Category: Green Party

As the Guardian noted yesterday, Labour ministers are currently chewing over plans to relax affordable housing quotas, which potentially threatens the existence of 32,000 new affordable homes, particularly in rural areas, where pricing is already inflated.

The article points out that this issue is technically being considered under the auspices of the outgoing prime minister (PM), Keir Starmer; and thanks to his government, we have all perhaps become accustomed to the remodelled, uber-capitalist Labour that echoes Blair’s tenure and at least attempts to efface Corbyn’s. Whether the next PM will reverse this rightward creep and revive the party’s damaged roots remains to be seen. Regardless, as Green deputy leader Rachel Millward discussed in her recent BBC interview, there is something very wrong with how many in the political establishment seem to view housing.

“Houses are, first and foremost, homes; they’re not first and foremost investment vehicles,” she states in the clip above. And to this author it is indeed bewildering that houses are often considered (at least by those who can afford them) as a means of generating profit, rather than as a necessary and fundamental facet of human life, without which we face all sorts of hardships and barriers.

How is it possible that the general discourse fails to acknowledge a truth that one would expect to be axiomatic? That the existence of multiple households on waiting lists, and of hundreds of thousands of children living in temporary accommodation, does not immediately lead to prioritisation of their basic welfare over a superfluous economic gain for those who are already comfortably housed? How can the most vulnerable among us be left without this most essential protection as a consequence?

It makes no sense, and the time is ripe for a politics that supports everyone.

The Green Party’s latest manifesto pledges:

• 150,000 new social homes each year, including from the purchase of existing builds
• £42bn total over the next five years to support low-carbon energy and insulation
• A community right to buy
• Investment in local health, transport and other services to accompany new developments
• Ensuring new builds meet sufficiently high standards
• MPs pushing for rent controls, stable tenancies and an end to no-fault evictions

Join us today. Together we’ll make hope normal again.

Green peer Natalie Bennett has introduced the Nature’s Rights Bill into Parliament. Its second reading took place today in the House of Lords; you can view Natalie’s speech here.

This bill was authored by Mumta Ito, founder of Nature’s Rights, and is based on the Integrated Rights Framework she originated and developed. It is designed to grant nature legal recognition for the first time in UK law, affording unprecedented protection to our remaining biospheres amid the ongoing threats of climate change and exploitation. Natalie described the bill in her speech today as a “green Magna Carta”, intended to support democracy as well as environmental conservation.

If you wish to express support for the bill, a template letter to your MP is available on Natalie’s website.

You can find out more about the Nature’s Rights campaign here.

The national Green Party has released a video for Refugee Week (see on Bluesky) affirming our commitment to supporting those fleeing from persecution, war and disaster. Amid the lies and division stoked by others, we are determined to uphold the promises outlined in our 2024 manifesto:

• An end to the hostile environment.

• An end to the minimum income requirements for spouses of those holding work visas.

• Safe routes to sanctuary for those fleeing persecution.

• The dysfunctional Home Office to be replaced with a new Department of Migration, separating this function from the criminal justice system.

• An end to immigration detention for all migrants unless they are a danger to public safety.

• Abolition of the ‘no recourse to public funds’ condition that exacerbates social, economic, and racial inequalities.

• Those seeking asylum and protection to be permitted to work while their application is being decided.

Join the Green Party today and help stand up for hope against hate.

Anyone else tired of the inflammatory headlines and misinformation about immigration? Here’s our summary of some of the most important facts and figures, so we can all be informed and fight back against divisive anti-immigrant comments.

Young Greens of East Berkshire Green Party have cut through the chaff of divisive rhetoric, ragebaiting AI slop, and fear mongering headlines. This set of infographics reflects how a moral panic about young people is itself divisive rhetoric pushed by elites who fear upcoming people who #GoGreen and seek a policy agenda that supports the majority empathetically. 💚

Alt text is included. Reference links depicted in the final slide have been added below.

References

The Scale of UK Immigration: 1 | 2 | 3

The ‘Small Boat Invasion’: 1 | 2 | 3

Fiscal Impacts of Immigration: 1 | 2

Why Don’t Asylum Seekers Stay In…: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Immigrants and Crime: 1

Asylum Support: 1 | 2 | 3

The vile antisemitic attack in Golders Green yesterday morning was absolutely horrific. Our five Green MPs have released the following statement:

“Hate like this is becoming normalised. This sentiment was echoed on all sides of the House when ministers gave MPs an update in Parliament today, which we were pleased to hear. We welcome the Government’s commitment to replacing the ambulances and maintaining a visible policing presence in Jewish communities.

“No one should feel unsafe because of who they are, their faith, or where they live. We must stand firmly against antisemitism in all its forms, wherever it appears.

“We need to make sure all communities feel safe and protected. Now is the time for solidarity with our Jewish friends and family. We cannot allow fear or extremism to divide us. Our communities are strengthened by our diversity and when people are unable to live in peace then we are all much worse off.”