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.”
read more22 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:
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
read more22 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/
read more18 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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