Green Party

2 May 2017

* Greens reveal new pledge giving voters ratification referendum with option to keep EU membership

* Caroline Lucas: “A democracy worthy of the name must mean people having a real say”

Caroline Lucas today offered voters the chance to remain in the EU as she announces the Green Party’s new Brexit pledge.

Lucas, Green Party co-leader, will pledge to give voters a final say on any Brexit deal – with the chance to stay in the EU if they don’t like the deal the Government negotiates.

Lucas is expected to say:

“A democracy worthy of the name must mean people having a real say over the major decisions that affect their lives. That’s why the Green Party has consistently said that the referendum should be the start, not the end, of the democratic process. And it’s why today we are announcing our intention to push for remaining in the EU to be an option in a ratification referendum.”

The Greens are the only party to have made an official and unambiguous pledge to include the option of remaining in the EU on the ballot paper of a ratification referendum.

Lucas is expected to say:

“Whoever wins this election has a mandate to negotiate on behalf of the British people – but that does not mean that they have a right to impose a final deal. Instead we demand a ratification referendum which gives people the option to remain in the EU if they wish, or vote to back the Government’s deal.

“There are some who say that this is a re-run of the referendum, but that simply isn’t the case. Instead this is giving people an informed say over our shared future. If the Government is so convinced that they’ll get a decent deal then there’s no reason that they wouldn’t trust people to have a final say.

“Our message is simple. For a final say, and for a chance to vote to stay in the EU, vote Green.”

Lucas will be joined by Molly Scott Cato, the Green Party’s EU spokesperson who is gearing up to take the Bristol West seat from Labour and join Lucas in Parliament.

Scott Cato, Green Party EU spokesperson and Bristol West candidate, is expected to say:

“Take back control was the strap line which persuaded many to vote Leave in the referendum last year. It’s now clear what that meant. A power grab by the Tory right so they can make a bonfire of regulations which protect our rights and environment. A ratification referendum must give back control. People must be given an opportunity to vote for the future on offer at the end of the article 50 process, or decide whether actually we are better off remaining a full member of the EU.”

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29 April 2017

* Greens urge Bristol to make history and elect Molly Scott Cato

* Molly Scott Cato: “It’s time for an independent, progressive voice to stand up for Bristol West”

The Green Party will open the headquarters of its Bristol campaign tomorrow (Satursday 29 April) as it gears up to make history and deliver the party’s second MP.

Molly Scott Cato, Bristol West candidate, will be joined by co-leader Jonathan Bartley to open her campaign shop as Greens prepare to take the seat from Labour.

Scott Cato will also welcome support from the Women’s Equality Party (WEP)  – who have stood down in the seat to give Scott Cato a clear run at beating Labour [1] – and announce her plans to stand up for women and young people in Bristol.

The Greens have 11 councillors in Bristol and came a close second in Bristol West in 2015 with a 27% of the vote.

Molly Scott Cato, Green parliamentary candidate for Bristol West, said:

“This is an historic moment for the city of Bristol, with the opportunity to elect me as the city’s first Green MP. With the world standing at a crossroads, we believe it’s time for an independent, progressive voice to stand up for all of Bristol West’s constituents. We will be campaigning to win in Bristol West, and the opening of our campaign shop is key to that effort.”

Jonathan Bartley, Green co-leader, said:

“Bristol has a very real opportunity to make history by delivering the country’s second Green MP in June. Molly is a formidable candidate who would give Bristol a distinctive voice in Parliament, just as Caroline has done for Brighton, and it’s an honour to visit this special city to help Molly open her campaign base here.

“I’m delighted to welcome the WEP’s support for Molly in Bristol West. It is a clear and important recognition that Molly is someone who will bring people together and stand up for everyone with a bold vision to give Bristol the kind of future it both needs and deserves.”

Notes:

1. https://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/2017/04/28/green-party-agrees-electoral-alliance-with-women%E2%80%99s-equality-party/ 

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28 April 2017

The Green Party has responded to news Andrew Turner, Conservative MP for the Isle of Wight, has resigned [1] after making offensive comments about homosexuality on a visit to a college [2].

Vix Lowthion, Green Party candidate for the Isle of Wight, said:

“Andrew Turner was unfit to represent the Isle of Wight and his recent, abhorrent comments left his place in Parliament completely untenable. People here deserves someone who will stand up for them. Today the Green Party announced radical plans to protect LGBTIQA+ refugees, provide decent HIV protection and promote rights for intersex and trans people – that is the kind of politics people in the Isle of Wight need and only the Green Party can offer.”

ENDS.

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

Notes:

1. http://www.islandecho.co.uk/news/andrew-turner-resigns-mp
2. https://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/2017/04/28/green-party-condemns-conservative-mp%E2%80%99s-comments-on-homosexuality/ 
3. Vix Lowthion is a teacher in the Isle of Wight and Green Party national education spokesperson

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28 April 2017

The Green Party has responded to allegations Conservative MP Andrew Turner told college students that homosexuality is ‘wrong’ and ‘dangerous to society’ [1].

Jonathan Bartley, Green Party co-leader, said:

“There’s no place for these prehistoric pronouncements in our politics. It’s astounding that in this day and age we’re hearing reports of an MP spreading such hatred, particularly in a college which should be a place of learning and respect.

“The Isle of Wight deserves so much better from its elected representative. Green Party candidate Vix Lowthion [2] will stand up for a fairer, more inclusive society and champion the rights of all, including the LGBTIQA+ community. Vote Green to kick this bigotry out of Parliament.

“This has come on the same day the Green Party launched its LGBTIQA+ manifesto [3] with promises to protect LGBTIQA+ refugees, provide decent HIV protection and promote rights for intersex and trans people.” 

Notes:

1. https://onthewight.com/isle-of-wight-mp-homosexuality-wrong-dangerous-to-society-andrew-turner-students/

2. Vix Lowthion is the Green Party’s education spokesperson and general election candidate in the Isle of Wight, where she is a teacher.

3. https://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/2017/04/28/greens-to-launch-lgbtiqa-manifesto-in-church/

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28 April 2017

* Greens commit to making LGBTIQA+ refugees welcome, decent HIV prevention, and rights for all gender identities

* Launch in church sets clear distance between Greens and Lib Dems

* Jonathan Bartley: “While other political parties struggle to say what they believe, Greens are clear – we will always stand up for LGBTIQA+ people”

The Green Party will commit to supporting LGBTIQA+ asylum seekers at the launch of its LGBTIQA+ manifesto tomorrow (Friday 28 April).

Jonathan Bartley, co-leader, and Aimee Challenor, LGBTIQA+ spokesperson, will also set out the party’s commitment to ensuring HIV prevention drug PrEP is provided by the NHS, and putting trans and intersex recognition and rights in law.

Setting clear distance between themselves and the Lib Dems, Bartley and Challenor will launch the manifesto in The Trinity United Reform Church in Camden.

Jonathan Bartley, co-leader of the Green Party, is expected to say:

“The Green Party has a proud history of leading the way when it comes to LGBTIQA+ rights. While other political parties struggle to say what they believe, Greens are clear – we will always stand up for LGBTIQA+ people.

“We believe in a fairer world, a more equal economy, human rights protected by law, recognition and representation for all gender identities and education and health services which care for and include everyone.”

Aimee Challenor, Green Party LGBTIQA+ spokesperson, who is the only openly trans spokesperson of a UK Political Party, is expected to say:

“Let’s be clear, LGBTIQA+ rights are under threat. From Gay and Bi men being tortured and killed in Chechnya, to Donald Trump weakening protections in the US and the UK’s threat to repeal the Human Rights Act, 2017 has already been a concerning year for everyone who cares about LGBTIQA+ people.

“The Green Party is proud to stand against the erosion of LGBITQA+ rights and launch a manifesto which proudly fights for bodily autonomy for intersex people, legal recognition for trans and non-binary people, for PrEP for all that need it, and for greater protection for LGBTIQA+ asylum seekers – and more.”

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