Green Left's questions to candidates - Answers below
1. A Campaigning Party vs Elections?
Within a flawed electoral system, are we focusing on winning
elections, one by one seat, above being a Campaigning Party within the mass
movement needed to fight capitalism and transform society before the climate
change emergency becomes irreversible? Are we paying lip service to the warning
from the brave climate change activists especially the youth who recognise time
is running out?
2. An accountable Party?
How can the Green Party be an effective campaigning political
party, with transparent internal democracy and accountability, supporting local
party campaigns with devolved resources? Do we need delegate conferences to
ensure policy is properly discussed at local level before conference decides?
3. A party that understands working-class communities?
Many people (with some progress) still see the green movement and
subsequently the GPEW as being well meaning but not relevant to the everyday
struggles of working people and working-class communities. How can we challenge
that idea?
4. Austerity and reversing public service cuts
After over 10 years of cruel Tory austerity which has trashed
public services for millions, we must restore those essential services which we
all rely on. Not only the NHS and social care but all the local government
services like environmental health, trading standards, pollution control,
libraries, public toilets, parks etc and the Green Party has not focused on
this sufficiently for several years. Do you agree?
5. The Movement for Green Jobs and a Green Socialist future
What do you know of the Trade Union backed Campaign Against
Climate Change, Lucas Plan, The Million Green Jobs campaign and the Greener
Jobs Alliance of trade unions? How would you work with these campaigns and
ensure all parts of the party are engaging with these groups? Do understand and
support what Just Transition means?
6. Are you an eco-socialist?
What does eco-socialism mean to you? What links do you see between
climate change and the need for social, economic and democratic change?
7. Support native and oppressed peoples
Greens need to expand our world solidarity by working to liberate
millions of indigenous peoples in the Americas, Asia: Kurdistan, Middle East,
Tibet, and many parts of Africa etc. Internationalism is still too weak in
Green culture. How would you improve this in the GPEW?
8.Minority rights
Do you oppose the colonialist oppression of minorities such as Kashmiris,
the Uighurs and Tibetans in China, and support the Palestinian-led global
campaign for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS)? Palestine solidarity
groups world-wide have opposed the so-called 'IHRA definition of antisemitism'
as an attack on Palestinian rights. Do you support or oppose this definition?
9. Making campaigning for PR a Green Party priority
It’s clear the electoral system is holding back Green Party
advance at local and parliamentary elections. How can we campaign to convince
members of the Labour Party, Trade Unions and Labour MPs to support this left
democratic change to bring elections in line with other parts of the UK? Do you
see this as a major priority for the Green Party in the next period?
10. Oppose Nuclear Power
Green Left is supporting a motion to the forthcoming GPEW
Conference that calls on the Green Party to demand the government abandons the
Hinkley Point nuclear project and plans for the follow-up Sizewell C nuclear
project, including the regulated asset-based model and any further development
of the hazardous and expensive nuclear power programme. The Green Party should
also calls for all existing nuclear power plants to be shut down. No power
sourced from nuclear should be imported - only renewable. Will you support this
motion?
1. A Campaigning Party vs Elections?
Yes! The UK’s mediaeval electoral “system” is set against ‘challengers’ from outside of the establishment. The Green Party must become braver to Campaign more boldly, and win the power our public support deserves. To cut through, we must tell, and keep telling, a consistent story that both mobilises and attracts.
2. An accountable Party?
I am personally sceptical of delegate Conferences, which would further centralise power towards the strongest voices in larger Local Parties. “Sovereignty cannot be represented…” as Rousseau wrote in The Social Contract. Today, all Members can attend Conferences and vote on Green Party Policy, if time, financial and geographic barriers can be overcome. Hence, I favour both more electronic voting and Regional Conferences in June (post Local Elections). The Coronavirus pandemic has driven rapid advances in electronic democracy, from Parish & Town Councils to the House of Lords; even if the House of Commons and some larger Councils lag, where whips feel their power threatened. The Reform Conference Voting Working Group last week announced a survey of Proposals with all Members in August. Let Green Party Members decide.
As GPEx Chair I commit to empowering our Campaigns Co-ordinator, Elections Co-ordinator, and Local Party Support Co-ordinator, to deliver bold and brave Campaigns across all Regions and Wales.
3. A party that understands working-class communities?
Local Green Parties must go out into their communities to genuinely include, rather than expecting communities to come to them. We do have positive examples, such as Bristol City Councillor, Jude English, whose “refreshingly unspun” Campaigning in Lawrence Hill (“the poorest Ward in the South West”) and Redcliffe was featured in John Harris’ April 2015 Guardian video“The Greens: a voice for the voiceless or a middle-class sect?”
4. Austerity and reversing public service cuts
Yes! I resigned from the Labour and Co-operative Party in December 2014 (after 25 years) to join and Campaign for the Green Party over Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls’ refusal to oppose Austerity, and Natalie Bennett’s far stronger response to George Osborne’s financially illiterate Autumn Statement that year.
5. The Movement for Green Jobs and a Green Socialist future
Yes! A Just Transition is vital. As GPEx Chair I commit to empowering our Trade Union Liaison Officer to build strong alliances with Trade Unions, and Campaign with them, as directed by Green Party Policy and instructed by Conference.
6. Are you an eco-socialist?
I am at heart Green, but also a socialist, so Yes! The urgency of our need for constructive Actions on the Climate Emergency drives me. We cannot succeed without reversing the exponentially consuming global financial system, to prioritise people and planet above demands for money. To achieve this, we need to build a participatory democracy at all levels, from Town Halls outwards to Regions, the UK, Europe, and our United Nations. Our position ‘outside’ the political establishment combined with our de-centralised (ecological) culture are our greatest assets. The Labour Party could never breathe decentralised.
7. Support native and oppressed peoples
I do not agree that Internationalism is weak in Green culture. People and Planet are the heart of our Philosophical Basis and Vision. GPEW has built strong links with fellow Greens across Europe, and across our planet – exemplified by the #GreensUnited Spring Conference 2017 in Liverpool, jointly hosted with European and Global Greens. As GPEx Chair I commit to empowering our International Co-ordinator to further strengthen these relationships. Next year’s COP26 UN Climate Conference in Glasgow is our unique opportunity to make an unanswerable case for global Climate Justice.
8.Minority rights
I stand in solidarity with oppressed peoples across the world. I fully expect an up-to-date Policy on Palestine and antisemitism to be brought to Autumn Conference. As Chair, I will lead GPEx to implement whatever Policy is agreed, and Party Staff to Campaign, as instructed by Conference. Policy Forums and Conference are the places for Policy debate, not GPEx.
9. Making campaigning for PR a Green Party priority
The Labour Party has stopped PR in the past, and it is holding us all back now. 53% of the vote in December’s General Election went to ‘Progressive’ Parties, but we ended up with an 80+ MP Conservative majority. Labour’s Manifesto was pro PR in 1997, and the Jenkins Commission set up by the first Tony Blair Government recommended AV+. Sadly, Labour’s majority rekindled that Party’s unhealthy addiction to FPTP. I personally support Compass Greens in Campaigning for Labour to adopt Democracy Policy fit for the 21st Century – which is a matter for the consciences of Labour Members.
10. Oppose Nuclear Power
In 2016, I co-authored a Parliamentary Petition to “Switch to the Renewable Plan B for Hinkley C – fit for the 21st Century.” I am currently co-author of a Parliamentary Petition to “Rebuild the economy out of lockdown with a Green New Deal.” I encourage all Green Left people to sign and promote this Petition, and lobby your MPs to force a Green New Deal. We lost 10 years with the election of the Conservative-LibDem Coalition of 2010. We have no more time to lose now.
Benjamin Smith & Ashley Routh
1: A Campaigning Party vs
Elections?
While we agree the current electoral system means the Greens are limited in how much we will ever win under a FPTP system. Getting on to those councils is vital to keeping our national message strong. If we focused more on campaigns the very limited press coverage the Greens yet would only decrease. There is absolutely a balance to be struck. With regards to young climate activists, we both consider ourselves to be young climate activists, and we would like to see more of us leading the Greens and making our manifesto and direction more radical.
We are in favour of giving more power to the regions of the party, particularly within the disciplinary processes of the party. GPEx currently lacks transparency, and there is a clear disconnect between the national parties and local parties, resulting simultaneously in
key information being missed, and a lot of information being needlessly duplicated. We need to improve communication between the national and local parties, especially in regards to policy which is going to be discussed at conference.
3: A party that understands working-class communities?
We need to embrace the idea of class struggle. Embracing an inherently socialist platform that will protect the working class above all else. We have come a long way in this, and looking at the candidates standing for GPEx and Leadership, we could finally get rid
of the older middle class vibe the Green Party needs to shake off.
4: Austerity and reversing public service cuts
While the climate emergency is vital, we cannot and must not forget how austerity has ruined the lives of millions, with covid adding to this the working class are up against it. We must support massive investment into the poorest communities scarred by austerity.
The party must do better on this front if we are to effect real change.
5: The Movement for Green Jobs and a Green Socialist future
Neither of us have done any direct previous work relating to the Campaign Against Climate change, the Lucas Plan, the Million Green Jobs campaign, and the Greener Jobs Alliance. Our understanding of each is based upon what we've read only, but we find no cause for
substantive disagreement. We support the idea of Just Transition, and would seek to ensure that the voices of those more directly involved with trade union campaigns are heard where they ask to be.
6. Are you an eco-socialist?
Yes, fundamentally. Climate justice, social justice and the like are all intrinsically linked. Socialism at the heart of government is the only way we will achieve these aims.
7. Support native and oppressed peoples
We would foster stronger links through global greens to Green Parties in some of the countries, and seek to elevate their voices. We support the BDS movement, and the right to self determination worldwide.
Question 8: Minority Rights
(Benjamin) - Yes, I oppose all of these oppressions and I also disagree with the IHRA definition of Anti-Semitism. We Want to consult the Jewish members of the party to set our own internal policy regarding anti-Semitism.
(Ashley) - Yes, we both support the BDS campaign, and stand in solidarity with Palestine. I believe that the IHRA definition of anti-semitism while perhaps well intentioned suffers from ambiguous wording which has been seized upon by those who would seek to silence any criticism on the actions of the state of Israel as anti-semitism. I do not believe that this was the intent, and I believe that the IHRA definition could benefit from revisions to clarify these misconceptions.
9. Making campaigning for PR a Green Party priority
We have always and will always support PR, we need to prioritise this at the very forefront of Green Policy. As a political necessity, We believe that lobbying other parties to fight for PR is absolutely essential, in particular, Labour. No cooperation of any kind with Labour ought ever be considered without support for PR. I (Ashley) have long since lobbied my local Labour MPs to support vote reform, and I take pride that my former MP, Cat Smith, has heeded the calls of her constituents, myself included, and has expressed support for the idea publicly.
10: Oppose Nuclear Power
We are opposed to the creation of any new nuclear power plants, and support the phasing out of all existing plants as we expand our green energy projects.
Adrian Spurrell
1. A Campaigning Party vs Elections?
We can’t adopt an either-or approach – we have to be both. We have to convince the electorate we are credible and capable so they will vote for us in general elections, not just local ones. We also need to lead and mobilise environmentalists and others and be seen as the political leaders of the environmental movement.
2. An accountable Party?
We need our new constitution and I am already working on that. There is also a group addressing conference voting and I would ask everyone to get involved with that. That will provide us with a good start, but we desperately need to improve communication between local parties and the centre.
3. A party that understands working-class communities?
Our challenge is to make it clear that environmental and social justice are intertwined – the global south bears the brunt of climate change already. The working class bear the brunt of the pandemic. The provision of universal basic income would start address this in the UK.
4. Austerity and reversing public service cuts
Yes! The lack of youth services is contributing to knife and drugs crimes and raising prison populations. The lack of universal basic income is contributing to rising health issues increasing demand and reliance on the nhs. Good public health needs income security, meaningful work, affordable housing and supportive communities – this has to happen.
5. The Movement for Green Jobs and a Green Socialist future
I am not aware of the others, but know of the Lucas plan. We need to remove the them and us culture in organisations through a fairer redistribution of both income and power; and supported community led decision making. We need to end the fallacy of the tragedy of the commons and recognise that people are capable if supported.
6. Are you an eco-socialist?
I’m a Green. There is no separation between the economy, society and the environment. What plays out in one flows into the other. We need to help voters to see this so that they trust us to make the change that will be required to deliver the fair and just zero carbon economy and society we need.
7. Support native and oppressed peoples
The global south bears the brunt of climate breakdown and the global economy exploits the South for the benefit of the North. The Green Party is the only global political movement- we need to raise awareness of these issues; and bring about the changes in the North that would have the greatest positive impact on the South.
8.Minority rights
Yes I oppose the oppression of minorities and the annexation of Palestinian. I do not believe a criticism of the Israeli government is antisemitic.
9. Making campaigning for PR a Green Party priority
I would be overjoyed if the Labour party embraced PR, allowing us to work together to bring this about. Until PR is a reality, though, we need to win seats under the current system and show the population that we are more than a 1 MP Party and that they can trust us with their votes in a General Election.
10. Oppose Nuclear Power
There is no reason for us to be investing in nuclear power, especially not nuclear power that is owned by the Chinese.
Liz Reason
1.A Campaigning Party vs Elections?
We are a political party which has the responsibility for acting
as the effective political arm of the environment and social justice
movements. We are able to demonstrate that having a Green in the room
makes a difference.
2. An accountable Party?
We can support local parties better when we provide them with the
tools that make engagement easy. I’m pleased to say that Civi and
associated digital tools are now being thoroughly modernised. This will
be transformative at both national and local level.
3. A party that understands working-class communities?
We need to diversify our membership by engaging in new and
innovative ways with messages that resonate and help people understand all that
we have in common as well as how social justice is a core part of the Green
Party’s platform.
4. Austerity and reversing public service cuts
Not really.
5. The Movement for Green Jobs and a Green Socialist future
I have been disappointed with the trade union campaigns lack of
appreciation of what is needed to address green issues in meaningful ways,
including fighting for jobs with purpose.
6. Are you an eco-socialist?
I don’t use labels.
7. Support native and oppressed peoples
The work of International Committee is admirable. All members can
bring motions to conference if they want to see IC work on different areas.
8.Minority rights
Of course I oppose the oppression of all minorities.
9. Making campaigning for PR a Green Party priority
Campaigning for PR has been a priority for the party for as long
as I have been a member.
10. Oppose Nuclear Power
The transition to nuclear-free electricity generation will take
some time to enact.
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