Green Party of England and Wales
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Green Party of England and Wales | |
|---|---|
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| Leader | None. Siân Berry and Derek Wall are Principal Speakers |
| Founded | 1973 |
| Headquarters | 1a Waterlow Road London N19 5NJ |
| Political Ideology | Green politics |
| Political Position | ecological |
| International Affiliation | Global Greens |
| European Affiliation | European Green Party |
| European Parliament Group | Greens-EFA |
| Colours | Green |
| Website | http://www.greenparty.org.uk |
| See also | Politics of the UK |
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.
It is affiliated with the Global Greens and the European Green Party.
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] 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, the world's first Green party 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].
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].
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 that 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].
[edit] 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].
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".
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].
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].
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.
[edit] 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].
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 Jonathon 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].
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. Later, infamous TV sports presenter David Icke would become a high-profile Green member, leading to embarrassment for the Party when he revealed his extreme spiritual beliefs, including his belief that he is "the son of God"[3] and his notion that giant reptiles rule the earth[4]. Many believe that he suffered from some form of mental aberration that led to his espousal of such theories. He would subsequently be forced to leave the Party[1].
Despite David Icke's problems, 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. Although they did not win any seats, mainstream political parties were alarmed by the Green's performance and adopted some 'Green policies' in an attempt to counter the threat[1].
[edit] Green Party of England and Wales, 1990s - today
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.
Internal divisions over the direction of the party in the early 1990s 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].
After 1992, the Greens have been relatively free of any factionalism[1]. Nonetheless, the Party has not been able to match the success of Green parties in some other parts of Western Europe. Britain's first-past-the-post electoral system has often been blamed for this. 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 Party has 92 local councillors elected, making a gain of 20 councillors and no losses during the 2006 local elections. The Greens have significant representation in Brighton, Lewisham, Oxford, Lancaster and Norwich. 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. The recent introduction of proportional representation for European elections means that it has two elected Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), Dr Caroline Lucas (South East England)[5] and Jean Lambert (London)[6]. 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[7]. However they have not yet managed to breakthrough into other European electoral regions or the Welsh Assembly, despite the use of proportional representation election systems for these elections.
Also elected by proportional representation is the London Assembly: it has two Green Party members out of 25. These are Cllr. Darren Johnson AM, and Cllr. Jenny Jones AM. 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[7].
[edit] 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[8].
[edit] 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].
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].
[edit] 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[9].
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].
[edit] 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[10]. In addition, the Party want to ban advertising or sponsorship by alcohol and tobacco firms[2].
[edit] 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[8].
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[8].
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[11].
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[8].
[edit] 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[8].
[edit] 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 [12]. 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 European Parliament, Welsh Assembly and Scottish Parliament elections) and reduce the voting age to 16[2].
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[8].
[edit] 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 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[8]. Previously, the party had opposed the Kosovo War[13] - 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.
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].
[edit] 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%).
[edit] Leadership and Principal Speakers
The Green Party has consciously chosen not to have a "leader" for ideological reasons; its organisation provides for two Principal Speakers, a Male and Female Principal Speaker. The party is however planning to ballot its entire membership on the question of creating a Leader and Deputy Leader or Co-Leaders for the party.
The current Principal Speakers are Siân Berry (who succeeded Dr. Caroline Lucas, MEP in the autumn of 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[7].)
[edit] Executive
The national Green Party Executive (GPEx)[7] is comprised of the following positions:
| Green Party of England and Wales Executive (GPEx) | |||
| Chair | Cllr. Richard Mallender | ||
| Campaigns Co-ordinator | Tim Summers | ||
| Elections Co-ordinator | Peter Cranie | ||
| External Communications Officer | Jim Killock | ||
| Finance Co-ordinator | Khalid Hussenbux | ||
| Internal Communications | Natalie Bennett (co-opted) | ||
| International Co-ordinator | Volker Heinemann and Richard Lawson (job share) | ||
| Local Party Support Co-ordinator | Ben Duncan | ||
| Management Co-ordinator | Pete Mcaskie | ||
| Policy Development Co-ordinator | Brian Heatley | ||
| Publications Officer | Jon Nott | ||
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 Brighton & Hove. The previous chair was Hugo Charlton (1998 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 [14]. 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.
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.
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.
[edit] 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[15].
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)[15].
[edit] 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. A Standing Order Committee (SOC) is responsible for interpreting the Constitution and making sure that Conferences are run properly[15].
The Green Party Conference features fringes, talks and plenary sessions. The agenda for plenary sessions is usually[15]:
- Section A - Reports from various bodies within the party, including SOC, GPEx, GPRC and others
- Section B - Policy Voting Papers (a motion, either submitted by members or chosen by the Policy Committee, which submits a section of the Manifesto for a Sustainable Society (MfSS) for review and amendments, which are then voted on)
- Section C - Policy Motions (motions from members on different sections of the MfSS, but also including those which express a policy position without altering the MfSS, and Enabling Motions, which start the process of building policy on a specified area)
- Section D - Organisational Motions (motions from members that amend the Constitution)
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[15].
[edit] 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[15].
[edit] 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.
Also differently from the full party, the Wales Green Party (and the North Wst 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[16].
[edit] Young Greens
The youth wing of the Green Party, the Young Greens, 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 of the 93 Green Party Councillors are Young Greens, as are some members of GPEx and other internal party organs[17].
[edit] Membership and finances
According to 2004 accounts filed with the Electoral Commission it had a membership of 6,281 at year-end, and had an income and expenditure of about half a million pounds (of which £86,794 was on staff)[18].
[edit] 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[19], a Trade Union Group, a Drugs Group (on drugs policy and research)[10] 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[20]. 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.
| Part of the Politics series on Green politics |
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Worldwide green parties: Global Greens · Africa · Americas · Asia-Pacific · Europe |
| Principles |
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Four Pillars |
| Issues |
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[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Wall, Derek, Weaving a Bower Against Endless Night: An Illustrated History of the Green Party, 1994
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Young Greens (youth section of the Green Party of England and Wales) Policy Website
- ^ Ronson, Jon. "David Icke, the Lizards, and the Jews" (video), Channel 4 Television, retrieved May 22, 2006
- ^ Icke, David, The Biggest Secret: The Book That Will Change the World, 1999
- ^ Dr. Caroline Lucas MEP's Website
- ^ Jean Lambert MEP's Website
- ^ a b c d Green Party Website
- ^ a b c d e f g Green Party of England and Wales Policy Website
- ^ Green Party of England and Wales Policy Website: Climate Change Section of the Manifesto for a Sustainable Society (MfSS)
- ^ a b Green Party Drugs Group Website
- ^ Lord, C., A Citizen's Income, 2003
- ^ Green Party. Government and Democracy: Politics for People (pdf).
- ^ Spencer Fitz-Gibbon, Green Party Executive (Feb 2003). Bombing of Yugoslavia 1999.
- ^ Independent on Sunday Article
- ^ a b c d e f Green Party Constitution (only available to party members from the Members' Website or the Policy Coordinator
- ^ Wales Green Party Website
- ^ Young Greens Website
- ^ Green Party Report to the Electoral Commission 2004 (PDF File)
- ^ Green Party LGBT Group Website
- ^ Green Left Website
[edit] See also
- Politics of the United Kingdom
- European Federation of Green Parties
- Wales Green Party
- Young Greens (England and Wales)
- Manifesto for a Sustainable Society (MfSS)
- Principal Speaker
- Green Left (Green Party of England and Wales)
- LSESU Green Party
- Scottish Green Party
- Green Party in Northern Ireland
[edit] External links
- The Green Party of England and Wales
- Wales Green Party
- Young Greens (Green Party members 26 years old and under)
- Unofficial Web Directory of Green Party websites
- Guardian Unlimited Politics - Special Report: Green Politics
- BBC News: Greens rally for a 'real change'
- libcom.org: A critical look at the Green Party (comparing the Green view with libertarianism in the UK context)
- Green Bloggers website
- Alternative list of 100 U.K. Green blogs
- Green Left - an Anti-Capitalist and Eco-socialist current within the Green Party of England and Wales
- - Green Party History 1973-98
| Political parties in the United Kingdom | |
|---|---|
| House of Commons (646) : |
Labour (354) | Conservatives (198) | Liberal Democrats (63) | DUP (9) | SNP (6) | Sinn Féin (5#) | Plaid Cymru (3) | SDLP (3) | Ind KHHC (1) | Independent (1) | Independent Labour (1) | Respect (1) | UUP (1) |
| House of Lords (741) : |
Labour (213) | Conservatives (208) | Cross-bencher (196) | Liberal Democrats (79) | UKIP (2) | Greens (E&W) (1) | Bishops (26) | Non affiliated (13) | Conservative Independent (1) | Independent Labour (1) | Independent (1) |
| Scottish Parliament (129): |
Labour (50) | SNP (27) | Conservative and Unionists (17) | Liberal Democrats (17) | Scottish Greens (7) | SSP (4) | Solidarity (2) | SSCUP (1) | Independent (5) |
| National Assembly for Wales (60): |
Labour (29) | Plaid Cymru (12) | Conservatives (11) | Liberal Democrats (6) | Forward Wales (1) | Independent (1) |
| Northern Ireland Assembly (108) |
DUP (36) | Sinn Féin (28) | UUP (18) | SDLP (16) | Alliance (7) | Greens (NI) (1) | PUP (1) | Independent (1) |
| London Assembly (25): |
Conservatives (9) | Labour (7) | Liberal Democrats (5) | Greens (E&W) (2) | One London (2) |
| European Parliament (78 out of 732): |
Conservatives (ED, 27) | Labour (PES, 19) | Liberal Democrats (ELDR, 12) | UKIP (ID, 10) | Greens (E&W) (EGP, 2) | SNP (EFA, 2) | Plaid Cymru (EFA, 1) | Sinn Féin (EUL, 1†) | UUP (ED, 1) | Independent (ADIE, 1) | Independent (ITS, 1) | Independent (NA, 1) |
| Notes | #Although Sinn Féin have five elected members and have offices at Westminster, they are abstentionist and therefore do not take their seats † Sinn Féin has a second MEP from the Republic of Ireland |
| Minor parties: | |
