4 June 2017

The Green Party’s thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims of last night’s terror attack in central London, as well as with others affected. Our thanks go to the emergency services who responded with professionalism and enormous bravery.

Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas said:

“My heart goes out to all those affected and caught up in these horrific and despicable attacks, and my thoughts are with the victims and their families.   Deep thanks to our emergency services who have responded again with enormous bravery, and to the many members of the public displaying courage and compassion in the midst of terrible scenes.”

Green Party co-leader Jonathan Bartley said: 

“I am sickened that terrorists have again attempted to divide us in such a cruel and crude fashion. They will not succeed. As in Manchester, and in the aftermath of the Westminster attacks, people will come together in the coming days and demonstrate that our way of life is precious and will not be surrendered to those determined to spread fear.” 

The Green Party will shortly be suspending national campaigning until this evening. Local campaigning will continue.

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2 June 2017

* Party points to OBR statistics which show negative economic effect of ending free movement

* Lucas wants Britain to retain free movement, and remain a member of the Single Market

The Green Party will today launch a staunch defence of free movement. Speaking in Sheffield the party’s co-leader Caroline Lucas and former leader, Natalie Bennett will defend migrants’ contribution to Britain and pledge their support for continued free movement within Europe.

Caroline Lucas, who was one of few politicians to stand up for free movement in the EU Referendum, will say that migration has ‘enriched’ Britain both culturally and economically. She will slam the other parties for ‘failing to make the case for free movement’ and accuse the Tories of ‘facilitating a race to the bottom on migration’ and ‘sacrificing our economy on the altar of ending free movement’.

She will point to figures from the Office of Budget responsibility which show that cutting migration to 185,000 (well above the Tories’ target) will cost the treasury up to £6bn [1].

A recent study by the London School of Economics has blown apart a number of key myths around migration [2], saying: “Immigrants pay more in taxes than they take out in welfare and use of public services. UK-born individuals, on average, take out more in welfare and benefits than they pay in taxes. So immigrants help to reduce the budget deficit. There is little evidence that immigrants have negative effects on crime, education, health or social housing.”

Caroline Lucas is expected to say:

“The Green Party is proud to celebrate free movement and the huge contribution that migrants have made to Britain. It’s easy to blame immigration for the lack of school places or GPs but it’s also wrong. Free movement has hugely benefited our economy and made our communities richer. The challenge is to ensure we all share those benefits more fairly and equally.

“Free movement enriches and diversifies our communities. A culture that’s rich in diversity is exposed to new ways of thinking, new ideas, new languages and new opportunities. It is outward thinking, rather than self-limiting.

“The economic arguments for free movement are strong too. We’d be a poorer country without the taxes EU nationals pay, and the work they do in our hospitals, care homes and councils. Without free movement, there is a very real risk that the economy will not be able to generate enough tax take to support current levels of investment in the NHS or other public services – levels which have already been cut to the bone.”

Natalie Bennett, who is herself a migrant from Australia, will say:

“Britain’s political culture is awash with migrant-blaming rhetoric. As someone who came to this country from abroad, and is now proud to call it my home, I find it particularly disturbing to see politicians continuing to blame all of this country’s problems on migration. We know that cuts to schools, our hospitals in crisis and the housing shortage are the fault of failed government policies, not migrants. Migrants may be a convenient scapegoat for those in power, but the truth is that people coming to Britain from abroad make a huge contribution to our economy and our society.”

Notes:

1. http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/staggers/2016/11/6bn-year-cost-cutting-immigration 

2. http://cep.lse.ac.uk/pubs/download/ea039.pdf

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2 June 2017

Caroline Lucas will today launch a blistering attack on the Tories over the ‘chaos’ in their migration policy.

Lucas, who will be making a speech in defence of freedom of movement in Sheffield [1], will say that the Tories’ migration policy is in disarray after David Davies last night refused to confirm that their net migration policy would be implemented in the next Parliament.

Speaking on Question Time, Davis said:

“That [reducing migraton to 10s of thousands] wasn’t actually in the manifesto, it was ‘we will bring it down’, we didn’t say, we didn’t put a date … [It’s] the aim, yes, but we can’t promise within five years, that’s the point.”

Lucas, who wants Britain to remain a member of the Single Market and retain freedom of movement, will say:

“Behind the Tories hardline rhetoric on migration is the chaos of a policy that’s unworkable, economic illiterate and utterly short-sighted. It’s not wonder that Ministers are backing away from this foolhardy net migration target.

Lucas will go on to make the positive case from freedom of movement. She is expected to say:

“The economic arguments for free movement are strong too. We’d be a poorer country without the taxes EU nationals pay, and the work they do in our hospitals, care homes and councils. Without free movement, there is a very real risk that the economy will not be able to generate enough tax take to support current levels of investment in the NHS or other public services – levels which have already been cut to the bone.

“If you meet a migrant in the NHS, they’re more likely to be treating you, than ahead of you in the queue.”

ENDS

[1] The event will take place at 10am on Friday 2 June 2017 at Broomhall Centre, Broomspring Lane, Broomhall, Sheffield, S10 2FD

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2 June 2017

Caroline Lucas, the co-leader of the Green Party, has slammed Theresa May for her ‘slow and timid’ response to Donald Trump’s decision to pull out of the Paris Agreement. 

The Prime Minister has not responded in public to the announcement, but her office said she had expressed her ‘disappointment’ to the US President [1]. 

Caroline Lucas, Green Party co-leader, said:

“Theresa May’s slow and timid response to this reckless and irresponsible announcement by Trump is another sign of her weakness. A true global leader would be condemning the President’s actions, and joining with other European countries to formulate an emergency plan to save the Paris Agreement. Once again we’re seeing a weak Prime Minister failing to stand up tall on the world stage in the face of near-criminal behaviour from one of our closest allies.

“Britain could be leading the way on tackling climate change, and building an economy fit for the future. Instead the Tories are dragging us backwards at home, and stepping back from making an impact internationally. On June 8th people have a chance to elect Green MPs – who will ensure that no Prime Minister can avoid taking the bold action on climate change that’s so desperately needed.”

Notes:

1. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40128356

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1 June 2017

The Green Party has condemned Donald Trump’s decision to pull out of the Paris climate agreement [1].

Caroline Lucas, Green Party co-leader, said:

“Trump’s recklessness knows no bounds, as demonstrated by this scientifically and economically illiterate decision – meanwhile Theresa May can barely muster the courage to speak to the British public, let alone the President of the United States. Sadly, it is the most vulnerable in the world who will suffer the effects of a dithering and deluded President who has caved in to his fossil fuel cronies.

“Above all, this is yet another sign that as long as environmental issues are treated as secondary, the planet, and all those who live on it, will lose out. Climate change has been sidelined in this election, and it is a shameful state of affairs that, with our climate targets slipping further out of reach and biodiversity in free-fall, the main political parties remain silent.

“But the global movement for climate justice is unstoppable: from the nanas taking on the fracking industry in this country, to the people putting their lives on the line to stop fossil fuel projects across the world – to say nothing of the jaw-dropping costs in solar and wind energy. On the 8th June, the Green Party represents a vote for that movement; for a cleaner, healthier future; and for a Britain that leads the way by investing in the renewable energy that we have in abundance.”

Notes:

1. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/live/2017/jun/01/donald-trump-paris-climate-agreement-live-news?CMP=twt_gu

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