10 November 2020

The Green Party has warned Labour’s plans for a green economic recovery [1] are a step in the right direction but do not go far enough.

Responding to the publication of the policy, Green Party co-leader Jonathan Bartley, said:

“While it’s welcome to see Labour taking this step in the right direction we need to face the reality of the task before us, and this kind of ambition simply does not go far enough.

“At the last election the Green Party pledged to spend £100 billion a year for the next ten years to create millions of green jobs. This is the kind of ambition that is needed if we are serious about tackling the climate and social emergencies on our doorstep. [2]

“We no longer have time for the half measures or the gradual realisation we are seeing from the two main parties. 

“In a climate emergency we can’t be offering a half-hearted green recovery on one hand while bailing out airlines on the other. It’s time to match the scale of investment with the urgency of the climate emergency we’re facing.”

ENDS

Notes

1

https://labour.org.uk/press/labour-challenges-government-to-build-it-in-britain-and-support-400000-new-jobs-with-green-economic-recovery/

2

https://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/2019/11/06/green-party-climate-election-launch-campaign-bristol/

Tweet

Back to main news page

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

7 November 2020

Responding to the victory of Joe Biden in the US Presidential elections, Green Party co-leader Jonathan Bartley, said:

“Joe Biden and Kamala Harris should be congratulated for their historic result in the electoral college, securing more votes than any presidential candidate in US history. We’re delighted that their success also means the first female Vice President of the US. 

“The intensity with which the vote count has been followed this week is a reminder of how much the world depends on stable American governance and a reliable leader. 

“We welcome Joe Biden’s commitment to immediately sign the Paris Climate Agreement. The world is counting on him to urgently pivot the USA to a trajectory of net-zero carbon emissions and ecological sustainability.”

Tweet

Back to main news page

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

6 November 2020

With the end of the transition period less than two months away, the Green Party has condemned the government for failing to plan for the border checks that leaving the EU makes inevitable, and treating the businesses who really need to ‘get Brexit done’ with contempt.

Green Party deputy leader Amelia Womack said: “This is not about deal or no deal: whatever emerges from the Brexit negotiations will mean massive changes at our borders. This has been clear since Theresa May decided to leave the single market and customs union nearly three years ago and yet the necessary preparations have not been made.1 The government has been derelict in its duty to prepare our borders and its own worst-case scenario shows that up to 70% of lorries carrying goods may not be Brexit ready.

“The NAO is right to point out that leaving these preparations so late means public money is being wasted on infrastructure that could and should, have been provided by the private sector if the government had planned ahead. This is nothing to do with the extended Brexit negotiations and everything to do with government incompetence.”

Molly Scott Cato, former MEP and party Brexit spokesperson added: “It was astonishing that the Prime Minister failed to mention Brexit preparations during his recorded speech to the CBI earlier in the week. Our businesses are capable of great flexibility but only if they are clear about what they need to plan for. Leaving them in the dark adds to the risks created by Covid-19 and leaves British businesses extremely vulnerable.

“We maintain our position that continued membership of the single market and customs union is in the best interests of British business. This would mean that none of these checks would be necessary and would ensure a continued smooth flow of goods in and out of the UK.”

ENDS 

Tweet

Back to main news page

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

4 November 2020

Green Party co-leader Jonathan Bartley, said:

“With millions of votes still to be counted, we utterly reject Donald Trump’s attempt to delegitimise the election process and deny millions of electors the right to have their votes counted. He has undermined the international standing of US democracy and abandoned any claim to be the “Leader of the Free World”.

“We call on our government to publicly condemn Trump’s authoritarian actions and make a clear statement of our continuing support for free and fair elections and the rule of law. 

“Democracy requires patience and cooperation. Every vote must be counted.”

Tweet

Back to main news page

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

2 November 2020

Twelve months on from the launch of the government’s net zero review (2 November 2019) Green Party deputy leader Amelia Womack said:

“It’s been a year since the launch of the Treasury’s review into going net zero, and we still haven’t seen a word of the promised report.

“As the UK prepares to bring together world leaders next year to drive forward climate action, we must show that we are ready to lead the way. Our government should publish a credible plan to go net zero as soon as possible.

“The Green Party 2019 manifesto is still the most ambitious and comprehensive climate plan published anywhere in the world, taking us to net zero by 2030 while creating a fairer and more equal country. 

“We need to see a transformational spending commitment of around £100bn a year to transition every sector of the economy, powering the UK with nearly 100% renewable energy by the end of the decade, along with offering insulation improvements to every single home. 

“This Government is nowhere near the right level of ambition. They’re forcing through a £29bn road building programme, they’ve rolled out a measly discount scheme for home insulation but with no one trained to do the work, and they’ve promised a net zero plan which simply doesn’t seem to exist.

“A year on from the net zero review and with a year to go until COP26, we must now see real climate action from this government, not just warm words.”

Tweet

Back to main news page

Let’s block ads! (Why?)