The Green Party in the UK is a political party with a strong focus on environmentalism, sustainability, and social justice. It started as the People’s Party in 1973, then became the Ecology Party in 1975 and changed its name to the Green Party in 1985. The first and, so far, the only MP, is Caroline Lucas, elected in 2010.
The environment
Environmental sustainability is the central pillar of the Green Party’s ideology. They advocate for strong measures to fight climate change, protect natural habitats, and reduce pollution. The party supports renewable energy, energy efficiency, and policies to transition to a low-carbon economy.
Social justice
The Green Party combines environmental concerns with a commitment to social justice. They argue that the damage done to the environment has a larger impact on vulnerable communities, and campaign for policies that reduce social inequality and promote economic fairness.
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Green New Deal
The Green Party has been a champion of a Green New Deal, which aims to create jobs and stimulate the economy through investments in clean energy, infrastructure, and sustainable agriculture.
Local issues
The party emphasises the importance of local governance and decision-making. They support devolution of powers to local authorities and communities, allowing them to have more control over issues such as housing, transportation, and environmental protection.
Proportional representation
Like the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party advocates for electoral reform, particularly proportional representation, to make the UK’s electoral system more representative and inclusive.
Economic policy
Greens support a transition to a ‘circular economy’ that minimises waste and maximises resource efficiency. They argue for a shift away from GDP growth as the primary economic goal and towards measures of well-being and sustainability.
Transportation
The Green Party promotes sustainable transportation options, including improved public transportation, cycling infrastructure, and the reduction of car dependence. They aim to reduce air pollution and congestion in cities.
Housing
Greens advocate for affordable and sustainable housing, with a focus on energy-efficient construction and retrofitting existing buildings for energy efficiency.
Animal welfare
The party has a strong stance on animal welfare, supporting policies to protect animals from cruelty and exploitation.
Education
Greens support investment in education and advocate for smaller class sizes, well-funded schools, and a broad curriculum that includes environmental education.
Healthcare
The party supports a publicly funded and publicly provided National Health Service (NHS). They argue for holistic healthcare that includes mental health services and preventive measures.
Foreign policy
Greens emphasise peace, diplomacy, and international cooperation. They support disarmament, humanitarian aid, and addressing the root causes of conflicts.
Local agriculture
Greens advocate for sustainable and local agriculture, promoting organic farming practices and reducing the environmental impact of food production.
Universal Basic Income (UBI)
Some members of the Green Party have proposed UBI as a means of addressing economic inequality and providing financial security to all citizens.
Youth and future generations
Greens often emphasise the importance of making decisions that consider the needs and rights of future generations. This includes strong action on climate change.
