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1MHOC GREEN PARTY
2FOR THE COMMON GOOd
3MANIFESTO AUG 2018
4FOREWORD
5Once again, Britain faces a
6works for both people and
7choice for our future. We can
8planet, as our current system is
9continue to suf er Tory
10failing both.
11governments, watch as the fruits
12of our labour are literal y stolen
13The choice Britain must make is
14from us by the wealthy, endure
15clear - the future is Green, or
16the rampant destruction of our
17else there wil be no future at al .
18environment by those who are
19The Green Party wil fight for
20immune to consequences. Or we those who have no voice, those
21can say that enough is enough, who have been kicked to one
22and we can reclaim our planet,
23side by society through no fault
24the home which we al share.
25of their own. And we wil make
26sure we fight for you.
27The Green Party is the only
28party that wil recognise that we Vote Green.
29need radical changes to the way For the Common Good.
30in which we operate as a society
31to tackle the climate crisis that
32we find ourselves in. We cannot
33af ord to just sit down and tweak
34numbers, when climate change
35is a threat that has claimed
36countless lives, and when it has
37further displaced mil ions of
38lives. We need a system that
39DF44
40ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE
41Climate change is leaving the
42radical approach to how we
43planet in a perilous state. The
44distribute our limited resources.
45change has been lethal, and that And when we have renewable
46doesn't account for the
47alternatives already available,
48communities completely
49such as we do in producing
50displaced by the human-made
51electricity it would be foolhardy
52change in our climate. Now more to do anything less than make than ever, we need to take a
53use of those sources.
54Changes to VAT have caused the price of renewable energy
55sources, such as solar panels, to skyrocker. The Green
56Party wil reverse the decision to charge VAT on Solar
57Panels, and thus promote a very clean source of energy.
58In order to create a low carbon economy, we wil need a
59skil ed workforce. The Green Party wil establish training,
60upskil ing, and skil s transfer programs aimed at creating
61this work force for renewable energy generation.
62In order to tackle growing carbon dioxide levels, forests
63provide a natural and cheap source of carbon capture. The
64Green Party wil promote reforestation to counteract the
65downward trend of international forest coverage.
66LAND AND NATURE
67Our land, from it's beautiful
68generations. Land should always
69moors to it's breathtaking
70be seen as such, and should not
71mountains, is the true source of be seen as a mere investment.
72al real wealth. Land should be
73held by humanity, shared
74When we protect the land and
75amongst both ourselves and
76nature, we play our part in
77other species, and protected for protecting our common heritage, the usage of our future
78that which we al share.
79Environmental damage done centuries ago continues to
80have it's impacts felt even today. The Green Party wil
81ensure that clean up operations after acts of ecocide have
82their needed funding ring fenced against any cuts.
83Al forms of pol ution, from light to noise to air, have
84devastating impacts on wildlife that are regularly ignored in the name of profit. The Green Party wil halt and reverse the
85spread of pol ution in order to protect our flora and fauna.
86Our land is shared, and as such the choices as to how it is
87used should also be shared, rather than centralised. The
88Green Party wil give power over land use decisions to local
89communities, who bet er understand their local needs.
90ANIMALS, FOOD, AND AGRICULTURE
91As the clock ticks after the
92It is paramount that we support
93activation of Article 50, there is
94ecological y sustainable and
95lit le reassurance to rural
96animal friendly co-operative
97communities as to the future of
98farming, and guarentee that the
99their farms, nor is there
100livelihood of rural communities
101reassurance to the country that wil not suddenly disappear, and we wil have food security after
102that they wil not be ignored.
103we leave the EU.
104The Common Agricultural Policy wil be re-introduced after
105we leave the EU, prioritising farmers who farm sustainably,
106and enhance biodiversity on their farmed land with a variety
107of farming styles, methods, and scales.
108Farming as we know it wil col apse if the bee were to go
109extinct. The Green Party wil actively work against the
110decline of bees, including by banning neonicotinoids, and by
111improving planning guidelines to create new bee habitats.
112Animal rights are frequently and cal ously ignored in the
113name of human entertainment. The Green Party wil ban
114animal sports for human entertainment, as wel as
115reintroduce the Wild Animals in Circuses Bil .
116FOREIGN AND DEFENCE
117Climate Change is a global
118meaningful solutions develop.
119crisis, and needs a global
120response. Only by being wil ing Self-determination is essential in to stand up for our international ensuring that al people are agreements tackling climate
121equal, and we wil always
122change, even when world
123support that right, and we wil
124leaders question the reality of
125also always support the rights of
126the situation, wil we ever see
127indigenous peoples.
128Nuclear weapons represent the power of humanity to
129destroy al life on earth. The Green Party wil seek global
130disarmament of nuclear weapons through global treaties, as
131wel as unilateral disarmament.
132Global inequality is being reinforced by the debts piled onto the poorest countries. The Green Party wil seek to write of
133international debt for the poorest countries, in order to
134promote global equality and improve living standards.
135The Green Party is founded on the pil ar of nonviolence, but
136we have a great respect for our armed forces veterans. The
137Green Party wil ensure that our veterans have access to
138high quality care and funding upon their return.
139BREXIT
140When Britain voted to leave the destroy the environment.
141EU and Single Market, we voted
142against corporations, and we
143The Green Party wil ensure that
144voted for decisions to be made
145as we leave the EU, we do not
146closer to home.
147al ow businesses to take
148advantage of us and the planet,
149We did not vote to become a tax and that we use the opportunity haven, to take away our rights, to to strike a new, greener path.
150Fish stocks tend to ignore the borders that humanity draws,
151and as such, the Green Party wil seek a deal with the EU to
152ensure that British fishers wil be able to continue to fish
153sustainably after we leave the Common Fisheries Policy.
154Leaving the EU al ows us to establish trade deals with
155developing nations, directly tackling global inequality. The
156Green Party wil work to secure these agreements, ensuring
157they are sustainable and protect worker's rights.
158We recognise that leaving the EU al ows us to support more
159sustainable business models. The Green Party wil prioritise
160worker co-operatives for government contracts, protecting
161workers from the bumpy road as we adapt to leaving the EU.
162TRANSPORT
163A modern public transport
164Good public transport gives
165infrastructure is more than just
166opportunities across society,
167fancy covers on bus seats. It is
168minimises the carbon footprint
169about ensuring that communities we make, and al ows us to
170are linked, that we listen to those explore the beauty of Britain who use public transport, and
171freely.
172that it is run for the benefit of the
173public.
174Constructing new roads has only ever been ef icient at
175increasing the number of cars on the road. The Green Party
176wil block al construction of new roads, except in places
177where provision of public transport is impossible.
178Public transport usage reduces pol ution levels, and should
179be something that it is a right to use by al members of the
180public. The Green Party wil implement universal y free local
181public transport.
182Air travel is a major cause of environmental damage, and
183should be minimised where possible. The Green Party wil
184oppose the further expansion of airport runways, and wil
185bring the number of domestic flights down to zero by 2030.
186HOUSING
187A home must be seen as more
188local housing, whether that is
189than an investment for the
190done by building further public
191wealthy to make. It must be seen housing, or the support of co-as a place for someone to live as operatives. Only by removing the part of a community.
192claws of privatisation that have
193dug into housing can we ensure
194In order to ensure this, it is vital sustainable and suf icient that communities are involved in housing.
195Houses which are not energy ef icient contribute not just to
196climate change, but they also bring families out of fuel
197poverty. The Green Party wil re-instate the Green Buildings
198fund to renovate buildings to EPC Band B Ef iciency.
199It causes substantial y less environmental damage to repair
200an old building, when compared to building from new. The
201Green Party wil reduce the VAT rate on renovation, repair
202and insulation to 5% to encourage this behavior.
203Renters deserve to know that they wil not be removed from
204their homes without warning. The Green Party recognises
205the terrifying nature of 'No Fault' Section 21 Evictions that landlords can use, and wil abolish these powers.
206HEALTH
207The link between our health and and al ow us to al reach our
208our environment is laid clear as potential. Because of this, we air pol ution levels are lethal y
209know that there is no magic pil
210high across cities. When our
211to improve healthcare overnight,
212lifestyles are exacerbating
213but we know that something so
214physical and mental health
215important must remain in public
216issues, we clearly need to make hands, and that our NHS is
217changes, to protect our health
218always worth fighting for.
219NHS Doctors are made less ef icient when they are forced
220to work towards arbitrary targets. The Green Party wil end
221the system of incentives and targets for GPs, al owing our
222doctors to focus on each patient's individual needs.
223Healthcare is a basic right, not a way for businesses to
224extract money from the working class. The Green Party is
225commit ed to a free at the point of use NHS, and wil ban
226private corporations from making a profit using the NHS.
227Obesity is a crisis caused by food companies, who directly
228profit from sel ing us cheap sugar laden food. The Green
229Party wil introduce a food levy, ensuring that healthier, more nutritious diets are encouraged by virtue of being cheaper.
230EDUCATION
231Education should be more than someone genuinely enjoys,
232just the reading of a book, more whether that be in traditional than regurgitating answers
233academia or a vocational area.
234during an exam, more than a
235conveyor belt to a workplace.
236Education should be at the heart
237Education should be how equip of the community, promoting
238a generation to participate within equality, inclusivity, and good society ful y, a discovery of what health.
239We should al be able to have a say in how education is
240provided, which means there is a need for democratic
241oversight. The Green Party wil bring al schools, including
242Academies, back under local authority control.
243An excessive focus on examinations harms both teacher
244and student. The Green Party wil continue to back a move
245away from examinations and towards an increased focus on
246coursework to assess understanding.
247When students are not able to focus on lessons due to
248being hungry, they cannot learn to their ful potential. The
249Green Party wil continue to provide free school meals for
250children aged 5 through to 1 8.
251ECONOMY
252Endless economic growth
253to drain our planet, whilst those
254remains infeasible on a planet
255who avoid consequences.
256which has finite resources. As
257such, the choice to support
258When we bring our economies
259economic models which are
260back into the hands of local
261primarily fueled by growth, such people, we wil see a world that as capitalism, is the choice to
262is sustainable, and one which is
263never solve our ecological crisis, fair.
264The Green Party recognises that GDP, in ignoring human
265needs, environmental destruction, and life satisfaction, is a poor measure of progress,and would seek to judge success
266by other means such as an Adjusted National Product.
267The transport of goods across the world comes with a steep
268environmental cost. The Green Party wil support smal er,
269local businesses in order to reduce this environmental
270impact.
271Co-operative business models bring choices back to local
272people, bringing communities together and preventing
273environmental damage. The Green Party wil provide
274support to those businesses who wish to cooperatize.
275WELFARE AND TAXATION
276Al people deserve a basic
277The Green Party recognises the
278quality of life, regardless of their value of taxation in specifical y personal circumstances. This
279target ing environmental y
280right should not be something
281destructive behaviours, and we
282that charities pick up the bil for, wil partner that with a
283but the responsibility a
284progressive series of tax bands
285government has to those that it to provide a bet er society for al .
286represents.
287The idea that everyone must work, as many jobs are now
288becoming automated, is untenable. The Green Party wil
289secure the presence of a Basic Income that can be lived
290upon, that is given to an individual as a right of citizenship.
291The Green Party wil phase out the current VAT system and
292replace it with a system of eco-taxes. These wil target
293specific production methods, pol utants, and resources used
294to discourage ecological y unsustainable consumption.
295We wil introduce a Frequent Flyers Levy to replace the
296abolished Air Passenger Duty, al owing one tax-free return
297flight per year and rising for subsequent journeys, as an
298alternative to discourage unsustainable reliance on aviation.
299WORKING RIGHTS AND EMPLOYMENT
300Ensuring that our work is given
301paid fairly.
302the pay that it truly deserves is
303foundational to Green policy.
304The Green Party recognises that
305When the richest in society try to work is but one part of our life, deny you the fruits of your
306and wil always work to make
307labour, it is essential that you
308sure that it does not overwhelm
309have the tools available to
310us, that it does not dominate our
311defend your rights, that you are mental and physical wel -being.
312The right to strike is essential in making sure that our work places are equal and fair, and has a long history of
313improving working conditions. The Green Party wil reinstate
314the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act.
315Zero Hour Contracts leave people unable to save for the
316future, unable to make sound financial plans, with a
317damning ef ect on mental health. The Green Party wil
318continue to oppose zero hour contracts.
319Nobody wil ever reach the end of their life, and have their
320last regrets be not spending enough time in the of ice. The
321Green Party wil introduce 35 hour working weeks, for
322healthier, more fulful ing, and more sustainable lives.
323CRIME AND JUSTICE
324A legal system that favours
325inef icient at actual y reducing
326punishment rather than reform is the levels of crime, but also one that wil inevitably cause a
327inhumane.
328spiral of people leaving prison,
329and being forced back into
330Reform is infinitely more ef ective
331crime, and thus ending up
332than punishment, and that is the
333returning to prison. This is a
334basis on which the Green Party
335legal system which is not only
336seeks reforms.
337We wil al ow prisoners to meet with family or friends on a
338semi-regular basis, as wel as expanding the prevalence of
339conjugal visits. This wil help to maintain their ties to society, such that they are less likely to reof end upon their release.
340The court system is often the first to suf er in the fact of cuts to staf ing and funding, in spite of the vital roles that they play, and their life-changing impact. The Green Party wil
341ensure that we restore and protect funding for the system.
342We wil continue to expand on our successes with rational
343drug policy, by keeping databases and knowledge about
344drugs up to date, as wel as promoting drug awareness,
345education, and rehabilitation from addiction.
346EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY
347As long as we are wil ing to
348both in the UK and abroad,
349oppress people, we as a society ensuring that the law does not wil find ourselves unable to
350discriminate against us, that
351make any form of progress.
352there is proper representation
353across UK media, and that there
354The Green Party fundamental y is education available to bring stands against bigotry in al
355those views to an end.
356forms, and we wil always fight,
357We recognise that oppressive institutions build upon one
358another, and in tackling one we must tackle them al . The
359Green Party supports the principles of intersectionality, and wil never ignore any type of bigotry, from racism to ableism.
360If inequality is not tackled global y, then it is not tackled at al . The Green Party wil ensure that the International Court
361of Justice and International Criminal Court prosecute
362regimes that commit atrocities against minority groups.
363We wil seek to combat homophobic, biphobic, and
364transphobic violence by strengthening hate crime legislation
365and public education to tackle accepted norms of
366harassment and abuse of trans and non-binary people.
367CULTURE, MEDIA, AND SPORT
368Life exists to be enjoyed, which protect. This means that we wil means establishing a strong
369ensure that our sporting facilities
370cultural and social backdrop
371are maintained wel . This means
372across the UK.
373ensuring that our media does not
374congregate within one part of the
375This means that we wil not treat UK, but provides that essential our heritage as an optional
376resource for cultural knowledge.
377expense, but something to
378We recognise that modern British culture is, as with so
379many aspects of life, dependent upon access to the internet.
380The Green Party wil ensure that there are caps on what
381Internet Service Providers are able to charge.
382Our local museums, theaters, libraries and gal eries are al
383essential parts of local cultures. The Green Party wil
384reverse cuts made to arts funding, and assist local
385authorities in keeping these facilities open.
386The Green Party encourages supporters ownership in
387sports teams, and continues to support the transition of
388footbal clubs to supporter ownership as launched by the
389Green Party in the Footbal Reform Act.
390GOVERNMENT AND DEMOCRACY
391Democracy is more than just a
392As such, we recognise the
393vote that is held every few years. importance of a Government that It is more than referendums and is constantly listening, and is political leaflets. Democracy is a wil ing to be accountable, and process, a constant discussion
394one which is able to foster
395where society sets out what it
396debate across the UK.
397believes the best course of
398action is.
399The House of Lords is fundamental y anti-democratic, with
400lifelong appointments that are impossible for the public to
401remove. The Green Party supports the ful abolition of the
402House of Lords.
403Democracy is a conversation, but it is far too easy to pay to have your voice drown out the conversation. The Green
404Party wil reform corporate lobbying and political funding, to ensure that no voice takes priority.
405In a true democracy, we acknowledge that it is possible for
406people to change their mind, especial y in the light of new
407evidence. The Green Party wil give constituencies the
408power to recal their MP by petition.
409SCOTLAND
410Until Scotland leaves the UK,
411further devolution, and a working
412she wil always be shackled
413relationship with the Holyrood
414when it comes to tackling our
415government. The Scot ish
416climage change obligations. Until Greens wil also ensure that such a time we leave, however, Scotland continues to go beyond the Scot ish Greens wil be a
417it's climate change obligations,
418bold voice for Scotland in
419and that her voice is heard on
420Westminster, and wil seek
421the international stage.
422Scotland's climate is absolutely incredible when it comes to
423producing renewable energy. The Scot ish Greens wil
424ensure that Scotland has the funding to reach 1 00%
425Renewable Energy by 2020.
426Green ef orts in Holyrood are hampered by the scale of
427powers that Westminster has reserved. The Scot ish Greens
428wil provide a Westminster voice advocating for powers to be
429devolved to Scotland, and to local communities.
430Having high quality local news coverage is important, as to
431avoid news being over-saturated with news solely relevant
432to London. The Scot ish Greens wil continue to support
433regional BBC work, including BBC Alba.
434NORTHERN IRELAND
435Leaving the Single Market poses the EU.
436the Good Friday Agreement one
437of the greatest chal enges it has The Good Friday Agreement is faced. The NI Greens are aware just one chal enge that Northern of how important the peace
438Ireland faces, and the NI Greens
439process is to Northern Ireland,
440wil work to find solutions to
441and wil work to ensure that it is them, including preserving the preserved even after we leave
442culture of Northern Ireland.
443Sectarianism, and the self-segregation of communities that
444it encourages, remains a major problem in Northern Ireland.
445The NI Greens wil continue to work to end this
446sectarianism, and bring the communities together.
447When police are over-armed, the end result is one of
448escalation and tension. The NI Greens oppose the over-
449militarisation of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, and wil work to scale this back down.
450The NI Greens wil ensure that there is representation for
451Northern Ireland at the negotiations table, so that local
452issues are properly considered in any deal with the EU,
453including the Good Friday Agreement.
454WALES
455Plaid Werdd knows that Wales
456silencing of Wales' voice in
457has dif erent needs to the rest of Westminster is not new, and the UK which are often ignored. Plaid Werdd wil provide a
458When Westminster produces
459genuine voice for Wales,
460legislation purely for England
461whether that be fighting for
462nobody bats an eye, yet Welsh
463devolution, protecting Welsh
464specific legislation is treated as a culture and language, or even novelty, or a mistake. This
465just not being forgot en.
466Tidal Lagoons of er both a source of renewable energy, and
467a hearty number of jobs for the local economy. Plaid Werdd
468wil fund the creation of a Tidal Lagoon Power Station in
469Swansea Bay.
470Devolving powers al ows for communities to be more
471involved in the decisions that govern their lives. Plaid Werdd supports the devolution of, at a bare minimum, taxes and
472the minimum wage to the Senedd.
473Wales' natural beauty makes her perfect for establishing an
474eco-tourism industry, and Plaid Werdd wil work to both
475continue to preserve this natural beauty, and increase the
476funding made available to eco-tourism.
477"Children treat things as if money
478grew on trees. Adults treat the
479environment as if trees grew from
480money."
481- Mokokoma Mokhonoana