“mired in scandal and controversy since day one” – Green Party responds to Welsh First Minister’s resignation
Responding to the news that the Welsh First Minister, Vaughan Gething, has resigned, Wales Green Party Leader, Anthony Slaughter said, “After over three months of chaos at the heart of Welsh Government the news that Vaughan Gething has finally resigned following the resignation of four ministers this morning is to be welcomed, but questions must be asked as to why this situation was tolerated for so long, damaging and undermining devolution and our democracy.
“At a time when Wales faces multiple crises, not least the ongoing situation at Port Talbot, there has been an absence of any real and meaningful direction from a government too busy squabbling amongst itself.
“The First Minister has been mired in scandal and controversy since day one of his appointment and his continuous arrogant dismissal of any questions reflects the complacency at the heart of a Welsh Labour Government that does not welcome scrutiny.
“This highlights the need for new voices in the Senedd, which is why we are determined to get elected Green representation at the Senedd in 2026, Green MS’s who will hold the government to account, demanding transparency and proper scrutiny.
“It’s time for the chaos in Cardiff Bay to stop. Wales deserves better.”
“The loss of life is a tragedy and acts as stark reminder why we need safe and legal routes for those seeking asylum.
“Today The Green Party is reiterating our call to reinstate the Dubs refugee scheme that allowed unaccompanied child refugees with family connections to the UK to settle here.
“This is absolutely the first step that Labour could take. In 2017 Yvette Cooper described the closure of the Dubs scheme as “shameful” and we agree it was. And so today we call on her to take immediate action to reinstate this scheme at the earliest possible opportunity.”
Banning oil and gas licences: how brave and bold will Labour be?
In the wake of unfounded reports that Ed Miliband will announce a ban on new drilling in the North Sea [1], co-leader and MP for Bristol Central, Carla Denyer, has urged the energy secretary to do just that, and “send a clear signal to the fossil fuel industry that they have no future in the UK.” Denyer said:
“It didn’t take long for the right wing press to come out waving the banner for the fossil fuel industry together with the usual round of scare stories about a dent to the economy and tax revenues if we don’t continue to burn oil and gas. Those cheerleading for oil and gas corporations must not be allowed to derail us from the path towards a green transition. That is where our future prosperity and thousands of good new jobs lies. We need to seize the opportunities that greening the economy will bring.
“This is a test to see how brave and bold Labour will be and whether they will send a clear signal to the fossil fuel industry that they have no future in the UK. Ed Miliband certainly should ban all future licences for new North Sea oil and gas fields, and do so immediately.
“The Green Party would like to see him go further by revoking the licence for Rosebank which has the potential for producing around 500 million climate-wrecking barrels of oil. We would also like to see a carbon tax on polluters to help drive the transition to cleaner and cheaper renewable sources of energy.”
Responding to the publication of OFWAT’s a draft verdict on water companies’ five-year spending plans and bill increases to 2030, Green Party MP, Sian Berry said:
“We’re today calling on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to put all water companies into public hands.
“The provision of such a basic human right should not be based on profit.
“The idea that water companies will hike bills while so many people are struggling to get to the end of the month is horrific. Meanwhile, some companies, like Thames Water, are still paying shareholder dividends, which is deplorable.
“Public ownership is a matter of both social and environmental principle. But, as today’s verdict from OFWAT shows, it is also a pragmatic necessity.
“Why not take decisive action and show real leadership by saying that all water companies should be in public hands?
“Once this is done, government can invest affordably in the creaking infrastructure without all the harm falling onto our bills, and into our rivers and oceans that are currently being treated as open sewers.”
Green Party MPs arrive at parliament pledging to push the new Labour government to be bolder and better
The four newly elected Green Party Members of Parliament, Sian Berry MP, Ellie Chowns MP, Adrian Ramsay MP, and Carla Denyer MP, arrived at Parliament today, marking a significant moment in the party’s history after they quadrupled their representation in the Commons at the elections. The MPs pledged to hold the Labour government to account, urging them to adopt bold and necessary changes to improve Britain.
In their opening move, the Green Party MPs have laid out a clear and achievable ten-step plan, which they describe as a “litmus test for the direction this government plans to travel.” These steps, the Greens argue, are essential for demonstrating the Labour government’s commitment to serious and progressive change within their first 100 days in office.
Ellie Chowns MP commented after their arrival in parliament that “We are here to ensure that the Labour government doesn’t just talk the talk about change but walks the walk. Our ten steps are practical, achievable, and necessary and can all easily be delivered within 100 days with political will. They will stand as a signpost for whether Labour are serious about changing Britain for good. Our message today is that we will be relentless in both holding them to account and driving forward positive good ideas.”
The 10 steps the Greens say the new Labour Government must take in its first 100 days:
Settle a Pay Deal with Junior Doctors: Properly value their work and ensure fair compensation.
Remove the Two-Child Benefit Cap: End this policy to support families more equitably.
Prosecute Major Water Companies: Bring criminal charges against companies persistently discharging sewage into rivers and seas.
Mandatory Solar Panels and Wind Power: Make solar panels compulsory on new suitable homes and reverse the de-facto ban on onshore wind projects.
Local Rail Link Plan: Develop a comprehensive plan to reopen local rail links to enhance connectivity.
Emergency Dentistry Summit: Address the urgent crisis in dental care with an emergency summit.
Restore Public Sector Workers’ Right to Strike: Re-establish the right to strike and improve public-sector workers’ conditions.
Recognise the State of Palestine: Officially recognise Palestine and end arms sales to countries at risk of violating international law.
Introduce a Natural History GCSE: Enrich education by including a natural history course in the curriculum.
Strengthen Renters’ Rights: End no-fault evictions and provide local authorities with new powers to control rents.
Adrian Ramsay MP and Co-Leader of The Green Party emphasised the importance of these steps, stating, “These are not lofty ideals but practical actions that can be implemented quickly. They will have a real, positive impact on people’s lives and the environment. I am delighted that as we meet to enter parliament Labour have already committed to reversing the de facto ban on onshore wind. Now they must go further and faster still and make solar power mandatory on all suitable new build homes. They can, and they must do this in their first 100 days.”
Green Party Co-Leader, Carla Denyer MP added, “We have a clear mandate from our voters to push for these changes. Every one of our record-breaking number of Green votes was one for real hope and real change. We will push Labour every day to make sure we see the transformation of Britain that we are all so desperate to see, that our frontline workers are paid properly, that our public transport is fit for purpose and that we have a foreign policy built for peace not profit.”
Sian Berry MP concluded, “Today we carry on the work of Caroline Lucas but with the strength of four times the number of voices in the House of Commons. Today is a new beginning. Greens will work tirelessly to ensure that the Labour government is bolder and does better than its promises. The country needs it to deliver more affordable and comfortable council homes, give local authorities the power to introduce rent controls, and do more to support those struggling every day to get by.”