Green Party Deputy Leader Mothin Ali said:

“The current situation in Kashmir is deeply worrying. The draconian measures imposed on ordinary people represent a serious and disproportionate overreach.

“Lockdowns, communications blackouts and the arrest of protesters are likely only to deepen tensions and increase instability. People must be free to go about their lives, and the right to peaceful protest is a fundamental pillar of any democratic society.

“Britain is home to a large Kashmiri community. Many are deeply concerned for friends and relatives whom they have been unable to contact due to the communications blackout, leaving them uncertain about their safety and wellbeing.

“The Green Party stands in full solidarity with our Kashmiri friends and neighbours at this distressing time.”

Responding to the news that the Defence Secretary, John Healey, has resigned, Green Party Leader, Zack Polanski, said: 

“This is a government in chaos, unable to govern, with no leadership, under a caretaker Prime Minister who’s expected to be replaced within weeks. 

Right now, we are facing some of the gravest threats this country has ever seen: an aggressive and expansionist Russia, Trump and Netanyahu’s illegal war in the Middle East threatening to engulf more and more of the globe, and rising threats from cyber warfare, terrorism and the climate and nature crisis. Healey’s resignation is a dire sign that Starmer has no serious plan to address any of these. 

Britain deserves better. We need a clear plan to stand on our own two feet, to show global leadership, and to make this country resilient in a changing world. Starmer does not have that plan.”