1 Spring Conference Blackpool Winter Gardens 20-23 March 2009

If found, please return to: Name Local Party Promoted by Jon Nott, The Green Party, 1a Waterlow Road, London 5NJ. N19 Printed by Design PMS & Print, London Recsyn4QP Sydenham, SE26 House, Willow 10 Way, 2 3

Welcome to Green Party Spring Conference 2009 at the Blackpool Winter Gardens

Peter Cranie, not only on environmental issues, but in Lead Euro Candidate, providing a practical vision for a better North West Region Britain. Green policy on social justice, housing, jobs and transport will provide the vision that the other parties lack. We need a progressive vision, and We’d like to once again welcome members nowhere is that contrast more starkly seen here to the North West for Conference. than in the North West. In this region, the Our venue at the Winter Gardens is contest for the final Euro seat is likely to fantastic and a fitting launch point for be between the Greens and the BNP. It’s a our European Election campaign here in contest we can and must win. the North West. So a warm welcome to you all. Let’s Britain is in recession. The red, yellow work together at this Conference, as and blue parties have dogmatically Greens, to put our ideas and our vision followed free market economics and across to the electorate of Britain. There deregulation. They have led us down has never been a more important time a cul-de-sac in terms of economic and for us to meet together, so please make political thinking. the most of your time here at Conference, That is why Green Party Conference and please do use it to get ready for the is so important. We are leading the way European Election campaign.

paigning hard to defend our two existing seats in the European Parliament and to break through in other regions. Every member can make a difference by helping in the elections, and with a full day of training on Sunday you can pick , Leader up plenty of tips and share experiences. , Deputy Leader The training is doubly important given that there could be a General Election at Welcome to Spring Conference and to the any time. Speaking of which, if your lo- magnificent Winter Gardens. Blackpool cal party has not yet selected its General is the perfect destination for this confer- Election candidates please do so without ence and not just for the beach, bars and delay. We want to ensure we stand more bright lights. The North West is one of our candidates than ever before! target regions for the European election The conference programme is packed and we’re also close to Lancaster where with interesting policy discussions, pan- one of the most successful local parties in el debates and evening entertainment. the country has 12 City Councillors. We’ll also be attempting to break the This conference comes at a crucial time. world record for the biggest ever canvass Next month will see nominations open on Sunday afternoon in the Lancaster and for the European and County Council Fleetwood constituency. elections on 4th June. These elections are We look forward to talking to members a vital opportunity to make more Green during the conference. gains across the country. We’re cam- Have a good time! 4 Keeping it Green Recycling: recycling bins are in every room; please use them

Lights: turn off lights in empty rooms Badge holders: please return at the end or bring with you next time

Crockery: please help the venue staff by returning used crockery

Safety & security: please keep gangways, entrances and exits clear

Smile: enjoy yourself, and if you’re an old hand, give a warm welcome to newcomers

Thank You Conferences Committee & Clover Events

Please wear your badge at all times There will be no access to the venue after 6pm without your conference badge

Would you like to help organise future Green Party Conferences? A huge amount of work goes on behind the scenes to make confer- ence happen, and conference committee needs more members to share the load and make sure we continue to make conference more attractive and affordable to members, stallholders and the wider world! If interested please speak to an existing member of conferences committee (Sue Luxton, Emily Heath or Mohammed Jiwa) for more info, and consider putting yourself forward for election! 5

Contents

How Conference Works ...... 6-7 Final Agenda...... 8-42

Introduction...... 8 List of contacts ...... 8 Section A (Reports)...... 9-12 A1 Standing Orders Committee Report...... 9 A2 Policy Committee Report...... 10 A3 Dispute Resolution Committee...... 11 A4 GPEx Report...... 11 A5 Changes to SOC Standing Orders...... 12 Section B (Voting Papers)...... 13 B10 Tourism voting paper...... 13 Section C (Policy Motions)...... 19-32 (Numbers in brackets refer to number of prioritisation votes received) C01 Campaigning for an alternative economic strategy (50)...... 19 C02 Migration motion (39)...... 20 C03 Domestic abuse (29)...... 21 C04 Gender and asylum(24)...... 22 C05 Maternity services(24)...... 22 C06 Bringing climate change policy up to date (20)...... 23 C07 Zero carbon Britain (19)...... 23 C08 Women in employment and business (18)...... 24 C09 Intellectual property (15)...... 24 Timetable ...... 25-28 C10 Concentrating solar power and European grids (14)...... 29 C11 Monetary policy (13)...... 29 C12 Global financial archetecture(13)...... 30 C13 Carbon capture and storage pilot projects (11)...... 30 C14 Climate motion: geo engineering (5)...... 30 C15 Criminal justice (5)...... 31 C16 Natural gas storage in underground salt caverns (5)...... 31 C17 Northern Ireland (4)...... 32 Section D (Organisational Motions)...... 33-34 D01 Subscription rates (B) (44) ...... 33 D02 Subscription rates (A) (35)...... 33 D03 Additional synopsis from policy committee (41) ...... 34 D04 Prioritisation of motions (36) ...... 34 Section E (Draft Voting Papers)...... 35-41 E01 Education DVP ...... 35 Section O (Out of Order Motions)...... 42 O1 Members website ...... 42 O2 Convention of the Left ...... 42 Venue Map...... 43 Fringe Guide...... 44-49 Guide to Blackpool...... 50-51 Autumn Conference Booking form...... 52 6

How conference works

A. Registration & Voting C. What’s What When you register, you will be given your Conference badge and voting cards. Please wear your badge at all Plenary Sessions times inside the Conference venues and return the hold- These are held in the main hall. They are voting sessions er at the end of Conference. If you are a member you will where the formal business of Conference takes place. be given a set of voting cards, for use in plenary sessions Items from the Agenda are discussed and voted on in when a vote is called. There is a diff erent colour for each these sessions. The Agenda is made up of motions put day. forward by members of the party for amending, or inclu- Voting is done by raising your hand with the appro- sion in, the Manifesto for a Sustainable Society. priate card for that day. You will also receive a ‘card vote’ Before a paper or motion is considered in a plenary card. If this is used the procedure will be explained by session, there is a workshop. the Standing Orders Committee. If you have questions about the proposal, or wish to Please note. Lost voting cards cannot be replaced. You take part in the plenary debate, it is helpful if you attend need the correct voting card to vote. the workshop, though that is not essential.

Workshops B. Who’s Who These are discussions in small groups. They can be: Conference Committee * to discuss motions that will be The Conference Committee is elected debated in plenary sessions (so that annually at Conference and is re- the knotty problems can be sorted sponsible for organising the confer- out in a less formal atmosphere) ence, including all workshops, fring- * discussions of draft voting pa- es, plenaries, and entertainment. It pers (these are not debated in the is not, however, responsible for the plenary sessions) content of any of these. Its members are currently Sue * organised by Policy Committee to facilitate policy Luxton, Mo Jiwa and Emily Heath. development for future Conferences to consider. Any member can attend a workshop. A report from Standing Orders Committee (SOC) the workshop is given to Conference at the start of the SOC draws up the Agenda for Conference and advises on relevant debate. the rules of formal debate. They can be found at a table at the front of the main hall. Fringe meetings They are responsible for ensuring that Conference These are typically held at lunchtime and in the evening. sticks to the rules and guidelines set out in the Party’s Fringe meetings are organised by a variety of individu- constitution. Its members are currently Pippa Lane (con- als and groups, such as policy working groups or train- venor), Payam Torabi and Mark Hill. ing sessions. They are not part of the formal business of The first piece of formal business is always accept- Conference, but may cover educational or topical issues. ance of the SOC report, as this determines the order of business. During Conference SOC supervises votes and Attunement speakers in the plenary sessions (see below). They also Each plenary session starts with a 1-minute period of at- give advice to the chairs of the plenaries. tunement during which all activity stops. This is a time If you want to submit a speaker slip to be called to for calm reflection. Please do not talk or move around speak in a plenary session, or have any questions about during attunement. items on the Agenda, then please ask a member of SOC to explain the procedure. The Agenda and SOC Report The formal business of Conference is compiled into the Policy Committee Final Agenda by SOC. Conference must approve the Policy Committee is responsible for facilitating the policy Agenda before debate can start. This is done by approv- making process within the Green Party. If you want in- ing the SOC report, which is always the first item of for- formation about the policy making process, for example mal business at Conference. This is where you can chal- how draft voting papers turn into voting papers, please lenge rulings, such as out-of-order motions, and other contact them. The convenors are Policy Co-ordinators amendments, if you are unhappy with SOC’s decisions. Brian Heatley & Matt Follett (job-share). 7

Voting and Ballots involve both men and women. Any Party member may vote at Conference, so long as Speaker slips can be obtained from the SOC table. The they have registered and received their voting cards. Vot- “start of debate” means before the motion was moved, ing is by show of hands, holding the correct voting card. even if you only want to speak on an amendment; how- For a motion or amendment to be carried, it requires a ever, if a debate continues into a second session, slips majority of those voting for over those voting against. may be handed in also before the restart in the second Some motions, such as those that amend the Constitution session. or the Philosophical Basis, need a two-thirds majority. Emergency motions A card vote (ballot) The First Agenda deadline for motions to Conference is This may be held at the discretion of the Chair, or if re- 13 weeks before it starts. Emergency motions are intend- quested by at least 10 members. The ballot is held by ed to enable Conference to address situations that have placing card votes in designated ballot boxes in the hall; arisen since. it is organised by SOC. Emergency Motions are most often used by the Press Offi ce to facilitate publicity for a Green Party message Proxy votes on an important topical issue. EMs can also be brought In card votes only, you can vote on behalf of up to five by individual members to address a topic that they feel non-attending members, if you bring written consent important. All EMs need to be signed by at least four GP for that authority (a signed letter on their behalf) to the members and should not fall foul of the provisions in the registration table to register proxy votes. There will be Standing Orders for SOC ruling motions out of order. someone at the registration desk issuing proxy votes for Plenary time for emergency motions is available at an hour before each plenary. various times during the conference. If you want to pro- pose an emergency motion to be discussed by Confer- Speaking in plenary sessions ence, you should discuss it with Standing Orders Com- Any member may ask to speak during a debate, simply mittee and the External Communications Co-ordinator by raising their hand with that day’s voting card. In call- before submitting. ing members to speak, the Chair will usually give prior- ity to members who have a completed a speaker slip to Chairing ask to speak on that matter, and handed the slip to SOC The chairing of plenary sessions is organised before before the start of debate. It is also a good idea to attend the start of conference. Contact SOC if you are interested and make your point at the relevant workshop, which in chairing a session, at this or future conferences. the Chair will usually attend. Guidance is available on what the job entails and the The Chair will be concerned to achieve a balanced de- best way of acquiring the necessary skills is by co-chair- bate, representing the various points of view to inform ing alongside someone with experience. We are always members’ decisions on how they will vote. The Chair keen to encourage newcomers and broaden the expertise will aim to call new as well as experienced speakers, and within the Party. 8

Introduction

Welcome to the final agenda for Summaries & Synopses For information on these elections the Green Party’s 2009 Spring Conference Standing Orders state please contact the SOC Convenor. conference. that all motions must be accompa- nied by a synopsis of not more than Contacts for motions in this agenda: Content of Final Agenda: 50 words which will appear in the The names of those signing motions There is 1 voting paper (Tourism), 1 Agenda Summary. If motions are not are included after each motion, up Draft voting paper (Education), 17 accompanied by synopsis, SOC may to a maximum of 4 names, although policy motions, and 4 organisational devise a synopsis from the text in- only 4 are required. Where there are motions; 2 motions have been ruled cluded, although it is not obliged to more than 4, then the first 4 are listed out of order and are included at the do so. followed by “+ others”. The principal end of the Agenda. A number of pro- contact for each motion is indicated posals were submitted with insuf- Committee Elections: by (**) after the name and contact de- ficient signatures and were not in- Elections will be held at Conference tails can be found below. cluded at any place in this agenda. for all Committees that have vacan- cies. This includes the Standing Or- Errors in the Agenda: ders (3 places), Conferences (5 places), If you notice any errors in the final Campaigns (2 places), Policy (1 place), agenda please notify the convenor of International (1 place), Disputes SOC for correction. Resolution (2 places), and the Green World Editorial Board (3 places).

List of contacts for motions

Green Party Office Tel: 01934-853-606 Philip Mitchell Peter Allen 1a Waterlow Road, London N19 5NJ [email protected] 7 Raymond Avenue, Slatelands House, Slatelands Rd, Tel: 020-7272-4474 Blackpool, FY2 0TY Glossop SK13 6LH [email protected] [email protected] Brian Heatley 56 Walker House, NW1 1EP, Lorton Barn, Lorton Lane, Tel: 07967-417859 Cllr Romayne Phoenix Joseph Healey Weymouth, Dorset, DT3 5QH [email protected] 63 Adamsrill Road, Sydenham, Lon- [email protected] Tel: 01305 816514 don SE 26 4AJ [email protected] Sarah Mitchell [email protected] 42 Summersby Rd, London, N6 5UH Tel: 07985 053 907 St. Agatha’s Cottage, 19 Lower Alan Francis Tel: 020 8883 4237 Street, Stroud, GL5 2HT 6 Spencer St, new Bradwell, [email protected] Rachel Fryer [email protected] Milton Keynes MK13 0DW [email protected] Tel: 01908 316921 Jon Hooper Tony Cooper [email protected] [email protected] Matt Follett [email protected] 3 Elizabeth Court, Well Street, 23 Gainsborough Road, Sean Thompson Great Torrington, Devon, EX38 8EP Leicester LE2 3DG SOC Members 42 St Albans Road, NW5 1RH [email protected] Pippa Lane (convenor) [email protected] Deepak Rughani [email protected] [email protected] Andrew Collingwood Payam Torabi Richard Lawson [email protected] [email protected] Walnut House, Dolberrow, Mark Hill Churchill, Winscombe, BS25 5NT [email protected] 9

Section A Reports & Items Requested from Previous Conference

Items in section A of the agenda The Electoral Returning Officer Candidates for the posts of leader, are required by the Constitution or SOC thanks Roger Creagh-Osbourne deputy leader or co-leader and/or Standing Orders or at the request of a for his work as returning officer at their agents are entitled to contact previous Conference. The reports will Autumn Conference 2008. SOC has Party members via email, post or be included in the Final Agenda. been searching for a new ERO and are telephone. – unless the member has happy to announce Gordon Hodgson previously notified Party office that A1. Standing Orders Committee as ERO for this conference. they do not wish to be contacted in this way. For this purpose an inter- Order of Business Standing Orders nal electoral register, of Party mem- The SOCC state that SOC must con- After conference, SOC made a number bers who are happy to be canvassed, duct a ballot to assist in the prioriti- of minor changes to their standing will be provided. New members will sation of the motions. orders– see item A5 of the agenda. be given the option of opting into The precise format is not laid out. the register on joining while existing We have used the same process used Summaries and Synopses members will be given the chance to since the spring conference of 2008. Conference Standing Orders state opt out through a prominent notice 109 ballots were received, which that all motions should be accompa- in Green Activist. 107 of these were via the online poll. nied by a synopsis of not more than For this purpose, Party office will We promoted the ballot on e-lists. 50 words which will appear in the provide on application to either the The motions have been proposed Agenda Summary. candidate or his/her agent a single in the order set out above, on the ba- If your synopsis was more than 50 electronic copy of the register, which sis of the prioritisation ballot except words, it was probably cut by SOC. will contain the following informa- for the following changes: tion for members who have not ‘opt- Where motions were tied in num- Rulings ed out’: bers of votes, they were put in alpha- Rulings were made on the Party member name betical order. following: Local and Regional Parties The Subscription Rates motions SOC agreed to institute a tribunal Contact telephone number were put together meaning that against two members at the request Rolls for telephone canvassing as Subscription Rates (A) was moved up of the London Federation of Green above will be protected electronical- the list ahead of two other motions Parties. We cannot give further de- ly by passwords, and be in an unco- which had achieved more votes than tails due to confidentiality as the pyable PDF form. Each roll provided it. process is not yet complete. will have a different password, so their use can be tracked back to the SOC Vacancies Consultation on GPEx Election candidates. The documents will also Mark Hill comes to the end of his Regulations be protected so as to make them un- three-year term under the constitu- SOC wishes to consult on two con- printable. Any paper copies provided tion and will thus be stepping down tentious elements of GPEx election by the office for candidates not using at the end of this conference. Tim regulations. These have/will be sent a computer will be printed on dark Dawes resigned after being elected to relevant stakeholders including green (un-photo-copiable) paper, GPRC co-chair. Jim Jepps resigned GPEx and GPRC for consultation to watermarked, and marked with a over a dispute regarding a tribunal give guidance to the new ERO in his code that identifies the candidate to process. There are thus 3 vacancies drafting of the regulations. We also whom it was issued. on SOC which we are seeking to be want to give conference the chance In addition pre-printed mailing filled by election at this conference. to discuss, hence its inclusion in this labels will be provided by the office report. to any candidate (incl for annually Other Vacancies The first proposal is regarding tel- elected posts) that requests them. Posts for election at this conference ephone canvassing. SOC is proposing Before receiving this information, are: Conferences Committee (4 plac- the following as the basis of consul- the candidate and/or Party member es), Campaigns Committee (2 places), tation (changes from current regula- will confirm that use of this infor- Policy Committee (1 place), Interna- tions struck out): mation will be restricted entirely to tional Committee (1 place), Disputes One of the key aims of these rules the conduct of the election. Any use Resolution Committee (2 places), and is to increase turnout in these elec- outside of this election will not only the Green World Editorial Board (3 tions in a fair way. For that reason be referred by the ERO to GPRC as a places). it is important to enable candidates disciplinary matter, but may also fall to communicate effectively with the foul of Data Protection Legislation. membership. The second proposal is regard- ing expense limits. SOC is propos- 10 ing the following as the basis for administrative arrangements for lands Network, and have put before consultations: emergency Motions clearer. To do this conference a motion which sim- • The expense limit will be this SOC has designed a form which ply deletes the existing Northern reduced will help members submit emergen- Ireland chapter. This leaves North- • Extra support will be giv- cy motions and help SOC on the way! ern Ireland in the same position as en to candidates in their Please contact any member of SOC Scotland, with a brief mention in the campaigns by the national to request a form and to record your Public Administration and Govern- party. emergency motion with us. Once an ment chapter at PA400. • Expenses for first tier elec- emergency motion has been accept- At last Spring conference a motion tions (Leader and Deputy ed by SOC, we enter it into the formal on Palestine and Israel was referred Leader): 5p per member plus record of Conference and arrange for back to Policy Committee. There £250 it to be displayed. There are sessions was a fringe on a proposed draft at • Expenses for second tier elec- for Emergency Motions through- last conference which raised a large tions: 5p per member. out Conference and these are in the number of issues. Unfortunately it • The national party will pro- timetable. Finally, as a word of ad- has not been possible to present a vide two mailouts. In addi- vice, keep your emergency motion substantive motion to this confer- tion to the current booklet of short (fewer than 250 words) and if ence, but we do intend to take the candidate statements, a sec- possible send the text electronically work forward in further fringes. ond mailout with 1 page of to the SOC Convenor. Last Spring conference there was any content chosen by each an enabling motion on Population. candidate will be published Contacts for motions in this Agenda It has again proved impossible to and sent out by the national The names of those signing motions achieve sufficient agreement to party. are included after each motion, up present a Draft Voting Paper at this • The national party will to a maximum of 4 names, although conference despite the useful fringe provide a website for each only 4 are required. Where there are meeting at last conference. candidate. more than 4, then the first 4 are list- Policy Committee have raised ed followed by “and X others”. The concerns at the last two conferences Conference Timetable principal contact for each motion is about the large number of policy mo- The official notice for this Confer- indicated by (**) after the name and tions, and in our view the inadequate ence was published in the November contact details can be found at end level of discussion and preparation edition of Green World of the agenda. of many of these motions. We have MOTION: SOC proposes that Confer- proposed two motions at this con- Distribution of the First Agenda ence its report ference to address these problems, The full First Agenda was sent to lo- neither of which actually restricts cal and regional party co-ordinators, the ability of members to submit and the monthly e-mail to members A2: Policy Committee motions, but which are designed to contained a link to the full agenda. For this conference there is one Vot- promote respectively more discus- The summary agenda is usually ing Paper, on Tourism. This is laid sion and more thorough preparation. sent to all members via Green Activ- under the rule which says that if The first will give priority to motions ist but the last Green Activist went there is no other Voting Paper, Policy from a recognised party group over out before the First Agenda deadline Committee should select an existing motions simply signed by 4 mem- meaning this was not possible. section of the MfSS for review. There bers. The second will make Policy is also a Draft Voting Paper on Educa- Committee work harder, allowing Distribution of the Final Agenda tion following the first draft of this us on occasion to give a commentary The final agenda was published at last conference, and a total of 17 on motions under a restricted list of on the Party’s website on 31st Janu- Policy motions. headings; we hope such a procedure ary 2009 and circulated soon after The Education Draft Voting Paper will encourage promoters of mo- on the party’s email lists. Further, follows the enabling motion passed tions to consider these issues, and if a link to the agenda was sent to all two years ago, and is a substantial necessary talk to us, before a motion Local Party Contacts electronically. piece of work for which we are grate- is laid. Hard copies of the agenda have only ful to Rachel Fryer and the Education There are no less than five eco- been made available to Conference group. It will be debated at this con- nomic motions on this agenda that delegates or Local Party Contacts on ference at a workshop and at fringes, might otherwise fall within the application to Party Office. and a full Voting Paper is expected scope of the work on revising the next conference. Economics Chapter – on intellectual Submission of Emergency Motions Autumn 2007 Conference passed property, monetary policy, global All Emergency Motions must be dis- an enabling motion asking for a re- financial architecture, alternative played at the Conference venue for view of our policy on Northern Ire- economic strategy and women in at least one hour before the plenary land. We have been unable to obtain employment. Submitting an Econo- session in which they are to be dis- any substantive comments from the my DVP would in these circumstanc- cussed. SOC would like to make the other Green Parties in the Green Is- es be superfluous – indeed we may 11 seek to encourage this process next issue and the other is considering and we and he think that it is inap- conference, adding to our economics going to a Disciplinary Tribunal. propriate that he should exercise policy in bite sized chunks and then In the South East, the local party this discretion without any guid- simply proceeding with a relatively containing the dispute was dis- ance from the Party. Because this non-controversial consolidating DVP banded for lack of officers. No reso- circumstance could arise before Au- at the end. lution was achieved, nor did it seem tumn Conference 2009, which is the At last Autumn conference a possible. first time we can now fill this gap fringe meeting discussed issues The situation in the Eastern Re- in the constitution, GPEX is setting around the future of the MfSS. With gion is ongoing, and after a period out in this report how it proposes this conference in pre Euro election of worsening relationships a route to we should act if these circumstances mode and with a focus on training resolution is now clear. arise before then. These proposals the work has been put on hold until No disputes have been resolved in have the support of the GPRC co- after June 4th and will be progressed the last six months. chairs, and GPRC will be discussing at a future conference. There have been no new requests them on 7/8 February. This report Other policy work since last con- for DRC involvement in the last six gives conference the opportunity to ference has included carrying for- months. discuss and, by accepting the report, ward the work on generating short There is still one vacancy on the endorse these proposals, and also to positive policy ideas, creating a Committee, if you are interested in have some debate in advance of Au- pre-budget report statement in col- maintaining Party effectiveness by tumn Conference. laboration with the Green New Deal assisting in the resolution of difficul- Under electoral law, when an MEP Group, dealing as ever with routine ties, please put your name forward dies or resigns the returning officer policy enquiries, assisting press of- for election, either by email to soc@ is obliged to ask each person on the fice rather more than usual, contrib- greenparty.org.uk or during your at- Party’s list for the previous election uting to draft manifestos and keep- tendance at Conference. Normal dis- in turn, starting with the next one ing the MfSS and Record of Policy cussion is by email. We expect in ad- down the list, if they are prepared statements up to date. dition to have two or three physical to be the replacement. However, We are grateful to the members meetings every year, transport costs the Party can in practice block the of Policy Committee and our retir- to these meetings are borne by the appointment of a particular person ing GPRC friend Lesley Hedges for all DRC budget. by not providing a certificate. Thus their hard work and support over the Owen Clarke the replacement MEP must come past year. DRC Co-ordinator 15/1/08 from the Party’s list for the previ- Brian Heatley, Matt Follett ous election, but we could exercise Joint Policy Development our discretion so as to ensure that a Coordinator A4 Green Party Executive particular person on the list got the SOC recommends that GPEx submits nomination. this as an organisational motion GPEX has considered a range of A3 Disputes Resolution to Autumn Conference and that it options, from a system which allows Committee stands as an interim measure until the list to operate automatically pro- then. vided that the person concerned is This half year has seen a more active A vote to accept the report accepts still a member of the party, to op- DRC, with good response to emails the proposal as an interim measure tions where GPRC would exercise a and a keen interest in improving our but does not make a constitutional wide discretion in picking someone effectiveness. There is now an email change. from the list. We are proposing the address [email protected]. following compromise system. At uk which gives Green Party mem- Replacing MEPs and Assembly any time following a European Elec- bers access to all DRC members with Members tion a Region could decide, by a two- confidentiality assured for raising GPEX became aware after the First thirds vote at a Regional Meeting, points or asking questions. Commu- Agenda deadline for this confer- that a person on the list, usually the nication between GPRC and DRC has ence that the constitution contains person next on the list, was no long- been improved by the co-ordinator no procedure to cover the situation er suitable to be a Green Party MEP. attending GPRC meetings to present when a Green Party MEP dies or re- Such a decision would then have to a report and have conversations signs as an MEP. This may not be an be ratified by GPRC, and the person with individual regional councillors entirely academic issue; in particu- concerned would be given the oppor- outside the formal GPRC meeting. lar Caroline Lucas could be elected tunity to defend their position. Once 3 Disputes have withered away, an MP while already an MEP any this process had taken place the list and are not mentioned. time between now and May 2010. would operate almost automatically 2 Disputes have had resolution We have a very limited amount as if that person had been removed. abandoned. of discretion under electoral law to Thus when the death or resignation In the West Midlands both sides nominate a replacement. This pow- of an MEP takes place, and the next felt that resolution had been ineffec- er lies with our national nominating person on the list (as possibly already tive. One side decided to ignore the agent, the National Agent Chris Rose, modified by such a Regional recall) 12 is willing to serve as an MEP, and A5 Changes to SOC Standing Before doing so the Convenor should they have remained continuously Orders consider the complexity of the deci- in Green Party membership, or their sion to hand and the ability to have membership is not suspended, and Section 2 and Section 5 were amend- a proper discussion via the E-list. they are not a member of another ed. Amendments in italics. Generally, it is anticipated that prior party, then that next person on the to a request for a formal decision by list should automatically become the Section 2: SOC Convenor email, a discussion about the issue MEP. Within a week of the end of each Au- had taken place on the E-list and this The rationale for this procedure tumn Conference SOC will appoint a will assist the Convenor in reaching is that it is the Region that selects convenor. In the event of a vacancy his/her decision. the list in the first place, the Region SOC must appoint a replacement Once the Convenor has decided to that should have monitored the per- within a week. The SOC convenor use the ‘E-list’ he/she should post a formance of the next in line and so is appointed, or removed by a vote simple email covering each decision it is the Region that should take the of no confidence, by a minimum of to the list stating in the subject ‘DE- initiative if there are reasons, such three members of SOC, or a simple CISION BY XX/YY/ZZ ON [SUBJECT]’. as inactivity, why the second in line majority if there are less than five In the text of the email the Convenor person should not become a Green members of SOC. should explain the decision to be Party MEP. Natural justice demands Within a week of their appoint- made, make the relevant references that there is some kind of appeal ment following each Conference, to the Constitution & SOCC and con- mechanism, and hence the proce- the convenor must notify all mem- firm the deadline for a response. The dure involving GPRC. But it is also bers of SOC, the Conferences Com- deadline for response should be no important that we can act quickly mittee Convenor, Policy Committee less than 24 hours. Further, if the and without any distracting argu- Convenor, the GPRC Co-chairs and deadline is less than 72 hours the ments once an MEP resigns or dies, the GPEx chair, of the time & place Convenor should attempt to alert and that is why that unless there for meetings to discuss the first and the SOC members of the vote by has been a prior removal of a person second agenda for the forthcoming telephone. from the list, the list should be fol- Conference. Members of SOC should vote by lowed automatically, except in the The Convenor will maintain a simply replying to the list ‘FOR’ wholly exceptional circumstances copy of these standing orders. ‘AGAINST’ or ‘ABSTAIN’. when the person concerned has de- In particular, once the draft first clined the offer or left the party. Section 5: Decisions by E-list agenda has been compiled and circu- Similar issues arise in relation to The SOC Convenor will maintain an lated to SOC members and provided replacing members of the London Email list (‘E-list’) to which all SOC there is no other business to be con- and Welsh Assemblies. However members and the Returning Officer sidered, it will be acceptable to de- our discretion is much more limited. can post items and any Green Party cide by E-list to cancel the meeting to We can only prevent the appoint- member can join on a ‘read-only’ consider the first agenda established ment of a particular person if they basis. SOC members must therefore in (2) above. This option does not ap- have ceased to be a member of the ensure that the SOC Convenor has a ply to the meeting to consider the national party, but we can allow current email address and telephone second agenda. the appointment even if they have number for you. left the party. We propose that we The SOC Convenor will have the would never exercise this discretion sole discretion to determine wheth- to allow the appointment of a person er an item is suitable for decision by who was not a member of the party. E-list with the exception of a vote of Brian Heatley, GPEx no confidence in the SOC Convenor. 13

Section B: Voting Papers

B10 Tourism voting paper more self-reliant local and regional secure economy, less dependent on (Submitted by policy committee) economies, which are diverse and temporary seasonal work. They re- can meet more needs locally. They duce waste of resources and pollu- Synopsis provide communities with a more tion of the environment. There are no other voting papers ex- secure economy, less dependent on TM004 A shift towards sustainable pected for this Conference, and so temporary seasonal work. They re- tourism requires information of under section C5 of standing orders duce waste of resources and pollu- tourists and businesses about the Policy Committee has to present one tion of the environment. economic, social and environmental existing section of the MfSS for dis- impacts of tourism. This is neces- cussion at Conference as a voting pa- Amendment 1 sary to ensure that tourist activities per. The Committee has chosen the After ‘Background’ insert: and facilities are on a scale which Tourism section. This motion sim- TM001 In accordance with the Uni- matches the local community, are ply tables the section as it currently versal Declaration of Human Rights, sympathetic to and do not pollute stands. Amendments to the section which states that Article Everyone the environment, and are deter- are invited for the final agenda. has the right to leave any country, mined to a large extent by the local including his own, and to return to community. Motion his country. we recognise travel and Proposed by: Matt Follett*, John Nor- Delete the existing Tourism section tourism to be important rights. ris, Roger Creagh-Osborne, Brian in the MfSS (TM001-TM101) and re- TM002 Tourism is defined as travel Heatley, Alan Francis, Rachel Fryer place it with the following: to another place within one’s own country or to another country other TM004 A shift towards sustainable than for work or business purpos- tourism requires information of TOURISM es. The benefits of tourism must be tourists and businesses about the balanced with the right of all to a economic, social and environmental Background healthy and sustainable environ- impacts of tourism. This is neces- TM001 Tourism is defined as travel ment, economy and social life. (See sary to ensure that tourist activities to another place within one’s own RR201) and facilities are on a scale which country or to another country for TM003 We recognise that cultural matches the local community, are leisure purposes. Travel is a relative exchange between peoples can be a sympathetic to and do not pollute right. It must be balanced with the positive thing, provided that this is the environment, and are deter- right of all to a healthy and sustain- done is a responsible way. We sup- mined to a large extent by the local able environment, economy and so- port ‘working holidays, cultural ex- community. cial life. (see RR201) changes and longer term study or TM002 The Green Party is concerned travel in a country, as a means to Amendment 3 about ecological. social and econom- understand the culture of the places replace TM004 with “The Green ic effects of tourism. one is visiting.’. Party supports shifts towards more We seek to ensure that: Proposed by: Matt Follett*, John Nor- sustainable models for the holi- • damage to the local and glo- ris, Roger Creagh-Osborne, Brian day industry which ensure that ac- bal environments is kept to a Heatley, Alan Francis, Rachel Fryer tivities and facilities are on a scale minimum; which match the local community, • people are encouraged to take Amendment 2 are sympathetic to and do not pol- their holidays closer to home, Delete current TM001 and TM002 lute the local environment, and are reducing the amount of travel, and renumber accordingly: determined to a large extent by the particularly by air; TM003 Tourism can have benefits. local community.” • the relationship between These can include inward invest- Proposed by: Matt Follett*, John Nor- tourists and the communities ment and development in local com- ris, Roger Creagh-Osborne, Brian they visit is an equitable one. munities. Such development must Heatley, Alan Francis, Rachel Fryer TM003 Tourism can have benefits. be sustainable. We encourage the These can include inward invest- development of facilities suitable for Policy aims ment and development in local com- a variety of purposes throughout the TM010 Tourism to consume fewer re- munities. Such development must year, to meet the needs of local peo- sources, particularly non-renewable be sustainable. We encourage the ple as well as tourists. We encourage resources. There must be a dramatic development of facilities suitable for more self-reliant local and regional reduction in the intensive use of fos- a variety of purposes throughout the economies, which are diverse and sil fuel for travel, such as car and air year, to meet the needs of local peo- can meet more needs locally. They travel (see EN510). Where resources ple as well as tourists. We encourage provide communities with a more such as water are scarce, there must 14 be particular economy in their use to be gained from the access to and TM022 Certification for tour opera- for tourism. use of those resources in the future. tors would take into account factors At present most tour operators try such as: Amendment 4 to offer the cheapest package, with- a. the tour operator’s membership delete TM010 out giving the buyer any advice on of and status in independent en- Proposed by: Matt Follett*, John Nor- how they could reduce their impact vironmental certification schemes ris, Roger Creagh-Osborne, Brian on the place they are visiting and such as Green Globe; Heatley, Alan Francis, Rachel Fryer whether there are alternatives avail- b. the extent to which tour docu- able which would be more sustain- ments inform tourists about the lo- TM011 To discourage unsustainable able and beneficial to the hosts. cal culture and about the environ- and damaging tourist developments. mental/social issues which they A more open and democratic deci- Amendment 7 might encounter, and advise them sion-making process to determine Insert new TM016 on how they could help to reduce what developments should be built, Encouragement will be given to their adverse environmental impact and that they benefit local people as non-commercial activities which and to support the local economy of well as tourists. promote tourism which is both envi- the places they are visiting; ronmentally responsible and which c. the information provided in Amendment 5 maximises the potential benefits of brochures and tour handouts about delete TM011 contacts between peoples. This in more sustainable modes of trans- Proposed by: Matt Follett*, John Nor- particular involves non-commercial portation such as trains, buses and ris, Roger Creagh-Osborne, Brian activities such as exchange schemes, passenger ferries, particularly for Heatley, Alan Francis, Rachel Fryer cultural festivals, study, working distances of up to 500 miles; holidays, voluntary work, town d. the information provided in TM012 To encourage involvement twinning, sporting visits and links tour documents about where and of tourists with the communities with particular institutions such as how to buy locally produced food and they are visiting. Separation of tour- schools. support smaller independent accom- ists from the local environment and Proposed by: Matt Follett*, John Nor- modation and food establishments; people has led to a lack of perception ris, Roger Creagh-Osborne, Brian and understanding, not least of is- Heatley, Alan Francis, Rachel Fryer TM023 Certification would also take sues addressed by these Green poli- into account the extent to which the cies. We see positive integration of TM021 To encourage awareness of tour operator: tourists and hosts in a sustainable these issues The Green Party would e. is aware of and actively respects way as the best way to achieve max- promote a Green tourism certifica- local, regional. national and interna- imum benefit to both. tion system, building on existing tional rules established by treaties schemes but with more comprehen- protecting fauna and flora; Amendment 6 sive criteria. f. has procedures for undertaking delete second sentence of TM012 a full environmental impact assess- Proposed by: Matt Follett*, John Nor- Amendment 8 ment before any new tourist devel- ris, Roger Creagh-Osborne, Brian Delete TM021 and replace with “To opment is created, to ensure that the Heatley, Alan Francis, Rachel Fryer encourage awareness of the impact chosen venue is environmentally, of travel and awareness of sustain- sociologically and anthropological- Information and awareness ability issues the Green Party would ly sufficiently robust to support the TM015 Raising awareness amongst promote a Green tourism certifica- operation proposed without undue tourists, tour operators, govern- tion system, building on existing damage in these areas; ments and international bodies schemes but with more comprehen- g. has a policy of minimising use about the environmental, social and sive criteria. of the most environmentally un- economic effects of tourism is a vital Proposed by: Matt Follett*, John Nor- sustainable forms of long-distance first step in tackling the issues raised ris, Roger Creagh-Osborne, Brian transport (e.g. by travelling where here. A rounded education for life in- Heatley, Alan Francis, Rachel Fryer feasible over land and sea rather cludes consideration of such issues, than by air); at school and in higher education Amendment 9 h. adopts EMS (environmen- and government should make such Insert new TM022 and renumber: tal management systems) to re- issues clear in its handling of the “Such certification schemes would be duce any negative impact on the tourist industry. constructed so as to both incentivise environment; the providers of travel and tourism i. seeks the active involvement of Tour operators and tourist industries facilities to achieve a higher rating host communities in the decision- TM020 Sustainability applies to both and also to encourage consumers to making process with regard to new tourists and the businesses which choose higher rated options.” and existing tourist developments, depend on their trade. The destruc- Proposed by: Matt Follett*, John Nor- both in the UK and overseas; tion of tourism resources for short- ris, Roger Creagh-Osborne, Brian j. supports smaller independent term profit will deny the benefits Heatley, Alan Francis, Rachel Fryer local accommodation providers; 15

k. recruits personnel locally for Proposed by: Matt Follett*, John Nor- Proposed by: Matt Follett*, John Nor- all levels of responsibility, and gives ris, Roger Creagh-Osborne, Brian ris, Roger Creagh-Osborne, Brian these personnel full work benefits Heatley, Alan Francis, Rachel Fryer Heatley, Alan Francis, Rachel Fryer applicable to other workers in the same country; TM024 The Green Party believes TM031 Local, unitary and structure l. protects and enhances the rights such a scheme should be a UK contri- plans, where they do not already do of workers employed in the tourist bution to the development of inter- so, should include tourism. The pe- industry, including in other coun- national standards with other coun- riodic reviews should include a full tries by insisting that overseas busi- tries. The UK should consult other environmental impact assessment ness partners adhere to acceptable countries, particularly those which of tourism in the area, which would standards in these areas. are destinations of UK tourists, and include recommendations and tar- should propose a set of guidelines on gets to ensure the achievement and Amendment 10 sustainable tourism. maintenance of environmental sus- delete TM022 and TM023 and replace tainability. This would be supple- with: TM025 The term “eco-tourism” has mented by wider strategic environ- TM023 Certification would also take been adopted by many tour opera- mental assessments. into account the extent to which the tors, and can be misleading in terms tour operator: of its real impact on the environment TM032 Regional planning should en- e. is aware of and actively respects and local peoples. The desire to see courage the provision of sustainable local, regional. national and interna- unspoiled/traditional landscapes leisure facilities, so that more people tional rules established by treaties and cultures in fact can lead to dam- do not feel a need to travel abroad for protecting fauna and flora; age to those very things. There are their holidays. f. has procedures for undertaking no adequate UK or international a full environmental impact assess- standards, which could guide tour Tourism and the economy ment before any new tourist devel- operators and tourists as to what TM040 Tourism is an important part opment is created, to ensure that the constitutes an “eco-tourist” holiday. of many local and regional econo- chosen venue is environmentally, The UK should promote the develop- mies in England and Wales. The sociologically and anthropological- ment of such standards, in consulta- Green Party seeks to ensure that the ly sufficiently robust to support the tion with other countries. contribution made by tourism is sus- operation proposed without undue tainable, and benefits the economy damage in these areas; Amendment 11 of the locality where it takes place g. has a policy of minimising use Delete TM025 (see EC911), We promote democratic of the most environmentally un- Proposed by: Matt Follett*, John Nor- economic planning and manage- sustainable forms of long-distance ris, Roger Creagh-Osborne, Brian ment. (seeEC511) transport (e.g. by travelling where Heatley, Alan Francis, Rachel Fryer feasible over land and sea rather TM041 Much employment in the than by air); Tourism in England & Wales tourist industry is low paid, casual h. adopts EMS (environmen- and seasonal work, and in bad con- tal management systems) to re- Tourism and planning ditions. The Green Party would en- duce any negative impact on the TM030 The current planning process courage more stable employment, environment; in England and Wales is fundamen- not least by promoting dual use of i. seeks the active involvement of tally undemocratic and careless of lo- tourism facilities on a year-round host communities in the decision- cal communities’ needs. This can al- basis (see TM030). Employers should making process with regard to new low developments for tourism which not be able to deprive casual or sea- and existing tourist developments, have negative consequences for the sonal workers of statutory employ- both in the UK and overseas; locality in which they are sited and ment rights (see WR332 and WR342 j.supports smaller independent for the livelihoods of local people. - 349). We would strengthen enforce- local accommodation providers; However, properly informed, open, ment to ensure that employers meet k. recruits personnel locally for democratic decisions primarily by their statutory obligations. all levels of responsibility, and gives the local community about tourist these personnel full work benefits developments are needed to secure TM042 The Green Party favours a applicable to other workers in the sustainable benefit for both the tour- general review of legislation related same country; ists and the economy and lives of lo- to the conduct of restaurant and fast l. protects and enhances the rights cal people. New development should food enterprises. The key objective of workers employed in the tourist be assessed for its capacity to sustain would be to reduce the negative en- industry, including in other coun- year-round use, not just in the tour- vironmental impacts of such enter- tries by insisting that overseas busi- ist season. prises and improve employment in ness partners adhere to acceptable them. Local authorities should be em- standards in these areas. Amendment 12 powered to encourage certain types Delete TM030 of outlet, for example small cafés or restaurants owned and operated by 16 local people, and to encourage all TM051 The Green Party wishes to of renewable energy and sustain- food outlets to source a significant cut the use of fossil fuels by encour- able fuels for waterborne transport proportion of their food supplies aging the use of public transport (seeEN302). Canals, rivers and wa- from local producers, to strengthen rather than private cars for tour- terways used for tourism need to be the local economy. ism. Local authorities should help managed to ensure minimum dis- co-ordinate the provision of public ruption to the local ecology by tourist Amendment 13 transport to existing tourist facili- activities there. Speed restrictions on delete from ‘facilities’ in TM041 and ties. Local restaurants, hotels, facili- motorised craft must be enforced. delete TM042’. ties and tourist attractions should be Proposed by: Matt Follett*, John Nor- encouraged to give special offers to Tourism, our natural and cultural her- ris, Roger Creagh-Osborne, Brian those visitors who use public trans- itage, and the environment Heatley, Alan Francis, Rachel Fryer port, in exchange for promotion of TM060 Our country’s natural and their facilities through the transport cultural heritage attracts tourists. Amendment 14 operators and local authority. Such We need to ensure tourism supports TM042 insert the word ‘cafes’ be- a scheme would be self-financing “ the maintenance of that heritage, tween ‘restaurant’ and ‘and fast food and renumber accordingly. rather than damaging it through enterprises’. excess. A rich natural heritage, man- Proposed by: Matt Follett*, John Nor- Amendment 16 aged properly, can be enjoyed by ris, Roger Creagh-Osborne, Brian Delete ‘“ and renumber accordingly.’ tourists and local people in environ- Heatley, Alan Francis, Rachel Fryer from the end of TM051. mentally sensitive ways. Proposed by: Matt Follett*, John Nor- Amendment 15 ris, Roger Creagh-Osborne, Brian Amendment 18 TM042 insert the words ‘and drink’ Heatley, Alan Francis, Rachel Fryer delete TM060 between ‘all food’ and ‘outlets’. Proposed by: Matt Follett*, John Nor- Proposed by: Matt Follett*, John Nor- TM052 Similarly, new tourist devel- ris, Roger Creagh-Osborne, Brian ris, Roger Creagh-Osborne, Brian opments must be subject to an en- Heatley, Alan Francis, Rachel Fryer Heatley, Alan Francis, Rachel Fryer vironmental impact assessment in- cluding the number of new visitors TM061 Areas and sites which have TM043 Some areas have many sec- likely. Where development bringing come under severe pressure from ond homes/holiday flats, which are a significant increase in numbers tourist activities would be desig- only occupied for a few weeks a year. of visitors is accepted, the develop- nated for absolute protection from This produces very limited benefit to ers must work with public transport further degradation. Local authori- the local economy. It is detrimental providers and the local authority to ties should have responsibility for to the local communities, pushing ensure sufficient additional public enforcement, and legal penalties house prices higher and pricing lo- transport is provided. would fall upon both individuals cal people out of the market. The and corporate bodies responsible Green Party’s policy of Land Value Amendment 17 for damage. Local authorities, non- Tax has no reduction or exemption Delete TM052 governmental organisations and for properties which are left vacant. Proposed by: Matt Follett*, John Nor- the public would be consulted about It will deter the ownership of sec- ris, Roger Creagh-Osborne, Brian the designation of such sites. Such ond ‘holiday’ homes and encourage Heatley, Alan Francis, Rachel Fryer designation would provide added greater use of underused buildings. protection for vulnerable sites. Sen- (see EC793) TM053 The Green Party encourages sitive natural habitats such as in the the use of environmentally sustain- Lake District and Snowdonia require Tourism and transport able modes of transport, as set out in protection. The Green Party also pro- TM050 Tourists visiting this coun- the hierarchy of modes in our trans- motes a general policy of conserva- try increase the load on the national port policy (see TR030). Facilities for tion and protection for all our coun- transport system. This impact must walking, cycling, riding and provi- tryside for enjoyment by tourists be managed in an environmentally sion of public transport help tourism and local people. (see CY501 - CY503 sustainable manner, and to ensure to benefit both tourists and residents. and CY550 andCY580) that benefits of changes to provision We would empower local authorities or infrastructure apply both to tour- to give grants to small and medium Amendment 19 ists and the host community. Some sized tourism enterprises to improve Delete TM061 areas will attract large numbers of significantly their facilities for cy- Proposed by: Matt Follett*, John Nor- tourists, and much of this tourism clists or links with public transport ris, Roger Creagh-Osborne, Brian will be seasonal. Additional public provision. Heatley, Alan Francis, Rachel Fryer transport should be provided at such times to cater primarily for tourists TM054 Canals and other waterways TM062 Certain leisure pursuits so that these journeys can be made offer sustainable opportunities for which are resource intensive, such as with less environmental impact and tourism with limited consumption motor boating, helicopter and small disruption to local travel. of resources. We encourage the use aircraft pleasure flights, have great- 17 er impact on the environment. Local Proposed by: Matt Follett*, John Nor- sil fuels, most significantly air trav- authorities should be empowered ris, Roger Creagh-Osborne, Brian el. This is resulting in ever growing to ban these activities from specific Heatley, Alan Francis, Rachel Fryer emissions of greenhouse gases. This locations in which they are inappro- TM065 Physical deterioration of his- is leading to dramatic and potential- priate. The costs of such activities to toric buildings and artifacts can also ly devastating climate change. participants should reflect their im- be a major problem, whether due to pact upon the environment. pollution or excessive contact with TM076 The Green Party wishes to tourism. But “historic” tourism can reduce drastically the amount of TM063 Golf course proliferation provide income to support the resto- travelling that takes place for tour- in Britain is unsustainable due to ration and maintenance of historic ist purposes, and would do so with its varied environmental impacts. buildings and may stimulate the the policies set out in the air trans- Further development would be dis- conversion of other old buildings port section of our transport policy. couraged and regulations would be into tourist accommodation. The Rather than travelling by air, we placed upon existing golf courses Green Party would support this, sub- encourage people to travel overland requiring them to implement course ject to safeguards for the buildings and by sea. The UK should press gov- management practices consistent and surrounding area. Local authori- ernments to ease visa restrictions with environmental sustainability. ties should preserve, promote and for people travelling through their maintain local cultural treasures country and improve co-operation Amendment 20 of all kinds in co-operation with between countries to develop inter- delete TM063 and replace with new locally based non-governmental national ticketing arrangements. TM063 below: organisations. TM063 Certain type of leisure facili- Amendment 23 ties such as golf courses and large TM066 Those local authorities cover- Delete TM075-TM076 caravan parks may have significant ing areas attracting significant num- Proposed by: Matt Follett*, John Nor- environmental costs and impacts. bers of tourists should maintain a ris, Roger Creagh-Osborne, Brian Regulations would be developed to Tourism Consultative Committee, Heatley, Alan Francis, Rachel Fryer ensure all facilities implemented to involve local businesses, people management practices consistent and community organisations as a TM077 Our policies to change the na- with environmental sustainability specialised advisory body to recom- ture of work would give people more and minimum impact on the natu- mend policy improvements, based leisure time to enable them to make ral and human surroundings. on principles of sustainability. journeys by more environmentally Proposed by: Matt Follett*, John Nor- friendly means, and to reap the ben- ris, Roger Creagh-Osborne, Brian Policies on International Tourism efits of an enriched travelling expe- Heatley, Alan Francis, Rachel Fryer TM070 While Green policies for tour- rience. Our policies to improve peo- ism will vary to achieve similar ple’s quality of life would reduce the TM064 Caravan and camping sites objectives in diverse local circum- desire to travel frequently to escape can help encourage tourists to spend stances, all are advocated on a basis life at home. more leisure time in this country. of equity. Where we favour a partic- Larger sites should be strictly moni- ular policy at home, we think it only Amendment 24 tored by local authorities to ensure fair reasonable that other countries Delete TM077 environmentally responsible dis- should be able to do likewise, rather Proposed by: Matt Follett*, John Nor- posal of waste, minimum mainte- than being exploited as a result of ris, Roger Creagh-Osborne, Brian nance standards for health and safe- disparities in economic power. Our Heatley, Alan Francis, Rachel Fryer ty and responsible use of the local policies for international tourism environment. recognise that principle, and seek to International tourism and the ensure that policies we recommend economy Amendment 21 in England and Wales are respected TM080 International tourism is a delete TM064 and replace as pro- by UK tour operators etc when im- “high value” industry, offering com- posed TM064 below: plemented in other countries. paratively large revenues and prof- TM064 Certain type of leisure facili- its. However, those are usually chan- ties such as golf courses and large Amendment 22 nelled back to the tour operators, caravan parks may have significant delete TM070 airlines and large organisations, of- environmental costs and impacts. Proposed by: Matt Follett*, John Nor- ten based in richer countries, rather Regulations would be developed to ris, Roger Creagh-Osborne, Brian than benefiting the local economies ensure all facilities implemented Heatley, Alan Francis, Rachel Fryer of the countries hosting the tour- management practices consistent ists. Imports of food, furniture, other with environmental sustainability International tourism and transport goods and services, and personnel and minimum impact on the natu- TM075 There has been a rapid in- are at the expense of the local econo- ral and human surroundings. crease in international tourism and my. Prices for goods and services are consequent journeys made using often pushed up by tourists’ demand modes of transport dependent on fos- for them, to the detriment of meeting 18 local requirements. The Green Party International tourism and the International tourism and local cul- supports countries and communities environment tures and peoples seeking to require local purchasing, TM090 International tourism de- TM100 The Green Party condemns and the development of local indus- pends on the attractiveness of the the forcible removal of people from tries to meet demand. destination’s resources to its visitors their homelands to make way for whether those are natural resources, tourist developments. Full respect Amendment 25 such as beautiful scenery and wild- must be paid to the cultural and Delete TM080 life, or human-made resources, such spiritual environment of the hosts in Proposed by: Matt Follett*, John Nor- as historic buildings and ancient the country visited, and all direct or ris, Roger Creagh-Osborne, Brian sites. The environment of faunal and indirect implications of the conser- Heatley, Alan Francis, Rachel Fryer floral species which are locally frag- vation of its heritage and traditions. ile, rare or close to extinction should TM081 Where tourism develop- be the object of scrupulous respect, TM101 We recognise that cultural ments by overseas companies prove in order to save the existence of such exchange between peoples can be a unsustainable, host local communi- populations and their habitats as positive thing, provided that this is ties will need to work together to en- much as possible. These precautions done is a responsible way. We sup- able them to reclaim disused tourist should apply to wildlife of all kinds. port ‘working holidays, cultural ex- facilities and complexes for use by Protection and conservation of his- changes and longer term study or the local population, by means of toric buildings and sites must be travel in a country, as a means to renovation work, or, where this is not fully respected. Consideration needs understand the culture of the places possible, demolition and rebuilding. to be given to the architectural plan- one is visiting.’ Multi-use developments should be ning of tourist facilities by using encouraged, so that they can better building styles and materials in har- Amendment 26 meet the needs of local people and mony with the natural and existing Delete TM101 tourists together. The Green Party built environment. Proposed by: Matt Follett*, John Nor- supports countries and communi- ris, Roger Creagh-Osborne, Brian ties seeking to control development TM091 UK and international guide- Heatley, Alan Francis, Rachel Fryer in these ways. lines for the tourist industry (see TM020ff) should be fully respected Submitted by Brian Heatley **, Matt when the UK is making loans of Follett, Alan Francis, Roger Creagh- money to countries to develop their Osborne tourist provision, or providing assist- ance to UK tour operators. 19

Section C – Policy Motions

C01 – Campaigning for an alter- repossession. In addition, workers families currently on housing wait- native economic strategy affected by major changes in indus- ing lists. trial strategy must be confident that 7 . Powers to enable families in their futures will be secured and im- mortgage arrears to transfer the Synopsis proved, rather than threatened, by tenure of their homes to social The resolution commits the GPEW those changes. tenancies. to campaign for an emergency pro- Therefore, the Green Party will ac- 8. Taking all large scale energy gramme of economic and social re- tively campaign, particularly within production and distribution into construction, based on the proposals the trade union movement, for an public ownership. of the New Green Deal pamphlet, but emergency programme of economic 9. A programme of large scale di- broadened and reinforced in order and social reconstruction, based on rect public investment in the con- to transform fundamentally, rather the proposals of the New Green Deal version of existing engineering and than simply to try to stabilise and pamphlet, but broadened and rein- construction component manufac- regulate, the current financial and forced by the following measures: turing to more socially useful pro- industrial system. 1. The permanent retention of duction, the development of their RBS, Lloyds/HBOS, B&B and North- productive capacity and a big expan- ern Rock in effective public owner- sion in relevant R&D. Motion ship and their conversion into more 10. An absolute guarantee of jobs The authors of the New Green Deal responsive and democratically con- and retraining with no loss of pay pamphlet are right to say that the trolled institutions, a surplus profits or security for workers having to current crisis undermines the credi- tax on the clearing banks and the redeploy from declining to expand- bility of the whole neo-liberal project introduction of powers to control ing sectors as a result of the major and to point out the need for good the investment policies, dividends changes in industrial strategy that old-fashioned direct government and bonus payments of all privately are required -for example, the con- spending and job creation, putting owned financial institutions. traction of the motor vehicle, arma- new demand into the economy 2. The active development and ments and aero-space industries and through investing in infrastructure promotion of alternative vehicles the run-down and replacement of and public services. However, the for the provision of credit, includ- much of the existing electricity gen- scale and intensity of the crisis has ing publicly owned and account- eration capacity. worsened since the report’s publica- able banks, local community banks, Amend MfSS section EN400 to: tion and it is clear that a programme credit unions, building societies and The large scale production and dis- of infrastructural renewal even other mutuals. tribution of electricity and gas will more ambitious than that envisaged 3. Government powers to direct be brought into a fully accountable by the pamphlet’s authors is needed. the investment policies of the pen- public sector. Such a programme will require de- sion funds, including the require- termined government and popular ment to invest a certain percent- Amendment 1 action to end the domination of the age of their funds into government Delete paragraph numbered 1 (The market and to use society’s resources bonds each year. permanent retention of...) and re- to transform fundamentally, rather 4 . Implementation of a direct tax- place with; than simply to try to stabilise and ation policy aimed at steadily reduc- 1. The creation of a monopoly on regulate, the current financial and ing income and wealth differentials. the creation of credit, both for cor- industrial system. 5. The regeneration and restruc- porate and retail banking, oper- It will require a programme of turing of our public transport sys- ated by the Bank of England under industrial restructuring of wartime tem, including the return to public the direction of the Government. proportions and a determined social ownership of the railways and dem- The retention of RBS, Lloyds/HBOS, programme that puts measures to ocratic public control of local and re- B&B and Northern Rock in perma- advance equality at the centre of its gional bus services, including the re- nent and effective public ownership proposals. In order to gain the active introduction of municipal and other and their conversion into a chain of support of working people it will be commonly owned services. smaller, more responsive and demo- necessary to make the defeat of un- 6. Funding for a major programme cratically controlled local banks. The employment an explicitly central of social housing construction and introduction of powers to control objective of government economic refurbishment by local authorities, the investment policies, dividends policy, along with measures aimed at housing co-operatives and housing and bonus payments of all privately steadily reducing income and wealth associations in order to respond to owned financial institutions. differentials and safe-guarding the the aspirations of the four million homes of families threatened with 20

Add after paragraph numbered 10 Proposed: *, Ruth Jol- of failure like the old “Guest worker (An absolute guarantee of jobs...) a ly, Tracy Dighton-Brown, Sue Luxton system”. Migrants that are admitted new paragraph; and two others temporarily must have the chance to 11. Countering the loss of jobs obtain a permanent residence per- by introducing a statutory 35 hour Submitted by Sean Thompson **, mit. Member States should stimulate working week and banning the sys- Katie Buse, Matt Selwood, Peter Al- migration by creating conditions for tematic use of overtime working. len and five others migrants, without affecting their Proposers: Sean Thompson, Cllr. rights and choices. Furthermore, the Romayne Phoenix, Joseph Healy, EU shall contribute to the transfer Peter Murry, Andy Hewett and two C02 - Migration of skills and knowledge by granting others. access to their universities and high Synopsis schools to a generous number of peo- Amendment 2 The at its ple from “developing countries”. In Section 8 of C01 delete all and re- spring Council agreed the following 4. All migrants are entitled to place with: policy on Migration, which is now fundamental human rights. Family “Taking all energy distribution the common policy for the European reunification is one of those rights: into public ownership and ensur- elections across Europe. With this we fully honour everyone’s right to ing that energy production becomes theme now an important issue, with live with his or her family, as stated a mixture of public and private the rise of the far right across Europe in the European Convention on Hu- enterprises.” and the need for a progressive and man Rights. There is a tendency of Delete section of motion amend- humane policy on migration, we be- Member States to restrain people ing MfSS section EN400 and replace lieve that it is time to modernise the from exercising this right, making with: party’s policy on migration. unreasonable demands to migrants “EN400 The distribution mains for who want to reunify their family in electricity and gas will be brought Motion the European Union. Barriers such into a fully accountable public sec- We therefore call upon the Green as having to pass a language test tor. Energy production would be a Party of England & Wales to adopt in their home country or requiring mixture of public and private enter- the migration policy of the European that they earn much more than the prises. “ Green Party and to amend the MfSS minimum wage are prejudicial. We Proposed: Darren Johnson*, Ruth Jol- accordingly. The EGP’s Migration Pol- greens reject these requirements and ly, Tracy Dighton-Brown, Sue Luxton icy is below together with the pro- guarantee the right to live in family. and two others. posed amendments to the MfSS. Other rights can be incremental in 1. Nationals of the “new member time, up to the point in which mi- Amendment 3 states” to have the full freedom of grants have the same equal rights Delete all of paragraph numbered movement immediately after their that European citizens have. 10. accession. All third country nation- 5. Every person who needs shel- Proposed by Matt Follett*, Brian als already settled in the EU, includ- ter according to the Geneva Conven- Heatley, Chris Haine, Rachel Fryer ing their family members, should tions must have the possibility to and two others. have full access to the labour mar- get access to a fair asylum procedure ket, health and education facilities. in Europe. The Greens demand that Amendment 4 After three years of residence and access to a fair asylum procedure is Delete Section 10 of motion C01 and work, they should receive the same always granted to those who need it replace with social rights and freedom of move- , in a language the asylum seeker un- 10. Full implementation of the Cit- ment and settlement as European derstands or with the help of trans- izens’ Income Scheme as quickly as Union citizens. lator and with free legal assistance possible. Retraining for those having 2. A legal framework on EU-level at all stages of the procedure. In each to move from declining industries for minimum standards on the rights case an individual assessment is to new industrial sectors brought of labour migrants. The EU has to needed, based on objective informa- about by the move to a peaceful, guarantee protection against abuse tion of the human rights situation in low-carbon economy. Large-scale ex- by employers and slum lords, give the home country. Agencies should pansion in training provision for the migrants the possibility to integrate, never use lists of “safe third coun- jobs needed to create a low carbon develop their skills and participate. tries” which rarely reflect the harsh economy (such as plumbers, electri- The minimum standards encom- living conditions in some countries. cians, builders and engineers). Extra pass transparency, criteria and time The agency responsible for process- support for communities heavily limits on application procedures, ing the claim should be independent reliant on increasingly redundant the right to the national minimum from the government. industries and encouragement for wage, family reunification and ac- 6. There are now migrants, dis- new industries (such a wind turbine cess to housing and education. placed persons and their families, manufacture and low emission bus 3. Rejects the proposed idea of cir- who must leave their land because of production) to locate in these areas. cular migration, admitting migrants environmental disaster that results only temporary, because of the risk from both incremental and rapid 21 ecological and climatic change that they need to go out of centres is We believe that shared obligations includes sea level rise, coastal ero- condemned. towards Asylum Seekers (see EU780) sion, desertification, collapsing eco- 9. Many irregular migrants suf- and immigrants provides the best systems, water contamination and fer from their insecure situation, the available way to deal with future weather events that are more fre- lack of rights and the risk of abuse challenges arising from refugees dis- quent and unpredictable. As a result, and exploitation. Irregular migrants placed by climate change and other inhabitants are unable to live safe or should have access to basic provi- factors.” sustainable lives in their immediate sions such as health care, and edu- EU784 (new clause) environment. Some island nations cation for children. EGP wants to “The Green Party believes that may cease to exist. The word refu- diminish their number by creating the greenhouse gas emissions of all gee has been used with strong moral more legal ways for entering the Eu- European states have substantially connotations of societal protection ropean Union. Furthermore, Greens contributed to Climate Change. This in most world cultures, and it must favours regularisations for irregular has already caused extreme weath- now be extended to those who are migrants who have contributed to er events impacting most strongly forced to migrate because of climatic the Member States for a number of upon the poorest states in the World. change. years. We envisage this situation may be- 7. We favour the revision or re- 10. We recognize a distinction come worse until significant cuts in moval of the Dublin II convention between people helping out irregu- greenhouse gases in the atmosphere on the grounds that it creates a dis- lar migrants (smugglers, people of- are achieved. We therefore believe proportionate burden for some coun- fering a shelter or rescuing them at that European states have a general tries and complicates the process- sea...) and people abusing migrants duty to alleviate the problems they ing of asylum claims. The removal (traffickers, slumlords...). Although have helped cause. They should re- of this Convention is essential for the abuse of migrants is to be sanc- lieve poverty in the poorest states small former “transit” countries. The tioned, helping undocumented mi- and, whenever necessary, provide European Refugee Fund may help in grants should be tolerated and not homes for refugees who may have shifting the balance by compensat- considered a crime. Captains who been displaced as the result of Euro- ing financially Member states deal- rescue boat people should not be pean patterns of consumption and ing with the biggest share of asylum punished by law. Instead all member profligate use of fossil fuels.” seekers. The European Union should states should open their harbours for Submitted by Joseph Healy **, Farid take responsibility for asylum seek- castaways. Bakht, , Hazel Dawe and ers crossing the Union border: asy- 11. Asylum seekers fleeing a con- two others. lum seekers may not be deported flict should be granted a high quality to neighbouring countries without protection, with minimum rights, having assessed the asylum claim. such as family reunification and ac- C03 – Domestic Abuse 8. The Greens oppose the princi- cess to the labour market. If the con- ple of detaining persons not found flict they fled is still going on after Synopsis guilty of any crime but who just three years, they should be granted a This policy aims to address the caus- violated an administrative rule (i.e. permanent residence permit. es of domestic abuse and to ensure entering or staying without proper 12. For us greens is fundamental that its victims are recognised and documentation in the European Un- to recognize that a integrated soci- given the appropriate resources to ion). Detention is a juridical paradox. ety is one that respect diverse groups safely escape the abusive relation- In cases of last resort, if detention as well as individuals. It is not only ship. It aims particularly to ensure is unavoidable, the EGP calls for a the migrant that should adapt to Eu- that funding is secure and that this detention as short a possible (pref- rope: Europe must also adapt to the is regarded as a core area of govern- erably only a few days) and in the migrant. The inclusion process is a ment services. best conditions possible (as regards dialogue, and as any other dialogue to recreation, hygiene and privacy), has two directions. As much as we Motion and never be applied to minors, asy- ask from migrants to adapt into a Insert a new section titled “domestic lum seekers and those in vulnerable new society, we also ask the existing abuse” after CJ350 (Hate Crime) and positions. All detainees should have society to change and welcome the renumber subsequent sections. access to free legal advice, social as- newcomer. CJ351 Addressing the imbalances sistance and medical support within of power – including economic and the centre. For a better transparency, Delete section MG421 of Migra- social power – that can leave in- centres should be checked by an in- tion Policy (which refers to opposing dividuals vulnerable to domestic stitution responsible for controlling a Common Immigration Policy) abuse is central to many aspects of the standards of detention places. So it should now read: Green Party policy. The Green Party Centres should also be made acces- MIGRATION section of Europe Policy recognises that domestic abuse takes sible to politicians, media, NGOs and EU781 Add at beginning: places in a range of circumstances, international organisations. The “The Green Party supports the in all types of relationships, and that use of handcuffs and other degrad- principle of a Common Immigra- the victims can be women or men, ing treatment on migrants when tion Policy for the European Union. children or vulnerable adults, includ- 22 ing disabled adults and older adults. Where children are living in house- Submitted by Natalie Bennett **, Nonetheless, it is acknowledged that holds where there is physical abuse Maya de Souza, Leila Kiersch, Janet a large majority of cases involve among partners, the children can of- Hargreaves, and two others abuse by men against women, with ten also be at risk of physical abuse, research indicating that one in four and witnessing abuse can have long- women will experience domestic term psychological damage. We will C04 - Gender and asylum abuse during their lifetime. On aver- expand access to counselling is for There was no synopsis submitted age more than two women a week all those affected by domestic abuse, with this motion. in Britain are killed by current or the victims, the witnesses and the former domestic partners. Abuse can perpetrators. This is the most effec- Motion be physical, emotional or psycholog- tive way of reducing re-offending Insert into RA405 in the refugees ical, financial, or involve restricting and breaking cycles of offending and asylum seekers chapter of the of personal freedom. within family and neighbourhood MfSS after “Convention”: CJ352 Relationship education to networks. The Green Party further recog- inculcate values of respect for oth- CJ356 It will be assumed that vic- nises that gender issues may be a ers and respect for difference will be tims will be assisted to remain in rightful cause for an asylum claim, provided in schools and other appro- their own homes with the provision as where, for example, a woman or priate environments. Such education of all necessary safety measures (in- girl may be subject to female genital will also provide knowledge about cluding alarms, improved locks and mutilation or forced marriage were the unacceptability of abusive be- grills, extra police patrols, “neigh- she to be denied asylum. haviour of all types, and about when bourhood watch” schemes etc). Submitted by Romayne Phoenix **, potential victims are most vulnera- Where this is not possible or desired Cathryn Symons, Sarah Mitchell, ble (such as women during pregnan- by the victim, appropriate immedi- Maria Iacovou cy, in relationships involving drugs ate refuge and future housing will and alcohol), how abusers can grad- be available for all victims escaping ually wear away at resistance, and domestic abuse. All of these provi- C05 – Maternity Services what escape routes are available. sions will be publicly funded with CJ353 Programmes will be provid- permanent guaranteed funding, so Synopsis ed that train all frontline staff deal- that there is certainty about their In 25% of NHS trusts, intervention ing with the public, including hous- continuity. Victims will be offered rates are double the targeted level. ing officers, street rangers, police, appropriate counselling, and meas- Lack of continuity of care, a shortage workers in the health services and ures put in place to attempt to pre- of midwives and consultants and particularly maternity services, and vent offenders reoffending. beds contribute to high death rates other relevant individuals to recog- CJ357 For victims escaping domes- and threaten mothers’ and babies’ nise signs of abuse and to be able to tic abuse, lack of funds can be a major health. About 11 million UK women provide pathways of escape for vic- barrier. If the abuser controls finance have suffered post-birth trauma. tims. They will recognise that for and the victim can not access public different victims different referral funding (e.g. working individuals Motion points and aid agencies will be ap- who can’t claim benefits), then the Insert a new section after H302, ti- propriate. Victims will not be pushed barriers to escaping are increased. tled “Maternity Services” and subse- towards police and the criminal jus- All essential services will be made quently renumber. tice system against their inclination readily available to all victims to H303 All women should be en- or will. Peer support networks, with help them through the trauma and titled to the highest standards of appropriate training and support, difficulties to escape abuse, includ- care during pregnancy and birth, will be encouraged. ing help with housing, legal costs, and post-natally. We will ensure CJ354 Multi-agency working is etc. The court system will be provid- that women are given the informa- essential to identify the full extent ed with appropriate resources and tion they need to make appropriate of domestic abuse and improve pre- guidance to ensure that the needs choices about how they wish to give vention or early intervention. Crime of victims of abuse are recognised, birth, and that a full range of op- Reduction Partnerships must take both in hearings related to their case tions, including home birth and a lead in co-ordinating information and other matters. range of styles of hospital delivery, is from refuges, NHS, Police, Children’s CJ366 Asylum policy will recog- made available to all women. Services, Adult Services, social hous- nise that claimants may be espe- H304 The incidence of medical ing, schools, voluntary organisations cially vulnerable to domestic abuse, intervention in childbirth has es- and any other appropriate local body and will ensure that asylum claims calated in recent years, particularly who may have information about in- of victims fleeing abuse are treated the rate of caesarean sections, which dividuals and families at risk. appropriately. It will also recognise are expensive and, when not medi- CJ355 The Green Party recognise that claims may be validly made on cally required, risky. We will work to that domestic abuse can have wide the ground that victims’ own state reduce the number of interventions ranging impacts, affecting whole will not or cannot protect them from in childbirth, and change the culture families and neighbourhoods. an abusive partner. of the NHS so that birth is treated as 23 a normal and non-medical event, in a location and time that is conven- AR. Such work then often becomes a which mothers are empowered and ient for them. key piece of evidence informing the able to be in control. H308 Maternity units should be writers of the next AR. H305 All women will be enti- sufficient in number and located so Delete CC205 (It contradicts CC206, tled to the care of a single midwife that all women are within reason- which was added later without this through prenatal care, birth and the able reach of one. Special Care Baby being spotted) first month of post-natal care, in line units will be expanded in line with and with the model of care currently the increasing number of babies that Replace CC211 by: provided by independent midwives. need intensive care, but special at- CC211 Global concentrations are This will be made possible by initia- tention will also be given to prevent- now increasing at significantly over tives to improve the recruitment and ative efforts to reduce the number of 2 ppm CO2 each year and have con- retention of midwives. low birthweight and other problems tinued rising steadily for a number H306 Independent midwives cur- that contribute to this need. Funds al- of decades. This is in part because rently fill a gap in NHS provision, located for maternity services should targets for the Kyoto Protocol were and as such will be supported in the be ringfenced to ensure that they are not based on science, and in part be- short to medium term - for example, used for the intended purpose. cause it excluded developing econo- by measures to make it easier for ap- H309 Throughout maternity serv- mies (notably China and India). It propriately qualified midwives to ices the focus will be on compassion also not only lacks any meaningful obtain professional indemnity in- and on providing a safe, supportive ecosystem protection mechanism surance. In the longer term the aim environment. Complaints will be but actively facilitates ecosystem de- will be to bring all such provision treated with sympathy, and systems struction via its Clean Development inside the NHS, ensuring that mid- arranged to ensure that complaints Mechanism (see CC240). wives who may previously have felt can be registered easily and are in- and unwelcome in this environment are vestigated properly, challenging the In CC221 (mislabelled CC2214), de- made welcome and their practice ‘conspiracy of silence’ that discour- lete the section: supported. ages women from speaking about “It can be adapted either to follow- their traumatic experiences for fear on from a successful Kyoto Protocol, Amendment1 of frightening other women. or can equally be used in case the KP Replace the proposed H306 with: We Submitted by Sarah Mitchell **, Sian is not brought into force by enough will ensure that the NHS embraces Berry, Mike Shaughnessy, Natalie countries ratifying it.” the current quality and style of care Bennett and two others. Submitted by Tony Cooper **, Derek as offered by Independent Midwives Smith, Janet Alty, Jonathan Essex so that they are able to work within the NHS system and offer this type of C06 – Bringing climate change care to all women in a single tier sys- policy up to date C07 – Zero Carbon Britain tem. We shall ensure that midwifery training places are increased to meet Synopsis medium and long term needs. This Synopsis There are growing concerns that the will be achieved by: ensuring that Various events that have taken place magnitude of the climate change terms and conditions for midwives since the existing CC policy was problem has been understated. These are improved, increasing investment drafted have rendered parts of it in- concerns are informed both by re- in midwifery services to ensure that accurate insofar as they described cent changes in the real world, nota- these policies are delivered, specific the then-current situation. This mo- bly the Arctic, and by recent research funding for midwife training along tion brings them up to date, hope- work. To do the UK’s bit we have to with targeted recruitment drives, fully without introducing new parts stand alongside the CAT and call for and ensuring that the culture of that are likely to likewise go out of a zero-carbon Britain. midwifery services is supportive for date. both mothers and midwives. Motion Proposed by Stuart Jeffrey*, Noel Motion Add new subsection CC014: Lynch, Lesley Hedges, Joseph Healy, Delete CC003 and replace by the CC014 As of 2008 there is much Romayne Phoenix following: broader recognition within the sci- CC003 The IPCC has been issuing entific community of the effect of H307 All women and their part- major ‘Assessment Reports’ (ARs) numerous different feedback effects. ners will be offered a full range of every few years since it was formed, One study has investigated the ef- psychological support after birth to which are generally regarded as the fects by looking at paleological com- help deal with trauma and post-na- definitive statement of the broadly- parisons for some tens of millions tal depression. The Green Party will agreed scientific position. It has nor- of years in considerable detail. The ensure that baby clinics are open for mally been, and still is, the case that potential impact of these feedbacks adequate hours, so that women can good-quality research work done af- is very large and very hard to predict get access to health visitors and take ter the last AR will be both more ac- accurately. their babies for regular check-ups at curate and more pessimistic than the and 24

add new para CC112 after CC111: tration and or sink enhancement, sharing and while giving reasonable CC112 The research on feedbacks and Green party public announce- protection to creative people makes referred to in CC014 suggests that re- ments should reflect the current na- it generally more difficult to obtain ductions to below the 2008 figure of ture of climate change science.” patents and similar forms of protec- approximately 380 ppm CO2-equiv- [This is a modification of the text tion than at present. alent may well be needed. Observa- at the end of the current CC203] and tions of the recent very, and unpre- renumber through to the end section Motion dictably, rapid decay of Arctic sea-ice C.3 Delete Policy Statement REC05.1, ‘In- help to confirm the importance of Submitted by Tony Cooper **, Derek tellectual Property’ passed Autumn feedback processes and of the need Smith, Janet Alty, Jonathan Essex 2005 from RoPs and insert in the for urgent emissions reductions. Ap- MfSS after EC990 the following and plication of the precautionary princi- renumber: ple means that the world should aim C08 - Women in employment to cut all greenhouse-gas emissions and business Intellectual Property back to zero if not below as soon as is practicable. Background In CC201 delete “Climate research Synopsis EC1000 The term intellectual from the Potsdam Institute suggest Women working fulltime in the UK property covers a number of differ- that average global emissions will are paid 17% less than men, and the ent areas, such as cultural products need to be reduced by at least 60% Equality and Human Rights Com- (see EC1012 below), software, physi- of the 1990 baseline by 2030. This mission “Sex and Power 2008” sur- cal inventions, drugs and natural en- equates on average to a 90% reduc- vey showed that the percentage of tities protected by different means tion in emissions by developed coun- female directors has stalled at 11%, such as copyright, patents and trade- tries by 2030. Following the princi- and fallen in a number of categories. marks. There are differences within ple of convergence this requires UK Serious action is needed. and between these areas, and there emissions to be cut by 80-90%.” can be no single intellectual proper- And Motion ty policy. The crucial balance in pol- Replace CC203 by: The Green Party calls for the forth- icy is between ensuring that there is CC203 UK emissions in 2005 were coming Equality bill and Act to in- adequate funding and incentive for just below the 1990 baseline and ris- clude the following provisions innovation for socially and environ- ing. We should aim steadily to reduce 1 Medium and large-sized compa- mentally valuable activity and en- all greenhouse gas emissions to zero nies be required to undertake equal couraging the widest possible shar- by 2030. pay audits that compare the earn- ing of these rights, which are public [this is a modification of the 1st ings of their employees and to take goods. sentence of what was a long para] action to redress inequalities. Add new para CC204 after this: 2 Legal changes to make it much Policy CC204 There should also be a tar- easier for women to take equal pay EC1010 Our general presump- get of a minimum of 10% emissions cases to court, and to allow women tion is to encourage the Green value reductions year on year for the first to take such cases as a group, with of greater sharing and to make it ten years, by which time emissions the support of the unions. more difficult to obtain patents and would have declined by 65%. By 3 Significant funding is put into similar forms of protection than at then, safe and effective mechanisms encouraging girls and women to present. Specific policies are below. for reducing greenhouse has gas con- consider a broader range of careers. EC1012 On cultural products (lit- centrations should have been devel- 4 The law to follow Norway’s in erature, music, film, paintings etc), oped, and percentage targets should requiring that companies listed on our general policy is to expand the be replaced by numerical ones to the Stock Exchange have 40% of their area of cultural activity, that is ways complete the reduction to zero. That board members being female within that culture can be consumed, pro- such a stiff target is achievable in five years of the date of the passing duced, and shared, reduce the role of practice is demonstrated by the of the legislation. the market and encourage smaller Centre for Alternative Technology’s Submitted by Natalie Bennett **, and more local cultural enterprise “Zero Carbon Britain” report, which Caroline Lucas, Sue Luxton, Raphael (see CMS200 onwards). Specifically spells out in considerable detail one Levy and three others we will set of policies to achieve it. a) introduce a Citizen’s Income Add new para CC205 thereafter: (see EC730), which will allow many CC205 We will also establish ef- C09 – Intellectual Property more people to participate in cultur- fective mechanisms for getting back al creation; on track should an annual target be Synopsis b) introduce generally shorter missed. New and persuasive scien- This motion fills a gap in the Econo- copyright terms, with a usual maxi- tific evidence may arise that shows a my Chapter identified in the Autumn mum of 14 years; need for deeper cuts in emissions or 2006 economy enabling motion. It c) legalise peer to peer copying even “negative” emissions by seques- supports the Green value of greater where it is not done as a business; 25 Friday (Registration open 1030-1800) Workshop B01 Voting (Tourism paper) Workshop C10 (Concentrating power) solar C13and (Carbon capture & storage) Balcony 1 Homophobia in Europe Eastern Green the and Response group LGBT Beyond Green the New Deal Thomson Sean Ice Lounge Fundraising: from Fundraising: action to ideas Jon Nott A Green Rural Rural A Green Manifesto: / Housing / Farming Employment Robert Somerville Young Greens Greens Young committee meeting - all welcome Workshop C07 Carbon(Zero Britain) Workshop C06 climate (Bringing policy change up date) to Link 2 General election up gee GPEx Designing, Designing, and printing ward distributing newsletters GPEx Progress in Green Green in Progress the in Economics 6 months last Economics Green Institute Save the Humans Humans the Save - reframing our Party’s as ideas sense common Rupert and Read Matt Wootton Workshop A01 report)(SOC Link 1 (Women in in (Women South East Green Party regional meeting Core services:Core how rape crisis and centres refuges women’s be fundedshould BennettNatalie Workshop C05 (Maternity services) Workshop C04 and (Gender and asylum) C08 employment) Arena 2 Winning Green Green Winning rural votes in areas GPEx Management Management and of Euro County election expenditure GPEx First timers at – conference Heath Emily The Freepost scheme explained – Mark Hill Balcony Bar Workshop C09 (Intellectual property) Workshop C11 (Monetary policy) Workshop C03 (Domestic abuse) Main 2 Workshop A04 report)(GPEx Workshop C02 (Migration motion) Workshop C01 for (Campaigning alternative an economic strategy) Main 1 - Section C (Policy Motions) Opening Speech, - Opening Emergency Motions, Evening Social at Bar Red - Getting to know each other: Green Party ‘speed friend-ing’ evening Panel - Economic inclusion: Can the poor afford a green agenda? Phoenix by Romayne chaired Peter Cranie, with Lambert Jean MEP, 1930) (to Leader’s Speech Plenary Plenary Orders CommitteeStanding Report Ballroom 2000 on 1900 – 1950 1800 – 1850 1700 – 1750 1500 – 1520 1520 – 1650 1400 – 1450 1100 – 1150 1200 – 1250 1300 – 1350 26 Saturday (Registration open 0900-1800) Update on progress Update on progress on green economics Working Economics Miriam Group, Kennet Young Greens Greens Young meeting campaigns Workshop DraftEducation Paper Voting of(1 2) Fryer Rachel Workshop D03 synopsis (Additional from policy committee) Ice Lounge Bringing business business Bringing seaside our back to North towns West PartyGreen First timers at conference Heath Emily business AGC meeting Workshop C15 Justice) (Criminal Link 2 - Recession, GP Policy GP Recession, with the relations and TU movement PartyGreen Trade Union Group Mobile Phone Masts: Mobile Phone Masts: opposehow to inap sites propriate Riches Sam Climate Geo-Climate Engineering Deepak Rughani Committee Hustings Resolution Disputes (2), Committee (2), Campaigns Policy (1) The most important environmental Britain? in campaign for Campaign Democracy - a towns Transition model forfuture the of economy? the and Jonathan Essex Somerville Lydia Workshop C12 (Global architecture) financial Link 1 Green PartyGreen Executive Question Time GPEx Women by Name by Women only) (women BennettNatalie Solar Twin Twin Solar tba details How beat to the Lib Dems GPEx Campaigning and and Campaigning Activity Planning Meeting Economics Group Working Workshop C16 gas (Natural storage) Arena 2 (Subscription (Subscription Committee Hustings Orders Standing (3), Committee Editorial World Green Board (3) Meet MEPs the and Caroline Lucas Workshop D01 rates B) (Subscription D02and rates A) NATO expansion to to expansion NATO East.the A new Cold for Europe War LeftGreen Balcony Bar Workshop D04 of (Prioritisation motions) Workshop C14 (Geo-engineering) Main 2 (DRC report) (DRC Committee Hustings (5), Conferences (1) International 2009’s integrated 2009’s election campaigns GPEx Workshop A02 (Policy report) and A03 Main 1 , - The Failure of the ‘Growth towards Economy’: new European Elections Rally Plenary – Section B (Tourism Voting Paper), Section C (Policy Motions) Panel - Energy Solutions for a Renewable Future 1930) (to Plenary - Section A (Reports), Section B (Tourism Voting Paper) Emergency 1140) Motions (from Panel economic solutions 1330) (to O’Neill,Lucas with MEP Caroline Marks, Nic Dan chair Ballroom 1900 – 1950 1500 – 1520 1520 – 1650 1700 – 1750 1800 – 1850 1300 – 1350 1400 – 1450 0900 – 0950 1000 – 1150 1200 – 1250 27 Sunday (Registration open 0900-1800)

COMMS TV & Radio techniques COMMS COMMS TV & Radio techniques COMMUS TV & Radio techniques Diana Suite Transport Transport Group Working Alan Francis LOCAL PARTIES ‘Netiquette’ - Use effectivelyemail ELECTIONS student Targeting wards ELECTIONS for a Fundraising campaign ELECTIONS for a Fundraising campaign Democratic structures the in for NHS - time change Healy Joseph Ice Lounge

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Citizens Income: Income: Citizens a more towards detailed policy Maria Iacovou Monetary Reform Policy Working meeting Group Brian Leslie COMMS COMMS goodThe to keys speaking public COMMS COMMS goodThe to keys speaking public COMMS Local newsletter production COMMS Local newsletter production Link 1 Dinner for Association of Green Councillors at Winter Gardens Bistro for AssociationDinner Gardens of at Winter Councillors Green Governance best Governance practice GPEx Communicating Communicating green values our Jon Nott Lancaster Hot Pot for canvassers ELECTIONS an Running Election Day operation ELECTIONS an Running Election Day operation ELECTIONS The Brighton Survey Voter ELECTIONS: The Brighton Survey Voter Arena 2 Foyer 1 of Assimilation privatethe sector of education with - provision public a process David Williams Foyer 1 Councillors Green good sharing and ideas successes AGC LOCAL PARTIES Developing local party strategy LOCAL PARTIES Developing local party strategy LOCAL PARTIES dynamic Building local parties LOCAL PARTIES dynamic Building local parties Balcony Bar

for briefing) COMMS COMMS and Writing plain in speaking English COMMS and Writing plain in speaking English ELECTIONS Be a Green Councillor ELECTIONS Be a Green Councillor Main 2 ELECTIONS How Local Authorities Work LOCAL PARTIES Effective Chairing Dispute and Avoidance LOCAL PARTIES Recruitment and motivation LOCAL PARTIES Recruitment and motivation Main 1 Mass Canvass in Fleetwood at Ballroom 1350 (Meet in Panel - Maternity Services re-born SarahPelling, Davies, Rowan Savage, with Wendy Francis Annie 1930) (to 1000 - 1300 Policy Fair with parallel (in sesions) training Evening Social at Theatre Bar Greens’ - Young quiz and Revue (organised by Peter Cranie) with a cool mix of 1950s - 70s soul, rock’n’roll’, funk, and latin boogaloo funk,latin and DJ Ben Ruth soul, rock’n’roll’, - 70s with a cool of mix 1950s Cornerstone Ceilidh Band quartet Lancaster-based - lively folk dances. various the through you guide to with caller Ballroom 1900 – 1950 1400 – 1645 1700 – 1750 1800 – 1850 1245 – 1345 1130 – 1230 1015– 1115 0900 – 1000 2300 – 2400 2000 on 2000 – 2300 28 Monday (Registration open 0900-1200) Balcony 1 Modifying the Party name David Wyllie How beat to the Tories GPEx Ice Lounge Conferences Conferences Committee feedback session The Freepost scheme explained Mark Hill Link 2 National National canvassing software GPEx Rational beliefRational conspiracy and Ali Shahrar Link 1

North Green West Party regional meeting Education DraftEducation Paper Voting of(2 2 ) Fryer Rachel Workshop Arena 2 SOC Consultation to on changes GPEx election regulations Green World World Green Board – Editorial board meeting, welcome all Scrase Richard Balcony Bar Main 2 Workshop C17 (Northern Ireland) Main 1 - Remaining Business, Emergency Motions Plenary Close of Conference Deputy Leader’s speech Plenary - Section D (Organisational Motions) Section C (Policy Motions) Emergency 1140) Motions (from Panel - Air Rage: putting a brake on aviation 1330) (to Ballroom 1400 – 1520 1520 – 1540 1300 – 1350 0900 – 0950 1000 – 1020 1020 – 1150 1200 – 1250 29

d) liberalise ‘fair use’ policies to transform WIPO into a body that as variability is less pronounced over operate outside the academic envi- would help poor countries to acquire wider geographic areas. ronment, and allow greater develop- the knowledge required to develop Submitted by Jon Hooper **, Ricky ment from existing copyright mate- on an ecologically sustainable basis. Knight, Roger Creagh Osborne, Tom rial; and The requirements of the Convention Tibbits and one other e) make it impossible to patent on Bio-diversity must take prece- broad software and cultural ideas. dence over trade rules for all aspects EC1014 So far as concepts embod- of IP that are ecologically sensitive, C11 – Global financial ied in physical objects are concerned, including seeds, genes and other life architecture we would generally shorten patent forms. terms and relate them to the times- EC1024 We would restrict the cale of innovation in the industry value of claims for intellectual prop- Synopsis concerned. We believe too that spe- erty violations to a proportion of the There was no synopsis submitted cific measures are needed to spread monetary gain made by the com- with this motion. already patented ideas needed by mercial exploitation by the user, and many people who may not be able to not allow damages.’ Motion afford them and to promote research Submitted by Brian Heatley **, Dav- In Economy section of MfSS, under in socially useful areas where the id Smith, Matthew Linden, Tom International Finance, insert new poverty of the potential customers Chance and one other. paragraphs as follows: makes rewards unlikely (eg drugs EC961 The tripartite global sys- for tropical diseases): tem regulating international finance a) in the long term we would pro- C10 - Concentrating solar power should be replaced by three new bod- mote international funding (per- and European grids ies: an International Reserve Bank to haps from a Tobin Tax (see EU445)) administer the neutral international to buy out the owners of certain pat- exchange currency (EBCU); an Inter- ents, based entirely on global social Synopsis national Clearing Union to oversee and environmental usefulness, with This motion gives support to Europe- goods and carbon trading; a General the patent becoming available to all wide renewable energy initiatives Agreement on Sustainable Trade. once the payment had been made; such as Concentrating Solar Power EC962 All countries belonging to b) in the absence of such an inter- plants and highly efficient long-dis- the tripartite system should make national regime, we would enable tance High Voltage DC transmission their currencies convertible but ac- the government effectively to na- lines - which will also be important cording to internationally negotiat- tionalise a patent where it was in the for the utilisation of offshore wind ed and fixed exchange rates. Domes- public interest to do so. Such a patent power - and builds in the principle of tically countries would be expected would be publicly available and the a fair deal for producer countries. to administer exchange controls creators of the patent compensated; EC963 The global trading system c) we would fund a programme of Motion would aim to achieve balance trade government research in socially and Insert and renumber: between countries; those which op- environmentally useful areas where EN809 Support will be given to erated extended surpluses or deficits the prospect of inadequate rewards Europe-wide renewable energy would be fined. is inhibiting research activity. initiatives such as the provision of EC964 The US dollar should no EC1016 We would encourage and large scale concentrating solar pow- longer be accepted as equivalent to make easier the voluntary use of er plants in Southern Europe and the gold in international transactions the open source model, not just for North African Deserts and the build- and other national or supra-national software. ing of highly efficient long-distance (i.e. the euro) currencies should no EC1018 All published material High Voltage DC power lines. Such longer be used as international re- created in the public sector (eg maps, initiatives would need to operate serve currencies. government publications, univer- within new international arrange- EC965 Their role should be taken sity research) would be available to ments involving both the producer on by a neutral international cur- all free of financial restrictions, dis- and consumer countries, and which rency - the EBCU - linked to the right tributed in open standard formats, gave the producer countries in partic- to produce carbon dioxide. and Crown Copyright would cease to ular a fair return for the use of their EC966 All countries international exist. resources and an appropriate level of debts should be cancelled in a world- EC1020 We would impose a na- control over the entire system. wide jubilee and the trade surpluses tional ban and seek an international Insert and renumber: and deficits of all countries should ban on the patenting of living mate- EN810 We will expand our grid be cancelled simultaneously. rial (see ST360, AG613, AR410). interconnections with neighbour- EC1022 As part of the proposed ing countries to help smooth out the dissolution and replacement of the variability of renewable electricity WTO (see IP122), the GP would seek generation and electricity demand, to abolish the TRIPS Agreement and 30

Amendment 1 Part 4: Replace old EC 662 (renum- Submitted by Richard Lawson **, Delete EC966 bered EC663 per part 2 above) with: Clive Lord, Stuart Jeffrey, Rupert Proposed by Rachel Fryer*, Matt Fol- EC663 The current economic sys- Read, and one other. lett, Alan Francis, Ben Duncan and tem enables commercial banks and one other other financial institutions to exert an unacceptably large influence on C13 - Carbon capture and stor- Delete the section on Debt and the economy. Their lending power age pilot projects renumber subsequent sections should be reined in, enabling the em- accordingly. phasis of lending to be transferred to sustainable production.” Synopsis Submitted by Molly Scott-Cato **, This motion introduces a policy on Phyllis Leslie, Brian Leslie, Stuart Part 5: Insert new EC 664 and renum- Carbon Capture and storage, that Jeffrey, and two others. ber (insert after part 4 clause) with: there should be pilot projects to in- EC664 We will introduce strict vestigate the feasibility of capturing controls on the financial sector to and storing carbon dioxide emis- C12– Monetary Policy ensure that it serves the purposes sions from power stations, which of a sustainable economy. To ensure could potentially become a means Synopsis stability, we will regulate all finan- of removing carbon dioxide from the There was no synopsis submitted cial instruments firmly and permit atmosphere if used with biomass. with this motion. only those that are transparent, that offer limited risk of financial desta- Motion: Motion bilisation and are clearly beneficial. In the energy section of the MfSS un- Part 1: At the beginning of EC661, We will ensure there is stricter regu- der “Short-term Objectives”, append add: lation of the banks, limiting them to policy EN301: “The world money supply has principally to the on-lending of cus- “To set up industrial pilot projects increased over the medium to long tomer deposits and enforcing frac- of Carbon Capture and Storage tech- term. Almost all is created by com- tional reserve ratios. We will require nology, focusing on techniques mercial lending institutions. The re- transparency in all financial trad- which can be used for both fossil- sultant debts are an important pro- ing, including that undertaken by fuels and biomass.” moter of economic growth and con- private investment funds.” Submitted by Jon Hooper **, Jon Lu- sumption, as well as instability.” cas, John Coyne, Mike Shipley and Amendment 1 one other. Part 2: Insert new EC 662 and Add new EC665 and renumber: renumber: EC665 Since these restrictions on EC662 Greed-driven lending and bank-lending will severely restrict C14 - Climate motion: geo financial engineering lead to the ac- the money supply, the Monetary engineering cumulation of debts, derivatives and Policy Committee of the Bank of Eng- other securities based on debt, and land will be instructed to monitor so to financial crises. In particular the need for increase (or decrease) in Motion we aim to avoid: the money supply, based initially on The Green Party opposes any at- 1. Excessive economic dependence maintaining the amount of money tempts at planetary geo-engineer- on private debt; existing at the time of implementa- ing at the cost of biodiversity, eco- 2. The reliance of banks on inter- tion of these measures. Criteria will systems and human communities. bank lending rather than customer be developed in the light of experi- Without biodiversity, ecosystems deposits; ence, aiming to avoid both inflation cannot function. Ecosystems are 3. Excessive lending on mortgages and deflation. It will accordingly in- essential for regulating the global and for consumption; struct the Bank of England to create climate, including the carbon cycle, 4. Complex and opaque financial any supplement needed, on a month- the nitrogen cycle, cloud formation instruments, which managers of fi- ly basis, and credit it to the Treasury (which affects the earth’s albedo), nancial institutions and regulators to be spent by the government on the rainfall cycle and storm tracks, themselves do not understand; projects that help society and envi- as well as hydroxyl production and 5. Lack of transparency on finan- ronment. If the occasion arises that thus global methane levels. cial markets, and lax and inadequate a surplus is threatening to cause in- Ocean-fertilisation poses an official regulation.” flation, the Bank of England will re- unknown but potentially serious ceive back and cancel an appropriate threat to marine biodiversity, which Part 3: Insert at the start of old amount of money. plays an essential role in regulating EC663: Propsers: Brian Leslie*, Phyllis V the global carbon cycle, as well as “In the longer term” so that it reads Leslie, Stephen Lawrence, Richard putting fishing communities at risk. “In the longer term the banking…” Lawson and one other. We call on all countries to enforce the moratorium on ocean fertilisa- 31 tion adopted by the Convention on bon sequestration schemes linked Background info: TNI and CSO Biological Diversity. to industrial agriculture and forest- declarations ry have been proposed as means of Submitted by Deepak Rughani **, Amendment 1 drawing down atmospheric carbon Christine Way, Vanessa Hall and Add “(e.g. with iron to increase dioxide. They include biochar and Lesley Graham and three others. algal growth as a means of se- bioenergy with carbon capture and questering carbon)” after ‘Ocean- storage. Applied on a large scale, both fertlisation’. threaten biodiversity and ecosys- C15 – Criminal Justice Propsosed by: Deepak Rughani*, tems as well as very large numbers (submitted by policy committee) Christine Way, Jonathan Essex, Les- of human communities and their ley Grahame and two others food security. They could also dra- Synopsis matically worsen the global fresh- This motion removes some unneces- Climate geo-engineering by in- water and soil depletion/erosion cri- sary detail from the Criminal Justice creasing the earth’s albedo poses ses. Any large-scale ‘carbon negative’ section of MfSS. a major and unknown new threat bioenergy programme would require to the climate system, to biodiver- very large-scale land conversion and Motion sity and to people. Sulphur aerosol thus exacerbate the displacement In CJ500(i) delete 2nd sentence injections into the atmosphere, for of peoples, a crisis already caused “This would be set at 0.5 joules of example, could reduce global photo- by industrial agrofuels. So-called muzzle energy unless and until evi- synthesis through ‘global dimming’, forest and agricultural ‘residues’ or dence is produced that it should be abruptly change rainfall and weath- ‘wastes’ are vital for maintaining otherwise.” er patterns, and increase acid rain. the soil nutrient and carbon cycle Submitted by Alan Francis **, John So-called ‘carbon negative’ bioen- and in maintaining biodiversity, and Norris, Rachel Fryer, Matt Follett ergy and large-scale soil carbon se- the consequences of removing ever and two others. questration schemes linked to indus- larger quantities of ‘residue’ are un- trial agriculture and forestry have known and could be very severe. We been proposed as means of drawing therefore oppose any government C16 - Natural gas storage in un- down atmospheric carbon dioxide. support, including carbon finance, derground salt caverns They include biochar and bioen- for bioenergy with carbon capture ergy with carbon capture and stor- and storage and for soil sequestra- age. Applied on a large scale, both tion linked to industrial agriculture Synopsis threaten biodiversity and ecosys- and industrial forestry. Energy companies make determined tems as well as very large numbers Proposed by: Deepak Rughani*, claims that millions of tons of natu- of human communities and their Christine Way, Jonathan Essex, Les- ral gas must be stored otherwise, food security would also be at risk ley Grahame and two others. “the UK will be prey to the political and could dramatically worsen the and economic whims of the coun- global freshwater and soil depletion/ Small farmers throughout the tries that supply it.” erosion crises. Any large-scale ‘car- world have developed many differ- Plans to create massive storage fa- bon negative’ bioenergy programme ent and effective ways of conserving cilities in underground salt caverns would require very large-scale land and enhancing soil carbon as well as are being submitted, but there are conversion and thus exacerbate the agro-biodiversity, adapted to their fears over safety where these are lo- displacement of peoples crisis al- local circumstances. Their collec- cated close to residential areas. ready caused by industrial agrofuels. tive understanding and experience So-called forest and agricultural ‘res- represents a unique knowledge bank Motion idues’ are vital for maintaining the which is vital for true climate change 1. The Green Party reaffirms that soil nutrient and carbon cycle and mitigation and an agrarian transi- the most desirable management of in maintaining biodiversity, and tion. Their ways of life particularly energy can only be achieved by max- the consequences of removing ever through the validation of land rights imising the use of renewable energy larger quantities of ‘residue’ are un- must be supported. The Green Party resources which would, in turn, re- known and could be very severe. We supports the Via Campesina call for duce or eliminate the need to import therefore oppose any government food sovereignty. natural gas. support, including carbon finance, Earth is already in the midst of 2. The Green Party maintains that for bioenergy with carbon capture an extinction crisis. Many of our the precautionary principle should and storage and for soil sequestra- life support systems are also rap- be used to safeguard public health tion linked to industrial agriculture idly degrading and some are on the and for this reason we call for a ban and industrial forestry. brink of collapse. The Green Party on natural gas storage in under- considers it dangerously reduction- ground salt caverns within 5 miles Amendment 2 ist to support any climate mitigation of a populated area. Replace with CC303 with: intervention which further imperils Submitted by Philip Mitchell **, CC303 So-called ‘carbon negative’ other life support systems. Emily Heath, Tricia Clark, Chris bioenergy and large-scale soil car- Coates and one other 32

C17 – Northern Ireland (Submitted by policy committee)

Synopsis Autumn 2007 conference passed a motion instructing Policy Commit- tee to review the MfSS chapter on Northern Ireland in the light of re- cent developments and in consulta- tion with the Northern Irish, Irish and Scottish Green Parties.

Motion Delete the Northern Ireland chapter of the MfSS (NI100-NI332), including the note added in autumn 2007. Submitted by Brian Heatley **, John Norris, Rachel Fryer, Matt Follett and two others 33

Section D - Organisational Motions

D01 - Subscription rates (B) D02- Subscription rates (A) Capitations to Regions and Local (submitted on behalf of GPEx) (submitted on behalf of GPEx) parties shall each be a percentage of the total amount of subscriptions re- Synopsis Synopsis ceived from members in the relevant This motion seeks to introduce a This motion seeks to empower GPEx party. tiered structure into the subscrip- to set subscription rates, rather than 1. Rates were last reviewed in Oc- tion rates for members paying annu- conference, so that it can respond tober 2004 and the current rates in- ally, to replace the existing two-level more rapidly to changing financial troduced in January 2005. Inflation rates of “full” and “low-income”. The situations. It also embeds the region- since then according to the Retail aim is to put the minimum rates up al- and local-party capitation propor- Prices Index is about 16%. roughly in line with inflation, while tions into the constitution. 2. The majority of new members encouraging those who can afford it now join by direct debit, and are in- to pay more. Motion vited to pay a minimum of £1 per Replace Section 4 (iii) of the constitu- month or £10 per year. This is hoped Motion tion by the following: to encourage people to pay a little In accordance with article 4(iii) of the The rates of subscription for mem- more than they would have other- constitution, GPEx formally proposes bership shall be proposed by GPEx wise, and to stay members for long- to change membership subscription and approved by GPRC, subject to the er. The evidence suggests that this is rates to the party as follows: following conditions: probably the case. It also should re- a. The option of payment by direct 1. There shall be a cheap rate for duce administration costs. debit to remain unchanged. students. 3. Current capitation rates are 16% b. The annual rate for student 2. There shall be a cheap rate for to local parties and 8% to regional membership to remain at £5. low-income people, where the classi- parties. This motion does not change c. The rates for life membership fication of a person as “low-income” these rates. Although it might seem to be put up, by the rate of inflation is determined solely by that person odd to put numbers such as these since the last increase in January him- or herself. in the constitution, I don’t know of 2005, to £470 for an individual and to 3. There shall be reduced rates for anywhere else where they are writ- £620 for a joint membership. multiple persons living at the same ten down apart from in the motion d. The rate structure for other sin- address (which I drafted) some years ago to gle members paying annually not by 4. Such rates must be reviewed at introduce them and in the admin- direct debit to be changed complete- most three-yearly intervals. istrative procedures of the office. ly to be based on income levels as per 5. Capitations to Regions and Lo- Putting them in the constitution ex- the following: cal Parties shall each be a percent- plicitly will mean that it requires a income rate age of the total amount of subscrip- 2/3 majority of conference to change 0-£10,000 £12.00 tions received from members in the them. £10,001-£20,000 £24.00 relevant party. The regional party’s 4. Current membership rates for £20,001-£30,000 £36.00 share shall be 8% and the local par- people not paying by direct debit are £30,001-£40,000 £48.00 ty’s share shall be 16%. as follows: £40,001-£50,000 £60.00 Single Low-income £10.50 over £50,000 £72.00 Background Single Full £31 As is already the case for confer- (not for insertion into constitution) Joint Low-income £14 ence attendance fees, the party will Joint Full £41 not ask for people’s incomes to be Relevant Part of Current Constitution: Student £5 divulged. 4 iii) The rates of subscription for Single Life £400 e. Second and additional members membership, and the proportions in Joint Life £530 living at the same address to be giv- which they shall be divided between The joint rates apply to any two peo- en a 50% discount. Local Parties, Regional Parties and ple living the same address. [Most of the background com- The Green Party, shall be set by the 5. The Scottish Green Party has a ments to motion A apply] These rates Party Conference. structure as follows: to be introduced as soon as is admin- Membership subscriptions and Their membership rates are based istratively practical. capitation rates shall be subject to on self-assessed gross annual in- Submitted by Tony Cooper **, regular reviews as of Green Party come, as follows: Chris Haine, Jon Lucas, Khalid AGM 2001. Such reviews shall be car- Hussenbux ried out on a 3 yearly basis by GPEx in consultation with GPRC. 34

Income rate D03 - Additional synopsis from D04 - Prioritisation of motions 0-£10,000 £12.00 policy committee £10,001-£20,000 £24.00 Synopsis £20,001-£30,000 £36.00 (submitted on behalf of policy This organisational motion seeks to £30,001-£40,000 £48.00 committee) automatically give a higher priority £40,001-£50,000 £60.00 to motions which are proposed by a over £50,000 £72.00 Synopsis recognised body of the national par- There is also a student rate of £5.00. Policy Committee suggest that it may ty and to encourage proposers of mo- 6. If this motion is passed, GPEx be helpful for final agenda papers to tions to consult with Policy working plans to introduce as soon as is prac- have occasionally a brief commen- groups and policy committee. The ticable annual rates similar to the tary from policy committee. To as- presumption is that a motion which Scottish ones: sist decision making at conference, has already been endorsed by a vote The minimum rate of £12 to be Policy Committee suggests that the of a body within the party is likely to kept a little more expensive than the provision of a brief verbal commen- have had better prior discussion and minimum dd rate to encourage peo- tary would achieve a similar aim. scrutiny than one simply proposed ple to join by the latter route. Second by any four members. and additional members living at Motion the same address to be given a 50% To add to Standing Orders for the Motion discount. The student rate to be un- Conduct of Conference: In Standing Orders for the Conduct of changed at £5. Section D, Point 5 - to add a section Conference Section D: Final Agenda Life membership rates to be in- g: Policy Committee may make com- delete 5d) and replace with creased (by the amount of inflation) ments on policy motions for pub- “d) The order of motions in the to £470 for an individual and to £620 lication at the end of the motion in Policy and Organisational sections for a joint membership. the Final Agenda. Policy Committee shall be determined by SOC. In this Submitted by Tony Cooper **, must inform SOC of any such com- SOC shall group motions proposed Chris Haine, Jon Lucas, Khalid ments by the Final Agenda deadline. by GPRC or a Regional Meeting first, Hussenbux Additional Policy Committee com- motions proposed by a recognised ments may also be made verbally national committee or working during the plenary at the discretion group (for example policy working of the chair and to be heard between groups recognised by Policy Com- the workshop report and the propos- mittee) second, motions proposed by er of the motion. a valid full meeting of a local party Comments may only address the third, and motions proposed by in- following points: dividual members last. Within each - Conflicts or interactions with or group the order shall be decided by a implications for other areas of policy prioritisation ballot under SO D1. - Conflicts or interactions with or Submitted by Rachel Fryer **, Clive implications for publically elected Lord, Matt Follett, Alan Francis, and green representatives one other. - Extent to which Policy commit- tee has been provided with evidence that motion has been discussed - Extent to which it is a proposal that affects government finances - How far it is suitable for the for- mat proposed (e.g. MfSS addition or policy statement) - Evidence or data relevant to the motion Submitted by Matt Follett **, Brian Heatley*, Rachel Fryer, Alan Fran- cis, Roger Creagh-Osborne and one other 35

Section E - Draft Voting Papers

E01 – Education Draft Voting • Learning to Know ED103 With a child-centred ap- Paper • Learning to Do proach to learning the needs of these • Learning to live together children who show a willingness • Learning to Be and readiness for academic learning Synopsis Greater emphasis on the last two will still be met. The Autumn 2006 conference passed of these would help to achieve a ED104 In accordance with the an Enabling Motion instructing more balanced education system. values outlined in the Introduction Policy Committee to initiate a pol- ED003 Creating a healthy sus- there will be an emphasis on social icy development process to bring a tainable society will involve crea- cohesion, play, enjoyment, related- proposal for a redrafted MfSS sec- tive thinking and the ability to solve ness and character building rather tion on Education to a future confer- problems. than knowledge and skills particu- ence. This Draft Voting Paper will ED004 Children start school as larly in the early years. give those attending this conference eager learners. By the end of their ED105 Free (or subsidised) nurser- the opportunity to comment on this school career, too many have no or ies and early years education com- work so far at a workshop session. few positive outcomes, and no desire bined with Citizens’ Income would Members can also participate in this to continue any formal education. help to create structures that encour- work following conference through Some have been excluded or have age and support parental involve- the Education Policy Working Group stopped attending. ment and nurture in these impor- (Convenor Rachel Fryer). ED005 Our education system in tant years. The Draft Voting Paper will be fol- the UK is one of the most highly ED106 All early years establish- lowed in due course by a full Voting funded in the world yet is failing ments must enable regular outdoor Paper at a later conference. growing numbers of people. access for children. The draft that follows reflects ex- ED006 In recent years there have ED107 As with our policies on tensive debate within the Education been too many rapid changes to the schools, early years establishments Policy Working Group over the two system which can create instabil- will be of a human scale; small years since the enabling Motion was ity and uncertainty and be detri- enough to provide community units passed, in meetings both at confer- mental to participants in education. with continuity and consistency ence and outside it, and in e-mail - ??delete?? of staff for all children and small exchanges, and reflects opinions ex- ED007 Education should be at the enough to provide a safe and secure pressed more widely in the Party. heart of communities and for com- environment as a base for children’s munities, and should promote equal- exploration of the environment and Motion ity, inclusivity, social and emotional social relationships. To help achieve Delete the Education (ED100 – well-being and responsibility. this they will be within walking dis- ED608) chapter of the MfSS and the ED008 Education should be a right tance of children’s homes in urban Policy Statements ‘City Academies and an entitlement and free at the areas. (1 x yes to specify size) (April 2005)’ and ‘Opposition to Trust point of delivery to people of all ED108 There will be greater Schools (Spring 2006)’ in RoPs and re- ages. health involvement in these impor- place with the following: ED009 What people learn should tant years and health visitors will be built around creating a sustain- make regular visits to all early years able future for the 21st Century and establishments. Education beyond. Age of learning Introduction Early Years education ED 120 With early years education ED001 The Green Party believes that ED100 The Green Party acknowl- extending to a higher age we will ex- education should provide everyone edges that in most countries aca- plore, in accordance with other Euro- with the knowledge and skills they demic learning is not compulsory pean countries, changing the prima- require to be able to fully participate before the age of 7. ry school age to start at the age of 7. in and contribute to the society in ED101 Most of these countries ED121 We will explore all-through which they live. Not just academic are considered to have higher levels schools (for ages 7-18) such as those knowledge, but social skills, life of attainment than those of British in Scandinavia, which can alleviate skills, and respect for other people’s schools. the challenges of transition between rights and lifestyles. ED102 Play of all kinds, and the schools and strengthen communi- ED002 We endorse the Unesco Four active exploration of the arts and the ty cohesion and relations between Pillars of Education (in Delores, J. natural world, are important ways staff, parents and pupils. This would Learning, the Treasure Within(1996) for children to learn and develop, es- be in the context of smaller schools Unesco), which are: pecially in the early years. (see Size of Schools) 36

ED122 It will continue to be com- Child, children’s opinions on what h Which provides education in so- pulsory for all young people to be and how they are taught should be cial skills and relationships through educated between the years of 7-16. taken into account. Children and cooperative and participative From the age of 14 this may be deliv- young people’s own interests and en- learning ie through group-work ered in a variety of contexts includ- thusiasms are the natural starting- i Which caters for a variety of in- ing apprenticeship schemes. ???safe- point for productive learning, the terests, intelligences, skills and tal- guard still needed??? roots from which a broad curriculum ents including academic and voca- OR can grow. Therefore the approach to tional training. Young people may choose to leave (having a) National / School Curricu- j Which caters for and encourages school from the age of 14 to work. lum will be revised in order to pro- different learning styles, appropriate This will meet the needs of young mote a diverse education within the to the individual and, if applicable people who are de-motivated from boundaries of what is appropriate for their Special Educational Needs. This learning and allow them to mature the child, the school and its location. would imply more pupil-centred and learn in a work context with the It will allow a much higher level of rather than teacher-led learning. freedom to return to education at a devolution to Local Authorities to in- k Which promote outdoor and later stage, should they choose to. dividual schools in setting their own physical activity. curriculum. At the same time it will l Which offers education in a sec- Structure and Accountability of ensure that all children and young ond language from as young an Schools people have experience of: age as is possible / from the age of 7 ED200 In order to maximise en- a How to engage with learning, which continues at secondary school, gagement with and good commu- and how to develop speaking, listen- encouraging those that are gifted to nication between parents, students, ing and debating skills. developing their language skills teachers and other staff, there will be b The development of essential m Which offers a cross-curriculum considerable efforts to ensure that all numeracy and literacy skills. approach at all stages of learning, parties are democratically involved c The environment, through aca- allowing greater individual choice in the running of the school through demic work and on a practical level, over subjects and topics where pos- School Councils and Governing Bod- including children and young peo- sible through project-based learning, ies. The relationship between and ple’s understanding of their own thus overcoming the current frag- responsibilities of the Head and the physical environment and enabling mented timetable separated into ar- Chair of the Governing Body must be them to be actively involved in im- tificial, disconnected subjects. clearly outlined. proving their local environment. n Which enables children and ED201 There are many good ex- d Experience and enjoyment of all young people to become self-direct- amples of successful structures, yet art forms ed learners, who will be equipped to it would appear that this depends e Emotional literacy and well-be- take advantage of learning opportu- largely on the Head and the rules of ing, social skills and physical well- nities throughout their lives. accountability which exist in each being including education in sex and school. Currently schools rely on the relationships from an age the school Assessment good will of parents to volunteer considers appropriate. This will be ED300 Assessment is a generic their time to ensure the smooth run- achieved through the learning en- word which incorporates styles of ning of the school. This creates ac- vironment (see below) and through assessment ranging from internal cessibility issues as not all parents more rigorous teacher training which ongoing informal monitoring to ex- are able or willing to volunteer their focuses on these issues and through ternal exams. time and not all schools have enough greater emphasis on the arts which ED301 A healthy education sys- volunteers or an adequate skills increase self-expression and through tem would include a broad range base to create a successful Govern- this emotional literacy. of cumulative, formative and sum- ing Body. Governing Bodies will be f Practical life skills such as ba- mative assessment, including self- properly funded to acknowledge the sic cooking, DIY skills, First Aid and assessment. high level of responsibility granted managing of bank accounts. ED302 However there is currently to people involved in them so that g Citizenship skills. The agenda too much emphasis on national tests those who would be unable to afford for Citizenship Skills will not be de- and fulfilling marking schemes, to be involved are recompensed for termined by central government (?particularly in the form of SATS?) their time and expenses. but instead by an independent body which can oppress or suppress teach- ED202 The Local Authority will (such as the Politics Association). ing and learning and create a great be involved in monitoring the struc- This would include understand- deal of unnecessary pressure on chil- tures to ensure there is consistency of ing the history of and the politics dren as young as 7. standards and level of involvement and political structures of the area / ED303 Assessment should be un- and to help to share best practice. country and, above all, experience of obtrusive and in the interests of the democratic process through be- enhancing the learning of the indi- Curriculum ing involved in the running of their vidual child. ED250 According to Article 12 of own school community. UN Convention on the Rights of the And a learning environment 37

ED304 The Green Party will abol- Admissions out discrimination of any factors ish external SATS exams. (delete if ED350 Our underlying vision is such as financial background. this has already happened) for every child and young person to ED403 There are many problems ED305 The Green Party will abol- attend their local community school with our current state education sys- ish league tables in their current wherever possible?. There are chil- tem. There is a need to address why form as they give an over-inflated dren with behavioural difficulties people choose to send their children impression of schools with a higher and emotional difficulties who actu- to private schools. ability intake which can contribute ally need to be protected by segrega- ED404 On average twice as much towards problems with admissions. tion - not to mention protecting the is spent per pupil in the independ- ED306 Ofsted Inspections will other children from them. And yes, ent sector than in the state sector. be revised or replaced with quality I will disagree with Simone on this The differences this leads to are that teaching inspections similar to those one! Needs should be met on an in- in the state sector schools and class in Wales, spot check inspections and clusive basis. sizes are larger, making them more staff and student evaluations. ED351 Currently vast sums of anonymous and with less commu- ED307 Where school standards money are spent on specialist nity cohesion. Teachers do not have are reported this will be through schools, City Academies and Trust the same amount of time available value-added results and through the Schools, all of which can discourage in their paid hours for marking, results of school inspections which attendance at a local community preparation and other administra- will include school self-evaluation schools and, especially in the case tive work, thus making their jobs ED308 Having a broad range of as- of specialist schools, restrict how a much more pressurised. sessment techniques which celebrate school chooses to spend its money. ED405 Children with a high level positive achievement, thus allowing The Green Party will redistribute all of ability or who are more likely to be for rewarding work which displays available money to all schools ac- from a background where education creativity and ability but may not cording to their needs rather than is valued have a positive influence otherwise meet the demands of a their status. on the learning experience of their task ED352 Many of the existing peers. Sadly an increasing number ED309 Assessment will feed into problems in our admissions system of these are now learning in the in- strategies for educating the individ- stem from the emphasis on SATS dependent sector and this creates ual child and into education strate- and League Tables, both of which additional pressure on schools in the gies nationally. the Green Party will abolish (see state sector and is to some extent ED310 Currently teaching and Assessment). causing social divisions in society. learning are too often dominated ED353 There will be greater in- ED406 As outlined in Admissions by meeting targets and ticking box- volvement and dialogue / participa- and in Structure and Accountability es. There will be more emphasis on tion / communication between the in Schools an important factor in im- qualitative (informal) assessment. school and the parent / guardian. proving the education young people ED354 In the longer term all- receive and increasing community Size of Schools through schools would be considered cohesion is parental involvement. ED320 Many problems schools ex- as outlined in Parents and carers need to feel val- perience stem from both class sizes ued by the schools and involved in and the size of schools which can be Age of Learning its running and to this end will have intimidating and overwhelming for greater powers in school governing children and young people, particu- Different types of schools bodies. larly those who are vulnerable. This ED400 All young people have a ED407 The state currently subsi- leads to disruption, a lack of engage- right to receive a high standard of dises independent schools, for ex- ment in class and less sense of com- education at their local school, re- ample through paying for places for munity in the school. There is consid- gardless of their background, where children from military backgrounds. erable evidence that being educated they live, what their financial back- This highlights the need for the state in smaller groups produces better re- ground or level of ability is. to fully represent the diversity in our sults. The Green Party would seek to ED401 Many different types education system, for example by in- reduce both class and school sizes. of schools currently exist, includ- creasing the number of state-funded ED321 Existing large schools will ing comprehensive schools, public boarding schools. be supported to reorganise internal- schools, specialist schools and ‘al- ED408 In the short term we will ly into smaller communities (‘mini- ternative’ schools such as Steiner remove the charitable status of in- schools’). schools. In the state sector there are dependent schools and increase ED322 Existing small schools will also specialist schools and schools the amount of funding available be protected, and developed as com- for young people with special needs. to schools deemed to be in special munity resources rather than closed. ED402 The Green Party acknowl- measures. They will be encouraged to become edges that there is a need to em- ED409 We will continue to aim partners with nearby schools where brace a diverse range of educational for all community schools to provide possible, to share resources and spe- approaches. This diversity will be everyone with an education which cialist staff. available to all young people with- will fit everyone’s individual needs 38 through a diverse curriculum which the case of a City cademy the mon- Too often parents exercise this offers choice and is appropriate for ey is released for a new building so choice as a result of negative experi- everyone’s needs and ability. (See the school cannot choose to have a ences such as children experiencing Curriculum) However, we recognise cheaper building or retro-fit exist- bullying, feeling restricted by the that some people will continue to ing buildings instead and spend the curriculum or intimidated by large choose to be educated outside main- remaining money on, for example, schools and class sizes. The Green stream schools. Therefore we will more teachers. Party’s radical reform of the educa- provide state funding for all schools, ED503 For these reasons the Green tion system would alleviate many allowing for a diverse educational Party is opposed to City Academies of these issues. Where parents still system to be equally accessible to and Trust Schools. choose to educate their children at all children and young people re- home this would be supported by gardless of their parents’ income Grammar Schools and mixed ability Local Authorities who would work so that ultimately no school is fee- learning to ensure that all young people have paying. We would expand dialogue ED510 The grammar school sys- a broad and diverse education of a between all schools so that they can tem decides which young people high quality. all learn from each others’ different are likely to succeed academically ED521 All schools will be obliged approaches and so there is an oppor- when they are only 11 years old with to offer home-based educators part- tunity for integration and sharing of a single test which many consider time school attendance agreements resources. to be a poor indicator of ability and if requested. OR skills. For those who fail this can In order to support state educa- take opportunities away from them Teachers tion we will invest considerably and cause them to lose confidence in ED530 A Green government will greater money in the state to remove their abilities at an age when they work with the teaching unions to re- the anomalies so that there is much are only just beginning to explore verse the process by which teachers greater incentive for parents to send learning. The system can also cause have gradually been deskilled and their children to state schools and social divisions. Evidence shows that their professional autonomy eroded; greater equality of opportunity for the overall standard of achievement we will reduce the current burden all young people. is higher where people are educated of paperwork which is often driven in mixed ability environments. For by an excessive use of targets as this City Academies and Trust Schools these reasons the Green Party will has been cited as the most common ED500 City Academies and Trust allow no new grammar schools and reason teachers leave their job. This Schools are often introduced to de- gradually integrate grammar and would free their time and resources prived areas as the only chance the secondary modern schools into the to give them the opportunity to re- school has to attract funding. Build- comprehensive system. spond to the needs of each individ- ings and land which belong to the ED511 For the above reasons we ual child. state are leased to a private sponsor will encourage mixed ability learn- or outside body. In the case of a City ing in all schools as far as possible Inclusion and Special Needs Academy this private sponsor de- but would allow schools the free- ED550 The Green Party supports cides what the school’s specialism dom to opt for streaming according the principle of offering all people will be, what the curriculum will be to ability in some subjects. the opportunity to be educated in and what wages individual teachers a mainstream school, and meeting receive. The sponsor does not have to Subject enrichment everyone’s needs, whatever the lev- know anything about education yet ED515 Subject specialisms will be el of need may be. There are many has the power to make these crucial provided as far as possible by com- positive benefits for all people in be- decisions. munity schools. In addition we will ing educated alongside people with ED501 The sponsor has the power facilitate Local Authorities to intro- a variety of needs and abilities and to appoint the Board who appoints duce enrichment time one after- this will lead to a more integrated the Principal and the Governors. In noon per week during which schools society. some academies the parents have the will pool their resources and provide ED551 In exceptional cases it is right to vote for as little as one par- transport for young people from all not appropriate to be fully integrat- ent governor. This also removes the schools in the area to attend enrich- ed into mainstream education for all democratic control by local authori- ment activities of their choice in- subjects, for example where there are ties of institutions that are financed cluding sports, creative and practical multiple learning difficulties. In the by national and local taxation. subjects as well as other subject en- longer term the Green Party hopes to ED502 So Academies and Trust richment and extension activities. address this through having special Schools can often take power away units in mainstream schools. from parents, teachers and pupils Home-based Education ED552 Local Authorities may ex- regarding how the school is run. As ED520 We support parents’ rights plore ways of meeting particular with Specialist Schools the fund- to educate their children in settings needs, for example, one school in an ing being offered can only be spent other than at school. area can cater for people with visual on certain things, for example in 39 impairment and another school for ED605 The Green Party feels that Environmental Education hearing impairment. Faith Schools can create (cultural) ED621 In order to create a sustain- ED553 Ultimately some special divisions in society and discourage able society, environmental educa- needs schools may continue to exist. children and young people from tion must be prioritised. Schools will Whether to attend a mainstream or attending their local community undertake an energy audit of the a special needs school is a very sen- school.?delete? school and provide environmental sitive decision and will be taken by ED606 Therefore in the longer education through academic and the parent and young person togeth- term a Green government will not practical work. This will include chil- er with the advice of a special needs fund faith schools. Where faith dren attending their local communi- coordinator. schools already exist they will re- ty school so they are not dependent OR flect the inclusive nature of British on cars for transport. Schools will be The ultimate goal is for society society and become part of the Local required to provide their own recy- to accept diversity and eschew the Authority admissions system. This cling and compost facilities. In this medical (‘deficit’) model of handicap non-discriminatory approach will time of rising energy prices schools and therefore encourage all students be extended to staff who must not will be provided with grants to ret- to attend ordinary schools and for be more or less likely to get a job in a ro-fit their buildings with insulation there to be no special schools faith school due to their own faith. and install solar panels, solar water OR heating, be well insulated and where Faith Schools However, we recognise that some appropriate have wind turbines. ED600 Education should include parents will want to send their chil- They will also have rainwater and a celebration and recognition of reli- dren to faith schools and within the grey-water flushing systems. This is gious diversity and spirituality. conditions above will continue to particularly important in schools so ED601 The Green Party recognizes fund them within the state system. that young people accept and expect the right of parents to choose the these as part of normal daily life. kind of education that shall be given Health in Schools ED622 Providers of education to their children in accordance with ED610 Schools and teachers will should manage their own resources the Universal Declaration of Human continue to have a duty of care to- in a sustainable way. They may act as Rights. wards young people. Whilst we rec- research establishments for the de- ED602 We will seek to cater for ognise that parents are more likely velopment of sustainable lifestyles. these rights and needs through en- to have a significant influence on suring that children and young their children in regards to most as- Youth Schools people can practise their faith in pects of their personal development, ED625 In addition to compul- schools, for example by providing it is very important to promote this sory education there will be Youth prayer space for those who need to through the school, as outlined in Schools in every town as in other Eu- practise their religion regularly. ??At the Curriculum section. The school ropean countries such as Denmark the same time we will abolish the re- environment must be a loving one for young people. quirement for a compulsory daily act full of care. There will be regular In addition to providing some- of worship?? Religious instruction, health checks in schools and a re- where safe for young people to so- however, as distinct from religious turn to school nurses. Crucial to all cialize in the evenings, structured education in understanding differ- of these factors is how teachers are learning will take place as it does in ent religions will take place outside trained for this in their Initial Teach- adult education, providing a wide school curriculum time. er Training. variety of courses including a range ED603 We recognise the impor- of life skills, practical and vocational tance of human values and the Food training. moral dimension in learning, often ED 620 It will be a minimum re- expressed through spiritual and po- quirement that all children are pro- Further education litical values. This will be achieved vided with a balanced nutritious ED 630 Currently Further Educa- through the curriculum and ethos of lunch including local and organic tion colleges are run independently the school and through understand- non-GM food, free from additives. from Local Authorities. They receive ing the contribution we can all make Vegetarian, vegan, religious and a much lower unit cost per pupil to society. other dietary requirements will be than schools and the teaching sala- ED604 All schools, both state- catered for. Vending machines will ries are lower. controlled and privately run will be only supply healthy snacks and not ED631 The Green Party believes required to embrace a multi-faith crisps, carbonated drinks and sweets. that Further Education colleges perspective throughout the explo- Schools will be encouraged to involve should be publicly owned and fund- ration of the curriculum by giving children in growing, preparing and ed at the same rate as secondary equal respect to all faiths, as well as cooking food. Not only will this pro- schools and be subject to the same respecting the rights of children to vide invaluable and essential educa- requirements as schools regarding adopt a secular world view should tion in the importance of a good diet, Sustainability, Environmental edu- they wish to. it will greatly improve behaviour, cation and health. quality of life and learning. 40

D632 The Green Party will con- All HE Institutions and their Stu- Standards tinue to encourage a broad educa- dent Unions will be publicly owned. ED700 Currently the standard of tion and as such will move towards ED661 All Governing bodies will achievement of students with com- / adopt / consider implementing adopt structures similar to the sen- parable degrees and results from dif- courses and qualifications similar ate model used by Open Universi- ferent institutions is inconsistent. to Scottish Highers and the Interna- ties. Governors and Board members There will be much more rigour ap- tional Baccalaureate. will be elected by both staff and plied to ensure consistency through ED633 Further Education will be students. external accreditation systems. accessible to people of all ages and ED701 There will be systems in offer a wide range of practical, vo- Accessibility place to provide a quality assurance cational and academic courses and ED670 Higher Education will of- of staff and full accountability with- qualifications. fer real support to mature students in departments. and students with families. There Higher Education will be a minimum requirement for Curriculum ED640 Under a Green government Universities and Higher Education ED710 Due to the nature of the there would be no student loans as Institutions to offer a free crèche to economic growth we have been ex- there would be no tuition fees and students and staff, nappy changing periencing there has been a shift in living costs would be met by Citi- and breast-feeding facilities as well recent years away from manufac- zen’s Income. as religious facilities such as prayer ture and industry-related subjects. Higher Education is essential in spaces to cater for people from a wide Whilst trends in the subjects stu- developing a civilized society. Edu- range of ages, religions and ethnic dents choose to study will continue cation should be treated as a process backgrounds. to evolve there will be sufficient and not a product. It should enable a Additional funding will be given funding to protect minority subjects democratisation of knowledge and to Open Universities to make them and to cater for potential swings skills which is available to anyone more accessible. back. who wants to study a degree and is capable of it, regardless of their age Targets Research or background. It should be free at ED680 Statistical targets should ED720 It is essential that there is the point of delivery (to everyone / have well-founded reasons, for ex- not a commercial bias in research to all EU citizens). ? In the short term ample aiming to ensure that stand- undertaken in Higher Education In- we will reintroduce student grants ards are improving and that a rep- stitutions. There will be sufficient to meet living costs. resentative cross-section of society funding to encourage independent ED641 Higher Education should has access to Higher Education. The and ethical research. not be an expectation for young peo- existing target, for example, of get- ple. Evidence suggests that the best ting 50% of school leavers into High- Transition into Higher Education results are achieved by people who er Education does not have any such ED730 The Green Party recognises have an active desire to study at this clear aims. that under the current system the level when they feel ready, rather ability of students transferring from than be an automatic extension of Elitism school or Further Education to High- Further Education. ED690 A disproportionate number er Education is extremely diverse, of the highest salaries are offered sometimes depending on their social Funding to graduates of institutions which background or the school / college ED650 Higher Education is facing are considered to be elitist, many of they attended. Until this is no longer a funding crisis. Departments are which select a very high proportion the case, in order to ensure full acces- closing, students are being forced of students from the independent sibility and high standards, institu- to pay increasing fees for their edu- sector. tions will be funded to offer an exter- cation, lecturers are working longer ED691 This will be addressed nally accredited Foundation Degree hours and receiving worsening pay through a combination of these insti- to students they consider to have the and conditions and the student to tutions offering Widening Participa- potential to study at a Higher Level tutor ratio is increasing. The Green tion Programmes and creating a se- but who are not yet ready for it. Party will support a properly funded, ries of firm targets which will ensure accessible Higher Education system increased social diversity through Transition from Higher Education into which would reverse these trends. taking a proportionate amount of Employment students from the state sector. (Pro- ED740 Studying any subject Accountability portionate with other institutions / should provide people with transfer- ED660 Higher Education Institu- proportionate with school leavers? able skills, such as developing an en- tions are funded directly by the state / proportionate with school leavers quiring mind, research skills and the or through Chartered Organisations applying for HE? – to be discussed) ability to construct well-reasoned ar- and Trusts, guments. Some subjects are natural- OR ly more vocational than others. Stu- dents should be prepared for the po- 41 tential outcomes of their degrees at ED805 Adult education should traditions of the schools involved the outset of the course and receive embrace and encourage learning for will be respected. guidance throughout the course in learning’s sake and as such funding 6. Those who remain in the private how to achieve their chosen career for additional courses will be decid- sector would be classed as a busi- path. ed at a local level without it having ness and have all charitable status to be target-driven and focused only removed and would pay all relevant International Students on qualifications.’ taxes such as VAT and Corporation ED750 Currently many Higher Submitted by Rachel Fryer **, Matt Tax. All state sponsored scholarships Education Institutions are depend- Follett, Steve Dawe, John Vivian would be directed to LEA provi- ent on international students due to and one other sion and remaining private schools the inflated fees they pay. In some would be asked to contribute to na- cases this can lead them to accept Amendment 1 tional initial teacher training costs. international students who are less Proposed by Rachel Fryer*, David able than EU students whom they Policy Statement: Williams, Craig Simmons, Alison reject. Under a Green Government 1. The Green Party is seeking to Williams Higher Education Institutions will establish an education service in the be properly funded by the state so UK of the highest quality standards that where international students possible, via a vibrant public sector are fee-paying the amount the in- that is free at the point of use and stitution charges will mirror the fee available to all. they receive from the state in fund- 2. The Green vision for educa- ing for an EU student. tional provision is that it should be accessible to all, its funding prin- Environmentalism in Higher Educa- ciples should be based on need and tion Institutions it should be democratically owned ED760 Currently some Institu- and controlled by local people. The tions have some of the worst records Greens are seeking to establish an for their environmental footprint. education service that brings out the Under a Green government Higher best in individuals and contributes Education will adhere to the same to a society that is cohesive, equali- stringent regulations as large busi- tarian and socially just, as well as nesses and other institutions. (cross enhancing our economic wellbeing. reference with?) 3. Private education is a barrier to creating more opportunities for Adult education all, democratic control and a more ED800 As stated in the Introduc- socially just society. It is an anach- tion the Green Party believes that ronism from another age that fosters life-long learning will help to create class divisions and provides privi- a healthy society. leged advantage to a moneyed elite. ED801 Adult education comprises 4. The Green Party suggests that of a wide variety of courses, some of the best approach to assimilating which will lead to qualifications. the private sector into the public ed- ED802 As adult education is con- ucation provision should be through stantly evolving it demands a flex- a voluntary process of institutional ible approach to new courses whilst integration combined with a sub- ensuring core aspects of education stantial increase in funding to pub- are preserved even where enrolment lic sector education improving qual- is low. ity standards generally. ED803 To promote accessibility 5. Voluntary integration of the it will be provided in town centres private sector would be achieved by rather than in out of town universi- offers of attractive refurbishment ties where possible. grants and free support services from ED804 Ideally all adult education the local LEA to private schools. will be free at the point of delivery. There would also be ‘buy out’ pack- If this is not possible there will be a ages to private school freeholders minimum requirement to provide and enhanced transfer of agreement free education for adults to learn es- terms and conditions for staff. No sential literacy, numeracy and life child’s education would be disrupted, skills and to gain skills and qualifi- LEA coordination of admissions only cations which will help them direct- starting with initial intake. All ex- ly gain employment. isting management structures and 42

Section O – Out of Order Motions

Two motions have been ruled out of O1 Members website O2 Convention of the left order. The Standing Orders for the This Conference notes the success of Conduct of Conference explain: Synopsis The Convention of the Left, which “Motions or amendments to mo- This motion calls for information on took place in parallel with, and as an tions shall be ruled out of order on the members’ website to be kept up alternative to, The Labour Party Con- grounds of being: to date. ference in Manchester. a) contrary to the Constitution, The Convention provided a forum b) retrospective in their effect, Motion for a large number of people and c) ambiguous, The members’ website is an essential organisations on the left to come d) vague, tool to those interested in internal together to debate issues and strat- e) trivial or requiring no conse- democracy within the Green Party. egies, concentrating on what unites quential action, Over recent years the information us rather than what divides us. The f) substantially changing policy has become very outdated. sustainability of the planet was a areas, or having complex implica- The last GPEx minutes are dated central theme throughout. The Con- tions for other areas, without having 2006 and the posting of GPRC min- vention of The Left seeks to maintain passed through the agreed process of utes is sporadic. The list of GPEx of- the spirit of the Manchester conven- consultation or seeks to significant- ficers is also out of date. tion and is intending to organise ly amend the principles passed in a Having the minutes of meetings future events. Conference agrees to policy motion or Voting Paper less and up to date contact details for become a sponser of The Convention than two years previously, or if it GPEx members is imperative to the of the Left and to commit the GPEW seeks to re-present a policy proposal internal democracy of the party and to become actively involved in the which has been debated and defeat- the information is essential for any organisation of a Convention of The ed at Conference less than two years member wishing to put themselves Left in Brighton during the week previously (see Appendix A), except forward for election for posts in the of The Labour Party Conference in where it is proposed by Regional future. 2009 Council and agreed by SOC that the We call in GPEx to ensure these Submitted by Peter Allen **, Sean specific exception to that require- pages are kept up to date and min- Thompson, , Romayne ment shall be made in respect of an utes are posted within a reasonable Phoenix and one other. area of Party Policy for which urgent time after they are approved. need to update or clarify the policy Submitted by Andrew Collingwood SOC’s decision outweighs the normal consideration **, Derek Wall, Sean Thompson, Roy SOC deemed the motion to be vague of procedure.” Sandison and one other (SOCC 9d) in that conference has no SOC has a duty to rule any such budget to sponsor events and the mo- submitted motions out of order – it is SOC’s decision tion does not commit specific bodies not a choice. If the members of SOC, SOC deemed the motion to be vague or individuals within the party to in their collective judgement, consid- (SOCC 9d) in that it did not call on take action. er that a motion is in breach of any of GPEx to amend its standing orders or the requirements above, it must rule for a specific individual to commit to it out of order. a specific action. SOC has provided explanations for its decisions at the end of each motion. 43

Rough Guide to the Winter Gardens layout Bistro Winter Main Entrance Gardens rena 2 Arena Bar A & catering Arena Lift Press only Stalls Area Entrance foyer and registration area Office 3 Office 2SOC Office 1 Conference. Comm Main 1 Ballroom bar Bar red Church Road Ice Lounge Ballroom Rough Guide to Winter Gardens Layout Diana Suite Stage showing rooms being used by the Green Party Main 2 Balcony Bar (1st floor) Down to Ice lounge and up creche Link North Link South 44

Fringes and Workshops

ideas for making our radical Green 1700 Progress in Green Economics employment, Profitable small Friday 20 message into something that is in- in the last 6 months farms and new approaches to hous- tellectually and emotionally natu- This fringe will outline achieve- ing provision is the alternative 1300 First timers at conference ral for many voters, by activating ments in Green Economics and also Robert Somerville Emily Heath latent ‘Green’ values, in the man- talk about different strands which ner of George Lakoff’s ‘reframing’ make up green movement eco- 1800 Beyond the Green New Deal 1400 Management of Euro and stratagem. This session will also nomics so that campaigners and The current global economic crisis County election expenditure formally launch the ‘Green Words members can argue for our brand is qualitatively different from pre- Meet our good friends from the Workshop’ internet project. of economics and sound credible vious cyclical downturns. We need Electoral Commission and receive Rupert Read & Matt Wootton when canvassing to the public to implement a programme which the very latest briefings on elec- Miriam Kennet, Green will end the domination of the mar- tion campaign expenditure and 1700 Core services: how rape crisis Economics Institute ket and use society’s resources to reporting rules - particularly of rel- centres and women’s refuges transform fundamentally, rather evance this year given co-incident should be funded 1700 Winning Green votes in rural than simply to try to stabilise and elections Funding for rape crisis centres and areas regulate, the current financial and Chris Haine, GPEx women’s refuges usually consists of Tips and strategies on winning industrial system. short-term grants, voluntary fund- ward campaigns, and building up Sean Thompson 1400 Save the Humans - raising and a general process of un- parliamentary potential, in tradi- reframing our Party’s ideas as stable, uncertain cobbling together tionally unfavourable rural areas 1800 Designing, printing and common sense of money. What should be done to Chris Haine, GPEx distributing ward newsletters In this session, Rupert and Matt change this? Come and share your ideas, experi- will present (textually and visu- Natalie Bennett 1700 Young Greens committee ence and frustrations with produc- ally) a preliminary version of their meeting - all welcome ing ward newsletters. There will be A meeting of the Young Greens to plenty of examples to take away, plan campaigns for the forthcom- on-line templates, and practical ing year. All Young Greens and advice on organising a distribution ������������������������� other members of the Party are network ��������������������� welcome Chris Haine, GPEx Andy Birkby, Young Greens 1800 South East regional meeting 1800 A Green Rural Manifesto: It is very important that any mem- . . . Housing / Farming / Employment bers of the South East attend this The last 30 years have seen the meeting as it will be on of our fi- progressive reversal of localization. nal meetings before the European Globalization, supermarkets, large elections. We will be discussing our industrial farms have flattened campaign strategy - how we will ���������������������������� rural economies… topped by unaf- keep our MEP seat and increase the ���������������������������� fordable housing. A specific pack- Green vote in the South East. ������������������������������� age of rural policies is needed. Else Rachel Fryer, South East GP ��������������������������� localization is a dream. Land-based CAAT_GP_advert:Layout 1 24/02/2009 18:17 Page 1 ����������������������������� �������������������������������� ������������������ Did you know that a Government ����������������������������������� ���������������������� department employs around 170 civil ����������������������������������������� servants to promote arms exports?

����������������������������������������� UKTI: Armed & Dangerous UKTI helps promote UK businesses abroad. Yet despite arms sales making ����������������������������������������� up just 1.5% of all exports, UKTI employs as many staff to promote these ������������������������������������������������������ sales as it does for all of the other industries combined! ����������������������������������������������� For more information on how the Government is giving hugely disproportionate support to the arms trade, as well as helping to promote arms sales to countries involved in conflict and human rights abuses, visit www.caat.org.uk 45

1900 Fundraising from ideas to 1300 AGC business meeting 1300 NATO expansion to the East. action Saturday 21 A meeting to discuss the ongoing A new Cold War for Europe A session for local and regional work of the Association of Green The war in the Caucasus in August fundraisers to share ideas and, 1200 Education DVP 1 of 2 Councillors - all councillors and can- 2008 between Russia and Georgia more importantly, experience of A chance to look at and discuss the didates welcome. was sparked by the NATO decision what works. Includes a briefing Education Draft Voting Paper. 1. Jon Barry, AGC to consider Georgia for member- on national fundraising plans. We An examination and discussion of ship of NATO. The stationing of Star hope that the Party’s new national the Introduction, Structure and Ac- 1300 Green Economics Working Wars missile bases in Eastern Eu- membership and fundraising devel- countability of Schools, Curriculum, Group: Planning Meeting rope is also increasing Russian fears opment officer will be in post by Assessment, Admissions and Faith This meeting provides members of encirclement. Is Europe facing a the time of conference and able to Schools. with the opportunity to plan- budg- new threat of war with Russia? attend. Rachel Fryer et responses, and campaigning for Joseph Healy, Green Left Jon Nott the next six months and to share 1200 First timers at conference responses to difficult economics 1300 Transition towns - a model 1900 General election gee up Emily Heath questions they might get during for the future of the economy? Meet the national elections team an election campaign. Also to plan How do you inspire a whole town and learn about the plans and 1200 How to beat the Lib Dems writing policy and other economics with the confidence to believe a preparations for the General Elec- Tips and strategies for winning materials- and training sessions and sustainable future is possible? Tran- tion (whenever it comes). Hear ward campaigns where your main meetings outside of conference and sition Towns are already respond- about the fundraising, web sites, opponents are the Lib Dems. to report back on activities and suc- ing to the climate crisis and peak candidate briefings and media op- Chris Haine, GPEx cesses within the last 6 months. oil challenges together - strength- eration being built to support you Miriam Kennet, Economics ening community by creating a - and how all this fits in with tar- 1200 The most important Working Group shared vision and acting together. geting our “Greens for Parliament” environmental campaign in constituencies. Britain? Chris Haine, GPEx The next general election will be decided by 12,000-15,000 floating 1900 Homophobia in Eastern voters in key marginals who have Europe and the Green Response absolute power over political par- Homophobic attacks and outright ties. Instead of making a choice discrimination remain the norm we get these people to make a de- in much of Eastern Europe, with mand. Whichever party agrees to Pride marches banned etc. Greens a reformed political process first, in many Eastern European coun- which includes referendums, wins tries are at the forefront of the the election. battle against this intolerance and Graham McArthur, Campaign have formed coalitions with LGBT for Democracy groups Joseph Healy, LGBT group

How many people can the UK sustain? What’s the difference between ‘Optimum’ and Maximum’? Where does Biodiversity fit into the scene? Should there be a population policy for the UK? If not now – when? Visit our stand, and discuss the issues! 46

Fringes and Workshops

Fun and inspiring local stories 1400 Climate Geo-Engineering 1800 GPEx Question Time 1900 WomenbyName breathe life into our policies and James Hansen states that atmos- An opportunity to learn about the (women only) illustrate what greens stand for in pheric concentrations of CO2 need work of GPEx co-ordinators, ask For women in the Green Party to our communities. to drop from 385ppm to below questions about the strategic direc- network, promote and encourage Jonathan Essex & 350ppm CO2 if we are to prevent tion of the party and to discuss ide- each other to stand for internal Lydia Somerville dangerous climate change. Cooling as to improve the working arrange- and external elections, and to offer down the planet requires either en- ments of the party’s institutions. practical support and assistance. 1400 2009’s integrated election hancing natural biospheric negative Chris Haine, GPEx Natalie Bennett campaigns feedbacks or creating new artificial Learn how work to elect a Euro ones, the latter known as climate 1800 Update on progress on 1900 Young Greens campaigns MP this Spring may be just the fil- geo-engineering. This workshop green economics meeting lip you need to kick start a local overviews the most widely pro- Policy group members specialists A meeting of the Young Greens ward campaign and elect your first moted methods of geo-engineering speak about topical events and is- committee and its members to councillors. And what would we do and explores the risks associated sues especially the credit crunch inform members of activities and if Brown called a “Super Thursday” with bio-geoengineering (including and what green solutions they are plan upcoming events. All Young triple election? ‘biochar’) in some detail. developing and share best prac- Greens and other members of the Chris Haine, GPEx Deepak Rughani tise. This is an opportunity work in Party are welcome. depth on economics issues for de- Andy Birkby, Young Greens 1400 Bringing business back to 1400 Meet the MEPs velopment for use in elections etc. our seaside towns Danny Bates, MEPs Miriam Kennet, Economics Peter Cranie, North West GP Working Group Sunday 22 1800 Recession, GP Policy and relations with the TU movement 1800 Communicating our green The recession is developing at such values as pace, (or spiralling out of con- Politics is about people and ideas. trol!) that GP members will almost But it’s about so much more than certainly need an updated on it. It the personalities and policy shop- has vital implications for Greens ping lists that dominate public and Trade Unionists will its threat debate. How do we communicate to jobs and prosperity lead to a the Green values that make us sidelining of the Green agenda or stand out from the “business as could it provide an unique oppor- usual” politics of the establishment tunity to both enact proposals for parties? constructing a Green infrastructure Jon Nott and a reformed economic system? Peter Murry, GP Trade Union 1800 Green Councillors sharing Group good ideas and successes A discussion workshop for Green 1900 Mobile Phone Masts: how Councillors to share details of their to oppose inappropriate sites in local successes and discuss new planning applications ideas. The workshop may also be Put Person Power Lancaster Mast Watch will present useful for target ward candidates. into Practice their new ‘one-stop shop’ website Jon Barry, AGC Capture your very own carbon by learning with information about the lat- est scientific thinking on the risks 1800 Green Party Women how to turn a tree into a beautiful, posed by mobile phone masts Women and men are welcome to comfortable and long lasting chair. as well as specific advice on find- attend this meeting of the organisa- Experience what really matters in life. ing your way through the deeply tion that aims to make links between Spend a week learning, working, talking, undemocratic planning process the party and women’s groups and eating, drinking, singing & sleeping in a around new masts and upgrades to organisations nationally and inter- existing masts. nationally, to promote the women- peaceful English woodland. Sam Riches friendly policies and approach of To find out more, see www.living-wood.co.uk the party, and to work generally 10% of any course bookings received from this advertisement will go towards the Green Party Person Power Fund. Please quote GP109 to promote women’s rights. Elec- 47

tion of officers will be carried out CI. At this fringe session, the draft come; comments, suggestions and (greenpartywomen.org.uk). policy, complete with detailed cost- Monday 23 other input is much appreciated. Natalie Bennett ings, will be presented, and will be Richard Scrase, Green World open for discussion 1200 Education DVP 2 of 2 Editorial Board 1800 Monetary Reform Policy Maria Iacovou A chance to look at and discuss the Working Group meeting Education Draft Voting Paper. 2. An 1200 How to beat the Tories The vital issue, now urgent: reform 1900 Democratic structures in the examination and discussion of the Tips and strategies for winning of money creation to resolve the NHS - time for change Adult Education, Further Education, ward campaigns where your main credit crunch and economic de- With the abolition of Patient Fo- Higher Education and Early Years opponents are the Conservatives. pression. What essential reform rums in April last year, LINks (Lo- education sections of the Draft Vot- Chris Haine, GPEx to push. How to get the message cal Involvement Networks) were ing Paper. out urgently to the wider party supposed to be the next big thing Rachel Fryer 1300 North West regional membership to debate - and to the in public involvement. But they meeting general public, in advance of the are widely perceived as a failure. 1200 Modifying the Party name Peter Cranie, North West GP party’s adoption of it Malcolm Alexander, Chair of the To consider possibilities for a new 1800 Transport Working Group National Association of LINks Mem- name that reflects the Party’s ob- 1300 National canvassing To discuss transport issues and par- bers, addresses how to put public jectives and does not make it sound software ty campaigns on transport involvement back at the heart of simplistic or trendy (original synop- Road test the new national canvass- Brian Leslie, Monetary Reform the NHS. sis was 160 words, too long). ing software and learn about the Policy Working Group Joseph Healy David Wyllie roll-out of the system across local parties. 1800 Transport Working Group 1900 Governamce best practice 1200 Rational belief and Chris Haine, GPEx To discuss transport issues and par- We will have been working with conspiracy ty campaigns on transport the new leadership structure for six What should we believe when con- 1300 Conference Committee Alan Francis, Transport Working months by the time of conference fronted by particularly inconclusive Feedback Session Group and GPEx want to start a discussion debates in politics? When do we Come and tell the outgoing and about what second order structural have good rounds, or sufficient incoming committee what you felt 1900 Assimilation of the private changes might be needed to ensure evidence, to either uphold or reject worked well at this conference and sector of education with public we continue to practice Green lead- conventional wisdom? Do conspira- what could be improved on. Offers provision - a process ership - transparent, accountable cy theories exist which, if only for of help with organising future con- David Williams and empowering. pragmatic reasons, the Green Party ferences always welcomed! GPEx should not prioritise or campaign 1900 Citizens Income: towards a on? more detailed policy 1900 Why the race to be Britain’s At the Spring Conference in 2008, a 4th party matters; beating the motion was passed mandating the BNP in target regions 1200 Green World Editorial Board Green Party Economics Working Peter Cranie,North West GP An editorial board meeting, at Group to draw up a comprehensive which readers of GW (the party’s

policy for BIF_advert_final_new.pdf the implementation of 1 28/01/2009 16:10 membership magazine) are wel-

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Panel Discussions

‘Economic inclusion: can the bility and social justice at its heart. Maternity Services Re-born poor afford a green agenda?’ Growth in GDP no longer necessarily makes us richer in terms of our natu- Sunday 22 March, 6pm ral resources and human wellbeing. Some 60% of births should be “nor- Friday 20 March, 6pm A transition towards a steady state mal’, but in 25% of trusts less than The current economic crisis will economy would mean prioritising a third are. Lack of continuity of impact on everyone, but the poor- well-being indicators over GDP, im- care, a shortage of midwives and est people are in the most vulner- posing tough caps on climate emis- beds contribute to high death rates able position. This panel will explore sions, redistributing wealth and and threaten mothers’ and babies’ how we include people economically promoting greater self sufficiency. health. The NHS paid out £560m in and how a green response to the eco- Together with a green jobs revolu- compensation in 2005-6, and half of nomic crisis must also address pov- tion in renewable energy and energy that was related to obstetric cases. erty and ensure poor people do not efficiency, a steady state economy About 11 million UK women have bear the brunt of the crisis. It will in- may provide the template for a 21st suffered post-birth trauma. clude the question of access to credit century economic system fit for There’s no doubt about it: NHS and financial services, the role of purpose. maternity services in the UK are in trade unions and credit unions, and crisis. We will hear from four experts explore proposals from anti-poverty Speakers: in the field with differing opinions organisations. Dan O’Neill, Director of European as to what the possible solutions Operations at the Center for the could be. Speakers: Advancement of the Steady State Jean Lambert MEP (for London) Economy (CASSE) Professor Wendy Savage Peter Cranie - Number one Euro- Molly Scott Cato, Green Party Professor Wendy Savage is a distin- candidate for the Northwest economics spokesperson and writer guished gynaecologist and cham- + Speakers to be invited from credit Nic Marks, Founder of nef: new pion of women’s rights in childbirth unions, trade unions and anti-pov- economics foundation centre for and fertility. She was the first wom- erty movement. well-being an consultant to be appointed in Ob- Chair: Romayne Phoenix Chair: Caroline Lucas MEP stretrics and Gynaecology in London. She is the mother of four children. She brings to her practice the The Failure of the ‘Growth Energy Solutions for a Renew- added value of empathy with the pa- Economy’: towards new able Future tient, and holds a firm belief in pa- economic solutions tient involvement in decisions such as the location of a delivery, whether Saturday 21 March, 6pm natural delivery should be pursued Saturday 21 March, 12 noon Do you know how The Green Party in the case of a breech presenta- Caroline Lucas is bringing together would meet its ambitious targets tion, or whether a Caesarian section three expert speakers for a panel dis- for CO2 reductions? Do you know should be carried out only in the last cussion on alternative solutions for a how the Green Party would manage resort. She was an elected member fairer and more sustainable econom- to “keep the lights on” once all our of the general medical council from ic future. As the growth-obsessed energy comes from variable renew- 1989-2005. global economy implodes, taxpay- able resources? Could you explain Wendy has authored several ers are left to pick up the bill from the party’s policy of Tradable Carbon books, including Caesarean Birth in years of financial mismanagement Quotas to your electorate? Britain and Birth and Power: A Sav- and government bailouts. Across the * An informative and exciting in- age Enquiry Revisted, and she has world, people are rightly question- troduction into the energy technolo- published papers on a number of ing the wisdom of returning to the gies of the future. topics, including induced abortion, destructive boom-bust economics of * Listening to the industry – what sexually transmitted disease, child- old and are looking for alternative are the current political barriers to birth, and caesarean section. economic solutions that recognise renewable energy? the failure of free market capital- * Useful explanations of existing Sarah Davies ism to deliver widespread security or party policy – essential knowledge Sarah Davies is a Senior Lecturer in prosperity for people or planet. for all candidates. midwifery at the University of Sal- This panel aims to explore an in- * A panel of energy experts ready ford. Qualified for 26 years, she is a novative model of economics which to answer your questions. passionate believer that ‘small is puts the environment, long term sta- beautiful’ in maternity care. Whilst 49

Young Greens Green Party Revue Sunday evening, Theatre Bar Young Greens Fundraising Quiz Come and support the Young Greens by attending our Fundraising Quiz on Sunday evening. Tickets are available in advance from the Young Bored by Greens stall or on the door at a cost of £5. This will be a lively and sociable event, a great way to wind down af- ter a day of Conference. Prizes to be Brown? won!

Young Greens Saturday Night Social

Please come to the YG Campaigns Fringe on Saturday at 19:00. On fin- Tired of ishing the fringe the Young Greens will be heading off for a big night out in Blackpool - wooo! If you can’t make it to the fringe then we’ll be the Tories? meeting at reception at 20:00. This year, at the Green Party Spring Conference, we would like to host an outwardly focused revue. It’s your chance to Young Greens Stall take a snipe at our political rivals. Perhaps it’s a limerick about If you are hoping to link up with Labour, or a BNP rap... other YGs or want to find out about what YG activities will be happening If you have an idea for a sketch or a performance, at Conference, then come to our stall please send your ideas, and what time you’d like to go on, to which will be (wo)manned through- out the weekend. Peter Cranie [email protected] working as a community midwife in childbirth and is a passionate believ- providing an integrated, responsive Buxton, she was part of the success- er in the need for change in mater- and flexible service for any woman ful campaign against the closure of nity services. In 2004 she presented who chooses it, free at the point of the local maternity unit. Nowadays, ‘The Truth about Childbirth’, a hard- delivery. as well as teaching students and car- hitting documentary on the subject Chair: Sarah Cope rying a small clinical caseload, she for Channel 4. is currently exploring ways of ex- panding caseload midwifery in the Annie Francis, Air Rage: putting a brake on NHS. She is also is involved in the Independent Midwives UK aviation campaign against the planned cen- Annie has been a midwife for ten tralisation of maternity hospitals in years. She currently works in a busy Greater Manchester. She is a member midwifery practice in London, of- Monday, 12 noon of Keep Our NHS Public, the Associa- fering home birth and continuity of Aviation, and how we tackle it, is one tion for Improvements in Maternity care. of the most hotly contested areas of Services and the Association of Radi- As a member of Independent Mid- debate within the environmental cal Midwives. wives UK, (formerly the IMA) which movement. Campaigners from mass is a Social Enterprise organization, grass roots movements up to mace Rowan Pelling, writer and broadcaster Annie has been working on the de- swinging MPs have shown just how Rowan Pelling is a respected writer velopment of an alternative, sus- passionately people feel about the and broadcaster who is currently a tainable model of care for midwives growth of air travel. columnist for The Daily Telegraph. and women which could offer genu- A diverse panel will discuss why Formerly the ‘editrice’ of the Erotic ine continuity and choice within the we need to tackle the growth in avia- Review, Rowan has written exten- NHS. This model of care is a way of tion and the range of tactics we should sively on her own experiences of broadening provision at a local level, employ to get our message across. 50

About Blackpool & Fleetwood

Welcome to Blackpool, England’s largest and very active and successful in the Lancaster part most popular seaside resort. 200 years ago it of the constituency, with 13 elected councillors. was a hamlet of just 500 people, but it grew However Fleetwood is quite a different place, rapidly in the late 19th century after railways and geographically very remote from Lancaster, were built enabling workers from northern being separated by a large rural area and the mill towns to flock to the sea for holidays. Now River Wyre. We have leafleted the whole town a densely populated town of 150,000 people, twice in the past year, but we have not done any it attracts 10 million visitors each year - for door-knocking there yet, so the planned ‘mass holidays, shows, nightlife, conferences and the canvass’ in Fleetwood on Sunday afternoon famous illuminations (every autumn). will give our campaign there, and our candidate Blackpool’s 7 miles of seafront include sandy , a big boost. beaches and a wide promenade, the iconic Blackpool Tower, three piers, a ‘Golden Mile’ of Councillor Emily Heath, amusement arcades, and the Pleasure Beach NW Green Party Co-ordinator with rollercoaster rides. The Blackpool tramway, & Conferences Committee member one of the oldest electric tramways in the world, runs for 11 miles up to Fleetwood. Local facilities Less visible to the casual visitor are the serious The Winter Gardens is in the heart of Blackpool’s social and economic problems that Blackpool town centre, so all amenities are close by. There shares with many other British seaside towns. is an NHS walk-in centre on Talbot Road. The area has high unemployment, very low wages, and huge health inequalities, including Transport the second lowest life expectancy for men in Rail: Blackpool North station is about 5 minutes England and Wales, and high rates of teenage walk from the Winter Gardens. For train times, pregnancy. tel: 08457 484950. The conference is a perfect opportunity Trams & Buses: run by Metro Coastlines - see for us to re-establish an active Green Party www.blackpooltransport.com. Route maps and group in the Blackpool area, and strengthen timetables will be available at the conference our activities in the nearby fishing port of helpdesk, or phone Traveline on 0871 200 22 33. Fleetwood. Lancaster & Fleetwood is the North Taxis: 01253 293 222 or freephone 0800 137 226. West’s target parliamentary constituency, Cycling: Blackpool has recently been designated newly created by boundary changes. Greens are a Cycling Demonstration Town. It is very flat 51

and has a wide cycling-friendly promenade. But you’ll need to bring your own bike as there are no cycle hire facilities near the conference venue.

Shops It has to be said that Blackpool is not the most interesting place to go shopping – being com- prised mostly of chainstores. But for those who like a recycled bargain, there are plenty of char- ity shops, mainly on and around Talbot Road. There is a lively indoor market on Abingdon Street which includes the tiny Utopia Whole- foods. There is also a small Holland & Bar- rett in the pedestrian precinct near the Grand Theatre.

Food & drink The Solaris Centre (a tram ride south along Barista on Birley Street is an independent the prom) is Blackpool’s flagship regeneration coffee shop with probably the best coffee in project – a formerly derelict solarium which was Blackpool. refurbished in 2004 incorporating renewable Mochaccinos café on Cheapside serves speciality energy and other sustainable design features. It teas and coffees and Italian-style food. is now a thriving centre for environmental busi- West Coast Rock Cafe on Abingdon Street is an nesses and education, run by Blackpool Council. American-style diner serving Mexican and It is open to the public (10am – 5pm, including burgers, and often hosts live music and DJ’s in weekends) and has a Fairtrade café, art gallery the club above. and an exhibition hall with information on re- Septembers Champagne Bar & Restaurant on cycling, cavity wall insulation, combined heat Queen Street has a long-standing reputation as and power units, domestic wind turbines and one of the best places to eat in Blackpool. solar water heating and ground source heat The best Italian restaurant is probably La Piazza pumps. on Cedar Square. For fantastic Indian food including amazing Live Music veggie options, Jali at the Carleton Hotel (on the Thursday 7pm til late: Blackpool Balkanism – seafront just north of the town centre) is highly community band and DJ playing Gypsy, Balkan recommended. and Eastern European Beats and Rhythms, upstairs at Mojos Gurkha Bar, Back Church Things to do in Blackpool Street. £2 entry. The Tourist Info centre is opposite the Town Hall Friday 8pm til late: Jam Factory (a 20 piece on the corner of Corporation Street. Attractions World Jazz Orchestra from Blackburn) playing include a Sea-Life Centre, Waxworks Museum, at a night called ‘Raise the Galleon’, upstairs Dr Who Monster Museum, and Superbowl. at Mojo’s Gurkha Bar, Back Church Street. £2 The nearest swimming pool (Moor Park Baths entry. in Bispham) is a 20-minute bus ride away (no. Thurs 8pm, Fri 7.30pm & Sat 2pm & 7.30pm: 11). The 10-screen Odeon Cinema is on Rigby ‘Thriller Live’ at the Grand Theatre, showcasing Road near Central Pier. Michael Jackson’s music and dance. Tickets from £14.50 to £26.50 52 GreenGreen Party Party Conference Conference Booking Booking Form: Form: Autumn Autumn 2009 2009 th ththth Friday Friday4 to Monday4th to Monday 7 September 7ththth September 2009, Hove2009, Town Hove Hall,Town Hove.. Hall, Hove..

ststst ConferenceConference starts 11amstarts Friday11am Friday(registration (registration opens opensBookings Bookings on or before on or beforeFriday Friday31 July 31 ststst July February at 10am)at 10am)and finishes and finishes at 4pm at Monday. 4pm Monday. FebruaryIncomeFebruaryIncome guide guideFri/Mon Fri/Mon Sat/Sun Sat/Sun

per annumper annum per day per day per day per All day 4 daysAll 4 days BOOK BOOKNOW FORNOW 25% FOR DISCOUNT 25% DISCOUNT ON FEES. ON FEES. BOOK NOW FOR 25% DISCOUNT ON FEES. under under £10,000£10,000 £7.50 £7.50 £9.50 £9.50 £30.00 £30.00 Name/sName/s 1: 1: ______£10-15,000£10-15,000 £11.00 £11.00 £14.00 £14.00 £46.00 £46.00 2: 2: ______£15-20,000£15-20,000 £16.00 £16.00 £20.00 £20.00 £63.00 £63.00 £20-25,000£20-25,000 £20.00 £20.00 £25.50 £25.50 £81.00 £81.00 Local Party:Local ______Party: ______£25-30,000£25-30,000 £24.00 £24.00 £30.00 £30.00 £97.50 £97.50 Address:______Address:______£30-40,000£30-40,000 £30.00 £30.00 £38.00 £38.00 £121.50 £121.50 £40-50,000 £38.00 £48.00 £154.00 ______£40-50,000 £38.00 £48.00 £154.00 £50,000+£50,000+ £51.00 £51.00 £63.00 £63.00 £203.00 £203.00 PostcodePostcode

TelephoneTelephone Fees PayableFees Payable on the ondoor the door IncomeIncome guide guideFri/Mon Fri/Mon Sat/Sun Sat/Sun E-mail E-mail per annumper annum per day per day per day per All day 4 daysAll 4 days Please provide an email address - whenever possible Please provide an email address - whenever possible under under this will be the only form of communication used to this will be the only form of communication used to £10,000£10,000 £10.00 £10.00 £12.50 £12.50 £40.50 £40.50 cut downcut on down paper on use. paper use. £10-15,000 £15.00 £19.00 £61.50 £10-15,000 £15.00 £19.00 £61.50 £15-20,000 £21.00 £26.50 £84.00 ConferenceConference Fees Fees £15-20,000 £21.00 £26.50 £84.00 £20-25,000 £27.00 £34.00 £108.00 Please tickPlease the tick days the you days want you to want book to book £20-25,000 £27.00 £34.00 £108.00 th Friday 4thFriday ____Saturday 4th ____Saturday 5 ______5th ______£25-30,000£25-30,000 £32.00 £32.00 £40.50 £40.50 £130.00 £130.00 th th SundaySunday 6 ______Monday 6th ______Monday 7 ______7th ______£30-40,000£30-40,000 £40.00 £40.00 £50.50 £50.50 £162.00 £162.00 £40-50,000£40-50,000 £51.00 £51.00 £63.75 £63.75 £205.00 £205.00 Crash SpaceCrash Space £50,000+£50,000+ £68.00 £68.00 £84.50 £84.50 £270.00 £270.00 st We are Wenot areyet notable yet to ableconfirm to confirm this, but this, if you but wou if yould would *Bookings*Bookings received received after 31 after July 31 willst July be will be like to booklike to floor-space book floor-space please tickplease here tick to here receive to receive processedprocessed at the higher at the rate. higher Bookings rate. Bookings received received after 21st Augustst will be processed at the extra informationextra information nearer nearerthe time the  time  after 21 August will be processed at the conferenceconference registration registration desk. desk.

Creche Creche Fees totalFees total £ £ Free crèche space for members is being organised. Free crèche space for members is being organised. DonationDonation £ £ Please contact Leila Kiersch before 31st July to book in Please contact Leila Kiersch before 31st July to book in Total amountTotal amount £££ £££ your children.your children. (contact (contact details detailsbelow.) below.) ChequesCheques / P.O. payable / P.O. payable to The toGreen The PartyParty.Green PartyParty. AccommodationAccommodation Please Pleasesend your send completed your completed form and form and ConferenceConference accommodation accommodation can be can booked be booked paymentpayment to: John to: Street, John Street, Clover Clover Events, Events, xxxx onlineonline at: at: https://www.conferencebookings.xxxx 82 Babbacombe82 Babbacombe Rd, Bromley, Rd, Bromley, BR1 3LS. BR1 3LS.

co.uk/delegate/BTNGREENPARTY09

For booking queries, contact John Street For booking queries, contact John Street ([email protected], tel: 020 8460 1078). ([email protected], tel: 020 8460 1078). For stallFor bookings, stall bookings, contact contact Leila Kiersch Leila Kiersch For stall bookings, contact Leila Kiersch ([email protected]([email protected], tel: 01974, tel: 261340). 01974 261340).

For oothertherFor queries, ootherther queries, contact contact Sue Luxton: Sue Luxton:

[email protected]@greenparty.org.uk, tel: 020, tel:8690 020 0658. 8690 0658.