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?
Vix Lowthian
1. A Campaigning Party vs Elections?
Whilst the elections operations system is significant – we are a political party after all – the majority of us join the Green Party because of the policies and the campaigns to get them enacted. It is through campaigning that we energise and enthuse both voters and activists alike. Campaigning gives the substance to our party, success gives us competence, and this is how you win elections.
2. An accountable Party?
It is our policies, determined democratically by the consensus of the membership, which lie at the heart of our Party and distinguish us from all the other parties. But our policy processes need reform. Conference must be accessible to party members who cannot afford the funds or time to travel, and I think it is inevitable that proposals for online voting reforms will be formally proposed soon.
3. A party that understands working-class communities?
Strong policy can be the basis to support us cutting through in working class communities. But those elected to our leadership and GPEX must emphasise and promote the policies which matter to voters. Successes such as in the West Midlands, Lancashire & the North East show that strong Green activity outside of the cosmopolitan cities can achieve rewards.
4. Austerity and reversing public service cuts
The focus of the Green Party must be based on both social and environmental justice – the too are completely interlinked. Inequality is at the root of the climate emergency, and cuts to local government have resulted in centralised government control and devastated communities.
5. The Movement for Green Jobs and a Green Socialist future
Yes I understand the importance to keep employment opportunities as we transition to a more sustainable economy. Talk of Green Jobs should not be limited to those in the manufacture of solar panels, for instance. But Green Jobs mean much more: for example the 4 day week, basic income and workplace rights.
6. Are you an eco-socialist?
There is no environmental justice unless social inequalities are tackled. The majority of Green policies are socialist policies, and I am very comfortable with that. But an external emphasis on ‘Socialism’ as a label limits the appeal of the party to voters outside of Labour heartlands.
7. Support native and oppressed peoples
A big part of the attraction of the GPEW for myself is working across borders, on an international scale, to tackle global hegemonic powers. It is essential in the 21st century to work in solidarity with oppressed peoples, and as Policy Development Coordinator I would look to support all such campaigns.
8.Minority rights
To expand on this, I do not support colonialist oppression of minorities eg Kashmir, Tibet, Palestine whatsoever, and support BDS as necessary direct action. I have followed our own party’s debate over the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism, but need to be better informed to take a specific stance as yet.
9. Making campaigning for PR a Green Party priority
The electoral system in the UK is at the root of our democratic limitations, and has allowed liars and cheats to ascend to Downing Street leading to corruption and mismanagement on a massive scale. No more! If Labour cannot recognise this and commit to PR, then the Green Party must stand against Labour until they do.
10. Oppose Nuclear Power
I am a member of CND. Nuclear Power is a low carbon, but not a renewable resource. Hinkley Point is a ruinously expensive project, which should easily be cancelled on economic reason alone. As Policy Development Coordinator I would welcome proposals which would update our policy on energy and nuclear power.
Peter Sims and Sam Alston (job share)
1. A Campaigning Party vs Elections?
We see policy development as a chance to take the demands of youth
strikers, black lives matter and extinction rebellion and translate them into
refined policies that we can articulate in electoral contests. The party
must keep its policy holden to Climate Reality and challenge rather than accept
mainstream targets & business as usual solutions.
2. An accountable Party?
We are transitioning to being a mass membership movement and the
party needs to shift with it while retaining the democratic elements,
accountability and efficacy that the question identifies. We are keen to push
for a more inclusive policy making, but this means the policy making
process as well as conferences itself needs reform.
3. A party that understands working-class communities?
It is clear that the Green party has more work to do in
promoting working class voices within the policy process. One of the changes we
would like to promote would be reducing barriers to the policy process with
more regional events and more feeding in from local party events. We hope to
also hope to build links with working class institutions such as trade
unions.
4. Austerity and reversing public service cuts
Yes, the need to fight austerity and reverse public
sector cuts is settled Green party policy. In our policy development we hope to
engage with the coalitions that have been fighting this and built up
links. However we also need to articulate a broad set of policies to
address the Biodiversity and Climate Crises
and wider systemic injustice in society which existed before austerity.
5. The Movement for Green Jobs and
a Green Socialist future
We were aware of Union backed climate Jobs report
and Peter has worked on expanding those Climate Job Estimates for different regions
and countries in Europe as part of his work within Green House think tank. Just transition is obviously a core element of our policy. Sam
is a proud member of the Unison Youth Workers branch and knows the importance
for the parties future but also for building policy including a just
transition.
6. Are you an eco-socialist?
To some extent our personal political labels should not matter
as the Policy Development Coordinator is responsible for facilitating the
development of policy proposals and should attempt to remain at least somewhat
neutral.
Climate change and social and democratic change are clearly
inextricably linked as the Green Party recognises in its core values and
throughout its policy.
7. Support native and oppressed peoples
It is important to ensure that minority voices are
heard throughout our policy process including those of oppressed
peoples. We will support the ongoing revision of the Green Party Defence and
Foreign Policy chapter to include these voices and where possible reach out
bodies representing indigenous people. At policy events we will look to ensure
that speakers representing these struggles are represented.
8.Minority rights
It seems reasonably settled Green Party Policy to oppose
colonialist oppression of minorities including in the areas highlighted in the
question. One of our focuses is looking to ensure that our policy is useful to
local parties and elected officials. We hope this can lead to our policy in
areas such as these being advocated for more broadly.
The International Holocaust Remembrance definition still seems
to be an active debate within the party and thus it would not be sensible for
us to express a view on it if we were elected. However, as with all policy
disputes within the party we would aim to facilitate a conversation between
those with different views in order to build strong policy through
consensus decision making.
9. Making campaigning for PR a Green Party priority
Obviously support for PR at various levels is a key longstanding
Green party policy. While we see working with the Labour Party as outside of
our mandate we are keen to build links with groups such as Unlock
Democracy, Compass and, Make Votes Matter that share this as a policy goal.
Notably all three groups see PR as just the start of a programme of democratic
renewal.
10. Oppose Nuclear Power
We look forward to the motion coming to conference and
supporting it though the policy process. We recognise, as we’re sure Green Left does from
its wording of the first question, that it is Critical that our policy lives up
to the ambition on climate change demanded by school strikers and Extinction
Rebellion. We there for also look forward to the GAP analysis teams reflections
on how this motion fits in with rapid transition to Zero carbon.
Liam McClelland
1. A Campaigning Party vs Elections?
The fight for climate justice is inextricably linked to the fight for social justice. You cannot have one without the other. I continue to believe our strengths lie in our local groups who successfully got green representation on 123 principle council authorities where we can bring forward green policy ideas.
2. An accountable Party?
I am concerned that some of the Holistic Review recommendations could remove accountability, especially when GPEx becomes PEx and some coordinators lose their seats. We should be making PolicyFest a guaranteed event on the Green Party calendar to allow more members to get involved and discuss policy ideas.
3. A party that understands working-class communities?
By supporting and electing working and precariat class people into positions in the party. By reaching out to the Working Class Greens Group when the party is going to comment on something. By increasing the access fund so that more working class members can attend conference.
4. Austerity and reversing public service cuts
As a member reliant on welfare and disability benefits austerity has directly impacted me. The privatisation of these services must be ended to restore dignity to disabled people. Austerity has also caused cuts to vital council services such as youth provisions and drug and alcohol support. We must speak out more.
5. The Movement for Green Jobs and a Green Socialist future
I do not know about these and would be willing to learn from the Trade Union Liaison Officer on how my role could support these campaigns. I will also task myself to learn more. I am currently attending a series of webinars with the Federation of Young European Greens titled "It's Not Just a Transition." focusing on rural and urban Just Transitions.
6. Are you an eco-socialist?
After attending a workshop on ecofeminism by Dr Sherilyn MacGregor, who specialises in gender, environmental and social justice, and the synergies and tensions between feminist and green politics I would call myself an ecofeminist. Dr MacGregors feminism is intersectional and rightly includes transwomen.
7. Support native and oppressed peoples
By ensuring we elect Alice and Sam as international coordinators, by ensuring we bring a motion to a future conference to ensure the international coordinators continue to have a seat on the Political Executive when GPEx is replaced. Alice is doing amazing work with the Global Young Greens, and Sam has done fantastic work with the Federation of Young European Greens.
8.Minority rights
I oppose all oppression of minorities, and when we discuss these we must recognise the United Kingdom's continued oppression of Chagos Islanders as well as other current and former colonialist oppressions. I am disgusted by the rising islamophobia, antisemitism, racism, homophobia and transphobia. I believe it is possible to support a definition of antisemitism as well as supporting Palestinian solidarity.
9. Making campaigning for PR a Green Party priority
I still believe our main focus should be on bringing green policy motions to the councils were we have representation, working with other councillors from political parties to combat climate change. We can continue to campaign for PR. We must avoid alliances during elections, we are the best political party suited to fight for environmental and social justice.
10. Oppose Nuclear Power
Yes
Mick Gregg
1. A Campaigning Party vs Elections?
I would say that my priority for the party is to
win elections and obtain a place at the table, we need to align ourselves with
those groups actively fighting against capitalist mechanisms of oppression and
profit before environment and human damage. In this way we can obtain votes
locally and build from this base. We cannot do both campaigning as well as
direct politics without blurring boundaries.
2. An accountable Party?
Effectively campaigning and internal democracy
appear to me to be less linked than these questions imply. I do not agree with
delegate conferences given that some local parties are very limited in terms of
actively participation members. Delegate conferences would open the door to
enabling stronger active members to dominate our policies and rather than build
good democracy this could reduce active participation. I am generally content
with our structure and do not have an appetite for further changes or reviews
which I fear distract us from our purpose. We fiddle whilst the world burns.
3. A party that understands working-class
communities?
Here I wholly recognise the problem. it is a matter
of perception in the public eye/we need I believe to be addressing the
messaging to ordinary working families and what we say that affects them
directly, financial and housing security, work and family stress. We need a
body within the party that works directly to change the perception that the
public has of us.
4. Austerity and reversing public service cuts
Yes, completely, this relates to the previous
question. I work in local government. I want us to show more clearly that we
believe local people will make better local decisions and that we would
decentralise our politics
5. The Movement for Green Jobs and a Green
Socialist future
It is clearly essential that we can talk to local
working-class communities that have already built up a distrust of politicians
and will see the transition as threatening. By giving clear uncomplicated and
un-academic examples we can show those affected by green changes that they have
nothing to fear, for themselves or their children’s futures
6. Are you an eco-socialist?
I believe that labels are not wholly useful if we
are trying to engage working class families. what does my mum and dad
understand by the term eco-socialist? They
see a slogan and irrelevance. why start from this position and create a barrier
at the beginning of a conversation? I am content that our policy base has a
comprehensive platform making the link between social inequality and climate catastrophe.
7. Support native and oppressed peoples
The issue exists and it not easy to resolve – what
would you have the green party actually do to work to liberate these oppressed
people? We need to be in a situation of
power to do more than simply issues statements.
of course, we must do more to build links with greens across the world,
in Europe but especially in newly emerging green movements where we can provide
a template to build local movements.
8.Minority rights
The definition in itself has become a focus. I am
personally not in favour of it or opposed to it – it is the interpretation of
it has been the argument – whilst this argument about a statement rages on it
distracts us from what is happening in Israel. I want the argument to be about anti-Semitism
or about being opposed to the Israel state oppression of Palestinians. A
Jewish friend said that it would be much easier to distinguish the two. if there were two openly Jewish states in the
world.
9. Making campaigning for PR a Green Party priority
It is the major priority and locally as I live in a
very safe tory seat it is something that locally I have seen agreement across
all those opposed to tory rule. people need to be shown how it works and
reminded of where we already have it working. the issue of course that blocks
progress with the Labour Party, however if we can promote this amongst Labour
members then maybe they can create movement in their national strategy.
10. Oppose Nuclear Power
Yes, of course, and I strongly suspect so will all
other members.
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