Green Party

24 April 2017

Caroline Lucas, the Green Party co-leader, has responded to UKIP’s ‘integration agenda’ [1]. She accused the far-right party of ‘full throttled islamaphobia’ and pledged to ‘stand up to the politics of hate’. 

Caroline Lucas, co-leader of the Green Party, said:

“UKIP’s ‘integration agenda’ is an assault on multiculturalism and an attack on Muslims. It’s full throttled Islamaphobia. 

“Now that the referendum has passed Nutall’s party is desperately scrabbling around for relevance and seem to have settled upon attacks on Muslims and fringe far right politics as their new home. In this election the Green Party will be standing up to the politics of hate spewing from UKIP and putting forward a vision for a multicultural, welcoming Britain which we can all be proud of.”

Notes:

[1] https://twitter.com/jessicaelgot/status/856457234875899905

Tweet

Back to main news page

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

20 April 2017

*General election campaign launch in Bristol

*Co-leader Jonathan Bartley: ‘An amazing selection of candidates up and down the country will drive our boldest campaign yet’

The Green Party will set out its vision for young people during its general election campaign launch in Bristol today.

The Greens will campaign for free education, a living wage for all and investment in mental health services. The party is also calling for votes at 16 so 16 and 17-year-olds can have their say in the election [1].

The campaign will be launched at 1.15pm in Bristol by Caroline Lucas MP and Jonathan Bartley, Green Party co-leaders, and Molly Scott Cato, MEP for the South West and Bristol West candidate [2].

Scott Cato is expected to say:

“With this election, we are at a crossroads for Britain’s future. Today marks the beginning of the Green Party’s campaign for a bold, positive future for our country, in full opposition to the extreme Brexit and far-right agenda threatened by the Tories.

“The Green Party wants to close this gulf that’s opening up between young people and older generations, because the way that young people are being let down at the moment is a disgrace. It’s hard to think of a time when it’s been more difficult to be a young person in Britain and in this election, we risk getting a Tory government which will make it so much worse.”

Bartley is expected to say:

“We have amazing opportunities, like here in Bristol with Molly primed to join Caroline in Parliament, making the Green Party an even stronger force in politics. We’re polling even better than our result in 2015, and we’ve got such an amazing selection of candidates up and down the country ready to drive our boldest campaign yet.

“If you’re one of the millions of young people let down by this Government, saddled with debt and uncertainty, the Green Party is the home for you. We have a positive vision for the future of this country, a fairer more equal society, and a tolerant, outward looking Britain.”

Notes:

1. https://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/2017/04/19/green-party-calls-for-votes-at-16-in-june-election/
2. https://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/2017/04/18/green-party-we-will-make-history-in-bristol-west/

Tweet

Back to main news page

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

20 April 2017

The Green Party is calling for Labour to commit to a ratification referendum. At an election event earlier the leader of the Labour Party refused to rule out such a poll [1].

Caroline Lucas, co-leader of the Green Party, said:

“Labour should immediately commit to holding a ratification referendum. If they truly trust the British people – and want to give them a real say over the future direction of this country – then they must commit to a democratic vote on any final deal. With the Tories already hurtling us towards an extreme Brexit the Labour Party should also make clear whether or not they support Britain’s continued membership of the single market or if they, like the Government, are willing to sacrifice this country’s prosperity at the altar of stopping freedom of movement.

“The Green Party is clear on our opposition to an extreme Brexit. We will campaign to remain a member of the single market and for continued freedom of movement and the protection of our environment.”

Notes:

1. https://twitter.com/SamCoatesTimes/status/855002311856459777

Tweet

Back to main news page

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

20 April 2017

The Green Party has responded to Bill Gates urging the Government to continuing spending 0.7% of GDP on foreign aid.

The Microsoft founder urged the UK to keep spending at least 0.7% of national income on foreign aid, saying it was proof of its goodwill and humanity.

Jonathan Bartley, co-leader of the Green Party, said:

“Bill Gates is right: cutting the aid budget will cost lives. Any moves by the Tories to rollback our commitment to international development would be a dereliction of this country’s duty to the rest of the world. We know that aid alone isn’t enough, and that it must come alongside fairer trading rules, but it is the bedrock of a credible foreign policy where Britain can play a positive role in world affairs. The Tories little-Englander approach, inspired by UKIP, sells this country short – and the Green Party will oppose any moves to cut the aid budget. Indeed in the coming weeks we will put forward a bold plan to step up Britain’s global commitments on aid, climate change and nuclear disarmament.”

Tweet

Back to main news page

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

19 April 2017

Caroline Lucas, the co-leader of the Green Party, is calling for the Government to bring in legislation to allow 16 and 17-year-olds vote in the snap General Election. 

Lucas, whose party will begin their campaign tomorrow in Bristol, used an intervention in the House of Commons today to urge the Prime Minister to give young people a greater say in the future of the country. There are 1.5m young people who would be eligible to vote if 16 and 17-year-olds were given a vote on June 8.

Evidence from the Scottish independence referendum, substantiated by research from Austria and Norway, shows – aided by the encouragement of families and schools – 16 and 17-year-olds have higher rates of turnout than 18 to 24-year-olds [1].

Caroline Lucas said:

“Everything is at stake right now. Our relationship with Europe, our border policies, our position on the world stage – voters will be given the chance to decide what kind of nation we want to be. The election is especially important for young people as they will live with the decisions made on June 8th for their entire lives.

“Theresa May should give Britain’s 1.5 million 16 and 17-year-olds – the first generation to have received citizenship education – a say in what will very much be their future. The Government should urgently change the law to expand the electorate – using the remaining parliamentary time to truly hand people control. After trebling tuition fees, cutting housing benefit for young people and slashing the educational maintenance allowance – surely the Government should give young people a chance to have a say on the policies that are affecting them.

“This should be a moment when we hand control to people and widen the scope of our democracy. Let’s trust young people with a vote in June – and let them have a real say about the future direction of their country.”

Notes:

1. http://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/votes-at-16

Tweet

Back to main news page

Let’s block ads! (Why?)