Green Party launches Commitment to People of Colour

On migration, the Commitment says:

“Britain has a rich and diverse history of migration and has long been a place where migrants can call home. People of colour have contributed to the fabric of British culture and it’s existence both while living here and abroad.

“We will put fairness back into our migration system. We need a migration system that embraces dignity, justice and common sense, and which ensures those fleeing war, persecution and the climate crisis can find safety and security in the UK. We will ensure all migrants feel welcome.”

 

Azzees Minott, Chair of Greens of Colour, said:

“People of Colour represent the global majority but policies that are made in this country are disproportionately affecting our communities. We’re proud of the policies in the Green Party Manifesto which will rebalance the inequality within society. The Manifesto sets out how and why things need to change for People of Colour in Britain today.

“I would encourage all undecided voters and those who are used to voting for certain parties to read our Commitment document and understand how Green values support our communities both here and abroad. Fighting for social justice is what the Green Party is all about, and so it’s time to vote Green.”

 

Councillor Cleo Lake, former Lord Mayor of Bristol, said:

“‘It is important that we commit to being vocal within the party and that we stay focused on the wide range of issues that are of concern to us that impact upon the quality of life for global south heritage communities here in the UK and subsequently abroad too.

“Our communities are impacted by many emergencies. From the air quality emergency that continues to affect health and life expectancy, to the housing emergency that sees too many families in inadequate temporary accommodation. There is also a serious educational needs emergency and a resource shortage. The hostile environment continues and we witness many versions of discrimination.”

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Green Party launches Commitment to LGBTIQA+ people

On Education, the Commitment says: 

“Combatting discrimination against LGBTIQA+ people needs to start in school. Children need to be taught that tolerance and acceptance are a vital part of our society.

“The protests against inclusive education have been heartbreaking. Young LGBTIQA+ people deserve to learn what healthy relationships look like, that being who they are is okay and that families come in all sizes.

“Without inclusive education we won’t be able to tackle bullying in schools or poor mental health for LGBTIQA+ people.”

Benali Hamdache, Co-Chair of LGBTIQA+ Greens, said:

“Back in 2018 Theresa May launched a bold promise to make LGBTIQA+ lives better. Since the launch of her LBGT+ Action Plan the government has totally failed to deliver any meaningful change. We are worried that, under Boris Johnson’s right-wing culture war, things will actually get much, much worse. 

“This is all against a backdrop of an increasingly toxic culture, with certain commentators becoming increasingly hostile to trans people.

“LGBTIQA+ Greens have been at the forefront of resisting. From protesting to lobbying decision makers, we’ve been fighting for the rights of LGBTIQA+ people. We’re proud of the progressive and inclusive values in the Green Party Manifesto. With your support and your vote we can champion these values and elect Greens committed to protecting and furthering all our rights.”

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Green Party will write off student debt for all those hit by £9,000 tuition fee regime

10 December 2019

The Green Party will write off existing debt of all former students who studied under the
Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government’s exorbitant £9,000 tuition regime, it will
announce today.

The Greens would also fully fund every higher education student and scrap tuition fees for
undergraduates, as part of its plans to ensure education is fully accessible and does not
laden people with a lifetime of debt.

The plans, as laid out in the party’s ambitious and fully-costed manifesto, would also include
increased funding for adult education, to be in line with training needed to implement the
Green New Deal. 

The Green Party is the only party committed to writing off the debt for those who were forced
to pay £9,000 each year to go to university after the coalition government tripled tuition fees
in 2012. 

The Greens would also spend an additional £7.8bn per year on scrapping tuition fees for
new graduates and restoring grants.

Green Party deputy leader Amelia Womack will announce the party’s higher education
proposals in central London today.
Womack will say:

“Education is a public good, and we’re proud to invest in the next generation. That’s why the
Green Party is committed to scrapping tuition fees.

“It makes me so angry that tuition fees were introduced by a Labour government which had
benefited from free education themselves. Then the coalition government tripled fees,
scrapped maintenance grants, and sold off the student loan book.

“The result is a generation of young people saddled with mountains of debt as they start out
in life. So yes, we say education should be free, for life, for everyone.”

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Green Party issues three challenges to Jeremy Corbyn as he visits Bristol

9 December 2019

The Green Party has challenged Jeremy Corbyn to reverse Labour’s plans for new nuclear, rule out regional as well as national airport expansion and to proactively campaign to remain in the European Union as he visits Bristol today [Monday 9 December].

Former Green Party leader and Brighton Pavilion candidate Caroline Lucas has demanded the Labour leader makes clear his position on each area and commits to rowing back on his party’s harmful policies.

The Labour Party currently supports expanding nuclear energy, despite its inherent dangers and the fact that it remains a costly distraction from faster, safer alternatives. Labour remains open to regional airport expansion and the local labour Mayor supports the deeply unpopular expansion of Bristol airport, a policy completely at odds with tackling the Climate Emergency.

The Labour Party has also failed to take a clear remain stance on Brexit, even though remaining in the EU provides the UK with the best chance to lead the fight against the Climate Emergency and to improve the lives of workers, low income families and refugees.

Lucas said: “The Labour Party needs to be honest about the damaging policies lurking in its manifesto. It is clear that it has a long way to go if it is to be considered to be truly standing up for the environment.

“Any party that is in favour of pursuing the conventional economic model of growth that got us in this mess in the first place cannot be relied on to lead the way in tackling the Climate Emergency.

“This is why it is more important than ever to elect Green MPs to hold both Labour and the Conservatives to account on the pledges they have already made, and to continue to push them forward on the most important issues we currently face.”

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Greens will guarantee every child a Good Childhood

Childhoods are being eroded by the policies and actions of recent governments, and child poverty is a growing crisis. The Resolution Foundation has assessed that Conservative plans will mean a rise in children growing up without basic material security to a 60-year high of 34 per cent, while the new investment planned by Labour will only prevent the problem getting worse.[2]

Only the Green Party will eliminate child poverty by investing nine times more into transforming the callous and chaotic welfare system and introducing a Universal Basic Income.

Schools are also facing cuts, and children, teachers and parents are pressured from the moment a child starts school to focus on tests rather than time and space for children to develop.

A Green education system would remove testing and Ofsted, aim for smaller class sizes, broaden education to include more sport, culture, environment and nature lessons, and shift formal lessons in school to start at six years old.

As children get older, community spaces and youth work that can help them flourish and develop have been dramatically cut back, contributing to a crisis of youth violence and mental health. Sian Berry’s work in London has exposed a cut of nearly half in council youth service budgets since 2011, and over 100 youth centres have closed in the capital city alone.[3]

Greens would restore £10 billion of funding to councils to provide a full youth service and community support.

Co-leader, Sian Berry says:

“Children who are supported to play, learn and grow as active citizens are the foundation and responsibility of a good society and only the Green manifesto in this election comes close to recognising that, backing the principles of a Good Childhood up with a comprehensive policy programme.

“Young people growing up need a community around them that values their growth and wellbeing, and our plans for system change within both welfare and education will make a profound difference to how children are treated and valued in Britain. They will do what no other party comes close to with their plans: eliminate the blight of child poverty.

“Greens also believe in the principle of giving young people a real voice in policy-making. With both votes at 16 and the ability to stand for Parliament at the same age, Greens will put the spirit of the climate strikes at the heart of our democracy. Young people are leading the way and we must listen to them and provide for their development as citizens with the Good Childhood they need.”

Green Party Education Spokesperson and candidate for the Isle of Wight constituency, Vix Lowthion says:

“A good childhood means fundamentally changing how we see education. Education should be about nurturing potential and inspiring a love of learning. Yet all too often it can feel like a production line, manufacturing children-shaped pieces to fit gaps in the workplace.

The freedom to let children play, flourish and grow has been replaced with endless testing and measuring. It demoralises teachers and adds yet more pressure on young people. Children growing up today cannot wait another five years for things to change.”

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