30 July 2019

In response to comments made by NFU boss Minette Batters about threats to sheep farmers from a No Deal Brexit (1), Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns suggested they should switch from their dominant European markets and seek customers in Japan instead (2). 

Molly Scott Cato, who represents many sheep farmers in her constituency of South West England, said:

“The minister is either misrepresenting or misunderstanding the situation and thereby risking the livelihoods of sheep farmers in Wales and the South West.

“He admits that the 40% tariffs that will follow a No Deal exit from the EU will decimate lamb exports to the EU but suggests that a new market has just opened up in Japan.

“This market is only tariff-free because of an EU trade deal between the EU and Japan (JEFTA), a deal that we will no longer be part of outside the EU.

“This indication of a fundamental failure to understand the trade situation facing our farmers – or a deliberate attempt to mislead – indicates the contempt for our farming industry shown by this government.”

Dr Scott Cato, who is a member of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee, added:

“The idea of global Britain is a threat to our climate. Local supply chains are less energy-intensive and attempting to encourage people in the Far East to consume more meat when the climate emergency requires us all to move towards the sort of plant-based diets they currently enjoy is irresponsible.”

Notes

(1)    https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/opinion/columnists/how-no-deal-brexit-will-devastate-farming-in-uk-nfu-president-minette-batters-1-9869309

(2)    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jul/30/stop-playing-russian-roulette-sheep-industry-johnson-told

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23 July 2019

Sian Berry, co-leader of the Green Party, said: “Today the expected happened. We have Boris Johnson as our incoming Prime Minister, the second in a row chosen only by the members of the Conservative Party.

“I know many people today will be deeply worried and incredibly frustrated at the failures of our antiquated, undemocratic political system that have led us to this point.

“They are right to feel all of those things.

“But if we channel that frustration into a renewed focus on our determination to stop Brexit, our work listening and acting on the concerns of citizens across the country who have been damaged and sidelined by austerity, and our demands for action on the climate emergency, we can renew the UK.

“Boris Johnson is at the political extreme, a great distance from what the majority of British people want. That position is going to produce a strong reaction, a greatly strengthened demand for political change.”

Sian continued:

“The Green Party vision is one that delivers a secure, stable life for people in every area and in every walk of life, within the physical limits of this one fragile planet.

“Don’t despair; channel the frustration and join the Green Party today. Don’t let politics be something that is done to you, make politics what you do to make things better.”

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22 July 2019

The Green Party has expressed its support for the University and College Union (UCU) motion to the Trade Union Congress (TUC) annual conference calling on affiliated unions, student unions at colleges and universities and politicians and community groups, to support the call for a 30-minute workday stoppage in solidarity with the global school student strike on 20 September.(1)

Jonathan Bartley, co-leader, said:

“The Green Party has been proud to support the climate strikes (2), and we’re proud to be the first party to formally support UCU’s call for a stoppage of work in solidarity with the general climate strike this September.

“We call on all individuals, workplaces, companies and institutions to support this call, and stand in solidarity with climate strikers everywhere.

“It’s amazing to see the teachers at UCU pick up the torch from their students, and take it straight to the core of the union movement. Workers are at the heart of the solution to the climate emergency.

“When we transition to a zero-carbon economy in the decades ahead, we’ll put the whole country to work. A Green New Deal would unlock billions of pounds of investment in this transition, ensuring a good, green unionised job for everyone who wants one. 

“With workers standing with school strikers and activists, we can win a fairer world and a safer climate.” 

Notes

(1) https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/10181/30-minute-solidarity-climate-stoppage

(2) https://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/2019/06/08/conference-leaders-speech-green-party-backs-global-climate-strike/

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16 July 2019

Jonathan Bartley, co-leader of the Green Party, has signed welcomed the initiative from Hope Not Hate (1) to show solidarity with Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar following tweets from the US President.

He said: “Donald Trump’s behaviour is racist. Let’s be clear about that, as the Tory leadership contenders were not last night.

“I’m proud that the Green Party has been a leader in calling out dog-whistle politics over years in which it has been all too common in our politics.

“But the US President’s tweets went beyond that.

“We have seen a highly disturbed rise of Far Right rhetoric and support in many countries, but in all of them, it represents the views of only a tiny minority.

“It is crucial that such remarks are identified as beyond the pale of acceptable discourse, that they aren’t accepted as in any way part of mainstream politics, and solidarity is shown to individuals targeted by them.

“That is why I’m delighted to sign this letter.”

Notes

(1) https://donate.hopenothate.org.uk/page/s/solidarity-with-the-congresswomen-of-colour

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10 July 2019

The Green Party has this morning responded to the announcement by independent MP Heidi Allen of the launch of Unite for Remain group (1). 

Jonathan Bartley, co-leader of the Green Party, said:

“The Green Party is following with interest today’s announcement from Heidi Allen about the new grouping Unite for Remain.

“As the Green Party is a democratic party, with direction provided by its members, we are today launching a survey of members to seek their views on the proposals in circulation about how the number of Remain MPs can be maximised in the next election, with the aim of stopping Brexit and transforming the UK to tackle our environmental and social crises.

“Members have already mandated us to work towards ensuring the maximum number of MPs are elected backing real democracy, with a fair voting system, as agreed in the cross-party Good Systems Agreement brokered by Make Votes Matter last week (2).

“In Brecon and Radnorshire the local party decided several weeks ago, independently and not as part of any pact, not to stand in the by-election to maximise the chance of a Remain-supporting MP in this finely balanced parliament.

“The Green Party has a long track record of leading on grown-up, non-partisan politics, while also working to maximise support on the key issues of environmental and economic justice that our policies provide, and electing representatives who stand squarely behind them.”

Notes

(1) https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/heidi-allen-announced-unite-to-remain-1-6152145

(2) https://www.makevotesmatter.org.uk/good-systems-agreement

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