campaigns Green Activist The newsletter for Green Party members • www. greenparty.org.uk • April 2016

Get mobilised for the up and coming elections and referendum! GREEN ACTIVIST | april 2016 | page 2

contents feature 3 greens meet – and hug – gruene 2016 6 newcastle greens are sharing cake GreenActivist to target a first council seat

Editor Clifford Fleming Designer [email protected]

Please send your comments, contributions, ideas and enquiries to: [email protected] 10 how to get a full slate and marked news registers 9 LGBTIQ – Greens are leading the way 9 sexual harrassment task group campaigNs call out 7 greens for a better europe swinging into action! 8 keith taylor mep says why the eu elections referedum is important for animals 4 london elections – last chance to help policy 11 Policy that benefits all wildlife

5 first seats in wales within our grasp Shake up the ! vote green on 5 may 2016 Donate here to help our campaign in wales 12 Advert: Good Energy 13 contacts GREEN ACTIVIST | april 2016 | page 3 feature

GREENS MEET - AND HUG - GRUENE 2016 Dr Ray Cunningham, Convenor, British-German Environment Forum, Coordinator, Green House think tank

In April 2016, delegates from the Green and , Leader of the GPEW), a between two individuals in either country. parties of Germany (Bündnis 90/Die member of the Federal German Parliament Britain and Germany are the two oldest Grünen) and England (Green Party of (Manuel Sarrazin MdB) and a grand total of industrialised nations in the world, and the two England & Wales) met for the first time four MEPs, two from each country (Jan Philip biggest economies in Europe. Arguably, they ever for a two-day exchange of views and Albrecht and Terry Reintke from Germany, and have a special responsibility to lead the way experience in order to learn from each and from the in helping to put the world on a sustainable other and to strengthen their European UK). footing. They also have contrasting political partnership in the pursuit of their common They heard presentations from experts on and social histories and traditions which offer goals. social and political problems common to both a rich resource for comparative analysis and The meeting took place in Bristol, and countries, debated Green solutions, made new thinking going forward. involved both senior elected representatives friends, and discussed (some of them late and rank and file members from both sides. into the night) how to cooperate more closely You can read more here: In total over 60 people took part, including both in the and in activist https://www.greenparty.org.uk/conference/ leaders of both parties (Simone Peter, co- networks working at all levels and at any kind greens-meet-gruene-2016.html spokesperson of Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, of scale, right down to connections made GREEN ACTIVIST | april2016 | page 4 london campaigns elections We want to London Elections – cover London in massive, eye- “ catching Vote Last Chance to Help Green billboards. Adam McGibbon, London Green Party

We are just weeks away from the London Mayor and elections. Our JOIN US ON POLLING DAY campaign is in full swing. Join us between 7am and 10pm on Thursday Our volunteers are out campaigning every day across London. Londoners in every single 5 May to help us spread our message to voters: borough are hearing about The Power Of Good Ideas. But we can do even more to make sure we Vote Green on the orange ballot paper, to get more Green Assembly members elected. elect more Green Assembly members. We have a plan for millions of people to hear our message in the last few weeks. We want to We’ll be handing out our Week of Poll cards cover London in massive, eye-catching ‘Vote Green’ billboards. We want to make our message all across London, and will be reminding unavoidable. Greens to get out and vote. If you can join us We have sites ready to go, with the potential of millions of people seeing our message in major for two hours or the whole day, you WILL be thoroughfares across London! We can do this – but only with your help. helping us elect more Greens to City Hall. We need to raise £10,000 to make this happen. Please chip in to help us put up billboards all Get in touch to let us know you’re coming, over London. Your contribution in this final period can make sure thatThe Power of Good Ideas by emailing Cami (London Regional Organiser) gets maximum exposure. Please give today to make this possible! at [email protected].

GREEN ACTIVIST | april2016 | page 5 elections Shake up the Senedd! vote green on 5 may 2016 Donate here to help our campaign in wales First seats in Wales within our grasp Louise Davies, Walesgreenparty.org.uk @walesgreenparty

For the first time in our history we can win For the first time we have a realistic chance There is so much to be optimistic about seats in the Welsh Government. The Wales of gaining a seat in the National Assembly for in Wales. Despite the rise of UKIP with Green Party has published six ambitious Wales. You can help us to make that a reality. their parachuted candidates who failed at commitments in the run up to the election. We There are three ways that you can help our Westminster; despite the Tories’ increasingly want to: campaign: Donate to our fundraiser. Jenny virulent agenda of cuts and austerity; despite • Provide free education for all, for life Jones will match your donations up to £1000! the tired Labour administration which has • Create a fair economy – a Wales that failed to build the Wales we all want – we can works for everyone. still be proud of everything we have achieved • Nurture vibrant communities that are • Help us with telephone canvassing – an as a nation. The Wales Green Party has built sustainable and resilient. hour or two on the phone could make all a dynamic team with the UK’s youngest • Build affordable homes that are the difference. party leader, Alice Hooker-Stroud, leading it insulated against high bills and cold forwards. snaps. • Join our action weekend in Cardiff: 30 • Fund a public NHS that is for everyone, April and 1 May. Accommodation can be Please help us to make 2016 the year we everywhere. provided. #ShakeUpTheSenedd. Diolch yn fawr! • Shift to a connected Wales with high tech infrastructure and reliable public If you can help with any of these contact: transport. [email protected] GREEN ACTIVIST | april 2016 | page 6 elections Newcastle Green Party is fielding work hard, not just to deal with the impact of candidates in 24 wards in Newcastle flooding but also ways to stop it happening in for next month’s 2016 local elections, the first place, both through the first place by Newcastle Green and looking to win its first seat on the tackling climate change, and through better City Council. Volunteers are particularly land management in the city. Party is sharing targeting the South Heaton Seat. Andrew Gray who is the Green Party Issues there are pollution caused by candidate for the South Heaton ward said cake to target a excessive traffic, the littering of rubbish in “The Green Surge of 2015 remains very back alleys and looking to put life back into evident on the doorstep in South Heaton, areas which have become tired. with many residents still enthusiastic about first Council seat! One priority is to fight for better public our policies. We’ve been campaigning for transport. Fewer cars and better public better private rented housing, safer streets for transport is the best way to reduce air pollution walking and cycling and more support for our and help to reduce traffic in residential areas, high streets. On all fronts, people know that which, at the same time, will make the city we have the real alternatives to the austerity centre more accessible for families. Parts of budgets that we have the real alternatives to Newcastle have been named by the Highways the austerity budgets that have decimated our Agency as having illegal levels of air pollution. neighbourhood services and degraded the The aim is to get more people to use public local environment for everyone.” transport, or travel by foot and this could be a At the last local elections Andrew got nearly Below: Green Party candidates for May’s local elections along with volunteers who are great benefit for South Heaton. 30% of the vote in South Heaton, this time campaigning for them. Another major concern for is the possible he’s aiming to win the ward. Photograph Dreana Bulmer-Thompson impact of flooding, and Green Councillors will GREEN ACTIVIST | march 2016 | page 7 campaignscampaigns

Greens for a Better Europe swinging into action! Natalie Bennett, Green Party Leader

With less than two months until the EU and inviting them to get involved locally to The polls are close and, too often, the referendum, now’s the time to get inspired campaign to stay in the EU. national media debate is aggressive, by how local Green activists have been In other areas, Greens have been turning uninspiring, and uninformative. Yet research taking part in the Greens for a Better up with banners, placards and leaflets outside shows that voters are interested in the EU and Europe campaign. Vote Leave events – doing a great persuasion hungry for more information. That’s where From delivering leaflets, putting up window job on those who’re still undecided. local Green parties come in. posters and collecting petition signatures, In response to local party demand, almost So please share your stories and pictures to holding regional Greener IN campaign half a million Greens for a Better Europe using #GreenerIN, check out the resource hub launches and getting local Greens into the leaflets have now been delivered – setting out on the members website, and get ready for a media, there’s a lot happening. our top five Green reasons to remain, and our huge push for the final seven weeks. We want In some target areas, Greens have delivered priorities for reform. Our Green campaign isn’t to make sure as many people as possible letters to all residents from other EU countries just about the referendum; it’s about building hear our distinctive, positive Green view on – letting them know they’re eligible to vote in an unstoppable movement to reform the EU the EU referendum. Don’t forget, it’s an the local elections, encouraging them to vote for the better and – ultimately – to elect more opportunity to encourage Remain voters to Green partly because of our pro-EU policies, Green MEPs. We can only do that if we stay in. become Green voters too! GREEN ACTIVIST | april 2016 | page 8 campaigns campaigns #GreenerIN Why the EU referendum is important for animal welfare Keith Taylor MEP

Our status as a nation of animal lovers has been a proud hallmark of Britain for centuries. As a nation of animal lovers, it’s worth taking a step back and thinking of the positive things we have achieved together in Europe. So often, they remain unseen and unacknowledged. It was the EU that first recognised animals as sentient beings: the EU Lisbon Treaty stipulates that, as sentient beings, full regard should be paid to animals’ welfare requirements. Owing to this recognition, EU animal protection laws are frequently stronger than those applied in other parts of the world. Together with our EU neighbours, we have improved conditions for animals where national governments have failed to act. Crucially, the influence of these improvements has been felt beyond European borders too. The EU brought in a blanket ban on cosmetic animal testing and the sale of animal-tested cosmetics; ended the use of great apes in research, improved welfare standards for farm animals, strengthened protections for rare and endangered species and cracked down on the illegal ivory trade. EU bans on the import of cat and dog fur and the trade in seal products also ensure that our continent doesn’t contribute to these gruesome industries. As the Green Party’s Animals spokesperson and the Vice President of the European Parliament’s Animal Welfare Intergroup, I know there is a desperate need to campaign for better standards, but I also know that we are far better placed to achieve those goals within the EU. The dangers facing many animals, from the international trade in puppies to trophy hunting and wildlife crime, can only be tackled by working across borders. Animals need the EU, and as a nation of animal lovers, we need to vote Remain. LGBTIO Green

& GREEN ACTIVIST | april 2016 | page 9 Proud news of our LGBTIQADiversity Candidates Aimee Challenor, Chair of LGBTIQ Greens Sexual Harassment Task Group call out The Greens are leading the way in LGBTIQA candidates in May’s Vicky Pearson, Co-Chair of Green Party Women elections. LGBTIQ Greens are currently supporting eight candidates LGBTIOfor May’s elections six of whom are listed on the LGBTIQ Greens In September 2015, Green Party Women were informed by a website at https://lgbtiq.greenparty.org.uk/people/candidates number of women that there were problems with reporting sexual Furthermore, a report into this year’s trans and non-binary harassment and abuse, within some Green Party settings and candidates has the Greens leading in Diverse representation of trans between some Green Party members. Women asked for help with Greenand non-binary candidates. The report, by trans activist, Zoe O’Connell both tackling and preventing these issues from happening. & lists the Green Party in Northern Ireland candidate for West Belfast – As a result, the Green Party Women committee have been working Ellen Murray, as the only Trans candidate for Stormont, and the Scottish with the party, as part of a Sexual Harassment Task Group, to look into Greens’ candidate Anna Crow, as being the only non-binary candidate past and existing complaints and find ways to make the party a wholly Proudin any election in May, alongside them both is Coventry Green Party’s safer and more accessible space for women. Green Party Women have Aimee Challenor, who is the Equalities (LGBTIQ) Spokesperson for since been able to gather information on newer cases and help to of our GPEW. tackle this kind of behaviour in some local areas. Green Party Women and the Sexual Harassment Task Group would like to do an open call out for reports from members, including any Diversity form of sexual harassment or abuse, or the way in which a complaint has been handled, so we can add these to our investigation. The Green Party as a whole is committed to equality and diversity within the party and is against discrimination at all levels. We are a group for women, by women, and aim to work with any women who need support. If you would like to contact this task force and discuss any issues that you feel would fall into this remit, please email: SH.taskgroup@ greenpartywomen.org.uk All information will be dealt with in the strictest confidence. GREEN ACTIVIST | march 2016 | page 10 elections

How to get a full slate and marked registers Robert Lindsay, Co-ordinator Association of Green Councillors

In a few days almost half and that they have absolutely no chance of our local Green parties are winning. However, simply circulating a round facing local elections and robin email will not work. You need to follow 1 1,525 Green candidates Party activists need to up a personalised email/letter with a phone will be standing. But start early – say October call. despite the ‘surge’ last year in members, this still only represents 54% of all seats that are before the May election There is one thing all local up for election. – approaching members party activists – whether Many local parties are not contesting every “ they have an election on seat and in a few areas, even where we have in each ward to stand as 2 5 May or not – should members, there are no seats being contested paper candidates. ensure they do now. Buy by Greens at all. the marked register for your target ward! Following the surge, there are very few The marked register is the one that shows areas where we do not have more members who actually voted – and who didn’t in the than seats to contest. That means that with Buy a marked register May 2015 general election. This is the last the right techniques and preparation it is for your target ward! chance to obtain it because local authorities relatively easy to contest every seat, just as destroy them 12 months after the date of the Labour and Conservatives have been doing for Local authorities destroy election. If you have this, you can see which years. Party activists need to start early – say them a year after the of your Green supporters failed to vote and October before the May election –approaching “ go and sign them up to a postal vote. But members in each ward to stand as paper date of the last election. perhaps more importantly, you can use it candidates. when canvassing to save time by missing out The Association of Green Councillors has those households where people did not bother persuasive template letters available that to vote. can be sent to prospective candidates. Do contact me at [email protected] to ask for them. The two things you need to make clear in writing is that we do not expect a non- target candidate to do any work in their ward GREEN ACTIVIST | April 2016 | page 11

The endangered brown hare policy Photo: David Baird

Policy that benefits all wildlife Olivia Masi, Wildlife and Habitats Working Group Join our Facebook group Email Elizabeth on [email protected]

The Harrogate Spring Conference was through all of our existing policies, to dig out own BAP (Biodiversity Action Plan). However, host to our first meeting of the brand new anything and everything related to wildlife and it can be legally shot for sport all year Green Party Wildlife and Habitats working habitats. From there we can then evaluate, round. The Animal Welfare Act 2006 states group. Over fifty enthusiastic and passionate and decide how to proceed, whether to tweak that it is an offence to knowingly cause an Greens attended the meeting, and together we or strengthen existing policies, or to create a animal to suffer. Conversely, The Wildlife and accumulated some fantastic ideas and issues whole Wildlife and Habitats chapter. So watch Countryside Act 1981 allows snares to still be to focus on, such as Rewilding, Extinction, this space for news on progress. used in Great Britain. Rights of Nature, Reintroductions, Invasive We believe that current legislation has Can you spot the theme running through Non-natives, Wildlife Crime, and Grouse too many conflicts and loopholes. We all these examples? All three loopholes do seem Moors. Rewilding was a very popular subject, know that it is a crime to release non-native to benefit the hunting and shooting industry, so we are creating a policy subgroup on this species in to the wild, yet, nearly 50 million don’t they? Our goal, must be to create Wildlife topic alone. non-native game birds are released into our and Habitat policy that benefits all wildlife and Our first step is for the Wildlife and Habitats environment each year. The Brown hare is a all people, not just a select few. Working Group Coordination Team to trawl Priority Species for Conservation and has its

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