Greens call for nature protection in wake of river report

9 May 2024

Reacting to a new report from the Office for Environmental Protection which says: “government will not meet its ambition that most water bodies will be on the road to good condition or else already in that state by 2027,” Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer said:  

“The Green Party wants to see much greater protection of nature in law, and that includes our rivers. 

“We would set up an Independent Commission for Nature that would set targets for nature protection and restoration, enforced through the courts.  

“This would be groundbreaking and make future governments act to protect our waterways from agricultural and industrial pollution. 

“It would allow for the first time the possibility of individuals, communities and conservation groups taking legal action on behalf of nature. Currently, every time our rivers, seas or land is polluted, prosecution is left to hopelessly underfunded quangos.  

“We also need water companies in public ownership and an end to leaking sewage.   

“We need to give space for all of nature to thrive, and that includes protecting our rivers.” 

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Greens call for action on rooftop solar as new temperature records broken

8 May 2024

The Green Party has called for mandatory solar PV panels to be fitted on all appropriate new buildings and for all new homes to be built to Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standards. 

The call comes as analysis (1) finds that the world’s oceans have broken temperature records every single day over the past year and that the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (2) reports April was the hottest month on record globally. Greens accuse both the government and Labour of refusing to take the actions necessary to rapidly bring down the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions and avert climate breakdown. 

Co-leader Carla Denyer said: 

“The evidence of climate breakdown is mounting. Yet the Tory government pours fuel on the fire by dishing out licenses for new oil and gas exploration. Just last week (3) the High Court ruled that the government is failing to do enough to meet its targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions and will be required to redraft the plan again. 

“The Green Party would love to help with this redraft. We can offer two simple, sensible and practical measures – just as starters. Fitting solar panels to all appropriate new buildings should be mandatory and building regulations should be changed so that every new home is built to Net Zero standards. These two measures are examples of how tackling our greenhouse gas emissions can also bring down fuel bills. 

“The world has achieved a new landmark with a record-breaking 30% of the world’s electricity last year being generated from renewables. But the UK is lagging behind in this renewable energy revolution – and all the jobs and improved wellbeing for people that comes with this. By cutting their £28bn pledge for green investment, Labour is also failing to grasp the seriousness of the climate crisis or the potential benefits of taking climate action. Labour just don’t get the fact that the cost of inaction on climate change far outweighs the cost of action.   

“Thankfully, after our hugely successful local election results which has resulted in a total of 809 councillors on 174 Councils, we can look forward to Greens having more influence in scaling up renewable energy and ensuring everyone has a secure, warm and affordable home.” 

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Greens on track to win parliamentary seats following record local election results 

4 May 2024

  • Green Party wins every council seat available inside their target parliamentary constituency of Bristol Central 

  • With 34 councillors Greens are now by far the largest party on Bristol City Council, and the largest group of Green Party councillors anywhere in the UK ever  

  • Greens have become the largest party on Hastings and Stroud councils  

  • New record of 809 Green Councillors on 174 Councils 

 The Green Party is celebrating an historic electoral victory after it emerged as the largest party on Bristol City Council and won every available seat in their target parliamentary constituency of Bristol Central.  

Across the city, the Green Party won 34 seats, becoming by far the largest party in the city and the largest group of Green councillors ever elected to a council in the UK.  

Co-leader, Carla Denyer, who is standing as parliamentary candidate in Bristol Central, said: 

“Bristol Central has turned totally Green. We’ve won all 14 council seats in the new parliamentary constituency, paving the way for the city to get its first ever Green MP at the forthcoming general election. As MP candidate for Bristol Central, I look forward to giving Bristolians another opportunity to make history. After these resounding local election results, the people of Bristol know that we don’t have to accept politics as usual – something better is possible if we vote for it.” 

Greens also became the largest group on Stroud and Hastings Councils with 22 and 12 councillors respectively. And the Party won a by-election in Bunwell ward in South Norfolk, forcing the Conservatives to lose their majority on South Norfolk Council. The ward is in the new Waveney Valley constituency where co-leader Adrian Ramsay hopes to become the next MP. He said: 

“Over the last five local elections in England we have seen an almost five-fold increase in the number of Green councillors. The victories and the places where we have won means we are on course to see a similar increase in the number of MPs at the next general election.  

“But this isn’t just about what it means for the General Election, it’s also what it means for those people who live in areas where Greens have power. 

“We’re now the largest party on key English councils including Hastings, Stroud, East Hertfordshire, Babergh, East Suffolk, Mid Suffolk, Lewes, Folkestone and Hythe, the Forest of Dean, as well as Bristol of course.”    
   
“Voters are increasingly turning to the Greens because we offer a real alternative, with sensible and practical policies to tackle local and national issues such as the cost of living, the housing crisis, underfunded and run-down public services and the terrible state of our rivers.”   

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Greens win every council seat in target Bristol Central constituency and cement role as largest party on Council amid “record breaking” election campaign 

In a historic electoral victory, amid a record-breaking local election campaign, the Green Party has this evening not only emerged as the largest party on Bristol City Council, but has also won every available seat in their target parliamentary constituency of Bristol Central.  

Across the city, the Green Party has won 34 seats in the city’s local elections, strengthening their position as the largest party in the city and supporting the polls’ suggestion that Bristol could elect its first ever Green MP. Today’s gains also see them become the largest group of Green councillors to ever be elected at a local election in the UK. 

Carla Denyer, the Green Party Co-Leader and parliamentary candidate for Bristol Central, commented on the success in the city: 
 
“At this election the people of Bristol have turned to the Green Party to deliver the change that this city needs.  

“The people of this city know that we don’t have to accept politics as usual – something better is possible if we vote for it.”

The Green Party dominance at the city’s local elections is another sign that the Greens are on track to win their top General Election target of Bristol Central where party co-leader, Carla Denyer, is the candidate. Greens won all 14 council seats in the new Bristol Central constituency. 

Denyer continued:   

“As MP candidate for Bristol Central at the coming General Election, I’m looking forward to giving Bristolians another opportunity to demonstrate their values by voting for real change and hope at the national level.” 

The victories come alongside what pollster Sir John Curtice described as “spectacular gains” in seats across the UK from Newcastle to Exeter. The Party is now setting its sights on securing 4 Members of Parliament including in the new seat of Bristol Central where Greens now hold 14 of the 14 councillors. 

Co-leader Adrian Ramsay welcomed the record results across England, including earlier becoming the largest party on Hastings Borough Council. He said:  

“We went into these elections with a record number of Green councillors.  

“We’re emerging with a new, even higher record.  
 
“I know Carla will be a great MP for Bristol if elected at the next election.

“But this isn’t just about what it means for the General Election, it’s also what it means for those people who live in areas where Greens have power.

“We’re now the largest party on key English councils including not just Bristol but also Hastings, East Hertfordshire, Babergh, East Suffolk, Mid Suffolk, Lewes, Folkestone and Hythe and the Forest of Dean.”   
 
He continued: 

“These record results represent a seismic shift in English politics.  

“Voters are increasingly turning to the Greens because we offer a real alternative, with sensible and practical policies to tackle local and national issues such as the cost of living, the housing crisis, underfunded and run-down public services and the terrible state of our rivers.”   

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Greens move from fourth to first place in Hastings  

3 May 2024

The Green Party has gone from the fourth largest party on Hastings Borough Council to the largest party. Greens won 9 of 16 seats up for election (56%), up from just 1 seat the last time these were contested (2021). This leaves Greens with 12 councillors (+8), Labour 8 (-2), Indy 7 (=) and Conservative 5 (-6).  

Responding, Green Party Co-Leader Carla Denyer said, 

“This is an absolutely spectacular result for Hastings going from the 4th largest party on the council to the largest.  

“We’ve gone from 4 to 12 seats and it stands as a tribute to the fact that when people elect Greens, and see how hard we work for them, they want to elect more.  

“Green Councillors are already in power in Hastings and will now be able to deliver more with a stronger and bigger Green group. As with dozens of other councils where Greens are in administration they can deliver real change for their residents.”  

At the time of writing (18:30) Greens have gained 38 councillors and are on track for a record number of councillors by the end of the weekend of around 800 on over 170 councils. Greens have also made breakthroughs onto new councils including: Newcastle, Sefton in Merseyside, Redditch in Worcestershire, Bolton and in South Norfolk where the Green gain toppled the Council control from Conservative to No Overall Control. 

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