First Agenda Green Party Spring 2007 March 22nd to 25th 2007 at Brangwyn Hall, Swansea

Contents:

Introduction

Section A (Reports) – to be included in the Final Agenda

Section B (Voting Papers) B10. International section of the MfSS for review. 3

Section C (Policy Motions)

C20. ALMOs 12 C21. Zimbabwe 12 C22. 9-11 inquiry 12 C23. Tidal generation in estuaries 13 C24. Tidal lagoon in Swansea Bay 13 C25. Environmental Education 13 C26. Food in schools 13 C27. West Papua 14 C28. Animal experiments 15 C29. Road Transport Carbon Emissions Reduction 15 C30. Kurdistan 15 C31 Climate Change Targets 16 C32. Climate Change, rainforests and peat 16 C33. Climate Change - adaptation and leadership 17 C34. Climate Change policy simplification and corrections 17 C35. CO2 reduction targets 18 C36. Workplace Bullying 19

Section D (Organisational motions)

D40. Requirement for Regional Council members to be Elected by Postal Ballot 19 D41: Young Greens constitution 19 D42. Leader and Deputy Leader of the Green Party 20 D43: Proxy votes 22 D44: Associate Members (SOC) 22 D45: Associate Members (Jonathan Dixon) 22 D46: Replacing Capitations 22 D47: Eligibility to stand for GPEx elections 23 D48: Final authority of SOC/Conference 23 D49: Procedural motions 24 D50: Re-introduce Membership Cards 24 D51: Green Islands Network 25

Section E (Draft Voting Papers)

E60 Public Administration and Government Draft Voting Paper 25 E61 Culture Media and Sport Draft Voting Paper 35

List of contacts 48 Prioritisation Ballot 50 Proxy Vote standard template 51

First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 1 of 48 well before the deadline as Introduction to First Agenda Synopses amendments and signatures Welcome to the First Agenda for SOC has also this year been very arriving after the deadline will not the Green Party’s Spring upset by the state of peoples’ be considered (see section above Conference 2007. synopses. Almost none have been on deadlines). within the 50-word limit set out in Final Agenda deadline for the Standing Orders. Address for amendments, amendments and reports is Consequently, SOC is obliged to reports, prioritisation ballots Tuesday 6th February 2007 at 2359 cut verbose synopses, leading to Prioritisation ballots and anything hours. potential unhappiness on the part intended for the Final Agenda (e.g. An electronic version is available of the proposer. The way to remain amendments and reports) should on request from SOC via the SOC a happy proposer is therefore to be sent to Matt Wootton, SOC, 33 email address: edit one’s own synopsis to within Ashfield Avenue, Lancaster LA1 5EB [email protected] or on the 50 words, to avoid having it done or by email to Members website and the for you. This applies also to [email protected], to arrive Conference webpage. Paper copies synopses that are really arguments by the end of Tuesday 6th February. are available from Green Party in favour of the motion, sneaky Office, 1a Waterlow Road, London, extra background info, or political Items or signatures sent to other N19 5NJ, telephone 020-7272-4474. point-scoring. SOC this year has addresses may not be accepted. voted consensually to edit such Content of the First Agenda synopses, because apart from Email signatures The motions submitted are on the anything else they are not useful front of these agenda, bar 2 or consistent when representing SOC does accept e-mail motions with insufficient the motion in the Summary for all signatures. To sign a signatures. One motion was ruled members. Obviously not motion/amendment by email out of order (to be published in submitting a synopsis at all is also please ensure you include Final Agenda). a missed opportunity, and this has (preferably) your membership been another noticeable trend. number (which you can get from a Deadlines for receipt of motions membership card if you still have / amendments Prioritisation Ballot one, or your introductory letter or The date announced as the There is a prioritisation ballot form by calling Party Office), or your deadline for receipt of motions / at the end of this agenda for address. You must include the amendments is the last date for prioritising the motions in name of your local party and if you receipt by SOC. Motions / sections C and D. Please send are the contact for a motion or amendments arriving after the prioritisation ballots to arrive by amendment your address and deadline will not be considered. the end of Tuesday 6th February. email address that members can contact you on. For clarity, amendments Proxy vote form submitted by email that are in There is a proxy form at the end of Please note that many people have order must be received by 23:59 on this agenda to act as a standard not exactly followed this Tuesday 6th February 2007 to be template for people wishing to procedure, leaving the validity of absolutely sure of inclusion in the have their vote cast by a proxy. It their email signature in doubt. final agenda. is hoped that members will use Please get it right; it’s only you this form and bring it to who will suffer! Finally, SOC always receives Conference, and this will act as an motions and amendments right informal contract between the Please help us by only enclosing up to the deadline and usually a proxy giver and the attendee, and one motion or amendment in each few after. Please help make our job increase confidence in the proxy email and by not forwarding easier by getting your items in vote system. transcripts of the debates that well before the deadline. This also have been held by members prior enables us to inform you if there Amendments to motions to agreeing to a final version of are any problems. This means Amendments should be addressed the text– this also reduces the weeks, preferably, not days or to the motions as they appear in possibility of error. hours! The Convenor – Matt the First Agenda (including the Wootton - received 169 emails Voting Papers) and must be signed Committee Elections regarding the First Agenda, almost by at least four Green Party Elections will be held at all of them in the last 48 hours. members. There is no limit to the Conference to “top-up” these Apologies for therefore not having number of amendments any Party Committees: responded to each personally, but member may sign. Campaigns the importance of getting motions Conferences in earlier is clear! They should be sent to the address below, to arrive by the end of Any members currently co-opted Tuesday 6th February. Please post to these committees should put

First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 2 of 48 themselves up for election at that i) the issue has arisen, or has so under section C5 of standing Conference. substantially changed, since the orders Policy Committee has to deadline for motions present one existing section of For information on these elections ii) the motion is consistent with the MfSS for discussion at please contact SOC. the MfSS and neither changes nor Conference as a voting paper. adds to the text of the MfSS Executive Elections c) No amendments to the The Committee has chosen the Constitution or Standing Orders International Policy section. These elections take place in the are permitted under this This motion simply tables the Autumn. There is one unfilled suspension. section as it currently stands. vacancy on the Executive, that of Amendments to the chapter are Internal Communications Co- Please bear these restrictions in invited for the final agenda. ordinator. The current Executive mind when composing emergency has co-opted Natalie Bennett to motions. Motion this post but the rules state that nominations are to be sought. This Contacts for motions in this Delete the existing MfSS post will open for nomination at agenda. chapter on International Policy Conference, and close before the The names of those signing end of Conference. If no motions are included after each (IP100 to IP760) and replace it nominations are received, the post motion. Where there are more with the following: will not be contested and Natalie than 4 they are listed followed by INTERNATIONAL POLICY Bennett will automatically remain “+ n”. The principal contact for co-opted. each motion is in bold and the Principles name and contact details can be Emergency Motions found at end of the agenda before For those of you who have missed the prioritisation ballot. IP100 The Green Party the deadline for this Conference recognises that co-operation is and are considering putting an Errors in the Agenda needed at a global level in order emergency motion instead, SOC If you notice any errors in the first to secure sustainable societies would like to remind you that agenda please notify the convenor in this country. The Green Party although Standing Orders are of SOC for correction in the final also wishes to promote Green suspended when an emergency agenda. principles across the world. The motion is discussed, it is only world faces problems that are Section A that is suspended. This is Section A (Reports) global in nature or extent, the section that deals with the requirement to submit motions by whose solutions require structure, institutions or co- the First Agenda deadline. Items in section A of the agenda are required by the Constitution or operation at a worldwide level. The section of the standing orders Standing Orders. The reports will IP101 The Green Party's that deals with reasons for SOC be included in the Final Agenda. ecologically and socially ruling motions out of order is NOT They are the reports of: sustainable vision is one of suspended. This is Section C9 of subsidiarity (see PB302). the standing orders, which states: A1. Standing Orders Committee Policies on, and institutions for, “Motions or amendments to A2. Party Treasurer global co-operation are only motions shall be ruled out of order A3. Party Executive needed where issues cannot be on grounds of being: A4. Regional Council Co-chairs a) contrary to the Constitution addressed at a lower level. A5. Policy Committee These issues may include: b) retrospective in their effect A6. Campaigns Committee c) ambiguous A7. Disputes Resolution survival of the human species; d) vague Committee combating global climate e) trivial or requiring no A8. MEP Trust change; curtailing mass consequential action A9. Green World Editorial Board repression and brutality to f) substantially changing policy A10. Conferences Committee human beings; provision of the areas, or having complex basic conditions of human implications for other areas Section B (Voting Papers) sustenance to the world's without having passed through peoples; the promotion and the agreed process of consultation (see Appendix A of the Standing protection of citizen's rights B10. International section of Orders)” (see PB304); preservation of the MfSS for review. cultural diversity; protection of In addition, Section G1 of the the planet's basic natural Standing Orders states: Synopsis ecologies and environment. b) Emergency motions shall only IP102 Green principles of be accepted provided There are no other voting democracy require that papers for this Conference, and structures or institutions for

First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 3 of 48 global co-operation be open, IP122 A General Agreement on The 'Third World' participatory, transparent and Sustainable Trade, under which accessible. fair trade rules (where Background IP103 The Green vision also producers are guaranteed a IP200 Colonialism and the involves a fundamental reasonable price for their growth of trans-national restructuring of the global products before planting, and a corporations have put control economy to reverse the portion of the payment is set over natural resources into the unsustainable trend of aside for community hands of people and globalisation (i.e. ever development) would become a institutions most likely to increasing trade between ever requisite for international trade abuse the environment and distant nations with the and local supply of goods waste resources. The primary goal of maximising would be preferred, should integration of poorer countries profit) and a democratisation replace the General Agreement into a global economy, and a of the systems of global on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). A global system of credit and governance. Multinational World Localisation debt, have proved utterly corporations benefit from Organisation should replace disastrous for poor peoples globalisation to the detriment the World Trade Organisation throughout the world. Denied of the poorest in society and to (WTO). either the military technology democratic control of each IP123 A global agreement on or the purchasing power to region's economy. Localisation investment and ownership influence an international of trade and economies is should be agreed to enshrine economic system that therefore a goal of the Green the right of local government recognises little outside these Party. to enact legislation to stabilise two forces, poor people starve and protect the local economy, and their life-sustaining Vision such as "site here to sell here" environment is degraded and rules. destroyed. IP110 Global and international structures and institutions Status quo - short-term policy Overall Policy Objectives should be based on the principle of co-operation. IP130 We recognise that in the IP210 To support the Power should mostly remain at short-term radical change may establishment and the local, community level with not be possible. We will maintenance of sustainable, sustainable, localised therefore support partial ecological and democratic economies under democratic reforms if they are in line with communities throughout the control (see PA). Power should our vision. For example, the world. Participatory local, only be ceded upwards when deepening and extension of regional and national necessary. accountability and institutions should be free to transparency in existing exercise political and economic Transitional Policy structures of global self-determination. Sustainable governance; making social and ecological development must IP120 Existing centralised environmental sustainability a mean development which structures of governance, such key concern; and bringing the meets the needs of those alive as the EU, should be workings of the global at present without promising decentralised to appropriate economy (e.g. trade and poverty to those unborn. Policy and effective levels, depending capital) under international areas are: on the issue in hand. democratic control. a) Indigenous peoples; International structures and IP131 The United Nations should b) Debt; institutions need to be be reformed and democratised. c) Trade; transformed from being The current national basis for d) Aid; nationally-based to being membership should be e) International institutions; based on confederations of extended to include regional f) Trans-national corporations. (sub-national) regions or (sub-national) representation a) Indigenous Peoples localities. and all representatives should Background IP121 National governments be democratically selected. The IP220 Development has should be encouraged to WTO, International Monetary frequently meant either the decentralise their powers and Fund, World Bank and similar attempted eradication of functions, increase real bodies should also be indigenous peoples or colonial democracy internally and reformed, democratised, or assimilation. Their lands have increase the localisation of replaced. (see IP320-327) generally been taken from production and consumption. them - a process which First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 4 of 48 continues today. Trans- funds were lent out on a especially with other EU nationals and governments of colossal scale to poor countries towards this North and South have been countries, often to buy arms objective. guilty of many assaults on the from rich countries. A general IP234 Loans should only go to rights of indigenous peoples. rise in interest rates and more middle-income countries - not Objectives lending under variable interest oil-exporting or the poorest IP221 To win the rights for the rates meant enormous countries. indigenous or native people increases in the debts of poor IP235 The rich countries in the which they themselves claim. countries. There is now more Organisation for Economic Co- Policies money going from poor operation and Development IP222 To ensure that countries to rich ones than the (OECD) should agree to zero the development schemes where other way round. Obliged by net annual transfer of wealth the British Government has International Monetary Fund, from the developing countries influence take place only with World Bank and private to the North each year. the permission and control of international bank pressures to IP236 The British Government indigenous people, when pay their debts in hard should support the right of all influencing their lands. currencies, poor countries were debtor states to limit debt IP223 To secure by international forced into an export drive. The service payments to 10 per cent campaigns the autonomy, land flood of their exports reduced of export earnings per year rights and human rights of commodity prices, accelerated immediately. indigenous peoples and respect environmental destruction and IP237 The British Government for their treaties where destroyed the livelihoods of should resist making artificial appropriate. many of the poorest people. For distinctions between currencies IP224 To provide aid to allow millions this has meant hunger, and seek to permit middle- demarcation of traditional for many starvation. Trapped income countries, as defined by lands and control over by a system they do not the United Nations, to pay their intrusions, where appropriate. control, the governments of debts in their own currencies. IP225 To give aid to support some poor countries starve Longer periods of loan cultural, social and ecologically their people and destroy their repayment at fixed interest sustainable economic environments in order to pay rates should be agreed for initiatives of indigenous their debts, by, for example, middle-income countries. peoples adversely affected by exporting to rich countries like IP238 The British Government development. Britain. should create a monitoring IP226 To campaign either for organisation to allow the the return of traditional lands Objectives development of creative sufficient to meet the current reimbursement schemes. The needs of indigenous peoples, or Government should attempt to IP231 To secure an international for compensatory lands in the transform the debts of all poor economic system where the case of theft and/or countries into creative people of poor countries are compensation where land reimbursement schemes, either freed from the burden of debt. rights have been violated, in involving cash or 'kind'. Instead accordance with the wish of of repaying debts in hard the people concerned. currencies, governments of Policies countries with debts to the British Government or private banks will be required to make b) Debt IP232 The British Government payments in their own should press private banks to currencies into local write off un-collectable debts Background development funds, which will of very poor countries as be administered by local people quickly as possible, providing to establish local, ecologically IP230 Poor countries have had financial support if necessary. sustainable economies and major debts in the past, but projects. Each repayment will never with such serious effects IP233 The debts of the 40 be matched by a corresponding as now. The enormous rise in countries with the lowest per reduction of the foreign debt. oil revenues of the oil- capita incomes should be Similar reductions would be exporting countries in the 1970s written off by concerted made for reimbursement-in- allowed these countries to international action as soon as kind projects, i.e. conservation invest in banks in the rich possible. The British and reproduction of genetic North. The resulting excess Government should work species (plant and animal), soil First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 5 of 48 conservation, forest set-aside Background needs; primary health care; and reforestation, use of women-centred projects traditional farming and including health, childcare, IP250 Aid has often been building techniques, literacy and family-planning conceived by former colonial educational programmes for education; aid to establish a countries in a paternalistic and women, etc. All rich country scientific research base in each economically colonialist governments will be country to facilitate research fashion. Instead of serving the encouraged to join the creative on local agricultural and needs of the poor in poor reimbursement scheme. environmental matters; countries, Aid has often served assisting refugees for lengthy the needs or whims of periods; housing for the poor; governments in both rich and improved rural transport c) Trade poor states. Large-scale, systems; training in capital-intensive projects like agricultural and forestry skills hydroelectric power dams have Background appropriate to the area; aid to often been introduced without secure minimisation of food consultation of local people. exports until domestic needs IP240 International trade is Consultation, participation and are met, recognising the limits operated by the richest control by local people are not to sustainable productivity of countries and the trans- guaranteed features of aid land; establishment of buffer national corporations for their projects. Aid projects often do stocks of food and animal feed; own benefit. Trade is not fair or not even serve the support for creating benign, nor mutually development priorities as set community banks. advantageous in all cases. by the host government. (see IP254 The Department for Trade does not automatically EC990) International Development create the kind of economic Objectives should remain a Cabinet-level growth which would ultimately ministry supporting the benefit the poor. IP251 To secure, in the long distribution of British aid. Objectives term, greater economic British aid should be independence of poor countries coordinated by a publicly IP241 To minimise undesirable so that an aid system need only accountable body (see IP264) forms of trade which waste respond to emergencies. independent of Government, resources or deprive people of Policies which will use appropriate non- necessities. To ensure that all government organisations to countries are free to conduct get financial aid and IP252 Aid projects sustained by import-substituting strategies. appropriate projects directly to British Government bodies or To maintain trade which is the local communities. The development agencies should mutually advantageous and body may receive contributions observe the following real aid ecologically benign. from various sources, including rules: aid should be aimed at Policies Government. the poorest; should mobilise IP255 British aid should become the poor; and should be specific 0.7 percent of Gross National IP242 To secure bilateral and to local communities and Product (GNP) within five years multi-lateral agreements to environments. The aid machine and 1.0 percent of GNP within plan trade which is ecologically should be re-built to reflect ten years. Emergency aid sustainable and beneficial for these principles. Sham aid should be an addition to this poor people. should be abolished, including from the Government's IP243 Food surplus dumping as tied aid and independent contingency reserve. a form of trade or aid should be audits of projects and IP256 The Department for stopped by international programmes should be International Development agreements between the conducted. (see EC990) should develop specialisation countries responsible, and by IP253 Suitable aid projects in auditing the work of the agricultural reform. should include: low-technology development charities and IP244 Aid and trade policies energy schemes based on campaigns. should aim to encourage food indigenous resources; fuel- IP257 British aid should be and energy self-sufficiency in efficient stoves; fuel-wood limited to countries and all countries. plantations; securing projects committed to a "basic sustainable, ecological systems needs" approach to of food production and development, coupled with a distribution for domestic d) Aid primary health care and family- First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 6 of 48 planning programme culturally education authorities, in all community cannot stand back acceptable to the people district council areas. and allow gross human rights concerned. Land reforms and Managerial responsibility abuses to take place. The wealth re-distribution should should reside with emergent 'Responsibility to also be considered when representatives of supporting Protect' doctrine promises to assessing suitability for local groups. legitimise UN intervention in assistance, as should the cases of ethnic cleansing and locality and the ecological genocide. However, military sustainability of the project. intervention should always be a e) International Institutions IP258 Emergency aid should last resort, as modern wars continue to be given to any inevitably cause death and country in need on request. It Background injury to civilians, and the post should continue until the conflict situation may be affected region has returned to problematic. IP300 The creation of United normality including the Therefore the Green Party will Nations structures, the restoration of food production press for the use of a United International Monetary Fund to a level sufficient to meet Nations Index of Human Rights and the various bodies which needs and the re-housing of to monitor governments that make up the World Bank dates those made homeless, where commit human rights abuses back to the beginnings of the this applies. Emergency aid and to provide an explicit basis Cold War. These bodies have should not depress prices in for seeking to restrain such been dominated by the USA local markets. regimes. and allied Western democracies IP259 The aid resources IP322 All governments will have since their inception. They are presently given to the European their human rights record fundamentally undemocratic in Development Fund should continuously assessed by a UN structure, under-funded and instead be channelled into agency set up for that purpose. conventional in economics. British-based development A scale will be established Hampered by variable USA charities. measuring several indicators of support in resources, IP260 All aid projects should be human rights performance. The frequently obsessed by designed by the people who are scale will be finalised by economic orthodoxy and to benefit from them, with the agreement at the UN level, but particularly the maintenance of involvement of appropriate will be centred on the following economic inter-dependence, technical expertise. abuses: they are more often an arena of IP261 All aid programmes and use of torture international conflict than co- projects should be tested at the use of death penalty operation. design stage for ecological and scale of 'disappearances' social impact, and abuse of political prisoners sustainability. denial of right to fair trial IP262 Programmes and projects Objectives denial of free speech should be sufficiently long- denial of free movement term to achieve their minimum denial of right to political or IP310 To obtain democratic, objectives and should be religious freedom ecological, global and regional coordinated with other donor denial of rights to women institutions by reform of agencies in the area concerned. denial of child rights existing bodies and by IP263 British support for the denial of minority rights innovations. Common Agricultural Policy A score reflecting their Policies should cease. performance will be allocated IP264 An Advisory Council on to each state on an annual aid should be established to IP320 Prevention of human basis. give policy guidelines to both rights abuses, conflict IP323 Once the Index is aid agencies and Government prevention and resolution, installed, governments with with representatives from promotion of sustainable the worst record of human development charities and human development, rights as measured on this campaigns, churches and the coordination of humanitarian Index will be referred to the academic world. aid, global environmental International Court of Justice or IP265 The Department of research and agreements on the International Criminal Education and Science (or the conservation and rational Court. If the Court finds that equivalent) should fund the use of the planet should be the their human rights establishment of development primary roles of the UN. performance falls below education centres through local IP321 The international accepted legal standards, the First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 7 of 48 regimes will be given time and Monetary Fund's imposition of Policies assistance to improve their austerity measures. record. In the event of non- IP341 The IMF Board should Ownership & Structure compliance, the matter will meet at least four times a year. return to the Court, and if IP342 IMF decision making found at fault, the regime will should be on a 'one member, IP420 The British Government suffer penalties in terms of its one vote' basis. should: institute capital members' privileges in the IP343 The British IMF controls to ensure money made fields of finance, diplomacy, representative should be a by TNCs in Britain is re-invested transport and trade. The nominee of the Department for here. The TNCs should be forced severity of the penalties will International Development. to observe ecological restraints increase as their human rights IP344 IMF loans should be and labour standards, as performance deteriorates, and given especially for import suggested by the International decrease as their human rights substitution, resource Labour Organisation, performance improves. The conservation and the pursuit of worldwide. Failure to observe penalties will be targeted to self-sufficiency in food and these conditions must mean hurt the ruling elite rather than energy. (see EC960) that the TNC concerned should the general population. f) Trans-national Corporations no longer be allowed to operate IP324 At the same time, (TNCs) in the European Union. Transfer countries lying just above the pricing activities by TNCs to level at which legal action will reduce tax and export duty Background be taken will be offered help costs should be made illegal. and advice to improve their (see WR681) human rights performance. IP400 The development of IP421 The British Government IP327 Increased European and capitalism and of trade led should assist developing Middle East support for the UN logically to modern TNCs. Many countries in buying off TNC should be used to mitigate the TNCs possess resources greater subsidiaries and in producing effects of USA's dominance and than the poorest countries. The the inputs needed for them. fluctuating funding. use of these financial resources Funds for this should be IP330 The World Bank must end to corrupt or remove provided from the turnover tax. support for ecologically governments for short-term IP422 International agreements damaging projects with gain at long-term should be sought to nationalise immediate effect. The British environmental and human cost and to regionalise TNCs and Government and the European has intensified as debts have control their operations in poor Community should seek this. reached crisis proportions. countries. IP331 World Bank loans should Freer trade as sought by the be without conditions IMF and the TNCs has meant unacceptable to the borrower greater freedom for the TNCs to Products and Pollution state, be long-term and only be operate to their own given to middle-income advantage. These bodies countries. consequently bear a very large IP430 TNCs currently producing IP332 World Bank decisions responsibility for global chemicals which damage the should be made on a 'one environmental damage and for ozone layer, exporting member, one vote' basis and the creation of vulnerability to damaging pesticides which are should be made public. natural disasters. (see EC980-1) banned in the country of origin, IP333 World Bank project and exporting nuclear formulation should be open technology, should be the with control and veto power in subject of immediate Objectives the hands of local people. Local restrictions by Government. people should be the primary Eventually, it should become beneficiaries of Bank projects IP410 The systematic illegal to export goods which which should generally be dissolution of large would not satisfy standards small-scale and sustainable international economic units required in Britain. from indigenous resources. and their integration into IP431 Seed monopolisation by IP334 World Bank projects regionally-based and local- TNCs should be prevented by should not damage the based industries serving local British Government and individual or group rights of needs ecologically and European Community local populations. sustainably. legislation. IP340 The British Government should resist the International First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 8 of 48 Spheres of influence - Objectives removed from this sensitive Antarctica region. We call on all states of the region to renounce their IP510 Short-term - In Iraq and use. This includes Israel, IP440 The Green Party supports Kuwait: To alleviate suffering, signing and ratifying a non- the establishment of Antarctica to restore provision of proliferation treaty and other as a "World Reserve", with no healthcare and nutrition. To states also observing it. exploitation of the natural rebuild damaged IP523 We suggest a 'utility' resources allowed. infrastructure, and to return audit on tenders for IP441 The Green Party wishes to displaced people to their construction projects in the see the Antarctic Treaty homes and land or jobs. Gulf states. The evaluation expanded to include all Regionally: to enable all its would be on the use of nations. people to live free from the environmentally-friendly IP442 Research in Antarctica threat of repression; to prevent materials, minimising waste must be directed towards an further ecological degradation; and long-distance understanding of the local to make the UN a consistent transportation, and environment and ecology in and effective forum and an encouraging utility as against order to minimise the impact actor preventing further the opulence which causes of any future resource unilateral actions by powers resentment amongst nationals development. external to the region. and low-paid workers Medium- to Longer-Term - IP524 We encourage oil-rich, participatory and low-population states democratically accountable The Middle East constructively to review their security arrangements; a labour recruitment policies: regional framework to reconcile not to discriminate against Background interests and avoid conflicts; countries which used to supply co-operation on conservation migrant workers before the and enhancements of natural IP500 The system of states invasion of Kuwait. resources and technological imposed on the Eastern Arab to recruit from support on alternatives; a world in the wake of World War adjacent/neighbouring high- decreased role for nation-states I has witnessed divisions ever population states in order to and support for cultural since its inception, and external share wealth more equitably determination. powers have gained from these. and defuse tensions. Policies The Middle East today is an We call for migrant workers to inter-dependent system of acquire full citizenship rights diverse elements, yet in the IP520 We call for an end to after two years residence aftermath of the 1991 Gulf War victimisation of states and within a country. We call for an external powers continue to peoples who did not support end to all forms of gain, at severe social and the anti-Iraq Coalition in 1991. discrimination against migrant environmental cost to the This continues to take the form workers and their families in inhabitants. Inequality of of violent reprisals against housing, access to welfare access to resources and the individuals, and cessation of services and education during denial of basic political rights, trade, aid and tourism. their stay in a country. especially those of the IP521 We call for urgent IP525 We appeal to the Palestinians, create wasteful environmental monitoring and international community to and destructive tensions. We measurement in the Gulf facilitate self-determination for believe that genuine "stability" countries, in Iran, Iraq stateless peoples of the Middle will only be established in the (including areas of chemical East, prioritising Palestinians region when the underlying attack prior to the War 1991), and Kurds in areas with which causes of conflict are identified Afghanistan, Jordan, Syria and they have historical links. We and dealt with, and when the Turkey. We welcome urgent co- would give moral and material peoples of the region begin to operative remedial and support to indigenously chosen co-operate around their preventative action by bodies leadership, but we know that common interests, principally qualified to prevent further exiles and homeland residents the threat of diminishing contamination of sea, land and of both peoples have had natural resources and the need air. We encourage continuing difficulty in meeting to choose for ecological security. co-operation by states on all leaders and identify common shores of the Gulf. objectives. Cultural, linguistic IP522 All nuclear, chemical and and/or religious minorities biological weaponry must be should be allowed full human First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 9 of 48 rights. There must be greater b)to encourage oil producers to 242 and 338; international willingness to observe basic diversify away from reliance on assistance so that the new human rights in all parts of the a single exhaustible "crop" Palestinian state on the West region. A climate of more We call for an international Bank and in Gaza can develop openness and participation programme to facilitate self-reliance in food production would reduce the incidence of transfer of alternative and basic services and repression. technologies world-wide, to industries; long term IP526 Societal reform and make capital investment in, exploration of the possibility of appropriate democracy are and transfer available funds to, establishing a confederation essential prerequisites to research into solar energy use. with neighbouring states, with "security" and "stability" in the IP530 We call for recognition by free and equal access for each region. We call for more Middle East decision-makers of state's citizens. accountability from existing the interdependence of the Policies leadership, and for more Eastern Arab world: for awareness of the needs of the assessment of natural IP602 The Green Party believes needs and interests of people resources, financial assets, and that all Israelis, Palestinians, of the region as against those needs in framing alliances. We and their families should have only of the ruling elites. We encourage programmes for co- and be able to exercise full urge the West to use its operation on regional lines and human and civil rights customer capacity to favour a lessening of rigid nation-state throughout Israel and the states where democratic forces behaviour with more emphasis occupied territories. Israel are fostered. on bio-regions. Confederal should be subject to the IP527 We call for an immediate realignment can only come Geneva Convention concerning end to the sales of arms and with encouragement not the rights of individuals and their components to the region coercion. We seek the communities. as the Middle East has proved establishment of an effective IP603 particularly susceptible to regional structure which will be a)The Green Party calls for the environmental warfare (by allowed to adjudicate on implementation of United either deliberate destruction or regional disputes and to ensure Nations Resolutions 242 and withholding shared natural security - in all its senses - of 338. resources). The means and the the region. We would b)The Green Party calls on the pretext to prosecute it must investigate adaptation of the PLO to recognise the right of not be provided. Conference on Security and Co- the State of Israel to exist IP528 International support operation in Europe as a model within secure borders. must be given for a regional for this in the Middle East. c)The Green Party calls on the consultative process on Israeli Government and the PLO environmental protection and to unequivocally reject violence on conservation of all natural Palestine & Israel as a means of settling the resources of the region - most Israeli/Palestinian conflict. urgently regarding sharing IP604 The Green Party calls on water, as take-off from head Background Israel to repeal its present "law waters and aquifers is of return" because it is prodigious, unsustainable and IP600 The Arab-Israeli conflict incompatible with the full discriminatory. Appropriate persists owing to the failure to exercise of human rights and is afforestation projects must be find a fair and humane solution implicitly discriminatory. started urgently to conserve to the problems of the IP701 If the UK pursues moisture. International law Palestinian people and sustainable self-reliance, the needs to reflect the seriousness appropriate guarantees of government administration of of protecting the vital and final security for a state of Israel. distant colonies cannot be resource of water. Objectives retained indefinitely. In IP529 We agree with territorial disputes, the need Schumacher's advice that for peaceful settlements where a resource is finite and IP601 Mutual recognition of the becomes urgent. Such unsustainable, the wealth that rights of independent agreements should take into it generates should be used to statehood and secure borders account the wishes and rights develop its substitute; all of Palestinians and Israelis; a of the inhabitants, but these possible will be done to find rapid end to the violence and cannot be the sole or overriding alternatives to oil in order: de-escalation of the arms factors. Options such as a)to reduce dependency of build-up in the region; permanent British sovereignty consumer nations enforcement of UN resolutions First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 10 of 48 will have to be ruled out. the elected representatives of the PRC government to grant IP702 Defence responsibilities the Falkland Islands in any them. for remaining outposts may diplomatic initiatives. Any IP751 We note also the failure of have to be transferred. A agreement should be subject to the UK and the PRC to offer stronger peace-keeping role for the democratic decision of the adequate choices of citizenship the UN could form part of the people of the Falkland Islands in Hong Kong, particularly for solution, and Britain's armed IP707 Negotiations with residents of non-Chinese ethnic services should retain some Commonwealth nations on origin, and the refusal of the capacity for foreign expeditions behalf of Dependency people PRC to recognise forms of only as part of a contribution to wishing to migrate. citizenship offered by the UK to the UN Security Forces. IP708 Economic reforms to give Hong Kong residents. We control of internal economies believe that the UK of the Dependencies to their government should have residents: offered British citizenship and Policies a)End the tax loopholes that the right of residence in the UK make 'tax havens' of some to all citizens of Hong Kong IP703 For each Dependency, dependencies. under British administration. self-reliance with security b)Consider and implement IP752 We recognise that Hong following the withdrawal of nationalisation of the Kong resident holders of forms British and foreign troops. companies which have large of British citizenship and their IP704 Vigorous and consistent holdings in the Dependencies, families have a special claim to application of UN human rights in order to transfer the the right of residence in the UK. policies. ownership of these holdings to Additional offers of British IP705 The Green Party the citizens of the citizenship and the right of recognises both the right of the Dependencies concerned. residence in the UK should be people of Gibraltar to self- IP709 Extend democracy in the made to those who were determination and Gibraltar's Dependencies: Crown- citizens of Hong Kong under need of sustainable and nominated members of the British administration. We amicable relations with the ruling bodies to be replaced by would facilitate such adjacent Kingdom of Spain and elected members, and adult immigration under the liberal regional government of suffrage to be granted for policies on migration, Andalusia, and with Morocco internal elections to all nationality, refugees and across the Strait of Gibraltar. inhabitants over 18 years of asylum seekers (see Migration, The UK should seek diplomatic age. Nationality and Refugees & agreements to provide for such IP710 The Green Party is Asylum Seekers) which the relations, with the full opposed to the use for foreign Green Party would introduce. participation of Gibraltar's military bases of dependent IP753 We believe the UK should elected representatives in any territories for which the UK has negotiate with the PRC diplomatic initiatives. Any responsibility. The UK should permission for such migrants agreement should be subject to end such current use by foreign to leave Hong Kong, and urge the democratic decision of the countries, and should enter the PRC to allow that. We people of Gibraltar. into no further agreements for believe the UK should IP706 The Green Party such use. negotiate arrangements with recognises both the right of the Commonwealth countries and people of the Falkland Islands other countries with to self-determination and the established ethnic Chinese or Hong Kong need of sustainable and Indian communities to provide amicable relations between the a choice of destination for islands and the southern IP750 The Green Party regrets migrants from Hong Kong, and countries of South America. the failure of the UK urge the governments of those The experience of the government to provide and countries to allow them to unsuccessful attempt by subsequently secure in immigrate. Argentina to annex the islands agreements with the People's is a barrier to the achievement Republic of China (PRC) of such relations. Nonetheless, adequate human and Peoples of the Pacific the UK should seek diplomatic democratic rights for the agreements to provide for such people of Hong Kong, including relations with Argentina and self-government. We support IP760 The Green Party neighbouring littoral states, calls for those rights by the recognises the plight of the with the full participation of people of Hong Kong, and urge peoples of the Pacific, and First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 11 of 48 condemns their economic and HO405 In those areas where an the International Committee to military exploitation by the Arms Length Management support pro-democracy forces, USA, France and other Organisation exists, the Green trade unions, civil society industrial nations. The Green Party will seek to ensure that it groups and non-governmental Party: requires genuine tenant organizations in Zimbabwe a)Calls on all those participation - noting that a that are attempting to address governments who are using the few unaccountable council the HIV pandemic and ensure Pacific as a dumping ground for tenants on the board of an treatment for all who need it. their radioactive wastes, using ALMO is not equivalent to full the people as guinea pigs for tenant participation. It calls for We urge GPEX, the nuclear tests, turning the area a 'fourth option' in the funding International Committee and into a military strategic zone of social housing, in which our Green MEPs to call upon and who are abusing the Government would provide the UN and the WHO to cultural patterns and land equal finances for the pressure the government of rights, to cease such activities. achievement of the Decent Zimbabwe to change its failed b)Supports the establishment Homes Standard, regardless of HIV policies, and in particular of free, independent and whether a local authority to ensure universal access to sustainable island economies. retains its council housing HIV treatments, without stock. It also calls for a ballot of discrimination, to all who need Proposed by Policy Committee all tenants and leaseholders on them. (Brian Heatley, Jonathan Dixon, the basis of one vote per George Graham, Alan Francis). tenant/leaseholder when an ALMO is being proposed by any Furthermore, we ask our local authority. Tenants whose elected representatives in the housing is represented by an European Parliament to bring ALMO should always be this issue to the attention of the European Union, with a Section C – Policy Motions provided with the option of returning to local authority request that EU aid to control, if it is requested by a Zimbabwe gives high priority majority in a democratic ballot, to the provision of HIV and ALMOs should not be used treatments and that these are C20. ALMOs as the first stage towards full channelled to Zimbabwe via scale stock transfer. local NGOs, to minimise corruption and their politically- Synopsis: The Government is motivated distribution. pushing local authorities Proposed: Matt Sellwood, Jim towards 'Arms Length Jepps, Romayne Phoenix, Anne Management Organisations' as Gray and 9 others Proposed by Joseph Healy, opposed to stock retention. James Tomkinson, Don Fraser This motion would commit the and Romayne Phoenix and 3 Green Party to opposing new others ALMOs, and illustrate how to make best use of them where C21. Zimbabwe they already exist. Motion: Insert new paragraphs Synopsis: This motion calls C22. 9-11 inquiry after HO403 and renumber upon GPEX and the subsequent paragraphs: International Committee to Synopsis (provided by SOC) : HO404 The Green Party support pro-democracy forces, The motion asserts that Bush's opposes the transfer of council trade unions, civil society 'War on Terror' after 9/11 housing to Arms Length groups and non-governmental became an excuse for illegal Management Organisations. organizations in Zimbabwe pre-emptive military invasion The Green Party recognises the that are attempting to address and therefore commits the undesirable nature of ALMOs, the HIV pandemic and ensure Green Party to support the and the difficulties of ensuring treatment for all who need it. Green Party of the United adequate representation for At the moment, lack of States in its call for a full tenants due to the restrictions treatment seems to be inquiry into all the events of board members under politically motivated. connected with the attacks of company law. 911. Motion: We call upon GPEX and

First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 12 of 48 Motion: “Bush's endless 'War on appropriate to use_the tidal C25. Environmental Terror' in response to 9/11 energy potential from estuaries became an excuse for illegal pre- such as the Severn estuary Education emptive military invasion, torture, and curtailment of freedoms, with subject_to sustainability and many of the worst Bush policies environmental impact Synopsis (provided by SOC) endorsed by both Democrats and assessments.___2) The Green Republicans, as well as the UK Party of England and Wales This motion inserts into the Government. believes that any proposal for MfSS the provision that schools a_single continuous barrage must provide environmental The US Green Party candidates across the Severn estuary is not education through academic and leaders, on the fifth an appropriate_means of and practical work, including anniversary of the September 11 harnessing the tidal energy walking buses, school travel, attacks, therefore called for a potential of the river Severn in-school recycling, composing new, independent, and estuary and grey water systems. This expanded investigation of the will allow young people to attacks and the Bush Proposed by Geoff Collard, Ann accept and expect these as part Administration's response. Were, Roger Creagh-Osborne, of normal daily life. Rhodri Griffiths and 2 others The Green Party of England and Wales supports the US Green Motion Insert new section Party in its call for a full inquiry under Learning for a into all the events connected C24. Tidal lagoon in sustainable society before with the attacks of 11th Swansea Bay ED 230, and renumber: September 2001, both in the USA and in the UK.” (Synopsis provided by SOC) In order to create a sustainable This Conference supports the society, schools must provide proposal for a tidal lagoon for environmental Proposed by Janet Alty, Andrew electricit generation in education through academic Waldie, Bill Rigby, Shan Oakes Swansea Bay, and the scheme and practical work. This will and 1 other launched by local Green Party include children members and others to enable attending their local that lagoon, when built, to be community school so they are owned and operated for the not dependent on cars for C23. Tidal benefit of local people. transport. Schools will be generation in responsible for providing Motion This Conference walking buses, cycling estuaries supports the proposal for a buses and buses so that tidal lagoon for electricity children travel to school by car Synopsis (provided by SOC) generation in Swansea Bay, and only in exceptional This motion gives qualified the scheme launched by local circumstances. Schools should support for the development of Green Party members and be required to provide their tiday energy from estuaries but others to enable that lagoon, own recycling and asserts that a single when built, to be owned and compost facilities and in the continuous barrage across the operated for the benefit of local long term generate their own Severn would not be people. The Green Party renewable energy appropriate. endorses this as a model for and grey water flushing other tidal lagoon projects systems. This is particularly Motion : In the MfSS in CY 507, where appropriate elsewhere important in schools delete last sentence: “The around the coasts of Britain, so that young people accept Green Party will carefully think subject to favourable and expect these as part of through the short and long environmental impact studies normal daily life. term effects of all estuary in all cases. developments and will agree to Proposed by Rachel Fryer, Ben only those which offer overall Proposed by Keith M Ross, Jane Duncan, Peter Cranie and Jim ecological benefits.” Richmond, Peter Jones and Killock Rhodri Griffiths Delete existing clause EN 808. Insert new clause EN 808 :___"1) The Green Party of England and C26. Food in schools Wales believes that it is First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 13 of 48 Synopsis (provided by SOC) of speech/assembly, release of Tactica water-cannon was used political prisoners and by Indonesia against West The motion makes it a internationally sponsored talks Papuan protesters. minimum policy requirement without the current In the past UK-built Hawk jets that all school children are preconditions that prohibit the have been used in West Papua provided with a balanced discussion of self- to bomb and nutritious lunch including local determination. intimidate the local population. and organic non-GM food, free The UK continues to sell arms from Motion: This conference notes to Indonesia additives. Vegetarians, vegans with concern the continuing on the basis of a “gentlemens’ and other dietary requirements Indonesian occupation of agreement” that they will not will be West Papua and the denial of be catered for. Vending machines the West Papuan right to self- used for “internal repression”. will only supply healthy snacks. determination. We Given that Indonesia has call for the following action minimal Motion Insert new section plan by the UK, EU and UN: need for defence against under Educational Provision for external threats, it does not Children after ED303, and 1) Internationally sponsored need such enormous renumber: Indonesian-West Papuan military forces. dialogue without It will be a minimum pre-conditions. Britain 5) Freedom of speech and requirement that all children currently supports dialogue in assembly and the right to form are provided with a which Indonesia can political parties: balanced nutritious lunch veto any discussion of self- at present Indonesia gives West including local and organic determination. This, in effect, Papuans no opportunity to non-GM food free from rules out any peacefully additives. Vegetarians, vegans discussion of the injustice that campaign for self- and other dietary requirements is the root of the conflict. determination/independence. will be Raising the West Papuan catered for. Vending machines 2) Release of West Papuan Morning Star flag counts as will only supply healthy snacks. political prisoners; in particular "rebellion against the State" Schools will the imprisoned and results in be encouraged to involve activists Filep Karma and Yusak along jail sentence; pro- children in growing, preparing Pakage. They were jailed for 15 independence political parties and cooking food. and 10 years are banned; and any Not only will this provide respectively for merely raising expression of a desire for invaluable and essential the West Papuan independence independence is likely to lead education in the flag on 1st to arrest, jail importance of a good diet, it December 2004. Amnesty and torture. will greatly improve behaviour, International has officially quality of recognised them as 6) Open access to West Papua life and learning. Prisoners of Conscience. There for international human rights Proposed by Rachel Fryer, Ben are currently approximately 100 agencies, the UN Duncan, Peter Cranie and Jim Papuan High Commission for Refugees Killock political prisoners in total. and foreign journalists, academics and 3) De-militarisation of West parliamentarians. Currently Papua: There has been a access for foreigners is either significant Indonesian banned C27. West troop build up in West Papua in completely or highly restricted. the past 12 months. The Papua Indonesian military has refused to sign up to the Proposed by Joseph Healy, Matt (Synopsis provided by SOC) This 2003 Papuan Churches "Land of Sellwood, Derek Wall and Sarah motion calls for an action plan Peace" Farrow by the UK, EU and UN to ensure initiative. human rights in West Papua, especially demilitariation, and 4) An end to the sale of UK end to UK arms sales, freedom arms to Indonesia: In 2005, a British made First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 14 of 48 C28. Animal models, mannequins, clause TR115 of the MfSS (a mechanical and computer- 55mph speed limit on all experiments based simulators, films and trunk roads & interactive videos, plant motorways) . This would at a SYNOPSIS This motion seeks to experiments and observational stroke both produce a update policy by distinguishing and field studies, and human significant reduction between harmful and benign studies including self- in greenhouse gas emissions, experiments using animals, and experimentation. whilst also improving road by removing references to safety, at research which has already The Party supports the minimal cost to the economy. been banned. educational use of animal cadavers and animal-derived Conference requests the MOTION Replace Policy materials where these have national campaigns been ethically sourced, such as AR407 with: coordinator to develop a high animals who have died profile campaign for a national naturally and animals who have The Green Party is opposed, on speed limit reduction, and been euthanased for humane suggests scientific and ethical grounds, reasons." to the harmful use of animals that local parties highlight this in research and for medical as a policy which councils have some purposes and would ban all Proposed by Vivien Pomfrey, research and medical practice power to influence and Mark Dawes, Marian implement on non-trunk roads. which harms animals, including Hussenbux and Noel Lynch harmful procedures used to obtain animal derived materials. 'Harmful' is defined Proposed by Roger Creagh- in this context as 'having the Osborne, Jon Lucas, Helen potential to cause pain, Banks, Geoff Collard, Richard suffering, distress, lasting harm Lawson or death in animals, except C29. Road Transport where it is designed to benefit Carbon Emissions the individual animals Reduction concerned'. C30. Kurdistan Government research funds will SYNOPSIS This motion (Synopsis provided by SOC) be transferred from animal promotes a policy which is The Green Party calls upon the tests to superior non animal already in the MfSS - a UK Government and the EU to technologies, including 55mph national speed limit - offer total support to the epidemiology, computer as a quick-win for achieving Kurdistan National Congress in models, micro-dosing, DNA significant carbon emission their quest for full recognition chips, Microfluidics chips and reductions from road of the cultural and political the use of human tissue. transport, with many rights of the Kurdish people in ancillary benefits. It also all parts of Kurdistan. Green Greens would also fund more “requests” the national Party Executive shall publicise this resolution. research into prevention of campaigns coordinator to disease, looking at diet, environment, family history develop a high profile Motion The Green Party of and lifestyle. campaign. England and Wales calls upon the UK Government and the EU Replace Policy AR408 with: MOTION In order to bring to offer total support to the about an immediate Kurdistan National Congress in The Green Party is opposed to their quest for full recognition reduction in CO2 greenhouse of the cultural and political the harmful use in education of gas animals and of animal-derived rights of the Kurdish people in materials where the animals emissions from road all parts of Kurdistan. Green have been killed specifically for transport, Conference calls Party Executive shall publicise this purpose. The Party on the Government and this resolution. supports the replacement of Local Authorities to the use of animals and animal immediately implement the material with methods such as policies contained in Proposed by Tony Young, Paula

First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 15 of 48 Montez, Keith Ross, Rhodri to international agreements to Griffiths "UK emissions in 2005 were tackle them. just below the 1990 baseline and rising. We should aim Add new sections CC216-CC221 steadily to reduce all CC216 The current EU greenhouse gas emissions to emissions-trading scheme has C31. Climate Change 10% of their 1990 levels by two primary flaws; it not based Targets 2030. If this policy is adopted in on equal rights to the 2006, the required annual rate atmosphere, nor on global (Synopsis provided by SOC) is 9% per annum. If adoption is greenhouse-gas stabilization This motion updates our CO2 delayed, the required rate is targets. As a result the highest targets with current thinking, significantly greater, rising by polluters are rewarded with the and updates policy to plan for a about 0.5 percentage points for greatest allocation of emission post-Kyoto treaty with each year of delay in starting. permits, full carbon life-cycle reference to soot. We will also establish effective emissions are not assessed and mechanisms for getting back no attempt is made to correlate In CC section of the MfSS on track should an annual with global stabilization a) In section B add after CC110 target be missed" targets. CC111 The primary aim of such Add sections CC208-9 targets is to ensure that CC208 The UN should modify CC217 The Clean Development temperature increases in the the way the effects of different Mechanism which allows atmosphere are kept to 2°C or greenhouse gases are credits for GHG emission less, in line with this widely combined to focus on the reductions in Non-Annex 1 accepted target for keeping the impacts over a twenty-year (developing) countries has risk of catastrophic global time period. Currently 100 years become particularly damaging damages to a fairly low level. is used and this makes a big through its support for This means stabilising difference to the effects of monoculture tree plantations atmospheric greenhouse gas methane, resulting in serious in developing countries, called concentrations at 450ppm CO2 understressing of the ‘Green Deserts’ by many local equivalent or less. importance of methane NGOs, and for bioenergy crop emissions reductions in the plantations. No CDM credits b) In CC201 crucial next few decades. must be given for agro-forestry Delete CC209 The successor treaty to sectors linked to deforestation, " Simple climate models the Kyoto protocol should also peat drainage, biodiversity loss, consistent with IPCC findings include appropriate reduction human rights abuses or suggest that global average targets for black soot. Although evictions. Low biodiversity tree emissions need to be reduced soot is not a gas it is a major plantations (as opposed to old by 65-80% by 2030." contributor to global warming. growth forests and other And replace by Soot is also the cheapest and original ecosystems) should "Climate research from both quickest greenhouse not qualify as carbon sinks. the Manchester Tyndall Centre contributor to eliminate. and the Potsdam Institute CC218 It is particularly alarming suggest that average global that nations are trying to meet emissions will need to be Proposed by Deepak Rughani, the requirements of the Kyoto reduced by at least 60% by Tony Cooper, Andrew Boswell, Protocol by using bioenergy 2030." Christine Wray and 1 other classed as ‘carbon neutral’ despite large-scale greenhouse c) Change CC203 from gas emissions from "UK emissions in 2003 were deforestation and peat 7.5% below the 1990 baseline. C32. Climate burning. By doing so, Annex 1 We should aim steadily to Change, rainforests nations are simply exporting reduce CO2 emissions from and peat greenhouse gas emissions to fossil fuels to 10% of their 1990 the developing world and, in levels by 2030. To achieve this, (Synopsis provided by SOC) doing so, are contributing to we will target a 6% annual This motion condemns greater emissions overall. reduction in UK CO2 emissions, deforestation, peat drainage, There is a limited role for and establish effective swamp drainage, peat burning sustainable bioenergy, but this mechanisms for getting back and biodiversity loss and must not lead to an increase in on track should an annual proposes emergency monocultures or in the area of target be missed." the planet under agriculture. First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 16 of 48 There is growing opposition in recognising traditional land that we can’t rely on strong many countries of the South to rights. This must be made an leadership from governments large-scale biofuel plantations integral part of existing and or from the UN. If human grown to serve the OECD future climate change civilization is to survive this markets, and we support the frameworks and the EU and UK period in our history, the local communities and NGOs must begin to work towards demand for action will have to resisting those developments. these aims now, not delay come from citizens. Within Europe and the UK we action until adopted by the UN. Governments will respond only call for a suspension of all when societal pressure leaves bioenergy targets and CC221 The Green Party calls for no other option. In short, each obligations and an import ban an emergency international of us has to become a leader in on products linked, directly or agreement to stop swamp our own sphere of influence, an indirectly, to deforestation and draining and burning of agent of positive change. other negative social and peatland. Such a convention Climate-leadership can range environmental impacts needs to include measures to from initiating actions in our extinguish fires, re-flood and own family, workplace or CC219 Rainforests. restore drained peatlands and community right through to Deforestation accounts for needs to be linked to a revision engaged activism. It’s an several billion tonnes of CO2 of the Clean Development “aroused citizenry” which holds emissions annually, and this Mechanism in Europe and the the key to getting ahead of the figure is rising. Scientists are broader climate change climate curve. Failing this, we worried that deforestation has framework. (see also CC217). will continue to be preoccupied pushed the Amazon close to a with symptoms rather than tipping point beyond which it causes. may no longer be able to Proposed by Deepak Rughani, CC103 On a political level the GP sustain its rainfall cycle and Tony Cooper, Andrew Boswell, advocates decisive leadership could progressively turn into Christine Wray and 1 other by the UK government, actively savannah and even desert, seeing revisions of the current vastly accelerating global climate framework with the EU, warming. Emergency action is ahead of the UN. needed to implement a global C33. Climate Change moratorium on logging and - adaptation and burning of old growth forests; leadership Proposed by Deepak Rughani, while ecological restoration Tony Cooper, Andrew Boswell, must be funded to restore Christine Wray and 1 other ancient forests which have (Synopsis provided by SOC) been degraded or destroyed. This motion condemns The industrialised nations and “adaption” as a primary multinational companies have response to climate change, profited the most from the calls for clear leadership from C34. Climate Change cheap timber and pulp, cattle citizens and the UK policy simplification government. feed, meat and other food and corrections imports which result from global deforestation, and must In CC section B, add new therefore pay the cost of subsections after CC100 as (Synopsis provided by SOC) implementing a logging and follows This motion updates our policy land conversion moratorium. with current views on the Trade rules must be changed to CC101 The GP vigorously Kyoto protocol and its ban the international trade in challenges ‘adaptation’ as a mechanisms and drawbacks. products produced at the primary response to climate change. Political leaders can’t expense of old-growth forests. a) Change CC005 from have it both ways; at once setting gradual emission- CC220 The Green Party calls for " The UNFCCC has organised reduction targets which imply an emergency international annual "Conferences of the that we really do have 40 or 50 agreement to stop global Parties" (COPs) since 1995. At years in hand, and when deforestation. This must be COP3 in Kyoto in 1997 the major challenged reverting to the ‘it’s developed as a priority and polluting countries agreed a all over’ position by opting for implemented in full plan (the Kyoto Protocol or KP) ‘adaptation’. consultation with the local and including definite CC102 Leadership. It is clear indigenous communities commitments to reduce First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 17 of 48 emissions. By COP7 in considerable debate about reduction in the 6-gas basket November 2001 most of the where the absorbing was by 15% by 2008-2012" details of the KP were finalised happening, as it is much harder to make it read and by 2004 it had been to measure than emissions. A " The UK's commitment under ratified by all the major scientific agreement was the EU basket agreement industrialised countries except eventually reached that boreal reached in conjunction with the USA, Russia and Australia. forests, tropical forests and the Kyoto Protocol is a It commits them to reductions oceans were all absorbing reduction in the 6-gas basket averaging 5% from a 1990 base significantly. In 2003 this by 12.5% by 2008-2012" by 2010. However it is absorption fraction extremely complex, and has dramatically decreased from d) Change CC206 from many serious flaws. Its major about 55% to about 20%. It is "Parallel targets should in technical problems are the still, in July 2004, unknown principle be set for emissions of "Clean Development why this is so. Plausible causes the Kyoto Protocol basket of Mechanism", the "Joint include one or more of: very gases (see CC110), and also for Implementation" proposals, large-scale wildfires, large-scale carbon monoxide, NOx and allowances for countries for carbon-dioxide-triggered volatile organic compounds absorption by existing as well emissions from peat bogs, and (VOCs). CO, NOx and VOCs are as new forests and the large saturation of large parts of the not greenhouse gases but react 'hot air' allowances granted to forest sinks. in the atmosphere to create Russia and Ukraine. These It is also unknown whether the such. However, emissions of aspects all open big loopholes absorption fraction is likely to some of these substances are for profitable cheating. Also, revert to its previous figure of very hard to measure the non-involvement of the about half, restabilise at accurately, and some will be USA is a major setback, around 20%, or decline further. drastically reduced by Green emissions from civil aviation modelling suggests that by policies in areas such as are not counted, and the mid-century it will in any case agriculture, pollution control - proposed compliance become negative as most as they are a health hazard, and mechanism is toothless." current sinks become net waste management. (Note that emitters rather than NOx, a mixture of NO and NO2, To absorbers." is quite different from nitrous "The Kyoto Protocol, negotiated oxide, N2O)." under the auspices of the To… to UNFCCC, came into force in "So far just over half of CO2 "Targets should also be set to 2005. It commits most emissions have been cover the other Kyoto protocol industrialised countries to consistently absorbed. In the gases (see CC010) as well as greenhouse gas emissions 1990s there was considerable other gases and black soot that reductions averaging 5% from debate about where the are found to directly or a 1990 base by 2012. it is absorbing was happening, as it indirectly cause global extremely complex, and has is much harder to measure warming. UK targets must many serious flaws. Its major than emissions. A scientific include land-use emissions technical problems are the agreement was eventually including peat and moorland "Clean Development reached that boreal forests, burning" Mechanism" and the "Joint tropical forests and oceans Implementation" proposals, were all absorbing Proposed by Tony Cooper, which open big loopholes for significantly.. However there is Deepak Rughani, Andrew profitable cheating. Also, the some evidence that the natural Boswell, Christine Wray and 3 non-involvement of the USA is CO2 sinks are declining in others a major setback, emissions effectiveness; and some from international civil aviation models suggest that many and shipping are not counted, current sinks will become net C35. CO2 reduction and the proposed compliance emitters rather than absorbers targets mechanism is toothless." over the coming decades." Synopsis Our manifesto b) Change CC012 from c) Change the first sentence of policy regarding Annual CC202 from Targets for reducing UK CO2 "Until 2002 just over half of " The UK's commitment under emissions CO2 emissions were the EU basket agreement needs to be revised to be consistently absorbed. In the reached in conjunction with 1990s there was the Kyoto Protocol is a consistent with our target First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 18 of 48 for 2030, and to be Section D – Organisational Party, increasing political "future proofed" for the Motions awareness and activism among coming years. young people across England and Wales. Motion In CC203 replace *That Young Greens should "...we will target a 6% refer to all members under the age of 30, in line with the annual reduction..." with D40: Requirement Federation of Young European "...we for Regional Council Greens. will introduce an annual *That local party status is reduction target of at least members to be inappropriate for a national 9%..." Elected by Postal youth body and the Young Ballot Greens should have independent status. Proposed by Jon Hooper, Synopsis- This motion makes *That as the Young Greens Natalie Bennett, Jacob Sanders, clear the requirement for a grow, restricted funding is Phillip Booth and 2 others. postal ballot of Regional limiting the size and optimum Council representatives in all productivity of the body. Self- circumstances - (for example at funding exercises are proving the end of a Councillor's two effective, however, a stable year term of office or when financial situation is required C36. Workplace replacing a Councillor who to sustain high value for Bullying resigns mid-term). money, and productive operations. The Young Greens (Synopsis provided by SOC) require a basic capitation of £2 This motion recognises and Motion Amend Constitution per Young Green member, deplores the existence of section By-laws, Second irrespective of membership workplace bullying and calls paragraph, as referred to in rate. upon the Government to Clause 5(ii): implement legislation to add at the end of first sentence Motion outlaw bullying at work, where 'by postal ballot'. the bullying is unfocused and In the Constitution of The not covered by existing laws Proposed by Green Party Green Party, remove from Bye against sexual, gender, racial or Regional Council (contact Laws, referred to in clause disability discrimination. secretary Sue Bradley) 5(v): 2. Members aged less than 27 Motion Conference recognises years and student members of and deplores the existence of the party may opt to be workplace bullying and calls members of the Young Greens. upon the Government to D41: Young Greens Young Greens shall have a implement legislation to constitution constitution which states that outlaw bullying at work, where it is a constituent part of the the bullying is unfocused and Green Party. Insert new paragraph in clause not covered by existing laws (Synopsis provided by SOC) against sexual, gender, racial or 5 as (iv) and re-number This motion notes the success subsequent paragraphs: disability discrimination. and vital nature of the Young (iv) Young Greens Greens, proposes to change the Proposed by Marc Schiemann, a) Young Greens will form an Young Greens’ status from that independent national body Malcolm Bailey, Debbie of local party to independent within the Green Party and Wakeham and Paul Wakeham. status, similar to the AGC, have a constitution which expands the age limit to 29 and states that it is a constituent gives Young Greens a basic part of the Green Party. capitation of £2 per Young b) Members of the party aged Green member. less than 30 years will be registered as Young Greens Conference notes: with the opportunity to opt out at any time. *That the Young Greens are a c) Young Greens shall receive a vital force within the Green £2 capitation on all Young First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 19 of 48 Greens membership fees, commonly understood by the preceding the date of close of irrespective of membership public; nominations, and shall be rate. (iii) That any notion of required to complete a d) The Young Greens shall have Leadership must be carefully standard application form. a democratically elected balanced by true democratic Nominations of candidates national executive body accountability. must be supported by the responsible for the overall signatures of a minimum of direction and day to day Conference resolves that a twenty members of the Party. running of the Young Greens. referendum to amend the (iv) Two ordinary members constitution as set out below of opposite sexes may together Proposed by the Young Greens should take place stand for the office of Leader in (who currently have local party 1. After the May 2007 order to hold the post as a job status). election share. The post of Deputy 2. After a period of full, Leader may not be held as a job party-wide debate between share. In the event of the May 2007 and July 2007 election of two people job sharing the Leader post, they D42. Leader and Conference resolves to hold a shall be known as 'Co-Leaders', Deputy Leader of the membership referendum to no election for Deputy Leader Green amend the Constitution, and shall take place, and the duties, Party Philosophical Basis as follows: powers and votes of both posts will be held by the Co-Leaders. 1 Philosophical Basis (v) The Leader and Deputy Synopsis Leader shall be elected every This motion would mandate a Replace PB443 with: two years. The election shall be ballot of the membership to We seek a society in which by a postal ballot of all change the Constitution to people are empowered and members of the party, voting remove the Principal Speakers involved in making the to close on the Friday evening posts and replace them with a decisions which affect them. of the nearest autumn Leader and Deputy Leader with We advocate participatory and conference. The deadline for limited powers and full democratic politics. Leadership receipt of ballot papers accountability. It also includes should always be accountable, returned by post may be set up the option for members to consensus-driven, and moral. to a week prior to Conference, stand as “Co-Leaders”. The Green Party looks for at the discretion of the ERO. inspiration in leadership figures Members will be able to cast such as Gandhi, Martin Luther their postal ballots at Motion King and Nelson Mandela. Conference if they wish. A Conference notes hustings will take place on the i. The successive 2 Constitution Friday of Conference. The vote majorities on Conference floor may be counted and the result in favour of a reformed (i) Add new Section 8; and announced at Conference at leadership structure; The public renumber subsequent sections: the discretion of the ERO. confusion over the notion of (vi) The vote for Leader Principal Speakers; Section 8 PARTY LEADER AND shall be counted first. ii. The difficulty in DEPUTY LEADER Candidates for Deputy Leader explaining to the media what a (i) There shall be a Leader of the same sex as the newly Principal Speaker is; and Deputy Leader of the Green elected Leader will then be iii. The perception among Party. They shall be voting disqualified. In the event of the the public that we as a party do members of the Executive. Leader election being won by not take our vital political role (ii) The Leader and Deputy two people standing as a job sufficiently seriously. will be the primary public faces share, they shall be known as of the party, responsible for 'Co-Leaders' and no count for Conference believes: presenting Green Party policy Deputy Leader shall take place. (i) That a change in title and promoting its electoral (vii) Elections for the Leader and responsibilities for our activity and campaigns to the and Deputy Leader will include leading figures will help provide public on a day to day basis. the opportunity for each a better understanding of what (iii) Candidates for Leader candidate to address ordinary the party seeks to achieve; and Deputy Leader shall have members through specific (ii) That the title Leader been a member of the Party for mailings, a party membership and Deputy Leader are the three complete years newsletter and web based First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 20 of 48 communications. Regional determined by the Regional with the postal ballot. Further parties will be encouraged to Council. nominations will be accepted hold hustings. up to a new close of (viii) The Leader and Deputy (iii) Amend Section 7: Executive nominations determined by the Leader will be accountable to as follows ERO.” party committees in the same Amend clause ii shown below: way as other members of the Replace clauses iv, v, vi, xi, xii, ii) Amend the first sentence Executive and will be expected xii, xiii as shown below: “The Party Executive shall to outline their future plans consist of ten voting members and work to the Executive and iv) Procedures for the with the following functional GPRC. election of Leader and Deputy responsibilities:” (ix) The Leader and Deputy Leader of the Green Party and Leader in exercising their duties their duties and responsibilities with: will at all times abide by Party are outlined in Section 8 of this policy, the MfSS and Constitution. “The Party Executive shall Philosophical Basis. consist of Leader plus Deputy (x) In the event of ten per v) Candidates for the Leader and an additional eleven cent of the membership Annually Elected GPEx posts annually elected members with petitioning the Regional shall have been a member of the following functional Council to recall the Leader or the Party for the two complete responsibilities:” Deputy Leader, a new election years preceding the date of for both posts shall be held in close of nominations, and shall And replace the final paragraph which the current postholders be required to complete a “each of whom shall be elected shall be eligible to stand. The standard application form. annually ... Further current postholders will retain Nominations of candidates nominations will be accepted their post until the result of must be supported by the up to a new close of that election. signatures of a minimum of ten nominations determined by the (xi) The Leader and Deputy members of the Party. ERO.” Leader will present an Annual Report to Conference alongside vi) Members of the Party with: other Executive members. may be nominated for no more (xii) Should one of the two than one Annually Elected GPEx “To distinguish between the postholders resign there will be post at any one time, and no arrangements for the Leader a byelection for both Leader member may hold more than and Deputy Leader, and these and Deputy Leader. They shall one post on the Party Executive annually elected members of serve a term lasting as if it were at any one time. Members of the executive, they shall be starting at the previous the Party Executive may not referred to as the 'Annually Autumn Conference, or if held hold any other elected office in Elected GPEx' posts or after May, lasting as if it were the Party at national level. members. starting at the following Members of the Party may be Autumn Conference. nominated for both Leader and Elections to the Annually Deputy Leader. Elected GPEx posts shall be by a postal ballot of all members of xi) By a two-thirds the party, voting to close (ii) Amend Section 6: Regional majority of its membership within one week of the end of Council eligible to vote the Party the annual conference, except clause x Executive may suspend from for posts for which there are Replace 'a member of the Party office any Annually Elected fewer than two candidates Executive' with ' Annually GPEx member if there is nominated by the close of Elected GPEx member' evidence of sustained conduct nominations. Where there are which in the opinion of the fewer than two candidates, the Replace clause xi as shown Party Executive is against the election shall be conducted at below: interests of the Party, subject conference, according to the By a two-thirds majority of its to any decision of the Regional Standing Orders for the voting membership the Council under Clause 6(xii) and Conduct of Conference. Any Regional Council may recall the subject to the right of such a nominations will remain valid, Leader or Deputy Leader, who member to appeal. but candidate’s statements shall be under suspension until may be changed by the a new ballot has been held for xii) In the event of twenty candidate, and shall not appear both posts at a date to be per cent of constituted Local First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 21 of 48 Parties petitioning the Regional Proposed by Geoff Collard, associate members could Council to recall an Annually John Street, Jonathan Dixon sign internal nomination Elected GPEx member, such a and Shahrar Ali papers, this motion seeks to member shall be under clarify the position of suspension until a new ballot associate members, and has been held for that post at a specifically to limit their date to be determined by the Regional Council. involvement to the workings D44: Associate of the local party which they xiii) In the event of casual Members and have joined. vacancy for a Annually Elected nominating GPEx post, a replacement shall MOTION: In the Constitution of be appointed in an acting and (SOC) the Green Party, section 4 non-voting capacity by the ('Membership'), replace Party Executive until the next Synopsis: In light of the lack of paragraph (v) with: ballot is held. clarity that was noted at the last Conference over the rights "(v) A Local Party may institute of Associate Members, SOC is any form of Local Associate (iv) Amend party by- submitting this motion to clear Membership and encourage laws “referred to in clause 5(xiv) up the ambiguity. It simply Associates to participate in its Party Registration” as follows: adds the words “nor sign business. The rights of such Replace 1 with: nomination papers” to the list Associate Members shall be set of things an Associate Member out in the constitution of the 1 For the purposes of may not do. Local Party, and those rights Registration the elected Leader shall not extend beyond or one of the two job sharing at Motion: In Constitution 4(v) involvement in the Local Party. their discretion (or by drawing add the words "nor sign Local Associate Members shall of straws) as outlined in nomination papers". not be considered to be Section 8 shall be registered as members of the Green Party the leader 4(v) would now read: beyond the geographic A Local Party may institute any boundaries of their Local Party, form of local Associate and they shall not be involved Proposed by Jim Killock, Ann Membership and encourage in decision-making of the Party Were, Andy Cooper, Richard Associates to participate in its at a regional or national level, Lawson and 18 others. business, but such Associates nor shall they be eligible to shall not vote in the business either contest, vote in, or of The Green Party, nor hold nominate candidates for office in it, nor sign nomination regional or national internal papers, nor receive the services selection procedures. In the of The Green Party to its absence of any explicit D43: Proxies members. provision in a local party constitution regarding the Proposed by SOC (Matt rights of Associate members to Synopsis (rewritten by SOC): Wootton, Brig Oubridge, Dean vote or be involved in the This motion removes the right Walton, Mark Hill and decision-making process or of members not attending Francesca Richards) selection procedures of a local Conference to mandate a party, they shall be assumed Conference attendee to vote on not to have any such rights." their behalf as their proxy. Proposed by Jonathan Dixon, Motion: “In Standing Orders for D45: Associate the Conduct of Conference: Pete Redwood, Norman in Section E: Conference Members and Oldham, CB Foster and 1 other Procedure, 6. Voting, nominating (Dixon i) delete clauses 6 b) and 6 c) et al) and reletter the rest of 6. Voting; D46: Replacing ii) in clause 6 e) delete the last Synopsis: Following the sentence.” confusion at last Conference Capitations around whether or not local First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 22 of 48 obligations the maximum payout would to local parties Synopsis would be £13,000 / annum. A Motion to replace the current capitation system with a Motion D47: Eligibility to system to give equal payment stand for GPEx to all local parties. The aim of the new system is to reduce Amend clause 4. (iii) of the elections bureaucracy, simplify Constitution of The Green payments, and to boost income Party. Add the following: __The Synopsis: This motion brings for the smallest parties. The percentage for Local Parties will the qualification to stand for new payments would be be distributed in accordance GPEx into line with the payable only to active local with appendix C. __Insert new minimum qualification to parties, to stop money being appendix C at end of stand for the Green Party as a paid out to defunct ones. constitution: __1) Every active General Election candidate. Local Party will receive a fixed Conference notes annual payment. Inactive Local Motion: Replace 7(v) The present capitation system Parties will receive no payment. is unwieldy and does not __2) An active Local Party must "Candidates for elected posts distinguish between active and have a minimum of six current on the Party Executive shall inactive local parties. members, must have a bank have been a member of the Administering it is complicated account and must hold an Party for two complete years and time consuming. It has Annual General Meeting. __3) preceding the date of close of been suggested that local party The annual payment will be £75 nominations, and shall be funds should be distributed by in the first instance. This figure required to complete a regional parties instead. This can be amended by GPEX in standard application form. motion lays out an alternative consultation with GPEW as part Nominations of candidates to both ending direct local of the three yearly capitation must be supported by the party funding, and the current review process. __4) The annual signatures of a minimum of ten capitations system. Active local payment will be distributed members of the Party." parties would continue to after completion of each receive funding from the financial year to the official with central party but the amount treasurer of the Local Party paid would not distinguish upon receipt at London Party "Candidates for elected posts between different sized parties Office of an annual statement on the Party Executive shall – simplifying the payment. of accounts, a copy of a recent have been a member of the Payment would be allocated bank statement and the Party for one complete year only to parties that could minutes of the latest Annual preceding the date of close of demonstrate they were active – General Meeting. nominations, and shall be removing the need to pay required to complete a parties that are essentially _5) Should an active Local Party standard application form. defunct, and providing a means (Green Party Accounting Unit) Nominations of candidates of monitoring if the money was fail to comply with its PPERA must be supported by the being spent. Through this obligations, the GPEX signatures of a minimum of ten system the amount paid to Management Coordinator is members of the Party." local parties would be empowered to halt future substantially less (fewer parties capitation payments until Proposed by Peter Cranie, Sian would receive money and the PPERA obligations are met. Berry, Jim Jepps and Matt average pay out would be lower __The GPEX Management Sellwood. than present, saving at least Coordinator decides whether £7000 annually[1. Regional any given Local Party is active parties could have a reward or inactive (subject to appeal to system set up to encourage the Dispute Resolution local parties to recruit new Committee under section 15 of members.__[1] Currently there the constitution). D48: Final authority are 174 local parties receiving approx £20,000 / annum in Proposed by Leila Kiersch, Elly of capitations – average payment Foster, Ian Foster, Haagen SOC/Conference £115. Under this system, even if Kiersch every party fulfilled its

First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 23 of 48 Synopsis Last year SOC [synopsis rewritten by votes including his/her pointed to ambiguity in the consensus decision of SOC]. own.", but that membership Constitution about the right of cards are in fact no longer SOC as the final authority for Motion issued to members. We note the interpretation of the In SOCC at end of E5(c) add: that the precedent set at Constitution and Standing Conferences since the Orders. This amendment Any procedural motion that discontinuance of removes any ambiguity. curtails debate on a motion or membership cards has been an amendment, for example that a letter signed by a Motion In Constitution 8(i) “to move to a vote”, “to move next business” and “that the member is regarded as add to the end of the first "acceptable authority" sentence: motion be not put” shall not be within the meaning of this except where stated otherwise accepted by the chairperson (a) in this constitution. if there have been less than 2 clause. We note that this speeches in favour and there present system, as well as In Constitution 8(iii) replace “, are still members wishing to being contrary to the letter and” with “. SOC shall”. speak for the motion or of SOCC 6(b), is open t o amendment, or (b) if there have abuse, because there is no 8(i) first sentence would now been less than 2 speeches way of checking the read: against and there are still signatures of members, so members wishing to speak that such letters could be 8i)The Party shall hold an against the motion or amendment. created by anyone with Annual Conference each access to any local or Autumn which shall be the national membership list; supreme forum of the Party, except where stated otherwise Proposed by Alan Francis, whereas the previous system in this constitution. George Graham, Roger Creagh- had the built-in safeguard of Osborne, Clive Lord requiring anyone wishing to 8(iii) would now read: exercise a proxy vote on behalf of another Standing Orders Committee. member to obtain that person's Conference shall elect a membership card, which was Standing Orders Committee sent directly to each member (SOC) which shall be the final D50: Re-introduce either from Party Office (in authority for the interpretation England) or from the Wales of the Constitution and Membership Cards Green Party membership Standing Orders. SOC shall be secretary in Wales. responsible for the order in Synopsis (supplied by SOC) This which resolutions are taken motion proposes to reintroduce Conference notes that it is very during the conference, subject Membership Cards in order to unusual for any membership- to the approval of Conference. better monitor proxy votes based organisation not to issue (note: although Membership any form of membership card Proposed by Alan Francis, John Cards were abolished by a to its members; and that Street, Brian Heatley, Clive Lord 2/3rds majority 2 years ago, membership cards also serve this reintroduces them with a the purpose of providing simple majority). members with a receipt for their membership fee and This Conference notes that clarity about whether or not D49: Procedural Standing Orders for the they are a full member of the motions Conduct of Conference Party and when that section 6(b) defines proxy membership is due to expire. Synopsis This motion voting entitlement as removes the current follows " A member This Conference therefore possibility of a motion being producing acceptable instructs Party Office and the taken without actual debate authority (a current Wales Green Party membership on the substantive, by membership card) to secretary to issue membership cards to all existing members represent other members restricting the current usage and to resume the issuing of of procedural motions. shall be given a voting card membership cards to new and showing the total number of First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 24 of 48 renewing members as soon as Proposed by Joseph Healy, Noel some practically possible, and Lynch, Romayne Phoenix, democratic rights and instructs GPEx to ensure that Graeme McIver and 1 other institutions have gradually this process is completed been grafted on to before the next AGM of the a feudal monarchy. In that Party. feudal monarchy all power flowed downward Proposed by Keith Ross, Jane from the monarch, and the Richmond, Loppy Garrard, Neil people were subjects and not Hooper Section E – Draft Voting Papers citizens. Gradually some of that power has been delegated to bodies like D51. Green Islands Parliament, or to local network authorities, and citizens have E60 Public acquired some Synopsis: The recent Administration and agreement of all the Green rights. However our parties in these islands (The Government Draft constitution still has many of Memorandum of Voting Paper the elements of Understanding) indicated how its feudal past, including some the Green parties of the UK and remnants of the royal Irish Republic can co-operate. prerogative. We PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND believe that the basic principle This motions seeks a GOVERNMENT DRAFT VOTING framework for discussing the of Government should be the PAPER reverse coming year, likely to be of considerable constitutional of this, that is that power flows Synopsis: This Draft Voting upwards from the people, and development in Scotland and Paper is not for formal debate Northern Ireland from at this their most local levels of Conference, but will be Government to the higher Motion: We call upon GPEX and discussed in workshops. GPRC to encourage and support levels. Certain Members are invited principles follow from this: the efforts of the Green Islands to submit proposed Network in developing links amendments in time for the Principles between the Green parties in Second Agenda so that these islands and assisting and the workshop can consider PA100. All decision-making and advising, when requested, the them. A final Voting Paper will Green parties in both Northern action throughout all levels of be government, including Ireland, Scotland and the Irish submitted to a future Republic with their electoral international government, shall Conference. be governed by and political efforts. Furthermore, we hope that the the principle of subsidiarity: namely that nothing should be party will avail of any PROPOSED NEW POLICY: experience or advice which our done centrally if it can be done sister parties may be able to Delete the MfSS sections on offer us, particularly in relation equally well, or better, locally. Public Administration & to issues such as Northern Government (PA), Ireland, Anglo-Irish relations, PA101. A further principle is that Principles of Government (PG), any democratic and the Irish community in England and Green Councils (GC), and & Wales, joint energy issues, accountable replace authority may judge for itself civil liberties, devolution, with the following chapter of possible Scottish which functions carried out at MfSS: a independence etc. We look forward to GIN meetings higher level it can do equally PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND well, or better, provided that being a regular feature of all GOVERNMENT the conferences of the Green the devolution of such functions parties in these islands and to Introduction elected representatives of the does not threaten the sustainability of sister parties co-operating on a PA001. We live in a state where range of issues. the wider area. Coupled with over centuries of struggle the principle of subsidiarity, First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 25 of 48 this human activity in the world which a given set of functions establishes the need for a today, and the can be structure that responds indirect impact that much of carried out and with which the positively to this activity has on people people themselves have some demands for decentralisation living in common from below, and that ensures different areas, it is clear that bond. These areas will in many that this not all decisions can be made cases be bio-regionally based, proceeds smoothly and does locally. The best form of on the not disempower other democracy for large-scale geographical and ecological communities. activity is boundaries already existing. voting, in elections and PA102. The highest form of referenda, in such a way that PA108. The Green Party views democracy is direct the outcome citizenship as a set of rights participation. This is reflects the pattern of voting and best achieved through the and no vote is wasted. responsibilities based on a decentralisation of society, so Delegated commitment to a community. that authority and trust must be It is gained decisions can be made through accompanied by full by living in the the community, face to face discussion. All the accountability. and lost by extended absence. major Responsibilities and rights political decisions which affect PA105. A community cannot be include Citizens' Income, our lives should ideally be self-determining unless it is to personal made a large taxation, shelter, and with our active participation, extent self-reliant. Self-reliance participation in the democratic which requires open and is the ability to satisfy needs process. The informed without being excessively or Green Party believes that the debate rather than simply unequally dependent upon age of majority (at which full voting without discussion. This anyone; self- criminal requires sufficiency is one way to responsibility and the power to that all economic and social achieve self-reliance, but is by make contracts is acquired) activity should be carried out no means should be on a the only way. reduced to 16, to clarify the age human scale; that is, in a way at which children become that allows individuals and PA106. Co-operation and adults in groups working together in order to the eyes of the law, with access to, and influence over, achieve a state accompanying full citizenship such decisions. Direct of harmony with the planet and rights and democracy will the life it supports must be responsibilities. encourage cross-party co- fundamental to all policy operation and weaken the hold decisions. Divisions, power- PA109. The basis for a of ideologies relations, decentralised society and the and factions. intolerance, prejudice, wide establishment of inequalities and failures in a Bill of Rights must be laid out PA103. Such direct democratic communication all weaken in a clear and accessible participation requires citizens communities and preclude written to be such co-operation. constitution; but in the years able to access the information A Bill to enshrine rights and before the adoption of such a they need in order to be able to responsibilities must exist to constitution there is much take help work to be done in dismantling part in decision-making. protect against this; positive one of the Freedom of information, and action to build a tolerant, most hierarchical and openness of global centralised states in the world. government and its procedures, awareness and to empower While this can are therefore integral principles oppressed groups is also only succeed with the active in necessary. participation of communities the creation of a more and local democratic and decentralised PA107. Government must councils, and while various society. therefore exist at many levels, international bodies and each based institutions PA104. Given the scale of upon geographical areas within will heavily influence the First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 26 of 48 process, the key to a smooth an independent judiciary. The with at too high a level by transition Commission must be central Government and the will lie in the way in which accountable, private Parliament surrenders its representative, diverse, aware sector. (see PA100-101) tradition of of practical requirements and national sovereignty. grassroots concerns, and PA204. The Constitutional independent of Westminster. Commission will be responsible PA110. The above principles all Therefore it for keeping relate to issues of democracy will be formed at the earliest the boundaries and structures and opportunity of elected of local and regional participation in the democratic Councillors government under processes. Important as these representing all levels of review, taking account of the are, it Government in all parts of the views of local authorities and should not be forgotten that UK residents. The aim should be to the primary purpose of countries involved. move towards structures which government and better administration is the provision PA201. The Green Party will reflect the ecology of the land of public services, including recommend to the and the character of local those Constitutional communities, and which institutions which maintain Commission that the enable better democratic public order and national structures laid out here for a decision-making and security. gradual but the effective provision of public complete decentralisation are services. Any significant PA111. Public services must written into the Constitution; proposed always take account of the that the changes to such structures wider social Constitution is based on Green would be subject to a impacts of their actions. All principles (see PA100-111); and referendum of all those involved in public service that residents affected. provision, be they elected it fully guarantees political representatives or public rights as well as wider human Direct Democracy and Political sector rights. Rights employees, should be working (see RR) for the good of the community PA250. A Bill of political rights as a PA202. In order for councils to will be enacted at the earliest whole. They should be be sufficiently legitimate and opportunity to prohibit responsive to the needs, and trustworthy to take on oppressive actions by respectful of the increased responsibility, large- unrepresentative wishes, of their communities. scale Governments and inaccessible In return, their efforts and electoral reform will be bureaucracies. commitment required, and immediate should be valued by the legislation for PA251. There will be a communities they serve. citizen's rights. (see PA250-308, compulsory register of elected RR301) representatives’ and senior Policies officers’ pecuniary and non- PA203. Parliament's role in the pecuniary Constitutional first five years of a Green interests, which will be open to Government will be, first, to public inspection. PA200. A Constitutional devolve functions to more local Commission will be required to bodies; PA252. Legislation will be draft a second, to lift its hold over introduced to provide for written constitution, oversee councils and enable them to referenda to be and arbitrate the process of realise held on any government decentralisation, and take over their potential; and third, to decision at the instance of a the functions of the Boundary work with the Constitutional prescribed Commission and the Electoral Commission to meet demands percentage of that body's Commission. The from local Government to take electorate. Constitutional on Commission will also be responsibility for resources and PA253. When a Bill of Rights has responsible for overseeing the functions which are currently been enacted, a prescribed appointment of dealt percentage of the citizens of First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 27 of 48 any area shall be able to take a PA301. Elected representatives polled, provided that Citizens' Initiative, whereby must be accountable to their proportion was they place a proposition on a electors above a minimum qualifying ballot and provision must be made level of 5% of votes polled. paper for popular vote. Should for the representatives under There would the proposition succeed the certain be a requirement that each result extreme circumstances to be party's list has to be elected by will, subject to the law, be recalled and submitted to re- a system binding on the relevant election. of 'one member one vote' of government body. the party's membership. PA302. The right to vote and PA254. Government at all levels stand in elections will be based PA306. The most appropriate should be accountable to on system for elections to local electors residence rather than Government between elections and nationality. (see also RR706) is by Single Transferable Vote accordingly necessary (STV). This system elects legislative steps will be PA303. The voting age for all multiple taken to provide for a elections, and the age at which members for individual wards prescribed percentage of any people or divisions in a given election, representative's may take seats at any level of which electors to be able to petition Government, would be reduced will either increase for the recall of any elected to 16. ward/division sizes or increase person, the number of and rules will be made for the PA304. The Green Party councillors elected for a given conduct of such recall supports Electoral Reform in all ward/division. Where councils petitions. levels of currently elected a third of Government, with different members at a time, switching PA255. It is accepted that such systems being appropriate for to electing recall provisions as described different the whole council at once could in levels of Government. Of the limit the increase in size. Final PA254 above may cause some various electoral systems decisions on these matters difficulties under a available, we should reflect local proportional would consider the Single circumstances. representation method of Transferrable Vote and electing representatives and Additional Member PA307. All terms for elected accordingly the Systems to be entirely representatives to all levels of Constitutional Commission will acceptable, whilst First-Past- Government shall be fixed in look further at this matter. The-Post or length, except when a seat is Until, Supplementary Vote Systems taken however, proportional are not. following a by-election. Each representation exists for Parliament at Westminster elections to all PA305. The most appropriate should levels of government the Green system for elections to the normally be for a fixed term of Party will campaign for recall Westminster four years, but if the provisions under the current Parliament is the Additional Government “First past the post” system. Member System (AMS). Electors loses a vote of confidence in would vote the House of Commons before Electoral Reform on two ballots: one for the the end of party of their first choice and the fixed term then an earlier PA300. Elections for all levels of the other General Election should be government should be by for their constituency MP. MPs held. systems of would be elected from election that provide for high constituencies PA308. UK political parties will proportionality, few wasted as at present, but each party's be funded by the State. Such votes and representation would be political funding will be good accountability, so that topped up on calculated and administered on the political aspirations and a regional basis by additional a regional views of members to bring its number basis, and funds allocated in each area are represented. of seats proportion to the number of up to its proportion of votes votes cast First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 28 of 48 in the region in the last round legislation on Parishes will be provides for direct member of proportional representation extended to cover all parts of involvement in decision elections held across the entire Britain. Every effort should be making. region. Parties would need to made to ensure that the exceed boundaries of The Scottish Parliament, Welsh a threshold of 5% of the vote to Parishes reflect local peoples' Assembly and Northern Irish become eligible for this wishes; the Constitutional Assembly funding. Commission will arbitrate in disputes. PA400. Provision will be made PA309. The democratic process for reconsideration of the role should be as open and inclusive PA352. Town and Parish of the as is Councils will have the option of Scottish Parliament, Welsh practically possible, and should whether or Assembly and the Northern not seek to put unnecessary not to pay Councillors a salary, Irish Assembly obstacles in place which may depending on the in accordance with the wishes prevent individuals from responsibilities of these people. Scotland, seeking taken by the Council and the Wales and election. To this end, resulting workload of its Northern Ireland will enjoy the candidates' deposits will not be Councillors. degree of autonomy, perhaps required at involving any election, nor will there be a PA353. Adjoining districts may full self-Government or requirement to collect electors' co-operate to any level for the independence, which the signatures in order to validate a joint citizens of each, nomination - the signature of exercise of specific functions, expressing their views through a provided such co-operation referenda, wish them to have. single witness to the does not Citizens nomination being sufficient. impact on the accountability of of regions in England will have decision making. Similarly, a similar right. References Local Government Structure parishes above and may co-operate to act on below to regions will apply to PA350. The current organisation common concerns not Scotland, Wales and Northern of local government, with some applicable to the whole Ireland areas district. We support co- so long as they choose to being covered by Unitary operation between authorities remain in the United Kingdom. Authorities whilst others still across national (For detailed operate two borders, where necessary or policies on Northern Ireland, ties of County and appropriate. see our separate NI policy District/Borough Councils, has section). arisen for a number PA354. The Green Party believes of historical and practical that local authorities run by Regional Government in reasons. The Green Party single England believes that party cabinets, or by directly different areas have different elected mayors, are not in the PA410. Many Government needs in terms of best functions are already organised organisational interests of local democracy. on a regional structure, and that there is no They take decision making basis through the Regional evidence to suggest that the powers away Government Offices (GRO), the current from councils as a whole and Regional arrangements do not work. We place them in the hands of a Development Agencies (RDA), are therefore opposed to any few the Regional Chambers (RCh) centralised individuals, leading to the and numerous imposition of uniform disenfranchisement of those other regional QUANGOs. structures across the whole councillors Public acceptance of these country. who are not in the ruling party agencies, and and the citizens they represent. their subsequent usefulness, PA351. All Councils will be asked We varies from region to region, to complete a review of the would therefore reintroduce depending pattern the committee system across on how closely the regions of Parish councils in their area local correlate to natural and within two years; and the government at all levels, which cultural areas First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 29 of 48 which people identify PA414. In due course, the regions. The central themselves as living within. regional assemblies should be Parliament's Any such region able to powers will be limited to those should be able to decide, via a assume regional tax-raising matters that have been referendum of the citizens powers to replace the delegated living proportion of upwards to it, and which it in within it, to create a directly national taxation being turn has not delegated onwards elected regional assembly as allocated to regional block to the an grant and other European Parliament. additional tier of government. funding. They will also draw down more powers from PA451. Central Government PA411. These regional national and currently revolves around the assemblies would take over the European Government in Prime powers of the accordance with the principle Minister and the Cabinet, with GRO, RDA, the existing Regional of subsidiarity. the role of Parliament greatly Chamber and other existing (see PA100) diminished. The most QUANGOs, important reform needed to and adapt their existing PA415. In line with the Green redress this bureaucracies to serve the new Party's policy of allowing imbalance is the move to Assembly. Citizen's proportional representation. Funding would, in the initial Initiatives (PA253), a proposal This will help stages, come from diverting to abolish a regional assembly to bring an end to the the or a traditional dominance of two existing block grant regional regional government office political parties funding allocated by central could be put before the in Britain. The central Government. electorate of a Parliament (House of region if proposed by a Commons), elected under PA412. The particular form and prescribed percentage of that the AMS system (see PA305), structure of these regional electorate. will be far more representative assemblies of the set up under PA410 will vary PA416. Where regional diversity of opinion within the from region to region according assemblies, the Scottish UK. There will be far less chance to Parliament, or the of regional circumstances. They Welsh or Northern Irish an overall Parliamentary should be elected by a system Assembly have taken decision majority for one party, and, of making powers even without proportional representation. from central government, so further reform, the resulting The appropriate form and that citizens within those areas necessity for coalition structure will are no governments be determined by regional longer subject to central would make governments and constitutional conventions government decisions on Prime Ministers much more drawn from all particular issues, accountable to sectors of society, similar to MPs from those areas should Parliament. the Scottish Constitutional be excluded from voting on Convention. those issues PA452. In the longer-term, the in the House of Commons. Green Party would wish to PA413. The powers of the Such a provision is consistent introduce regional assembly should be with the further reforms to increase the taken from those concept of subsidiarity. representative nature of functions currently carried out central by national and European The Structure of Central government. In order to create Government, Government true cross-party working, and and should not take powers weaken from local authorities, except PA450. In a Green society, the the hold of political ideologies where the UK central government will (see PA102), a different form of local authorities within the have less parliamentary decision-making region agree to pool some of power than it currently has - would be required. Replacing their with many of its functions the powers for strategic purposes. being taken current system with one in over by local authorities or the which parties form coalitions in First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 30 of 48 order to principal decision making body by a no-confidence vote in the gain Parliamentary majorities, of central Parliament at any time. and therefore form a central government. To do so There government, may the central Parliament would would be time limits as to how still result in the elect long any individual could hold disenfranchisement of large committees covering each of any sections of the the major areas of government, particular post, so as to electorate, whilst minority and each diminish the corrosive effect of partners in such coalitions may committee would have its own personal hold convenor elected by political ambition, a major fault disproportionate influence. Parliament, who of the present system. would take the place of the PA452. Over the years the Secretary of State in the current PA457. We believe that such power of the Prime Minister in system arrangements, combined with particular of government. The the has greatly increased. Not only committee, assisted by a introduction of proportional does the Prime Minister department staffed by representation, would bring to exercise the civil servants responsible to the an end remaining elements of the committee as a whole, would the sterile two party jousting of royal prerogative in making be current politics. Proposals vital decisions responsible for day to day would like war and peace and having decisions in its area of need to gain support on their effective control of the armed responsibility. own merit within the forces, Major decisions, and new Parliamentary but his or her powers of legislation, would need to be chamber in order to be patronage - in particular ratified by approved, and the real policy choosing the Parliament as a whole. debates will be open for all to members of the government - hear. give the Prime Minister PA455. A First Minister would In particular, we would expect overwhelming also be elected by the central there to be much more genuine control of both the overall Parliament as a whole, who multi-party cooperation and direction and the minutiae of would be responsible for working in the committees. government. Reflecting the chairing a Under such a system powers of Prime Ministers, committee, the decisions are more likely to general Coordination Committee, of all have the support of the elections have come to the convenors of overwhelming resemble presidential contests, parliamentary majority of the population than with the committees. This body would they are as at present when characters of the leaders of the be responsible for coordinating they are main political parties coming the work forced through by minority under of the different committees, governments. In the longer run more intense scrutiny than and for dealing with matters we would their policies. that affect expect such arrangements to them all, such as the allocation diminish the power of political PA453. We do not believe that of public expenditure. The parties it is either healthy or First as such, with individuals democratic to Minister would act as Head of standing for election feeling concentrate so much power in Government, in particular in freer to the hands of one person. We dealings express their own views and to believe too that power, with other states. The central take an independent line once executive as well as legislative, Parliament would also elect, as elected. is more properly at exercised by a democratically present, an apolitical Speaker, PA458. The House of Lords, as elected body than by a cabinet who would act as Head of State presently constituted, has no appointed by the (see legitimate mandate because it prime minister (see PB443). PA600c). is not elected. It should be abolished PA454. Accordingly, the Green PA456. The First Minister and and replaced by a second Party would want the central any of the convenors could be chamber directly elected by Parliament itself to become the recalled proportional First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 31 of 48 representation. In order to indefinite. thus be provide independence from the We need a system of set by the persons answerable House of government and to the electorate from whom Commons, the electoral administration which best such method should ideally be fulfills funding is to be raised, and for different for each the needs and aspirations of whom such services are to be chamber. With a Parliament citizens and the challenges of provided. There will be no elected by AMS, as above, the the limits set on the revenue a Green Party future, within the limits of the council can favours a second chamber resources society is prepared raise to carry out its mandate. elected by Single Transferrable to Vote in devote to it. A balance always Monarchy and the Church multi-member constituencies. needs to be struck. The Its function would be to majority of PA600. The Green Party believes scrutinise those resources will always be that the hereditary principle legislation devised by the directed towards the provision should central Parliament, and to of have no place in government. propose public services, rather than Therefore the Green Party amendments where it felt towards the maintenance of advocates that: necessary. The final decisions democratic a) No person shall acquire the would, procedures. right to any office of however, rest with the central government Parliament. PA501. As the economy by inheritance. becomes more decentralised, b) An hereditary peerage shall PA459. Members of the second more public confer no right to sit in chamber would be elected to expenditure decisions will be Parliament (see PA455). serve for a made at a local level. To c) The monarchy shall cease period of ten years. In order to facilitate to be an office of government. ensure that the chamber was accountability, and to ensure The able to the gradual reduction in the legislative, executive and make independent and scale of judicial roles of the monarch objective assessments of central spending, an shall cease. proposed legislation, independent commission d) Peers and members of the no member of the second should negotiate a royal family shall have the chamber should be allowed to rational allocation of taxation same civil sit on it for between different levels of rights and fiscal obligations as more than one term of office - Government, as well as any other citizens. therefore meaning that they redistribution of wealth e) A settlement of property don't feel between different held by the current royal family bound to follow the wishes of areas which is considered shall their party leaders to preserve necessary (see EC550-551). be made, to divide it between their that required for the private life careers. Accountability to the PA502. Discussion will be held of electorate would be maintained with other countries within the current members of the family by the European Community to and that to be public property. option of recall (see PA254). In encourage concurrent order to maintain some devolution of those PA601. There shall be a continuity, functions and powers over complete separation of church elections would be held every finance, more appropriately and state. five years - with half the held at the Society shall not interfere with chamber regional level. (see EU227, 228) the individual's freedom of being selected at each election. belief, PA503. Within a list agreed by but it may by law regulate Finance the Constitutional conduct arising out of that Commission, belief. In a PA500. In setting up or councils will have discretion multicultural society, a extending democratic over which (if any) revenue privileged position for the practices, it is raising Church of important to recognise that the powers they wish to use (see England is inappropriate. finance available is not EC550). Levels of taxation will First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 32 of 48 PA602. The Church of England Commission for shall be disestablished. It shall Citizen's Rights, which will be PA850. The Green Party believes become empowered to receive that there must be a balance self-governing, and the complaints of between government shall cease to have maladministration in any the need of government on any powers and public body, to investigate behalf of the community to responsibilities peculiar to that them and to obtain and hold church. No person shall hold recommend redress. The information to identify office Commission shall be individual citizens and the civil in the state, or be excluded empowered to accept rights of from any such office, by virtue complaints from any citizen or individuals, particularly that of of their group of citizens. Where a privacy. The individual's civil or their spouse's membership complaint rights should prevail, unless or non-membership of any raises a significant question of waived by specific agreement religion or law, the Commission shall be or denomination of religion. empowered to provide all overridden by a specific public assistance necessary to enable interest stipulated by law as The Civil Service the overriding privacy. Information complainant(s) to pursue the on individual identity so PA700. The functions of civil case at law. obtained servants working within a should be held confidential, ministry will PA801. The function of the unless that confidentiality is be to support the Parliamentary Ombudsman will be elevated waived by sub-committee in its capacity and enlarged so specific agreement or as a that it will comprise a major overridden by a specific public coordinator of the national part of Governmental practice. interest affairs which fall within the The stipulated by law as overriding scope of powers of the Ombudsman and confidentiality. the ministry, and enact the Commission for Local decisions made by Parliament Administration PA851. Such information must as directed by will be strengthened as follows: be obtained and held only by its sub-committees. i) The Ombudsman will be government given power to investigate servants subject to appropriate PA701. Senior complaints which regulations on privacy and Council/Government affect all or most of the citizens confidentiality; the task must employees in a limited category of a local Government area; not be given to commercial of ii) The Commission will be organisations. In accordance jobs shall not have the right to given power in appropriate with the Green Party's policy on stand as candidates for the cases to fund, a institutions in which they or underwrite the costs of, legal `Freedom of Information Act' work. In all other respects they test cases involving matters of (RR401), information acquired should importance concerning the by enjoy full political rights. There actions of local Government. government agencies and other will be a limited range of organisations for specified restrictions on the political and PA802. Democratic purposes business activities of certain participation requires the must not be given to other types of civil servants, availability of such organisations or used for members of the armed forces, independent information on other the police which people can form an purposes. service and people employed in opinion. The certain public or private Green Party would therefore PA852. The need for the state institutions. introduce an independent body and other organisations to to audit obtain Provision of Watch-dog national statistics, to avoid information on individuals for Facilities their manipulation by specific purposes must not government entitle PA800. The remit of the various departments. them to access unrelated commissioners for public information at other times for administration will be Identity, Privacy and Freedom any other strengthened. There will be a of Information purpose. This would undermine First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 33 of 48 the civil liberties of individuals. the latter grants given to organisations - It contention and require access as distinct from individuals would enable those in charge if that contention is not where of government and other sustained. genuine personal privacy may organisations to The use of other bodies apply; obtain and use the information effectively acting in the iii) Steps will be taken to to attack the legitimate rights capacity of curtail decision-making in and government will not be allowed secret activities of those opposed to to prevent access to party group meetings as this them. information and practice makes the subsequent meetings held by them in that meetings PA853. Information obtained capacity. Exemptions to protect of the council or its and held by the state or other the committees or sub-committees organisations must not be used privacy of individual citizens meaningless as the to subvert and attack the will not necessarily apply to decisions ostensibly taken in legitimate corporate bodies. Commercial public will in practice have rights and activities of those confidentiality should not be been made opposed to them. accepted beforehand. We would also as a valid reason for wish to end the practice in PA854. The Green Party opposes withholding information that which all the introduction of a general would have been in members of a party are identity the public domain had the required to follow a whip card, whether on a compulsory relevant public service imposed in secret, basis or on a "voluntary" basis monopoly not been with penalties if they fail to do tantamount to compulsion, privatised. so. and would seek to abolish such identity PA857. The circumstances in cards if introduced. which access to council Greening Local Government meetings and PA855. "Identity" in this context documents and files may be The Current Situation means a name by which a withheld from the public shall person may be clearly PA900. Local government exists be known, and where necessary defined. In particular the Local in a permanent state of crisis, an address through which they Government (Access to with can be Information) neither the resources nor the contacted. For the purposes of Act 1985 will be tightened up in sovereignty to implement the Electoral Roll, a location for a number of ways, for example: effective the i) The creation by local Green policies. purposes of qualification may authorities of 'working be required. parties', PA901. Even within the current 'panels' or other such bodies, restraints, there are many PA856. The Green Party believes which are not covered by the things the that citizens should be entitled Act, will Green Party will do to promote to be ended. All such bodies will the decentralisation of power access to information held by be defined as committees or in our their governments and to sub- society and build a sense of real meetings of committees, to ensure that the community within the areas in their government. These shall Act applies to them; which be open except where ii) The use of valid we live. specifically exemptions to public access to restricted. Restrictions shall be documents The Work of Elected Green limited to those necessary to pursuant to the 1985 Act, to Councillors protect the privacy of restrict public access to individual citizens and to those matters not PA910. One solution is to go which intended to be covered by outside the conventions of government can show are those exemptions, will be political required to prevent real harm ended; for office to mobilise the resources to the public instance the practice of of the community. A priority interest. Provision shall be excluding the public from for made for a commission to test decisions about Green Party councillors is First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 34 of 48 therefore to act as people who law, alternative indicators of well- can co- to accept the results of such being or quality-of-life as a ordinate initiatives coming referenda and initiatives as basis from below, tapping and binding. for the council's service encouraging the In such cases the prescribed provision and for public ideas and potential that are number of signatures required information. latent everywhere. (see EC512, on a 620s) citizen petition for either a PA918. To make councils more referendum or an initiative responsive and effective, it will PA911. Parish and Community shall be be Councils can be set up where 20% of the electorate. necessary to encourage cross- they do not party co-operation, and weaken already exist, encouraged to PA914. Individual Councillors the hold take more responsibilities and can make themselves available of dogmatic ideologies and empowered by the District for factions. The Green Party will Council to take decisions and recall when petitioned to do so not operate action. (see PA254). The Green Party a system of whipping Similarly, there is the potential recommends that all of its councillors into line, and Green for the establishment of town/ prospective councillors at Councillors community meetings, future will call upon other parties to empowered where appropriate elections should voluntarily do the same. (see PA857iii) to take decisions. subject themselves to recall. Where the PA912. Access to the Councils' prescribed percentage of 40% records and information should of any councillor's electors be made petition Proposed by Policy Committee more open. Also, the creation for recall the party will (a) (Brian Heatley, Jonathan Dixon, of special community forums either organise a recall ballot of George Graham, Alan Francis). to oversee all the councillors' electors, the work of particular (which will be supervised by departments and committees independent persons of known may increase integrity), and then encourage involvement. Where elected, the councillors to comply with therefore, Green Councillors the result of any such ballot, or E61 Culture Media will try to (b) urge its councillors to and Sport Draft persuade their local authorities resign and fight a by-election. to write such provisions into Voting Paper their PA915. Regular public meetings own standing orders, for neighbourhood and Synopsis: This Draft Voting particularly as regards PA857(i) community Paper is not for formal debate and (ii), thus councils and open agenda committing the local authority sections for all meetings give at this Conference, but will be to implement them people a discussed in workshops. immediately. chance to make their voices Members are invited to submit heard. proposed amendments in time PA913. The council can facilitate for the Second Agenda so that and make itself accountable to PA916. Retraining of people referenda and citizen's within local authority the workshop can consider initiatives. Where elected, professions with them. A final Voting Paper will Green councillors the help of trade unions and be submitted to a future will urge their local authorities use of alternative technology conference. This draft is the to themselves, in advance of will help culmination of over two years any increase environmental changes in the law, set up the sensitivity, resource efficiency, work both during and outside machinery for citizen referenda and the self- conferences in that period, and and reliance of the community. has included external citizen initiative as described in consultation with the PA252 and PA253 above; to PA917. Councils can carry out Campaign for Press and publicise this, to implement community audits and draw this and, subject to the existing up Broadcasting Freedom among First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 35 of 48 others. It is vital for a party that c) Professional Sport performer or producer, d) International Sport is serious to have things to say or through reception about professional and as audience or amateur sport, about Organisation of CMS section spectator. Both forms broadcasting regulation, and This section outlines a general of engagement with about the role of art and policy framework in the the particular activity culture, in modern society. This sections numbered CMSxxx and are important; the draft hopes to provide the basis then has separate specific major social value of from which a future paper will sections addressing Culture CMS activities is the be able to fill some of those (CMS/Cxxx), Media (CMS/Mxxx) dialogue between existing policy gaps. This and Sport (CMS/Sxxx) participant and further helps to identify green observer which principles which go beyond the GENERAL enriches life. environment and have Background CMS104. The rise of new relevance to the increasing CMS101. The Culture media (mobile phones, place in society of sporting Media & Sport (CMS) internet, and endeavour, of the increasingly section of MfSS brings independent music) at influential role of the media, st together three the beginning of 21 and the relationship between important elements century can be seen as artists and the rest of society. through which social a public expression of a Motion: identity and a sense of need for better access and improved Delete the existing Arts Chapter community can be participation. Similarly of the MfSS and replace with fostered in larger social the continuing the following: groupings than those which can be sustained existence of grass Culture, Media and Sport by personal roots activity in sport Policy relationships (e.g. the and culture, despite village or the large scale GENERAL neighbourhood). withdrawal of public Background...... CMS101 sector support, shows CMS102. Cultural Principles ...... CMS201 the continuing need CULTURE, CREATIVITY & THE activities, sporting and value of these ARTS activities and Background ...... CMS/C101 activities to citizens. Principles ...... C201 communications Objectives ...... C301 media enable larger CMS105. The role of the Short to mid term Policies...... C401 communities and a Green Party in power Long term policies ...... C501 whole society to will be to rebalance, MEDIA...... CMS/Mxxx Background ...... M101 achieve a sense of support and promote Principles ...... M201 common identity and equality of access and Objectives ...... M301 belonging, which then participation widely Policies ...... M401-901 across society in the a) General promotes good b) Public Service Broadcasting relations between fields of culture, media c) Commercial Broadcasting citizens at a personal and sport. d) Press and print mass media e) New Media level. f) Advertising CMS103. In all areas of SPORT ...... CMS/Sxxx Principles Background ...... S101 CMS there are two Principles ...... S201 ways in which people CMS201. The central Policy ...... S301-S601 can engage with the Green principle in a) Sport in School Culture Media and b) Amateur Sport activity – through participation as Sport (CMS) shall be First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 36 of 48 that of "participation, for local theatre conventional jobs) diminish we not passive infrastructure) predict an increased role for consumption". artists and craftspeople. CMS202. Green policies CMS/C103. What we can be Policies should seek to certain of is that the status quo democratise access to Specific policy frameworks for in this first decade of the 21st culture, media and each of the three sections are century is one that requires sporting activities, outlined below. All policy change. The arts and culture in ensuring that proposals are aiming to the UK is structured and individuals are not reinforce the core principles of funded in a particular way that excluded by reason of accessibility, localisation, means that the ‘bigger’ players social, economic, or participation, and fair have dominance over geographical factors. management of limited smaller/community resources. organisations and individual CMS203. In line with artists. A healthy and vibrant Green principles of Green elected members of society does not see a localisation, support government authorities will necessary competition between should be given to seek to promote the widest creativity and purely financial ensure that there are participation by means of business concerns. Indeed adequate resources grants and other appropriate much commercial available to allow initiatives and mechanisms entertainment marries the two activities to flourish at that will encourage and reward effectively. This need to happen a local level of participation in CMS activities on the small as well as the large participation. Where by as wide a selection of scale. the private sector is interested people as possible. unable to provide For Cultural polices see Principles accessible local media, paragraphs CMS/C101 onwards CMS/C201. We value artistic local sporting activity, expression for its openness, or local cultural For Media policies see imagination, and importance in support then it is the paragraphs CMS/M101 onwards education. We do not value role of government to For Sporting policies see artistic expression primarily for ensure that adequate paragraphs CMS/S101 onwards its role in the economy. We provision is available respect individual and group to meet the needs of creativity in all its diversity and the community. CULTURE, CREATIVITY & THE value freedom of expression. A ARTS CMS204. Where an list of examples of the type of activity makes use of Background activity to which this limited resources (for CMS/C101. As statement relates would example media recognised above, there are include painting, sculpture, bandwidth, land for links between the economy and drama, music, dance, sporting activity, cultural matters. The party photography, film, writing, venues for cultural recognises that the ‘creative’ crafts and design, and other activities) then it is the industries sector is growing types of creative activity not role of government to significantly in the UK. We specifically mentioned here. reserve a proportion of recognise that this has CMS/C202. Financial the resource for consequences, good and bad support does not entail a right ‘public’ access (e.g. for how we live. to intervene in other people’s BBC channels, public self-expression. Arts policy- playing fields, support CMS/C102. For example, as certain resources (oil/ making, where it is needed,

First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 37 of 48 should be organisational in CMS/C403. To require the these areas are ownership of nature and empowering in representation of local arts the means of content character. associations, where they exist, production and distribution, rather than local government, particularly where this allows CMS/C203. Artistic activity on regional arts boards. gatekeepers to control access has an important role to play in to the medium the sustenance of a society’s CMS/C404. To ensure levels culture. We believe that the UK of financial support for CMS/M103. A second produces some of the finest buildings housing cultural concern is that some media professional theatre, film and collections are such as to make use of a limited resource music in the world. As render admission charges (e.g. electromagnetic spectrum, importantly we think it unnecessary. print distribution channels, important that home grown internet bandwidth) and where CMS/C405. To zero-rate live entertainment industries are this is the case a proportion of performance for VAT purposes. recognised for the value they the resource needs to be add to society. If we want to maintained for public access. maintain cultural diversity in Long term policies CMS/M104. A third concern the 21st century these is that, particularly in the case industries, at national and local CMS/C501. To shift of the traditional one-to-many level, on large and small scale, responsibility for arts funding, media (press and broadcast), need to be encouraged in the where appropriate, from there needs to be systems to face of the homogenising regional to local levels. ensure a degree of local access influence of a dominating CMS/C502. To develop more and content. artistic culture produced autonomous and less mainly in the USA, particularly dependent forms of financial with regard to film and music. support for the arts. Principles MEDIA CMS/M201. The Green party believes that public service Objectives Background broadcasting is a vital part of CMS/C301. To enable people CMS/M101. The media Britain’s democracy. An to participate by extending section covers three major informed democracy is a opportunities to enjoy the arts. areas: healthy democracy. This applies equally at national and local CMS/C302. To develop more a. Broadcast levels. relevant structures of support media; primarily television for the arts and radio CMS/M202. The world of mass media and digital b. Print media; communications is one of primarily newspapers, Short to mid term Policies constant technological change magazines and journals. and innovation. There is no CMS/C401. To review Book publishing is dealt reason that such changes existing government legislation with in the Culture section. as it affects the arts and create cannot be utilised to facilitate where necessary specific, more c. New media; greater public welfare and appropriate and less includes telephony (mobile democracy. and fixed), internet, new burdensome legislation. CMS/M203. The Green party wireless media. Music believes that national or CMS/C402. To encourage production and international commercial the growth of local arts distribution is dealt with market mechanisms are not associations made up of under the Culture section. practising artists the best way to regulate mass CMS/M102. A major concern communications. for a policy framework in all First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 38 of 48 CMS/M204. We believe, as education are given equal channels in non-peak slots, as across all our policy, in precedence to entertainment well as through the production democratising and localising through more than just of high quality original where possible, and in the use quantity of output through programming of effective and accountable ghettoised channels. CMS/M306. The operation of regulatory structures. CMS/M304. Part of the role public service media should be CMS/M205. A key principle of public service broadcasting entirely divorced from of green party policy regarding is to facilitate a common space interference by the government the media generally is the large of understanding the output. of the day both in terms of influence it has on our Within the public service space editorial content and in terms democracy and our citizens. As therefore, commissioning work of economic support. we don’t believe in private to be put into specialised Government’s role should be control of education, the same channels or specialised time confined to defining and applies to public information slots to cater for different reviewing a public service remit supplied by the media. audiences would be for channels with a public discouraged. Atomised service obligation. broadcasting contributes to an CMS/M307. Across all the Objectives atomised society, niche broadcasting press and media commercial channels can be CMS/M301. We believe that we would seek to ensure that allowed to thrive but publicly there is a proper democratic local channels were locally supported channels should case for limiting cross media owned and accountable. The seek to address the whole ownership by trans-national concentration of regional press society. For example pushing companies. We would have and radio ownership in national informative programmes like tighter rules on cross-media organisations acts to reduce Newsnight (2006) and Question ownership. We are not diversity of output reflecting Time (2006) to the margins of convinced that arguments regional and local differences. late night programming around globalisation and The loss of locally owned reduces the choice of type of competition are any television stations with the programme available to the justification for loosening aggregation of ITV and Cable TV peak time audience. restrictions, indeed restrictions ownership is wholly to be Programmes that may not be are far too loose, with certain deplored. individuals and companies deemed to initially be of CMS/M308. New media having far too much influence, interest to a diverse audience ownership and access needs to which undermines the may be of interest if shown to be carefully monitored to operation of healthy informed such an audience at a certain ensure that ‘digital divides’ or democracy, not just in the UK, time. ghettoisation of sections of the but across the EU and beyond. CMS/M305. As noted in community does not occur. M303 above a public service CMS/M302. We would seek Just as society has historically obligation includes the notion to encourage wider, localised, provided a universal postal and of entertainment as an equal participation, and discourage telephone service to every part of the mix. A public service any further concentration of address in the country without channel should be helping media ownership. The use of geographic penalty, so we ensure that top quality local participation links in with should seek to ensure universal entertainment is available at our economic strategy of access to digital television and times and places where it may strong local economies. radio channels, broadband not be commercially viable. For communications, and mobile CMS/M303. For us, having example through facilitating telephone use. public service broadcasting the early repeat of peak time means that information and entertainment from other Policies

First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 39 of 48 a) General media) then the government appropriate bodies, including has an obligation to ensure trade unions and NGOs, as well CMS/M401. We strongly universal access before the old as elections. All senior support greater media medium is discontinued. In the appointments, such as DG of unionisation across all mass case of the switch to DTT then the BBC, or Chair of ITC, should media. Trade unions in the the government must ensure be made by regulatory bodies, mass media can help that all households with an and where appropriate, democratisation of access to analogue television licence are scrutinised by the relevant media by giving employee equipped with digital reception Select Committee in the House stakeholders a voice in the capability. of Commons.” output of media channels. This helps balance the potential of CMS/M405. Regulation CMS/M504. The BBC should the media owner(s) to control s across media/print be organised primarily as a outputs that may not be in the investigations: We are opposed public service and thus not best interest of wider society. to attempts to use privacy laws have to behave as if it operated The green party will support the to damage proper investigative in a commercial market. This is presence and voice of unions in journalism. Then value of such not to discourage innovation or the media, with a view to be journalism outweighs any indeed seeking to compete in there being a formal role for restraining of tabloid excesses certain markets against union representation on over the lives of modern day commercial companies, but governing boards of large celebrities. A free press & that it is recognised that the broadcasting institutions in the media and free speech are value and success of the BBC is UK. fundamental to our society and not solely measured in should not be constrained by commercial terms. Following CMS/M402. Regulation: The spurious definitions of the from this the funding of the green party’s basic public interest. BBC cannot be viewed solely assumptions and principles through an economic prism, around regulation would be b) Public Service Broadcasting but through notions of public greater than the present (2006) CMS/M501. The primary utility. arrangement with OFCOM. We public service broadcaster will do not consider last resort CMS/M505. The green party remain the BBC funded wholly regulation based believes in maintaining the by public money from a tax predominantly on market licence fee, as long as the BBC (e.g. licence fee or access levy) failure to be sufficient for any is pursuing clearly stated on other media ring-fenced communication medium. commitments to non-ratings (hypothecated) for public led programming and CMS/M403. In television and service broadcast use. continuing to fulfil a public radio an important component CMS/M502. Other service remit defined by the of a public service obligation is organisations may also be government through the the production and promotion given public service funding regulator which would include of non ratings-led from the same source to fulfil significant local production and programming. specific remits where the BBC is distribution of content CMS/M404. Where an unable or unwilling to provide reflecting local communities. existing public service medium service. CMS/M506. In the long term, is being supplanted by a new CMS/M503. Along with the we would explore new methods alternative (as for example in Campaign for Press and of funding BBC, for example the switch from analogue to Broadcasting freedom we want through a ring fenced digital terrestrial (DTT) to “establish the principle of progressive income tax, or broadcasting, or the possible appointing regulatory bodies through a levy on other movement of some public by democratic means, either organisations given access to service programming to new through nomination from broadcast bandwidth (i.e.

First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 40 of 48 independent commercial programmes that reflect the CMS/M701. Ownership and terrestrial and satellite diversity of perspectives in that control of national and local broadcasters) area. They should be run print newspapers and journals democratically and is a proper matter for accountable to regional public regulation by OFCOM. c) Commercial Broadcasting broadcasting councils, that CMS/M702. At present we do would be independent of CMS/M601. There needs to not see the need for a public government, with statutory be recognition of the need to service print publisher in an responsibilities and authority. promote and protect the needs analogous position to the BBC, of audiences. Therefore we CMS/M605. Removal of but this shall be kept under believe that there is a need for financial and other review as the newspaper stronger accountable bureaucratic barriers to small market evolves. regulation across all sectors of geographically based channels CMS/M703. Concentration of mass communication. The that wish to show the results of ownership of the distribution experience in other Anglophone free opportunities given to channels for print media acts countries where there has been local people to make as a barrier to new and unusual deregulation has been an programmes and communicate entrants. There may be a case undermining of the quality and with their fellow citizens will be for intervention by the balance of public information part of the public service regulator to ensure a vibrant (Campaign for Press and obligation on organisations print culture develops. Broadcasting Freedom 2005) receiving public funding. CMS/M704. Measures are CMS/M602. Any such CMS/M606. We would not needed to ensure that regulatory framework needs to agree to a Channel 4/5 merger. community, city and regional be wholly accountable to sub We wish to keep Channel 4 as a titles remain owned and edited national levels and based on public corporation with a within the area that they serve the assumption that regulators significant public service represent public interests. This obligation as an alternative to e) New Media would need a system of the BBC. In general we will CMS/M801. Democratisati democratic election to amend the regulations so that on of media/TV: the Green regulatory positions. there is a presumption against recognises and welcomes CMS/M603. We would also aggregation of ownership developments in broadband TV want to restore some public within of across media. channels that allow service obligations to the CMS/M607. We are opposed participation for free. The green commercial broadcasters, to 'contesting' funds for Public party believes that government including terrestrial TV, service programmes ((i.e. at all levels should encourage commercial radio, and the opening up a fund for such democratisation of TV, Internet. In particular we wish programmes which all and such wider participation to see the reintroduction and Broadcasters can bid for). This CMS/M802. The Green protection of locally owned and will undermine BBC's and C4’s Party believes that the run television and radio public service platform. Only development of computer channels, possibly through where existing public service communications has reached more stringent controls on the broadcasters are unable or the point where BT should have licences issued to broadcasters. unwilling to meet an identified an obligation to provide CMS/M604. We would public service need would infrastructure capable of establish community media funding be opened to delivering at least 1Mbps centres, at a sub-regional level, alternative channels. down/128kbps up to every where residents of that area d) Press and print mass media household at the same base can be trained and produce cost as the existing copper

First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 41 of 48 telephone line. Funding for ii) Exercise rigorous controls CMS/S203. In line with the these marginal ‘uneconomic’ over advertising of child related principles above, the green lines may come from a small products to ensure they are party believes that there is no levy on every access line. factual, informative, and not place in sport at any level for Alternative (e.g. manipulative. racism or any similar wireless/satellite) access discrimination. Programmes to methods may be offered to combat such discrimination remote subscribers, but the SPORT should be introduced wherever principle of universal access at Background necessary, with a particular the same base price to the focus on young people. household should prevail as CMS/S101. Sport has a CMS/S204. The Green Party with post and telephone huge role to play in the culture further recognises that sport is services. and health of any society. We believe there to currently be an one of the main remaining f) Advertising imbalance between areas of gender discrimination. Women face many barriers CMS/M901. It seems participation and consumption (social, cultural, official) to full common sense that advertising of sport purely through participation in many sports. has great impact on the world spectating. This is an equally unacceptable in which we live. It seems CMS/S102. There has been a discrimination. common sense that the green growth in sport as a spectator perspective would be that in based entertainment and a Policy the present context of diminishment of sport as a a) Sport in School deregulated commercial means to improve physical CMS/S301. Participation in freedom and increased health and co-operative ?is physical activities such as sport consumption by citizens, anything specific needed here advertising is in need of some is an important part of restraint. Whilst we must children_s development. recognition the freedom of Principles Because many sports require individuals to make informed special facilities, equipment, or CMS/S201. Sport can have a choices for themselves, society the participation of large very positive influence on the has a responsibility to its teams, they can be things society we live in. Participation children. The public will surely which children or parents will in sport improves physical never find it credible that an be unable to properly organise fitness, and sport can help industry that spends huge for themselves. Schools provide a sense of community sums each year advertising to therefore have an important and can help break down children on television does so role in first introducing barriers between communities with no actual (or intended) children to a wide range of through engaging in friendly effect on children’s sporting activities. competition. consumption. Indeed modern CMS/S302. Sport in school society is highly influenced by a CMS/S202. The Green policy should not be treated in the culture of consumption. This on sport is primarily focussed same way as other lessons. culture is partly engendered in on nurturing these positive Because it can involve setting children and young people grass-roots influences. The up equipment, and getting to through advertising. A green achievement of excellence in and from playing locations, all government would: sport at a national level can of which take time, sports are result from such a focus, but i) End all advertising likely to suffer if they are the achievement of that specifically aimed at a child timetabled into a school day excellence should not be the audience. This to be defined by just like any other lesson. primary focus in itself. product, content, and timing. Instead, they should be given

First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 42 of 48 sufficient time to make them should seek to provide CMS/S502. Although meaningful. assistance to such clubs professional sport is obviously, whenever practical. This should for those involved, a business, CMS/S303. Schools should include the use of school fields it should be seen as more than therefore be aiming to provide by clubs for matches, where that. Professional sporting a full, unbroken afternoon per such clubs are unable to teams represent communities, week of sport for every child. maintain their own grounds. either local or national, when in All sports should be open to all competition with others. children. CMS/S403. Access to Whilst global economics is sporting facilities should not be CMS/S304. Schools should eroding some of the restricted by gender (except in seek to form ties with local connections between teams cases where a disadvantaged sporting clubs (either amateur and the communities they are group may be allowed special or professional) in order to supposed to represent, it is access to encourage or enable share facilities, gain coaching important to prevent access), ethnicity, or other assistance, and provide pupils competition from becoming social identification. As with an easier route to taking meaningless by allowing these historically many groups have up these sports outside school. connections to disappear. been denied, by official rule or CMS/S305. School playing social custom, local authorities CMS/S503. The Green Party fields should be protected from should ensure that would prefer professional development. new/growing activities and sporting clubs to be mutually - groups should be allowed owned by the members rather access to all facilities. than by shareholders. For those b) Amateur Sport clubs which are currently Public CMS/S404. Organisations Limited Companies, whose CMS/S401. Participation in administering sport should be shares are traded amateur sport fosters good required to take all practical internationally, the risk is community relations and helps measures to ensure always that distant maintain people_s physical competitors and sp spectators shareholders, with no regard fitness. The aim of sports are not subject to any form of for the community the club is education in school should be racist, sexist, homophobic, or supposed to represent, will to encourage as many people other discriminatory treatment take over the club and severe as possible to continue or abuse. participating in sport after they all meaningful links with the leave school. As the vast c) Professional Sport local community. In some majority of this participation CMS/S501. A strong school instances, clubs have even will be at an amateur level, it is and amateur sports culture been moved to other towns important to ensure that should, in turn, strengthen and cities - making a mockery sufficient facilities exist to professional sport by both of any supposed local allow the participation of all encouraging those who wish to connection implied in the those who want it. pursue sport as a career and club’s name. CMS/S402. Local councils increasing the potential CMS/S504. Where clubs are should ensure that facilities audience. This career should be already set up as PLC’s, the such as sports centres, available to any with the desire Green Party would like to see swimming pools and sports and ability to pursue. There has supporters trusts set up with fields are sufficient to meet been gender, race, and the aim of achieving enough of necessary demand. The sexuality based exclusion from a shareholding to prevent the importance of the existence of some sports in history and this club being taken over by local amateur sporting teams discrimination should be outside financial interests. brought to an end. should be recognised by CMS/S505. Those government at all levels, who professional sporting clubs

First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 43 of 48 which have shareholders really possible, representative Wherever practical, the venue should also have a connection sporting events may not be for international sporting to the local authorities in which appropriate. The Government fixtures should be rotated they operate. Partial ownership should take a role in around various suitable stadia of the club_s shares should be instructing teams supposedly throughout the country, and held by the local authority, representing the nation not to should avoid being excessively which will therefore have a say take part in such competitions, focussed in London. on significant matters and in the case of wider CMS/S605. When bidding to regarding the club. Under international competitions host major international normal circumstances, this (such as World Cups and the sporting competitions, such as local authority ownership Olympics) should seek to World Cups or the Olympics, should not exceed 10% of the negotiate with the organisers wherever possible existing share capital of the club and to see if alternative facilities should be proposed. the authorities should not have arrangements are possible. The No new facilities should be to pay for their share. Any Government should not try to proposed unless their existence dividends paid to the authority avoid taking action by treating will also prove to be useful to must be reinvested into public the sport as if it was a private the wider local community in sporting facilities or coaching business venture. the years to follow the games. programmes in the area. CMS/S603. When looking CMS/S606. The use of CMS/S506. We believe in at the above, consideration specific cities to host the ‘safestanding’ for football should be given to those Olympics, rather than whole stadia. This means that fans aspects of normal sporting countries (or groups of who wish to stand will be contact which may not be countries) as happens in World allocated their own space and possible in the host country. Cups, can create problems for fans who wish to be in a seated These would include an host communities - with only area will also be allocated expectation that fans of the excessive strain on local their own space. There are national team would be able to facilities and the transport examples of good practice in travel to games without infrastructure, and the need to countries like Germany and we significant hindrance by the build new stadia in order to believe it is high time the UK host government, and that UK ensure that all events can be committed to this practice media would not be prevented held within the same locality. here. from reporting honestly from the country on both sporting CMS/S607. The UK should and other matters. If host use its influence with the world d) International Sport government actions meant sporting community to encourage the placing of CMS/S601. Whilst that such freedoms for UK games across wider geographic professional sport is a business, citizens and journalists could areas to prevent excessive as noted above, its role in not be reasonably guaranteed, negative disruption to the lives representing a community in a there should be a presumption and economies of host spirit of friendship and mutual against a visit by a communities. respect with other representative national team. communities should never be CMS/S608. The televising of overlooked. This is especially so major national and CMS/S604. Strategic in the case of international international sporting events national planning should seek sport. has a significant influence in to ensure that major national inspiring young people to take CMS/S602. Therefore, in sporting arenas are not all sited up sports. It is therefore cases where a normal friendly in one part of the country and important to ensure that such and respectful relationship that all can be easily accessed events remain available on with other countries is not by good public transport links.

First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 44 of 48 free-to-air nationwide TV. The involving representative George Graham, Alan Francis Government should resist national teams, made available and 2 others). proposals to remove events on free-to-air TV if possible. from the list of those protected in such a way. It should negotiate to get highlights of major events which are no Proposed by Policy Committee (Brian Heatley, Matt Follett, longer protected in this way, and events staged overseas

Contact details for the motions in this agenda

Jonathan Dixon, 69 Wykeham Street, Scarborough, N. Yorks, YO12 7SA. 01723 501613 [email protected]

Alan Francis, 6 Spencer St, New Bradwell, Milton Keynes, MK13 0DW 01908 316921 [email protected]

Rhodri Griffiths, 15 Gowerton Road, Three Crosses, Swansea, SA4 3PX 01792 874190 [email protected]

Brian Heatley, Lorton Barn, Lorton Lane, Weymouth, Dorset DT3 5QH 01305 816514 [email protected]

Joseph Healey 98a Grosvenor Terrace, Camberwell, London SE5 0NW 0207 708 1936 [email protected]

Janet Alty 18 Lillington Road Leamington Spa CV32 5YY 01926 427773 [email protected]

Rachel Fryer 07974 809525 [email protected]

Roger Creagh-Osborne Colloggett Cottage, Landulph, Saltash, Cornwall, PL12 6ND 07736 741268 [email protected]

Tony Cooper 07761 151 328 [email protected]

Jon Hooper 3 Elizabeth CourtWell Street Torrington Devon EX38 8EP 01805 622544 [email protected]

Marc Schiemann 01582 485 868 [email protected]

First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 45 of 48 Young Greens Francesca Richards (Co-ordinator), Green Party office, 1a Waterlow Road, London N19 5NJ 0207 561 8798 [email protected]

Matt Wootton (SOC convenor) 33 Ashfield Ave, Lancaster LA1 5EB 07866 704 601 [email protected]

Leila Kirsch 07817 837 314 [email protected]

Matt Follett 153 Howard Road Leicester LE2 1XQ 0774 3451089 [email protected]

Sue Bradley 4 Broadway, Widcombe, Bath BA2 4JA 01225 428929 [email protected]

Peter Cranie, Flat E, 76 Canning St, Liverpool, L8 7NR 07875492072 [email protected]

Jim Killock, Green Party office, 1a Waterlow Road, London N19 5NJ 07980 268 009 [email protected]

Matt Sellwood, Flat 10, Bookbinders Court, St Thomas Street, Oxford, OX1 1HQ. [email protected]

Geoff Collard [email protected]

Vivien Pomfrey [email protected]

Keith Ross Swansea and Llanelli Green Party; Membership No. 94358 [email protected]

Tony Young Swansea and Llanelli Green Party; Membership No. 86500 c/o Paula Montez [email protected]

First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 46 of 48 Prioritisation Ballot

This is for you to fill in. The ballot will be used to guide SOC in determining the order of motions in Sections C and D in the Final Agenda. You have ten votes to allocate between the motions in each section (i.e. 10 in section C and 10 in section D); do not give more than 3 votes to any one motion.

C20 C25 C21 C22 C23 C24

C26 C27 C28 C29 C30 C31

C32 C33 C34 C35 C36

D40 D41 D42 D43 D44 D45

D46 D47 D48 D49 D50 D51

Please complete the following:

Name:

Signature:

Local Party:

This form may be copied, and any member may vote once.

If you have already registered an email signature with SOC, you can send your prioritisation ballot by email to [email protected]. If you do this, please ensure that it is clear which motions are being prioritised.

Return to: Matt Wootton, SOC, 33 Ashfield Avenue, Lancaster LA1 5EB

First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 47 of 48 Green Party Conference Proxy Form Spring 2007- bring this to the front desk at Conference

This form has been created and approved by SOC in response to worries about the accountability of the Proxy Vote process. Although not fail-proof, it creates a better standard of accountability and an informal contract between the person giving a proxy and the person carrying it.

Name of proxy donor (Caps) …………………………………………………………………

Address……………………………………………………….……………………………………………………

Phone…………………………………………………………

Email………………………………………………………….

I give this proxy vote on the understanding that I shall not be attending the forthcoming conference myself. I recognise that no policing of the use of my proxy will occur and I trust my proxy holder to exercise this vote in line with the wishes I have expressed to them. I would like this vote to be exercised in relation to any card votes (procedural, suspension of S.O.s, amendment or substantive) under the following sections or motions (tick or complete one of either 1 or 2 or 3):

1. All conference business Y/N

2. All conference business under the following sections only: Reports (incl SOC) Y/N Section A motions Y/N Section B motions Y/N Section C motions Y/N Section D motions Y/N Emergency motions Y/N Other Y/N

3. Specific motions only (named below)

Proxy donor’s signature…………………..………………………. Date…………………..

------

Name of proxy holder (Caps) ………………………………………………………………………………

Address………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Phone…………………………………………………………

Email…………………………………………………………

I undertake to the proxy donor to exercise this proxy vote in line with their wishes-

Signature……………………………………..…………………… Date…………………………… Bring this form to the front desk at Conference This proxy form gives the proxy holder an extra card vote to be exercised at the forthcoming Swansea Green Party conference. Vote holders and givers need to be national Green Party members

First Agenda for Green Party Spring Conference 2007 Page 48 of 48