NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Green Party of England and Wales

The Green Party of England and Wales (GPEW) is the principal Green political party in England and Wales. The party is unrepresented in the House of Commons, but has a life peer within the House of Lords and members have been elected to the European Parliament, the London Assembly and in local government. Green politics or Green ideology is the ideology of the Green Parties, mainly informed by environmentalism, ecosophy and sustainable economics and aimed at developing a sustainable society. ... The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. ... In the United Kingdom, Life Peers are appointed members of the Peerage whose titles may not be inherited (those whose titles are inheritable are known as hereditary peers). ... The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom and is also commonly referred to as the Lords. The Sovereign, the House of Commons (which is the lower house of Parliament and referred to as the Commons), and the Lords together comprise the Parliament. ... Established 1952, as the Common Assembly President Hans-Gert PÃ¶ttering (EPP) Since 16 January 2007 Vice-Presidents 14 Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou Alejo Vidal-Quadras GÃ©rard Onesta Edward McMillan-Scott Mario Mauro Miguel Angel MartÃnez MartÃnez Luigi Cocilovo Mechtild Rothe Luisa Morgantini Pierre Moscovici Manuel AntÃ³nio... The London Assembly is an elected body that supervises the Greater London Authority and the Mayor of London. ... Local governments are administrative offices that are smaller than a state or province. ...

It is affiliated with the Global Greens and the European Green Party, and has cordial and friendly relations with the Scottish Green Party and the Green Party of Northern Ireland. The Global Greens (or formally: the Global Green Network) are an organization of cooperating Green parties. ... European Greens (or the European Green Party) is the name of the European Green Party, a political party at European level. ... The Scottish Green Party (PÃ rtaidh Uaine na h-Alba in Scottish Gaelic) is the Green party of Scotland, and a full member of the European Federation of Green Parties. ... The Green Party in Northern Ireland is a minor political party operating in Northern Ireland. ...

History

PEOPLE, 1973–1975

An article on overpopulation expert Paul R. Ehrlich in Playboy Magazine inspired Tony Whittacker, an ex-Conservative Party activist from Coventry, to convene the 'Club of Thirteen' with his wife Lesley and others. Though many in the 'Club' were wary of forming a political party, one of the world's earliest Green parties was formed in Coventry during 1973 as PEOPLE, with the first edition of the Manifesto for a Sustainable Society as its statement of policies, inspired by Blueprint for Survival (published by The Ecologist magazine). The editor of The Ecologist, Edward 'Teddy' Goldsmith, merged his 'Movement for Survival' with PEOPLE. Goldsmith became the leading member of the new party in the 1970s^[1]. Paul Ralph Ehrlich (born May 29, 1932 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a Stanford University professor and a renowned entomologist specializing in Lepidoptera (butterflies). ... Playboy is an adult entertainment magazine, or pornography magazine, founded in 1953 by Hugh Hefner, which has grown into Playboy Enterprises, Inc. ... The Conservative Party (officially the Conservative and Unionist Party) is the second largest political party in the United Kingdom in terms of sitting Members of Parliament (MPs), the largest in terms of public membership, and the oldest political party in the United Kingdom. ... Year 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. ... Manifesto for a Sustainable Society, in its current form, is the standing manifesto of the Green Party of England and Wales. ... The Ecologist is a monthly British magazine that broadly focuses on promoting an ecological agenda in its news stories, opinion and debate. ... Edward (Teddy) Goldsmith (b. ...

Derek Wall, in his history of the Green Party, maintains that the new political movement focused initially on the theme of survival, which shaped the "bleak evolution" of the nascent ecological party during the 1970s. Furthermore, the effect of the "revolution of values" during the 1960s would come later. In Wall's eyes, the Party suffered from a lack of media attention and "opposition from many environmentalists", which contrasted the experience of other emerging Green Parties, like Germany's Die Grünen. Nonetheless, PEOPLE invested much of its resources in engaging with the indifferent environmental movement, which Wall calls a "tactical mistake".^[1]. Dr. Derek Wall is a British politician and current Male Principal Speaker of the Green Party of England and Wales as well as an environmental and social activist, academic and writer whose work concentrates on Eco-socialism and the relationship between Marxism and the environment. ... The Alliance 90/The Greens (BÃ¼ndnis 90/Die GrÃ¼nen), the German Green party, is a political party in Germany whose regional predecessors were founded in the late 1970s as part of the new social movements. ...

Nonetheless, membership rose and the Party contested both 1974 General Elections. In the February 1974 General Election, PEOPLE won 4,576 votes in 7 seats. Following the election, an influx of left-wing activists took PEOPLE in a more left-wing direction, causing something of a split. This affected preparations for the October 1974 General Election, where PEOPLE's average vote fell to just 0.7%. The Whittackers and many of the founding members left the Party after further internal debates, although, before becoming inactive, Lesley Whittacker suggested changing the name to 'The Ecology Party' in order to gain more recognition as the Party of environmental concern^[1]. The UK general election of February 1974 was held on February 28, 1974. ... Harold Wilson Edward Heath The United Kingdom general election of October 1974 took place on 10 October 1974. ...

The Ecology Party, 1975–1985

The Party officially changed its name to the Ecology Party in 1975. However, the Party was in danger of collapse. The 1976 and 1977 Local Elections would, nevertheless, improve the fortunes of the re-named Party, which gained three councillors^[1]. The Green Party was formed in 1973 as the Ecology Party. ... Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

At the 1977 Party Conference in Birmingham, the Party's first constitution was ratified and Jonathon Porritt was elected to the Ecology Party National Executive Committee (NEC). Porritt would become the Party's most significant public figure, working, with David Fleming, "to provide the Party with an attractive image and effective organisation". Sir Jonathon Espie Porritt, 2nd Baronet, CBE (born 6 July 1950) known as Jonathon Porritt, is a British environmentalist and writer. ... David Fleming (born on January 2, 1940) is an independent thinker on environmental issues, based in the United Kingdom. ...

With Porritt gaining increasing prominence and an election manifesto called The Real Alternative, the Ecology Party fielded 53 candidates in the 1979 General Election, entitling them to radio and television election broadcasts. Though many considered this a gamble, the plan, encouraged by Porritt, worked, as the Party received 39,918 votes (an average of 1.5%) and membership multiplied from around 500 to 5,000 or more. This, Derek Wall notes, meant that the Ecology Party "became the fourth Party in UK politics, ahead of the National Front and Socialist Unity"^[1]. Margaret Thatcher James Callaghan David Steel BBC Election 1979 Titles The United Kingdom general election of 1979 was held on May 3, 1979 and is regarded as a pivotal point in 20th century British politics. ...

Following this electoral success, the Party introduced Annual Spring Conferences to accompany Autumn Conferences, and a process of building up a large policy of document began, culminated in today's Manifesto for a Sustainable Society (which encompasses around 124,520 words^[2]). At the same time, according to Wall, "the Post-1968 generation" began to join the Party, advocating non-violent direct action as an important element of the Ecology Party vision outside of electoral politics. This manifested itself in an apparent "decentralist faction" who gained ground within the Party, leading to Party Conference stripping the Executive of powers and rejecting the election of a single leader. The new generation was in evidence in the first 'Summer Green Gathering' in July 1980, the action of Ecology Party CND (later Green CND), and the Greenham Common camp. The Party also became increasingly feminist^[1]. Manifesto for a Sustainable Society, in its current form, is the standing manifesto of the Green Party of England and Wales. ... Greenham Common in 2005. ... Feminism comprises a number of social, cultural and political movements, theories and moral philosophies that are concerned with cultural, political and economic practices and inequalities that discriminate against women. ...

Due to the recession causing the marginalisation of Green issues, Roy Jenkins leaving the Labour Party to form the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and the inability of the Party to absorb the rapid increase in membership, the early 1980s were extremely tough for the Ecology Party. Nonetheless, the Party were well prepared for the 1983 General Election, spurred on by the success of Die Grünen in Germany. In the 1983 election, the Ecology Party stood over 100 candidates and gained 54,299 votes. Roy Harris Jenkins, Baron Jenkins of Hillhead, OM, PC (November 11, 1920 â€“ January 5, 2003) was a British politician and a prominent Labour Member of Parliament in the 1960s and 1970s, and founding member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). ... The Labour Party has been, since its founding in the early 20th century, the principal political party of the left in England, Scotland and Wales. ... The Social Democratic Party (SDP) was a political party of the United Kingdom that existed nationwide between 1981 and 1988. ... The UK general election, 1983 was held on June 9, 1983 and gave the Conservatives and Margaret Thatcher the most decisive election victory since that of Labour in 1945. ... The Alliance 90/The Greens (BÃ¼ndnis 90/Die GrÃ¼nen), the German Green party, is a political party in Germany whose regional predecessors were founded in the late 1970s as part of the new social movements. ...

Green Party (UK), 1985–1990s

The party formally became the Green Party at the Party Conference in Dover during 1985 after John Abineri, formerly an actor in the BBC series Survivors, and Chris Rose, suggested adding the colour 'Green' to the name to fall in line with other environmental parties in Europe^[1]. Year 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar). ... John Abineri was a British actor who lived 18 May 1928 to 29 June 2000. ... Survivors was a British television series devised by Terry Nation and produced by Terence Dudley at the BBC from 1975 to 1977. ...

In 1986, a new internal dispute arose within the Party. A faction calling itself the 'Party Organisation Working Group' (POWG) proposed constitutional amendments designed to create a streamlined, two-tier structure to govern the internal workings of the Party. Decentralists voted these proposals down. Paul Ekins and Jonathan Tyler, prominent Party activists and leading members of POWG, then formed a semi-covert group called 'Maingreen', whose private comments, on becoming public knowledge, suggested to many that they wished to take control of the Party. Tyler and Ekins resigned and left the Party but Derek Wall describes how the "wounds" left by the 'Maingreen Affair' lingered on in the heated internal debates of the late 1980s^[1]. Paul Ekins is a prominent academic in the field of sustainable economics. ... Jonathan Tyler is a Green Party activist and academic. ... Dr. Derek Wall is a British politician and current Male Principal Speaker of the Green Party of England and Wales as well as an environmental and social activist, academic and writer whose work concentrates on Eco-socialism and the relationship between Marxism and the environment. ...

Meanwhile, the Party gained ground electorally. The 1987 General Election saw the 133 Greens standing for office take 89,753 votes (1.3% on average), an improvement on 1983. The next two years would see growing membership and increasing media attention. This coincided with greater concern over the environment following the Chernobyl disaster in 1986 and concern over CFCs. Margaret Thatcher David Steel Election 1987 Titles The United Kingdom general election of 1987 was held on 11 June 1987 and was the third consecutive victory for the Conservative Party under the leadership of Margaret Thatcher. ... Chernobyl reactor number four after the disaster, showing the extensive damage to the main reactor hall (image center) and turbine building (image lower left) The Chernobyl disaster was a major accident that took place at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant on April 26, 1986 at 01:23 a. ... For other uses, see CFC (disambiguation). ...

The Party enjoyed evermore success. The 'Campaign for Real Democracy' launched by the Party allowed it to play a part in the Anti-Poll Tax Campaign. The Party's greatest ever success came at 1989 European Elections, where the Green Party won 2,292,695 votes and received 15% of the overall vote. European Elections in Great Britain were then run on a first-past-the-post basis, whilst the three seats in Northern Ireland were elected by single transferable vote, and the party failed to gain any seats. According to Derek Wall, the Party would have gained 12 seats if they had been running in other European countries who employed Proportional Representation. Wall explains this "breakthrough" as a combination of the declining popularity of Margaret Thatcher, the reaction to the Poll Tax, Conservative opposition to the European Union, ineffective Labour Party and Liberal Democrat campaigns and a well-prepared Green Party campaign. That environmental issues were very prominent in UK politics at the time should also be added to this list. At no time before or since have Green issues been so high on the minds of UK voters as a voting issue.^[3] A poll tax, head tax, or capitation is a tax of a uniform, fixed amount per individual (as opposed to a percentage of income). ... Year 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar). ... Established 1952, as the Common Assembly President Hans-Gert PÃ¶ttering (EPP) Since 16 January 2007 Vice-Presidents 14 Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou Alejo Vidal-Quadras GÃ©rard Onesta Edward McMillan-Scott Mario Mauro Miguel Angel MartÃnez MartÃnez Luigi Cocilovo Mechtild Rothe Luisa Morgantini Pierre Moscovici Manuel AntÃ³nio... The plurality electoral system (or first past the post electoral system), is a voting system for single-member districts. ... This STV ballot for the Australian Senate illustrates group voting tickets. ... Proportional representation (sometimes referred to as full representation, or PR), is a category of electoral formula aiming at a close match between the percentage of votes that groups of candidates (grouped by a certain measure) obtain in elections and the percentage of seats they receive (usually in legislative assemblies). ... Dr. Derek Wall is a British politician and current Male Principal Speaker of the Green Party of England and Wales as well as an environmental and social activist, academic and writer whose work concentrates on Eco-socialism and the relationship between Marxism and the environment. ... Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, LG, OM, PC (born October 13, 1925), former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, in office from 1979 to 1990. ... A poll tax, head tax, or capitation is a tax of a uniform, fixed amount per individual (as opposed to a percentage of income). ... The Conservative Party (officially the Conservative and Unionist Party) is the second largest political party in the United Kingdom in terms of sitting Members of Parliament (MPs), the largest in terms of public membership, and the oldest political party in the United Kingdom. ... The Labour Party has been, since its founding in the early 20th century, the principal political party of the left in England, Scotland and Wales. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...

As a result of this success, Sara Parkin and David Icke rose to prominence in the UK media. Parkin especially was in demand as a Green spokeswoman. However, the new media attention was not always handled well by the party as a whole. In the run up to the 1989 party conference, the party attracted criticism for advocating population cuts^[4], proposals which were subsequently rejected. Further controversies included Derek Wall's intervention as a maverick 'Green fundamentalist'^[5] and rejection of possible alliances to establish PR.^[6]. Sara Parkin is a former Green Party of England and Wales activist. ... David Icke David Vaughan Icke (pronounced IKE //) (born April 29, 1952 in Leicester, England) is a British writer and public speaker who has devoted himself since 1990 to researching who and what is really controlling the world. ...

Mainstream political parties were however alarmed by the Green's electoral performance and adopted some 'Green policies' in an attempt to counter the threat^[1].

Green Party of England and Wales, 1990–1997

In the 1990s, the Scottish and Northern Ireland wings of the Green Party in the United Kingdom decided to separate amicably from the party in England and Wales, to form the Scottish Green Party and the Green Party in Northern Ireland. The Wales Green Party became an autonomous regional party and remained within the new Green Party of England and Wales. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1760x1168, 293 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Green Party of England and Wales Caroline Lucas Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1760x1168, 293 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Green Party of England and Wales Caroline Lucas Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the... Floral Clock, Palmeira Square Hove promenade facing towards Brighton Hove is a town on the south coast of England immediately to the west of its larger neighbour, Brighton. ... The Green Party was formed in 1973 as the Ecology Party. ... The Scottish Green Party (PÃ rtaidh Uaine na h-Alba in Scottish Gaelic) is the Green party of Scotland, and a full member of the European Federation of Green Parties. ... The Green Party in Northern Ireland is a political party operating in Northern Ireland. ... The Wales Green Party (WGP) is a semi-autonomous political party, within the Green Party of England and Wales (GPEW), that covers the nation of Wales. ...

In 1991 Green Party spokesman and TV sports presenter David Icke created considerable embarrassment for the Party when he revealed his extreme spiritual beliefs, announcing that he believed himself to be "a son of God", that Britain was about to suffer apopolyptic earthquakes and tidal waves and that Armageddon was approaching. ^[7]. Many believe that he suffered from some form of mental illness that led to his espousal of such theories. He would subsequently be forced to leave the Party^[1]. David Icke David Vaughan Icke (pronounced IKE //) (born April 29, 1952 in Leicester, England) is a British writer and public speaker who has devoted himself since 1990 to researching who and what is really controlling the world. ... The evangelist John of Patmos writes the Book of Revelation. ...

Internal divisions over the direction of the party in the early 1990s also meant that the Green Party fell out of the limelight and failed to maintain its electoral momentum. In 1991, attempts to streamline the Party Constitution were proposed by a group called 'Green 2000', who wanted to 'modernise' the Party and make it into an organised electoral force that could become the ruling party in the UK by the year 2000. After the Green 2000 Constitution was adopted, a new Executive came into force to oversee the day-to-day business of the Party. Many Green 2000 members were elected to the new Executive in 1991 but, by 1992, only two remained, with the others resigning or being recalled and forced to quit. These internal constitutional wranglings, and negative public statements released by supporters of both Green 2000 and decentralists who ran the recall campaigns, seriously hampered preparations for the 1992 General Election, in which 253 Green candidates received 1.3% of the vote^[1]. Parkin and Porritt left active involvement with the party, depriving it of two of its most charismatic and ambitious figures. Green 2000 was a movement to streamline the constitutional arrangements of the Green Party of England and Wales in the early 1990s, with the stated aim of getting a green government by the year 2005. ... The United Kingdom general election of 1992 was held on 9 April 1992. ...

After 1992, the Greens have been relatively free of any factionalism^[1]. Nonetheless, the early and mid 1990s were difficult for the Greens, because of Britain's first-past-the-post electoral system, the recession of 1992-3 and the squeeze caused by the rising popularity of New Labour. Nevertheless, the party gained a handful of local councillors in Stroud and Oxford The plurality electoral system (or first past the post electoral system), is a voting system for single-member districts. ... New Labour is an alternative name of the British political Labour Party. ... Stroud may refer to: Stroud, Gloucestershire in England Stroud (district) Stroud, Oklahoma Stroud, Ontario Stroud Township, Pennsylvania This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ...

1997–present

The election of a Labour government in 1997 paradoxically created new opportunities and focus for the Green Party. New democratic institions were created that offered electoral possibilities for the Greens, such as the London Assembly and Welsh Assembly (and for the independent Scottish Green Party, the Scottish Parliament) all of which use some form of proportional representation, allowing smaller parties the chance of gaining representation. Labour also changed European Parliamentary elections to a form of proportional representation. The London Assembly is an elected body that supervises the Greater London Authority and the Mayor of London. ... The National Assembly for Wales (or NAW) (Welsh: Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru) was established in 1998, following a 1997 referendum in which a small majority of voters (but not the electorate) voted in favour of the Labour Governments plans for devolution. ... The Scottish Green Party (PÃ rtaidh Uaine na h-Alba in Scottish Gaelic) is the Green party of Scotland, and a full member of the European Federation of Green Parties. ... For the national legislative body up to 1707, see Parliament of Scotland. ... Proportional representation (sometimes referred to as full representation, or PR), is a category of electoral formula aiming at a close match between the percentage of votes that groups of candidates (grouped by a certain measure) obtain in elections and the percentage of seats they receive (usually in legislative assemblies). ...

In the 1999 European elections, two Greens were elected Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), Dr Caroline Lucas (South East England)^[8] and Jean Lambert (London)^[9]. They retained their seats in the 2004 European elections, despite a reduction in number of seats available. Overall, the Party gained 1,033,093 votes in the 2004 European election^[10]. A Member of the European Parliament (English abbreviation MEP)[1] is a member of the European Unions directly-elected legislative body, the European Parliament. ... Caroline Lucas Dr Caroline Patricia Lucas MEP (born 9 December 1960) is an English politician, and Member of the European Parliament for the South East England region. ... South East England is a constituency of the European Parliament. ... Categories: MEP stubs | Green politicians | Members of the European Parliament from the United Kingdom ... London is a constituency of the European Parliament. ... The European Parliament election, 2004 was the UK part of the European Parliament election, 2004. ...

However the Greens have not yet managed to breakthrough into other European electoral regions or the Welsh Assembly. Three Greens were elected to the first London Assembly. It currently has two Green Party members out of 25. These are Cllr. Darren Johnson AM, and Cllr. Jenny Jones AM. The National Assembly for Wales (or NAW) (Welsh: Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru) was established in 1998, following a 1997 referendum in which a small majority of voters (but not the electorate) voted in favour of the Labour Governments plans for devolution. ... The London Assembly is an elected body that supervises the Greater London Authority and the Mayor of London. ... Darren Johnson For the New York politician, see Darren Johnson (New York). ... Categories: Green politicians | Members of the London Assembly | People stubs ...

The Green Party achieved its highest ever UK General Election result in the 2005 General Election with a total of 281,780 votes. During the 2005 General Election, Cllr. Keith Taylor received 22% in Brighton Pavilion. The United Kingdom general election of 2005 was held on Thursday, 5 May 2005. ... Cllr Keith Taylor (born 1 August 1953 in Southend, Essex) is an English politician and senior figure in the Green Party of England and Wales. ... Creation 1950 MP David Lepper Party Labour Type House of Commons County East Sussex EP constituency South East England Brighton Pavilion is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. ...

The Party has 110 local councillors elected, making a gain of 20 councillors and no losses during the 2006 local elections, and a gain of 17 councillors during the 2007 local elections. The Greens have significant representation in Brighton, Lancaster (where they are the joint second largest party on the council), Lewisham, Norwich, Oxford and Stroud. The Green Party form part of the ruling coalition that controls Leeds City Council alongside the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats; Lancaster City Council alongside the Liberal Democrats and Labour and Castle Morpeth Council as part of an all party administration. There is no single system of local government in the United Kingdom. ... Local government elections took place in England (only) on Thursday May 4, 2006. ... Entrance to a polling station in the market town of Haverhill, Suffolk on 3 May 2007. ... The City of Leeds is a metropolitan borough with city status within the metropolitan county of West Yorkshire, England, with a population of 726,939. ... The Conservative Party (officially the Conservative and Unionist Party) is the second largest political party in the United Kingdom in terms of sitting Members of Parliament (MPs), the largest in terms of public membership, and the oldest political party in the United Kingdom. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Logo The City of Lancaster (2002 population: 133,914) is a local government district with city status in Lancashire, England. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... The Labour Party has been, since its founding in the early 20th century, the principal political party of the left in England, Scotland and Wales. ... Castle Morpeth is a local government district and borough in Northumberland, England. ...

The Green Party of England and Wales has one member of the (unelected) House of Lords, the Upper Chamber of Parliament, Lord Beaumont of Whitley^[10]. The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom and is also commonly referred to as the Lords. The Sovereign, the House of Commons (which is the lower house of Parliament and referred to as the Commons), and the Lords together comprise the Parliament. ... Lord Beaumont of Whitley Timothy Wentworth Beaumont, Baron Beaumont of Whitley (born 22 November 1928) is a politician in the United Kingdom. ...

According to MORI, Green issues are currently rated as importantly as during the Green Party's last high point in the late 1980s.^[3] Coupled with record local candidate numbers^[11] and electoral support,^[12] the mid part of the current decade could be seen as marking a rennaissance of the Green Party of England and Wales.

Policy

The Green Party was founded to counter what they see as the threats to the environment and that remains its main focus. Like other parties, it produces a new manifesto for each election, but it also maintains a long-term strategy known as the Manifesto for a Sustainable Society (MfSS). This document contains the Philosophical Basis and a statement of the Core Values of the Green Party, as well as its detailed policies on a range of issues. The document is around 124,520 words long^[2]. However, it is not very widely read and contains several policies that are much more radical than anything that other parties in Britain propose^[13]. Manifesto for a Sustainable Society, in its current form, is the standing manifesto of the Green Party of England and Wales. ...

Animal welfare, farming and food

The Green Party is opposed to all animal experiments and believes in replacing them with non-animal alternatives. It also wants to end factory farming. The Party seeks to ban live exports, genetic manipulation, patenting of animals, bloodsports, badger-baiting, circuses, zoos and fur products^[2]. Beagle being used to determine the toxicity of an industrial gas. ... The factual accuracy of part of this article is disputed. ... Live export is an agriculture term referring to the international transport of livestock. ... Genetic engineering, genetic modification (GM), and gene splicing (once in widespread use but now deprecated) are terms for the process of manipulating genes in an organism, usually outside of the organisms normal reproductive process. ... A biological patent is a patent relating to an invention or discovery in biology. ... This article is about the sport; for the Jean-Claude Van Damme movie, see Bloodsport (movie). ... This page is a candidate for speedy deletion, because: no relavent information If you disagree with its speedy deletion, please explain why on its talk page or at Wikipedia:Speedy deletions. ... The term circus originates from Latin and can mean several things: A public equipped space for shows and other spectacles of the Classical period (e. ... A zoo. ... A fur mozetta, worn by a canon, Flanders Fur clothing is clothing made entirely of, or partially of, the fur of animals. ...

They support the subsidisation of organic farming in small free-range units and want to phase out all forms of intensive farming, including fish farms. The Party are against the production and importation of genetically-modified (GM) foods. They support Fair Trade over free trade. The Party encourages a reduction in the consumption of meat and promotes "more healthy and humane" foods^[2]. Organic cultivation of mixed vegetables in Capay, California. ... Free range is a method of farming husbandry where the animals are permitted to roam freely instead of being contained in small sheds and cages, as in factory farming. ... Intensive Farming Intensive agriculture is an agricultural production system characterized by the high inputs as relative to land area (as opposed to extensive farming). ... A demonstration aquaculture facility Fish farming is the principal form of aquaculture. ... Genetically Modified (GM) foods are produced from genetically modified organisms (GMO) which have had their genome altered through genetic engineering techniques. ... Certified Fair trade quinoa producers in Ecuador. ... Free trade is an economic concept referring to the selling of products between countries without tariffs or other trade barriers. ...

Climate change

The Green Party have a twelve-point plan to deal with climate change. It supports the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol but does not see that as anything more than a first step. It is strongly behind the 'Contraction and Convergence' model as a method of reducing carbon emissions. Within Britain it supports tradable carbon quotas. A proportion of the quotas would be distributed on a per head basis. The remainder would be sold to firms and organizations. The quotas would be reduced on a year by year basis in line with the 'Contraction and Convergence' model^[14]. Variations in CO2, temperature and dust from the Vostok ice core over the last 400,000 years For current global climate change, see Global warming. ... Kyoto Protocol Opened for signature December 11, 1997 in Kyoto, Japan Entered into force February 16, 2005. ... 1. ... Carbon emissions trading involves the trading of permits to emit carbon dioxide (and other greenhouse gases, calculated in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, tCO2e). ...

The party have set a goal of 90% carbon dioxide emissions reductions by 2050. They believe in scrapping the national roadbuilding programme and investing the estimated £30bn from the programme in green transport. They wish to end the £9bn annual tax break to the aviation industry by 2010 and pass the Air Traffic Emissions Reduction Bill, aiming for 50% CO2 reductions in aviation by 2050. The Party are strictly against the use of nuclear energy because they believe it is too expensive, too much of security risk and that it uses huge amounts of carbon dioxide in the extraction and production process, and is therefore an unsuitable response to climate change^[2]. Nuclear energy is energy released from the atomic nucleus. ... Variations in CO2, temperature and dust from the Vostok ice core over the last 400,000 years For current global climate change, see Global warming. ...

Drugs

Green Party states that "the prohibition of drugs doesn't work". They support the legalisation of the possession, trade and cultivation of Cannabis. Furthermore, the Party would decriminalise small-scale possession of recreational drugs like ecstasy and gradually move towards the legalisation of all recreational drugs. It hopes that this would "take the drug trade out of criminal control and place it within a regulated and controlled legal environment"^[2]. The Party has run a Green Party Drugs Group Website to promote research into ending addiction and safe use of recreational drugs^[15]. In addition, the Party want to ban advertising or sponsorship by alcohol and tobacco firms^[2]. Look up Cannabis in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Recreational drug use is the use of psychoactive drugs for recreational rather than medical or spiritual purposes, although the distinction is not always clear. ... ecstasy and religious ecstasy MDMA, most commonly known today by the street name ecstasy, is a synthetic entactogen of the phenethylamine family whose primary effect is to stimulate the brain to rapidly secrete large amounts of serotonin, causing a general sense of openness, empathy, energy, euphoria, and well-being. ...

Economy

Like many Green parties, the Green Party of England and Wales does not consider economic growth to be the only or the best indicator of progress, as it believes that endless growth is incompatible with a planet of finite resources. They are against mass consumption and destructive consumer lifestyles and hope to encourage an economy that is built on sustainability and long-term use^[13]. This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... Sustainability is an attempt to provide the best outcomes for the human and natural environments both now and into the indefinite future. ...

The Party supports economic localisation on grounds of environmental concern, social justice and democracy, as detailed in Green Alternatives to Globalisation: A Manifesto, the book by Dr. Caroline Lucas, MEP, and the late Dr. Mike Woodin, two former Principal Speakers of the party. This includes helping local businesses through subsidies and import tariffs, "democratisation" of the banking system with the creation of a "network of publicly owned community banks", and encouragement of an informal economy where money is less important^[13]. Caroline Lucas Dr Caroline Patricia Lucas MEP (born 9 December 1960) is an English politician, and Member of the European Parliament for the South East England region. ... Mike Woodin Cllr Dr Michael Edward Woodin (November 6, 1965 - July 8, 2004) was the Principal Speaker of the Green Party of England and Wales and a city councillor for Oxford from 1994 to 2004. ... Principal Speakers are leaders and public spokespersons of the Green Party of England and Wales. ...

The Green Party seek to address the 'Poverty Trap' by introducing a "Citizen’s Income" (also known as a Citizen's Dividend and similar to the Basic Income), an unconditional, non means-tested, weekly payment made to every citizen whether they are working or not. This would replace benefits such as Job Seeker’s Allowance, as well as replacing personal tax-free allowances. The Party hope that this would ensure that people can take a job and come off benefits without falling into the Poverty Trap, and make working part-time or becoming self-employed easier by eliminating the Poverty Trap. Clive Lord, a member of the Green Party of England and Wales, published A Citizen's Income, a book that sets out how to fund the Citizen's Income with an increase to the top bracket of Income Tax. Lord suggests that the Citizen's Income is a means by which to achieve prosperity within a zero-growth economy^[16]. Citizens dividend is a proposed state policy based upon the principle that the natural world is the common property of all persons (see Georgism). ... A guaranteed minimum income is a proposed system of income redistribution that would give each citizen a certain sum of money independent of whether they work or not. ... Tax rates around the world Tax revenue as % of GDP Economic policy Monetary policy Central bank Money supply Fiscal policy Spending Deficit Debt Trade policy Tariff Trade agreement Finance Financial market Financial market participants Corporate Personal Public Banking Regulation An income tax is a tax levied on the financial income...

On taxation, the Green Party believe in increasing the top rate of Income Tax to make the system more redistributive. It is in favour of a more progressive system of corporation tax to encourage small businesses over large corporations. They support eco-taxes, such as those on packaging and carbon emissions, along the lines of the 'polluter pays' principle. Also, the Party wants an increase in trade union rights and the renationalisation of the railways, water, electricity, gas and post office^[13]. Jim Callaghan, the Chancellor of the Exchequer who introduced corporation tax in 1965. ... Ecotax, short for Ecological taxation, can refer to: (1) A fiscal policy that introduces taxes intended to promote ecologically sustainable activities via economic incentives. ... It has been suggested that Polluter Pays be merged into this article or section. ... A trade union or labour union is a continuous association of wage-earners for the purpose of maintaining or improving the conditions of their employment. ... Nationalization is the act of taking assets into state ownership. ...

Europe

The party is moderately Eurosceptic and supports UK membership of the European Union subject to democratic reform. It opposes the euro on economic localisation and democracy grounds, and was also against the proposed EU constitution for similar reasons. It favours the disbandment of NATO, and its replacement by a well-resourced OSCE^[13]. Euroscepticism is scepticism about, or disagreement with, the purposes of the European Union, sometimes coupled with a desire to preserve national sovereignty. ... â€œEURâ€ redirects here. ... The Treaty establishing a constitution for Europe is a proposed constitutional treaty for the European Union. ... NATO 2002 Summit in Prague. ... The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is an international organization for security. ...

Government

The Green Party wants "to modernise and decentralise" the current governmental system in England and Wales. It wants to end the place of the monarchy in the British constitution and replace the House of Lords with an elected second chamber ^[17]. The party supports elected Regional Assemblies in England and the creation of more Parish and Community Councils. On issues of voting, the Green Party is campaigning to introduce Proportional Representation (specifically the Additional Member System (AMS) used in Welsh Assembly and Scottish Parliament elections) and reduce the voting age to 16^[2]. â€œKingdomâ€ redirects here. ... The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom and is also commonly referred to as the Lords. The Sovereign, the House of Commons (which is the lower house of Parliament and referred to as the Commons), and the Lords together comprise the Parliament. ... Regional Assembly is a title which has universally been adopted by the English bodies established as regional chambers under the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998. ... A parish council is a council of members of a particular parish or religious community who have a responsibility to administrate the affairs of that community. ... Proportional representation (sometimes referred to as full representation, or PR), is a category of electoral formula aiming at a close match between the percentage of votes that groups of candidates (grouped by a certain measure) obtain in elections and the percentage of seats they receive (usually in legislative assemblies). ... The Additional Member System (AMS) is a voting system in which some representatives are elected from geographic constituencies and others are elected under proportional representation from party lists. ... The National Assembly for Wales (or NAW) (Welsh: Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru) was established in 1998, following a 1997 referendum in which a small majority of voters (but not the electorate) voted in favour of the Labour Governments plans for devolution. ... For the national legislative body up to 1707, see Parliament of Scotland. ...

It is usually to be found on the civil liberties side of the liberties versus security debate and opposes the national ID cards and New Labour's anti-terror legislation. It is strongly opposed to measures like the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act^[13]. New Labour is an alternative name of the British political Labour Party. ... The Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (reference 2006 c. ...

International issues

The Green Party would increase funding to and reform the United Nations by abolishing the right of veto and democratising the UN Security Council. They would ban arms exports and the use of depleted Uranium-tipped shells. Regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Party believes in boycotting Israel until it complies with the 80 UN resolutions it is defying, whilst urging Palestinians "not to perpetuate the cycle of violence"^[2]. The foundation of the U.N. The United Nations (UN) is an international organization whose stated aims are to facilitate co-operation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress and human rights issues. ... A session of the Security Council in progress The United Nations Security Council is the most powerful organ of the United Nations. ... The AK-47 has been produced in greater numbers than any other assault rifle and has been used in conflicts all over the world. ... Israel, with the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Golan Heights The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which is often claimed to be at the heart of the Arab-Israeli conflict, is an ongoing dispute between two peoples, Jewish Israelis and Arab Palestinians, who both claim the right to sovereignty over the Land... A United Nations Security Council Resolution is voted on by the fifteen members of the United Nations Security Council, the most powerful organ of the United Nations. ...

The party opposed the Iraq War, both prior to, during, and after the invasion. It has claimed that it did so "on principle", criticising the Liberal Democrats for "only opposing the war because no second UN Resolution was obtained". It has in turn been criticised for either attempting to manufacture a spurious distinction in policy for electoral purposes, or for adopting a position which is essentially pacifist in nature^[13]. Previously, the party had opposed the Kosovo War^[18] - a rare stance in Britain. Although they supported "self-determination" for the Kosovo Albanians, they did not support independence for Kosovo, and stated that the media had both exaggerated the crimes of the Serbs and ignored the crimes of the Kosovo Liberation Army. For other uses, see Iraq war (disambiguation). ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... The term Kosovo War or Kosovo Conflict is often used to describe two sequential and at times parallel armed conflicts (a civil war followed by an international war) in the southern Serbian province called Kosovo (officially Kosovo and Metohia), part of the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. ... Ushtria Ã‡lirimtare e KosovÃ«s. ...

The Green Party supports the right to asylum and "seeks to change negative attitudes and stereotypes associated with refugees". The party concentrates on the causes of immigration, aiming "to alleviate problems caused by war, the arms trade, environmental devastation, past colonial actions and human rights abuses"^[2].

Organisation

The Green Party meets to vote on issues of organisation and policy at bi-annual Party Conferences (the Spring Conference and Autumn Conference). It is bound by a Constitution, which can only be amended by a two-thirds majority vote at one of these Conferences; policy motions need only a simple majority (more than 50%).

Leadership and Principal Speakers

The Green Party has consciously chosen not to have a single leader for ideological reasons; its organisation provides for two Principal Speakers, a Male and Female Principal Speaker, who sit but do not vote on the party's Executive (GPEx). Principal Speakers are leaders and public spokespersons of the Green Party of England and Wales. ... Principal Speakers are leaders and public spokespersons of the Green Party of England and Wales. ... Principal Speakers are leaders and public spokespersons of the Green Party of England and Wales. ...

The party is currently having a leadership referendum to ballot its entire membership on the question of creating a Leader and Deputy Leader (or, if candidates choose to run together and are gender balanced, Co-Leaders without a Deputy Leader), who would be elected every two years (instead of annually) and able to vote on GPEx. The results will be announced at the end of November 2007 after a "full party-wide debate" between May and November 2007^[19].

The current Principal Speakers are Siân Berry (who succeeded Dr. Caroline Lucas MEP in November 2006), and Dr. Derek Wall, who succeeded Keith Taylor, a councillor in Brighton & Hove, in November 2006 (Taylor had been elected in 2004 after the death of Dr. Mike Woodin)^[20]. Principal Speakers are leaders and public spokespersons of the Green Party of England and Wales. ... SiÃ¢n Berry is one of the Green Party of England and Wales Principal Speakers, elected in autumn 2006 after being for a number of years the partys Campaigns Co-ordinator. ... Caroline Lucas Dr Caroline Patricia Lucas MEP (born 9 December 1960) is an English politician, and Member of the European Parliament for the South East England region. ... Dr. Derek Wall is a British politician and current Male Principal Speaker of the Green Party of England and Wales as well as an environmental and social activist, academic and writer whose work concentrates on Eco-socialism and the relationship between Marxism and the environment. ... Cllr Keith Taylor (born 1 August 1953 in Southend, Essex) is an English politician and senior figure in the Green Party of England and Wales. ... Brighton & Hove (or Brighton and Hove) is a unitary authority and city on the south coast of England. ... Cllr Keith Taylor (born 1 August 1953 in Southend, Essex) is an English politician and senior figure in the Green Party of England and Wales. ... shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Mike Woodin Cllr Dr Michael Edward Woodin (November 6, 1965 - July 8, 2004) was the Principal Speaker of the Green Party of England and Wales and a city councillor for Oxford from 1994 to 2004. ...

Download high resolution version (1206x874, 117 KB)a question-and-answers discussion panel on the European constitution at the Green Party of England and Wales autumn conference, Weston-super-Mare, 2004-10-23. ... Download high resolution version (1206x874, 117 KB)a question-and-answers discussion panel on the European constitution at the Green Party of England and Wales autumn conference, Weston-super-Mare, 2004-10-23. ...

Executive

The national Green Party Executive (GPEx)^[10] is comprised of the following positions:

For the purposes of its registration with the Electoral Commission, the party designates the Chair of the Executive as the "leader". This is currently Cllr. Richard Mallender, also a councillor in Rushcliffe, Nottinghamshire. The previous chair was Hugo Charlton (2003 to 2005), who was removed from the post after nominating himself for a House of Lords peerage on behalf of the party without following the party's agreed selection procedure ^[21]. Subsequently Cllr. Jenny Jones, AM, was elected to be the party's nominee in the event of the party again being asked, but this was too late for the current round. SiÃ¢n Berry SiÃ¢n Berry (born in Cheltenham) is an English politician and member of the Green Party of England and Wales. ... Dr. Derek Wall is a British politician and current Male Principal Speaker of the Green Party of England and Wales as well as an environmental and social activist, academic and writer whose work concentrates on Eco-socialism and the relationship between Marxism and the environment. ... The Electorial Commission is an independent body with powers in the United Kingdom, which was created by an Act of Parliament, the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. ... Rushcliffe is a local government district with borough status in Nottinghamshire, England. ... The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom and is also commonly referred to as the Lords. The Sovereign, the House of Commons (which is the lower house of Parliament and referred to as the Commons), and the Lords together comprise the Parliament. ... Categories: Green politicians | Members of the London Assembly | People stubs ...

GPEx positions are elected annually by a postal ballot of all party members or by a vote at Conference (depending on the number of candidates). To become a member of the Executive, the candidate must have been a member of the party for at least two years. Members of GPEx are individually responsible for every action taken within their area of responsibility (except decisions taken collectively within GPEx itself). The Female and Male Principal Speakers are non-voting members of the Executive. GPEx meets at least once every six weeks, and whenever a meeting is necessary. Principal Speakers are leaders and public spokespersons of the Green Party of England and Wales. ...

The Executive has the power to create committees and posts "it considers necessary for the efficient conduct of its business". It appoints a Panel of Speakers as spokespeople for policy areas, a Treasurer and the National Election Agent. GPEx is responsible for implementing the decisions made at Conferences, and controlling expenditure and fundraising.

Regional Council

The Green Party Regional Council (GPRC) is a body that coordinates discussions between Regional Green Parties. It supports the Executive (GPEx) and is responsible for interim policy statements between Conferences and enforcing constitutional procedures^[22].

Each Regional Green Party elects two members by postal ballot to be sent to the GPRC. These delegates' terms last two years before re-election. GPRC meets at least four times a year. The Council elects Male and Female Co-Chairs and a Secretary. GPEx members are often required to give reports on their area of responsibility to the GPRC; the GPRC also has the power to recall any member of GPEx (by a two-thirds majority vote), who is then suspended until a re-election for the post is held; similarly, if GPEx suspends one of its own members, GPRC has the authority to decide whether that member should be reinstated or not (again, by a two-thirds majority vote)^[22].

Conferences

The Green Party of England and Wales holds a Spring and Autumn Conference every year. Conferences are governed by the Constitution and Standing Orders, and feature votes on policy and organisational matters. The Autumn Conference is the party's "supreme forum", with elections to GPEx, committees and other bodies; the Conference held in the Spring, although having the same powers as the Autumn Conference on policy and organisational votes, only holds elections for vacant posts and can have its priorities decided by the preceding Autumn Conference. The conference itself is organised by Conferences Committee, but the Standing Order Committee (SOC) is responsible for interpreting the Constitution and arranging the order of business.^[22].

The Green Party Conference features fringes, talks and plenary sessions. The agenda for plenary sessions is usually^[22]:

Policy making within the GPEW is a long process that involves consultation with various bodies and individuals. The party has released leaflets and books on how to properly amend policy^[22]. Manifesto for a Sustainable Society, in its current form, is the standing manifesto of the Green Party of England and Wales. ...

The Constitution

The Constitution of the Green Party of England and Wales governs all of the party's activities, from the selection of election candidates by local parties, to nominations for the House of Lords, to the conduct of GPEx and so on. The Constitution stresses "openness, accountability and confidentiality" in its decision-making guidelines. It can be amended only by a two-thirds majority vote at a Conference or by a two thirds majority in ballot of the membership^[22]. The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom and is also commonly referred to as the Lords. The Sovereign, the House of Commons (which is the lower house of Parliament and referred to as the Commons), and the Lords together comprise the Parliament. ...

Status of the Wales Green Party

Unlike any other regional party within the Green Party, the Wales Green Party (WGP) (Plaid Werdd Cymru in Welsh) is a "semi-autonomous regional party" within the GPEW. It has greater control over its finances, and produces its own manifesto and newsletters. Wales Green Party members are automatically members of the Green Party of England and Wales. The Wales Green Party (WGP) is a semi-autonomous political party, within the Green Party of England and Wales (GPEW), that covers the nation of Wales. ...

Also differently from the full party, the Wales Green Party (and the North West region of England) elects a Principal Speaker who may refer to themselves as the 'Leader' of the Wales Green Party, although, like the Green Party's Principal Speakers, they have no powers of leadership. The current leader of the Wales Green Party is Ann Were^[23]. Principal Speakers are leaders and public spokespersons of the Green Party of England and Wales. ...

Young Greens

The youth wing of the Green Party, the Young Greens (of England and Wales), have developed independently from around 2002. The Young Greens have their own Constitution, National Committee, campaigns and meetings, and have become an active presence at Green Party Conferences and election campaigns. There are now many Young Greens groups on UK university, college and higher education institution campuses. Several Green Party Councillors are Young Greens, as are some members of GPEx and other internal party organs^[24]. The Young Greens (of England and Wales) [acronym: YG(EW)] is the official youth wing of the Green Party of England and Wales (GPEW). ...

Membership and finances

According to 2005 accounts filed with the Electoral Commission it had a membership of 7,110 (an increase of 829 on the previous year) at year-end and had an income of £357,595 with expenditure of £349,539^[25]. The Electorial Commission is an independent body with powers in the United Kingdom, which was created by an Act of Parliament, the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. ...

Groups within the Party

Several groups are active within the party. These include groups designed to address certain areas of policy or representation, including a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGTB) Group^[26], a Trade Union Group, a Drugs Group (on drugs policy and research)^[15] and others. Green Left, a new group within the party, represent anti-capitalists and eco-socialists in the party who want to engage with the broader Left in the UK and attract Left-wing activists to the Green Party^[27]. Previously, a centrist faction called Green 2000 aimed to achieve a Green Party government by the year 2000, but this group disbanded in the 1990s. Green Left is an anti-capitalist and eco-socialist group within the Green Party of England and Wales. ... This article lists ideologies opposed to capitalism and describes them briefly. ... Eco-socialism or Green socialism is an ideology fusing Green movement values with socialism. ... In politics, left-wing, political left, leftism, or simply the left, are terms which refer (with no particular precision) to the segment of the political spectrum typically associated with any of several strains of socialism, social democracy, or liberalism (especially in the American sense of the word), or with opposition... In politics, centrism usually refers to the political ideal of promoting moderate policies which land in the middle ground between different political extremes. ... Green 2000 was a movement to streamline the constitutional arrangements of the Green Party of England and Wales in the early 1990s, with the stated aim of getting a green government by the year 2005. ...

References

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