Green Party of England and Wales
Encyclopedia : G : GR : GRE : Green Party of England and Wales
| Green Party of England and Wales | |
|---|---|
| |
| Leader | None. Caroline Lucas MEP and Cllr Keith Taylor are Principal Speakers |
| Founded | 1973 |
| Headquarters | 1a Waterlow Road London N19 5NJ |
| Political Ideology | Green |
| Political Position | Left-wing |
| International Affiliation | Global Greens |
| European Affiliation | European Green Party |
| European Parliament Group | Greens-EFA |
| Colours | Green |
| Website | [http://www.greenparty.org.uk] |
| See also | Politics of the U.K. Political parties Elections |
It is affiliated with the Global Greens and the European Green Party.
- 1 History
- 2 Policy
- 3 Animal Welfare, Farming and Food
- 4 Climate Change
- 5 Drugs
- 6 Economy
- 7 Europe
- 8 Government
- 9 International Issues
- 10 Organisation
- 11 Leadership Issue and Principal Speakers
- 12 Executive
- 13 Regional Council
- 14 Conferences
- 15 The Constitution
- 16 Status of the Wales Green Party
- 17 Young Greens
- 18 Membership and Finances
- 19 Groups within the Party
- 20 Electoral Performance
- 21 References
- 22 See Also
- 23 External Links
History
The Green Party of England and Wales emerged as a distinct party in the 1990s.The Green Party formed in Coventry during 1973 as PEOPLE, with the first edition of the Manifesto for a Sustainable Society as its statement of philosophy and policies, inspired by Blueprint for Survival (published by The Ecologist magazine). After the left-wing was broken away and because of misunderstandings the party called itself Ecology Party in 1975. With Jonathon Porritt as a prominent member and an election manifesto called The Real Alternative, the Ecology Party fielded more than 50 candidates in the general election of 1979, entitling them to radio and television election broadcasts, and received 39,918 votes with membership multiplying from around 500 to 5,000 or more. In the 1983 general election, the Ecology Party stood over 100 candidates and gained 54,299 votes.
The party formally became the Green Party in 1985 after a younger generation (Green Alliance, formed in 1978) joined the party. The 1987 general election saw the Greens take 89,753 votes. In the 1990s, the Scottish and Northern Ireland wings of the Green Party in the United Kingdom decided to separate amicably from the party in England and Wales, to form the Scottish Green Party and the Green Party in Northern Ireland. The Wales Green Party became an autonomous regional party, and remained within the new Green Party of England and Wales.
The all-UK party enjoyed a brief spell of success in the late 1980s. At the 1989 European Elections the Green Party won 2 million votes, and received 15% of the overall vote. European elections in Great Britain were then run on a first-past-the-post basis, whilst the three seats in Northern Ireland were elected by single transferable vote, and the party failed to gain any seats. Mainstream political parties were alarmed however by the Green Party's election performance and adopted some "Green policies" in an attempt to counter the threat.
However due to internal divisions over the direction of the party in the early 1990s, the Green Party fell out of the limelight and failed to maintain its electoral momentum. Due to this the party has not been able to repeat the successes it achieved in the 1980s, nor has it been able to match the success of Green parties in some other parts of Western Europe. Britain's first-past-the-post electoral system has often been blamed for this. Nonetheless, the Green Party achieved its highest ever UK General Election result in the 2005 General Election - 281,780 votes - and gained 1,033,093 votes in the 2004 European election[Green Party Website].
Policy
The Green Party was founded to counter what they see as the threats to the environment and that remains its main focus. Like other parties, it produces a new manifesto for each election, but it also maintains a long-term strategy known as the Manifesto for a Sustainable Society (MfSS). This document contains the Philosophical Basis and a statement of the Core Values of the Green Party, as well as its detailed policies on a range of issues. The document is around 124,520 words long[Young Greens (youth section of the Green Party of England and Wales) Policy Website]. However, it is not very widely read and contains several policies that are much more radical than anything that other parties in Britain propose[Green Party of England and Wales Policy Website].Animal Welfare, Farming and Food
The Green Party is opposed to all animal experiments and believes in replacing them with non-animal alternatives. It also wants to end factory farming. The Party seeks to ban live exports, genetic manipulation, patenting of animals, bloodsports, badger-baiting, circuses, zoos and fur products.
They support the subsidisation of organic farming in small free-range units and want to phase out all forms of intensive farming, including fish farms. The Party are against the production and importation of genetically-modified (GM) foods. They support Fair Trade over free trade. The Party encourages a reduction in the consumption of animal produce and promotes "more healthy and humane" foods.
The party have set a goal of 90% carbon dioxide emissions reductions by 2050. They believe in scrapping the national roadbuilding programme and investing the estimated £30bn from the programme in green transport. They wish to end the £9bn annual tax break to the aviation industry by 2010 and pass the Air Traffic Emissions Reduction Bill, aiming for 50% CO2 reductions in aviation by 2050. The Party are strictly against the use of nuclear energy because they believe it is too expensive, too much of security risk and that it uses huge amounts of carbon dioxide in the extraction and production procress, and is therefore an unsuitable response to climate change.
The Party supports economic localisation on grounds of environmental concern, social justice and democracy, as detailed in Green Alternatives to Globalisation: A Manifesto, the book by the current Female Principal Speaker of the party, Dr. Caroline Lucas MEP, and the late Dr. Mike Woodin, a former Male Principal Speaker. This includes helping local businesses through subsidies and import tarrifs, "democratisation" of the banking system with the creation of a "network of publicly-owned community banks", and encouragement of an informal economy where money is less important[Green Party of England and Wales Policy Website].
The Green Party seek to address the 'Poverty Trap' by introducing a Citizen’s Income (also known as a Citizen's Dividend and similar to the Basic Income), an unconditional, non means-tested, weekly payment made to every citizen whether they are working or not. This would replace benefits such as Job Seeker’s Allowance, as well as replacing personal tax-free allowances. The Party hope that this would ensure that people can take a job and come off benefits without falling into the Poverty Trap, and make working part-time or becoming self-employed easier by eliminating the Poverty Trap. Clive Lord, a member of the Green Party of England and Wales, published A Citizen's Income, a book that sets out how to fund the Citizen's Income with an increase to the top bracket of Income Tax. Lord suggests that the Citizen's Income is a means by which to achieve prosperity within a zero-growth economyLord, C., A Citizen's Income, 2003.
On taxation, the Green Party believe in increasing the top rate of Income Tax to make the system more redistributive. It is in favour of a more progressive system of corporation tax to encourage small businesses over large corporations. They support eco-taxes, such as those on packaging and carbon emissions, along the lines of the 'polluter pays' principle. Also, the Party wants an increase in trade union rights and the renationalisation of the railways, water, electricity, gas and post office[Green Party of England and Wales Policy Website].
It is usually to be found on the civil liberties side of the liberties versus security debate and opposes the national ID cards and New Labour's anti-terror legislation. It is strongly opposed to measures like the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Bill[Green Party of England and Wales Policy Website].
The party opposed the Iraq War, both prior to, during, and after the invasion. It has claimed that it did so "on principle", criticising the Liberal Democrats for "only opposing the war because no second UN Resolution was obtained". It has in turn been criticised for either attempting to manufacture a spurious distinction in policy for electoral purposes, or for adopting a position which is essentially pacifist in nature[Green Party of England and Wales Policy Website].
The Green Party supports the right to asylum and "seeks to change negative attitudes and stereotypes associated with refugees". The party concentrates on the causes of immigration, aiming "to alleviate problems caused by war, the arms trade, environmental devastation, past colonial actions and human rights abuses".
The Green Party has consciously chosen not to have a "leader" for ideological reasons; its organisation provides for two Principal Speakers, a Male and Female Principal Speaker. The current Principal Speakers are Dr. Caroline Lucas MEP and Cllr. Keith Taylor. Taylor, a councillor in Brighton & Hove, was elected in 2004 after the death of Dr. Mike Woodin.
For the purposes of its registration with the Electoral Commission the party designates the Chair of the Executive as the "leader". This is currently Cllr. Richard Mallender, also a councillor in Brighton & Hove. The previous chair was Hugo Charlton (1998 to 2005), who was removed from the post after nominating himself for a House of Lords peerage on behalf of the party without following the party's agreed selection procedure [Independent on Sunday Article]. Subsequently Cllr. Jenny Jones AM was elected to be the party's nominee in the event of the party again being asked, but this was too late for the current round.
GPEx positions are elected annually by a postal ballot of all party members or by a vote at Conference (depending on the number of candidates). To become a member of the Executive, the candidate must have been a member of the party for at least two years. Members of GPEx are individually responsible for every action taken within their area of responsibility (except decisions taken collectively within GPEx itself). The Female and Male Principal Speakers are non-voting members of the Executive. GPEx meets at least once every six weeks, and whenever a meeting is necessary.
The Executive has the power to creat committees and posts "it considers necessary for the efficient conduct of its business". It appoints a Panel of Speakers as spokespeople for policy areas, a Treasury and the National Election Agent. GPEx is responsible for implementing the decisions made at Conferences, and controlling expenditure and fundraising.
Each Regional Green Party elects two members by postal ballot to be sent to the GPRC. These delegates' terms last two years before re-election. GPRC meets at least four times a year. The Council elects Male and Female Co-Chairs and a Secretary. GPEx members are often required to give reports on their area of responsibility to the GPRC; the GPRC also has the power to recall any member of GPEx (by a two-thirds majority vote), who is then suspended until a re-election for the post is held; similarly, if GPEx suspends one of its own members, GPRC has the authority to decide whether that member should be reinstated or not (again, by a two-thirds majority vote).
The Green Party Conference features fringes, talks and plenary sessions. The agenda for plenary sessions is usually:
Unlike any other regional party within the Green Party, the Wales Green Party (WGP) (Plaid Werdd Cymru in Welsh) is a "semi-autonomous regional party" within the GPEW. It has greater control over its finances, and produces its own manifesto and newsletters. Wales Green Party members are automatically members of the Green Party of England and Wales.
Also unique in comparison to the full party, the Wales Green Party elects a Principal Speaker who may refer to themselves as the 'Leader' of the Wales Green Party, although, like the Green Party's Principal Speakers, they have no powers of leadership. The current leader of the Wales Green Party is Ann Were[Wales Green Party Website].
The youth wing of the Green Party, the Young Greens, have developed independently from around 2002. The Young Greens have their own Constitution, National Committee, campaigns and meetings, and have become an active presence at Green Party Conferences and election campaigns. There are now many Young Greens groups on UK university, college and higher education institution campuses. Several of the 93 Green Party Councillors are Young Greens, as are some members of GPEx and other internal party organs[Young Greens Website].
Also elected by proportional representation is the London Assembly; it has two Green Party members out of 25. These are Cllr. Darren Johnson AM and Cllr. Jenny Jones AM. The Green Party of England and Wales has one member of the (unelected) House of Lords, the Upper Chamber of Parliament, Lord Timothy Beaumont of Whitley.
From Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Original article here. Support Wikipedia by contributing or donating.Climate Change
The Green Party have a twelve-point plan to deal with climate change. It supports the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol but does not see that as anything more than a first step. It is strongly behind the 'Contraction and Convergence' model as a method of reducing carbon emissions. Within Britain it supports tradable carbon quotas. A proportion of the quotas would be distributed on a per head basis. The remainder would be sold to firms and organizations. The quotas would be reduced on a year by year basis in line with the 'Contraction and Convergence' model[Green Party of England and Wales Policy Website: Climate Change Section of the Manifesto for a Sustainable Society (MfSS)].Drugs
Green Party states that "the prohibiton of drugs doesn't work". They support the legalisation of the possession, trade and cultivation of Cannabis. Furthermore, the Party would recriminalise small-scale possession of recreational drugs like ecstasy and gradually move towards the legalisation of all recreational drugs. It hopes that this would "take the drug trade out of criminal control and place it within a regulated and controlled legal environment". The Party has run a Green Party Drugs Group Website to promote research into ending addiction and safe use of recreational drugs[Green Party Drugs Group Website]. In addition, the Party want to ban advertising or sponsorship by alcohol and tobacco firms.Economy
Like many Green Parties, the Green Party of England and Wales is against economic growth as it believes that growth is incompatible with a planet of finite resources. They are against mass consumption and destructive consumer lifestyles and hope to encourage an economy that is built on sustainability and long-term use[Green Party of England and Wales Policy Website]. Europe
The party is moderately Eurosceptic and supports UK membership of the EU subject to democratic reform. It opposes the Euro on economic localisation and democracy grounds, and was also against the proposed EU constitution for similar reasons[Green Party of England and Wales Policy Website]. Government
The Green Party wants "to modernise and decentralise" the current governmental system in England and Wales. It wants to make Britain into a Republic by abolishing the Monarchy and replaced the House of Lords with an elected second chamber[link]. The party supports elected Regional Assemblies in England and the creation of more Parish and Community Councils. On issues of voting, the Green Party is campaigning to introduce Proportional Representation (specfically the Additional Member System (AMS) used in European Parliament, Welsh Assembly and Scottish Parliament elections) and reduce the voting age to 16. International Issues
The Green Party would increase funding to and reform the UN by abolishing the right of Veto and democratising the UN Security Council. They would ban arms exports and the use of depleted Uranium-tipped shells. Regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Party believes in boycotting Israel until it complies with the 80 UN resolutions it is defying, whilst urging Palestinians "not to perpetuate the cycle of violence".Organisation
The Green Party meets to vote on issues of organisation and policy at bi-annual Party Conferences (the Spring Conference and Autumn Conference). It is bound by a Constitution, which can only be amended by a two-thirds majority vote at one of these Conferences; policy motions need only a simple majority (more than 50%). Leadership Issue and Principal Speakers
Executive
The national Green Party Executive (GPEx) is comprised of the following positions:
Green Party of England and Wales Executive (GPEx)
Chair
Cllr. Richard Mallender
Campaigns Co-ordinator
Sian Berry
Elections Co-ordinator
Peter Cranie
External Communications Officer
Jim Killock
Finance Co-ordinator
Khalid Hussenbux
International Co-ordinator
Volker Heinemann
Local Party Support Co-ordinator
Cllr. Matthew Sellwood
Management Co-ordinator
Tony Cooper
Policy Development Co-ordinator
Brian Heatley
Political Advisor
Penny Kemp
Publications Officer
Susan Murray
Regional Council
The Green Party Regional Council (GPRC) is a body that coordinates discussions between Regional Green Parties. It supports the Executive (GPEx) and is responsible for interim policy statements between Conferences and enforcing constitutional procedures[Green Party Constitution (only available to party members from the Members' Website or the Policy Coordinator]. Conferences
The Green Party of England and Wales holds a Spring and Autumn Conference every year. Conferences are governed by the Constitution and Standing Orders, and feature votes on policy and organisational matters. The Autumn Conference is the party's "supreme forum", with elections to GPEx, committees and other bodies; the Confernece held in the Spring, although having the same powers as the Autumn Conference on policy and organisational votes, only holds elections for vacant posts and can have its priorities decided by the preceding Autumn Conference. A Standing Order Committee (SOC) is responsible for interpretating the Constitution and making sure that Conferences are run properly.
Policy making within the GPEW is a long process that involves consultation with various bodies and individuals. The party has released leaflets and books on how to properly amend policy. The Constitution
The Constitution of the Green Party of England and Wales governs all of the party's activities, from the selection of election candidates by local parties, to nominations for the House of Lords, to the conduct of GPEx and so on. The Constitution stresses "openness, accountability and confidentiality" in its decision-making guidelines. It can be amended only by a two-thirds majority vote at a Conference. Status of the Wales Green Party
Young Greens
Membership and Finances
According to 2004 accounts filed with the Electoral Commission it had a membership of 6,281 at year-end, and had an income and expenditure of about half a million pounds (of which £86,794 was on staff)[Green Party Report to the Electoral Comission 2004 (PDF File)].Groups within the Party
Several groups are active within the party. These include groups designed to address certain areas of policy or representation, including a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGTB) Group[Green Party LGBT Group Website], a Trade Union Group, a Drugs Group (on drugs policy and research) and others. Green Left, a new group within the party, represent anti-capitalists and eco-socialists in the party who want to engage with the broader Left in the UK and attract Left-wing activists to the Green Party[Green Left Website]. Previously, a centrist faction called Green 2000 aimed to achieve a Green Party government by the year 2000, but this group disbanded in the 1990s. Electoral Performance
The Green Party has not succeeded, as of 2005, in returning Members of Parliament, which must be contested under first-past-the-post. In the 2005 General Election Cllr. Keith Taylor received 22% in Brighton Pavilion. It does however have 92 local councillors elected — making a gain of 20 councillors and no losses during the 2006 local elections. The Greens have significant representation in Brighton, Lewisham, Oxford, Lancaster and Norwich. The Green Party form part of the ruling coalition that controls Leeds City Council alongside the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats; Lancaster City Council alongside the Liberal Democrats and Labour; Castle Morpeth Council as part of an all party administration; and Kirklees Council with the Liberal Democrats. The recent introduction of proportional representation for European elections means that it has two elected Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), Dr. Caroline Lucas MEP (South East England)[Dr. Caroline Lucas MEP's Website] and Jean Lambert (London)[Jean Lambert MEP's Website]. They retained their seats in the 2004 European elections, despite a reduction in number of seats available. However they have not yet managed to breakthrough into other European electoral regions or the Welsh Assembly, despite the use of proportional representation election systems for these elections.
Part of the Politics series on
Green politics
Green issues
Worldwide green parties (list): Global Greens · Africa · Americas · Asia-Pacific · Europe
Ideas in the
Global Greens Charter:
ecological wisdom
social justice
participatory democracy
nonviolence
sustainability
respect diversity
·
References
See Also
External Links
Political parties in the United Kingdom
Represented in the British House of Commons>House of Commons (646) :
Labour (356) | Conservatives (197) | Liberal Democrats (63) | DUP (9) | SNP (6) | Sinn Féin (abstentionist) (5) | Plaid Cymru (3) | SDLP (3) | Ind KHHC (1) | Independent (1) | Respect (1) | UUP (1)
Represented in the Scottish Parliament (129):
Labour (50) | SNP (27) | Conservative and Unionists (17) | Liberal Democrats (17) | Scottish Green Party (7) | Scottish Socialist Party (6) | Scottish Senior Citizens Unity Party (1) | Independent (5)
Represented in the National Assembly for Wales>Welsh Assembly (60):
Labour (29) | Plaid Cymru (12) | Conservatives (11) | Liberal Democrats (6) | Forward Wales (1) | Vacant (1)
Represented in the Northern Ireland Assembly (108)
DUP (32) | UUP (25) | Sinn Féin (24) | SDLP (18) | Alliance (6) | UKUP (1) | Independent (2)
Represented in the London Assembly (25):
Conservatives (9) | Labour (7) | Liberal Democrats (5) | Greens (E&W) (2) | One London (2)
Represented in the European Parliament (72 out of 732):
Conservatives (ED, 26) | Labour (PES, 19) | Liberal Democrats (ELDR, 12) | UKIP (ID, 10) | Greens (E&W) (EGP, 2) | SNP (EFA, 2) | DUP (EUD1, 1) | Plaid Cymru (EFA, 1) | Sinn Féin (EUL, 1) | UUP (ED, 1) | Independent (NA, 2)
Minor parties:
British National Party | Socialist Labour | Liberal | English Democrats
1. DUP MEP Jim Allister is a member of the EUD, whilst the DUP itself remains non-affiliated.
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