GREEN Party

➡️ Green Party UK – A Fairer, Greener Alternative

The Green Party are a left-wing political party in England and Wales. The party has shared leadership between Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay who have served as the party's co-leaders since 2021.

The 2024 UK general election proved to be a record year for the Greens who now have four representatives in the House of Commons, two in the House of Lords, and 800 local councillors. Growing disillusioned with the weak policies from the two main party's – the Conservatives and Labour - young people in particular are being drawn to the environmental and social justice ideologies of the party.

Traditionally regarded as a sort of protest vote, the urgency of the climate crisis, the need for renationalisation and funding of the public sector have made the policies of this party seem more like common sense. Taking 7% of the vote in the 2024 election, taking third or fourth place in the majority of constituencies, and attracting a wave of new members, it is clear British voters are ready for change.

Unlike other major parties, the Greens are largely financed by members crowdfunding efforts. This means that there are no corporate or billionaire interests from lobbyists and political influencers.

Dedicated to creating a just, equitable, and sustainable society their policies tend to be progressive and people centred. They focus on issues such as civil liberties, animal rights, LGBTQI+ rights, drug policy reform, universal basic income, renewable energy, and democracy. Below we highlight some key points from their 2024 manifesto:

• Commitment to restore pay for junior doctors

• Increase the NHS budget in England by £8 billion

• Impose a wealth tax of 1% on those with more than £10 million and 2% on those with more than £1 billion raising £151 billion a year in tax revenue

• Tax hikes for those with incomes over £50,270

• Scrapping of university tuition fees

• A phase out of nuclear energy and to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040

• Removal of VAT on activities relating to culture, sport, and art

• Supports a bilateral immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an end to arms sales to Israel 

• Supports greater sanctions on Russia, cutting commercial ties with Putin's regime, and an unconditional withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine territory 

• Dismantling of nuclear deterrent Trident and remove all foreign nuclear weapons from British soil

• Introduction of a carbon tax and banning of short-haul flights

• Rent controls and no-fault eviction bans

• Nationalisation of water, railways, and the big 5 energy companies

Who are Carla Denya and Adrian Ramsay?

Serving as co-leaders since October 2021, Denya and Ramsey launched the campaign ‘Build, win, transform.’ The structure of the party allows for two leaders of different genders, they believe it aids them in consensus decision making and in creating a gender balance.

Joint leadership allows them to campaign in two different places at once, to bring in a new era of cooperation, and is symbolic of a progressive party who are living their values.

Before moving into politics Carla Denya was an engineer specialising in renewable energy. She went on to serve as a Bristol City Council from 2015-2024 before stepping down to concentrate on her campaign to become an MP.

She played an important role in Bristol’s climate emergency declaration in 2018, was named as one of the UK top 50 women in engineering, and one of the most influential LGBTQI+ figures in Bristol by Live Pink.

Adrian Ramsey also has a background in renewable energies serving as the chief executive of an alternative technology company and lecturing on environmental politics and economics.

He was the deputy leader of the Green Party from 2008 to 2012 and was a key player in the team that put Caroline Lucas in parliament - the first Green Party MP.

He is the leader of an environmental charity which advocates for renewable energy investment and sustainable homes.

What Challenges do the Green Party Face?

One of the biggest challenges that the Green Party, and other small parties face is the UK’s first-past-the-post electoral system. This means that the candidate that gets the most votes in a constituency wins, massively favouring the two big parties.

Most other countries use the more democratic system of proportional representation where the share of seats a party wins matches the share it receives. This would give smaller parties more seats in parliament and allow them more power. The majority of the British public supports electoral reform, but given that this would take power away from the main parties, we are unlikely to see changes in the near future.

The perception that small parties cannot win in a two-party race is off putting for voters who are more likely to vote strategically for a less preferred party, but one that has a greater chance of winning.

The Green Party also struggles with financing as they do not receive the huge donations that are common with larger parties. This means that they must operate with fewer financial resources and on a smaller scale which effects campaigning, advertising, and their ability to reach a wider audience.

They also struggle to gain media attention as the major political parties dominate headlines. This further lack of visibility restricts public awareness and therefore support for their candidates and initiatives.

Climate is one of the key focuses of the Green Party, and with the UK currently grappling with high inflation, a cost-of-living crisis, a broken healthcare system, Tory-era austerity measures, and the housing crisis, environmental issues have taken a back-seat for many voters whose current priorities are focused on everyday issues.

The Green Party however are not a one issue party. This is a common misconception as many assume that their manifesto lacks comprehensive policies in other important areas such as economy, healthcare, and foreign policy. The Green Party emphasise that climate change is not something that should be swept under the carpet, but rather it is considered in all of their policies. The connections between the climate crisis and the economy, sustainability, energy, migration, agriculture, equality, and conflict are well documented.

In order to realise a more prosperous Britain, with improved living standards, reduced poverty, and an NHS to be proud of, the Green party promotes holistic policies which consider integrated solutions with climate at the forefront.

No longer a fringe movement, the success of the Green Party is shaping the future of mainstream British politics. They promote social activism, democracy, sustainability, nonviolence, and finally a chance for real change.

Learn more about Green Party leader Natalie Bennett (2012-16) who moved the party further to the left, doubled their membership numbers, and helped gained substantial support for the first time. 

Author: Rachael Mellor, 05.08.24 licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0

For further reading on the Green Party see below ⬇️