stop-london-airport-guilty-verdict-terror-a8675966.html

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10 December 2018

The Green Party of England and Wales and Scottish Green Party welcome the news this morning that the European Court of Justice ruling has confirmed the UK can unilaterally revoke Article 50.

Ross Greer, Green Member of Scottish Parliament and one of the pursuers of the action to the ECJ said:

“This is a huge victory for the UK, achieved despite the Conservative government’s attempts to prevent it and limit their own options. We now have legal certainty that the UK is free to change its mind and stop the process of leaving the EU. We can stay in and enjoy not just the significant benefits of membership but the unique benefits of the UK’s advantageous membership and all of the opt-outs which come with it.

“That is a choice for us alone to make and does not require the approval of any other EU state and it is a choice the people should be free to make via a referendum. It is clear that we don’t have to choose between becoming poorer with May’s deal or much poorer very quickly with No-Deal, there is another way. It’s time to let the public take back control of the Brexit process.” 

Molly Scott-Cato, Green Party of England and Wales Brexit spokesperson said:

“The ECJ ruling has lit up the path out of the Brexit calamity. MPs should vote down the withdrawal agreement tomorrow and then support a People’s Vote. If the country support continuing EU membership the court has told us we can revoke Art 50 and keep our existing terms. The threat to this strategy comes from Labour whose posturing around mythical renegotiation and a general election would waste the time we need to organise the referendum.”

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4 December 2018

The Green Party of England and Wales and the Scottish Greens have welcomed the opinion of the Advocate General of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) Manuel Campos Sánchez-Bordona, which indicates that the UK can unilaterally revoke Article 50.

The opinion comes as Westminster debates the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal, and is expected to be confirmed by the full ECJ in January, following legal action brought to the ECJ by a group of Scottish politicians including Ross Greer MSP.

Ross Greer, Green Member of Scottish Parliament and one of the pursuers of the action to the ECJ, said:

“It’s now clearer than ever that the UK does not have to pick between the terrible deal negotiated by the Tories or the disaster of a no-deal Brexit. The choice of becoming much worse off or disastrously worse off is no choice at all. We now we know this omnishambles can be ended though, ideally by putting the final say back in the hands of the public.”

Molly Scott-Cato MEP, Green Party Brexit spokesperson, said:

“This opinion sends a clear message to Westminster that there is a way out of the Brexit chaos ahead. MPs preparing to vote on Brexit next week don’t have to accept the false choice between the Prime Minister’s disastrous deal or the nightmare of no-deal. The case is stronger than ever to give the British public a say on their future with a People’s Vote on Brexit.”

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