Greens respond to Labour manifesto
16 May 2017
*Manifesto is a ‘step in the right direction’ but ‘fails to address some of the biggest issues of the day’
*Co-leader Jonathan Bartley: ‘Labour is trying to be all things to all people and failing’
The Green Party has responded to the Labour Party’s manifesto, which was launched in Bradford this morning [1], calling on the party to go further and commit to a full vision for a fair and sustainable future.
Jonathan Bartley, Green Party co-leader, said:
“This has been called the boldest Labour manifesto in a generation, and that’s no surprise since much of it appears to be based on the Green Party’s 2015 manifesto. Where the Greens have led, Labour has followed – but they still have a long way to travel on the road to a truly sustainable future and a fair, open society. It’s said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but they have to be consistent.
“Labour is trying to be all things to all people and failing. You can’t pour money into Hinkley and create a renewable energy revolution. You can’t solve the air pollution crisis while expanding airports and roads. You can’t be a peacebuilder while renewing Trident. You can’t transition to a new economic model while hanging onto 20th century ideas where growth is the only answer. It’s time Labour embraced our full vision for the future instead of cherry picking a few good Green policies, then contradicting them.
“To see the Labour Party give up on freedom of movement and fail to offer a ratification referendum on a final deal with the EU is disappointing. Only the Green Party is committed to keeping Britain close to our European neighbours, building a truly fair economy and protecting our environment. Labour’s economics have shifted in a positive way – but they still don’t offer a complete package to transform this country for the better.”
Notes: