People, Planet, Peace Scottish Green Party Westminster Election Manifesto 2005 People, Planet, Peace Shiona Baird MSP Co-Convenor of the Scottish Green Party I am proud to introduce the Scottish We spell out progressive Green Party manifesto for the solutions to promote Westminster election 2005: peace and co-operation in the world instead of a – a manifesto in the interests of people, climate of fear and paranoia. We set out not the profits of big business at any cost; a programme to help reduce global – a manifesto for the planet, offering real conflict and tackle poverty. action on climate change; Action on climate change forms a – a manifesto for peace and global justice. centrepiece of this manifesto. Because of the unsustainable actions of those who People want fresh, honest politics, an have been in power for generations, our optimistic vision of the future and the economy and communities face real practical steps to bring it about. Only the climate threats and future energy crises. Greens offer an alternative to the dinosaur politics of the other parties. We are standing in every region of Scotland, in five times as many seats as We’re about real quality of life. We we did in the last Westminster election. campaign for real progress and a fairer, This gives more people the chance to vote just society; for a safe environment and with their hearts and minds – not with for peace not war; for healthy, strong despair and lack of choice. communities. We stand up for people and the public interest, not private profit We are the only party that will implement above all else. real and lasting solutions. It’s time to go Green. 2 Greens Are the Future Robin Harper MSP Co-Convenor of the Scottish Green Party There are now 60 Green councillors poor developments and elected in local authorities in the UK, in promoting community seven MSPs in the Scottish Parliament, participation in decision- and 33 MEPs in the European Parliament. making. There are two Green members of the Our MSPs have won victories on identity London Assembly. It is well nigh time for cards and on energy efficiency. They a Green MP. have forced a climate change inquiry in As a party, we’re growing fast. The Green the Scottish Parliament and pressured the challenge to “politics as usual” is resonat- Scottish Executive with amendments and ing with voters all over the country. Bills on areas as diverse as nature con- servation, civil partnerships, GM crops In last year’s European elections, we and public transport. came a close second in some seats 17% of the vote. With such advances, a Green Unlike some other Scottish political MP comes closer every year. parties, the Greens are not in the red financially, and that’s even without the big When people elect Greens they like what business funding of the other parties. We they get. Our MEPs have led calls for are determined to build on this sustain- tough new rules to ban some of the most able growth over the coming years. toxic ingredients from everyday use in household products and have forced A Green vote is most certainly not a action on animal welfare standards and wasted vote. A wasted vote is a vote the treatment of asylum seekers. Our for something you don’t trust and don’t hardworking councillors stand out in believe in. Vote against waste. communities for their commitment and Vote Green. tenacity, and for their work in preventing 3 People Planet Peace Contents Preface . 2 1. People . 5 Nothing Short of a Food Revolution . 6 Economics Where People Matter . 7 Beating the Poverty Trap: Welfare Solutions . 8 Crime and Community: Prevention and Healing . 9 Changing the Face of Politics . 9 2. Planet . 10 Climate Change: Sleepwalking to Disaster . 11 Meltdown: Why Nuclear Power Is Not the Answer . 12 Corporate Accountability: Tackling Big Business . 13 3. Peace . 14 Building a Safer World: Co-operation, not Conflict . 14 International Trade: Where Fair Beats Free . 15 A Safe Refuge: Asylum and Immigration . 16 Would You Buy a Used Planet From These People? . 17 Greens in Action Everywhere . 18 4 People Planet 1. People Peace “Too much and for too long, we seem to have surrendered community excellence and community values in the mere accumulation of material things. Our gross national product ... counts air pollution and cigarette advertising, and ambulances to clear our highways of carnage. It counts special locks for our doors and the jails for those who break them. ... Yet the gross national product does not allow for the health of our children, the quality of their education, or the joy of their play. It does not include the beauty of our poetry or the strength of our marriages; the intelligence of our public debate or the integrity of our public officials. It measures neither our wit nor our courage; neither our wisdom nor our learning; neither our compassion nor our devotion to our country; it measures everything, in short, except that which makes life worthwhile.” Holger Dieterich – Robert F. Kennedy The Greens want to create a safe future The Scottish Green Party is the only party for people and communities – a fair to challenge the measurement of eco- economy that doesn’t trash the planet nomic well-being as Gross Domestic and serve only the few: a society where Product. GDP growth tells us nothing. communities are strong, where everyone The real measure of our economy is how gets a fair deal, where older people are the people are: their wealth, their health, cared for, where young people look the well-being of their families, their forward to a life of hope and opportunity community and their environment. – not fear and insecurity. Greens propose alternative measures to The out-dated obsession with free-for-all assess whether the economy is helping economics is alive and well in most us or harming us, and to guide more other parties, but it’s a concept which informed decision-making. cares little for people’s lives. It is obvious In this manifesto, we spell out our big business needs better regulation to approach to an economy based on prevent abuses of people and the workers’ rights, corporate accountability environment. and fair trade. We outline the measures Good food is an essential, basic need. required to deliver a tax and benefits Yet the global food industry is increasingly system that is fair and equitable. We powerful and dangerous. The big super- show how we would change the criminal markets have a stranglehold over the high justice system to focus on prevention and street, paying producers and farmers less rehabilitation, building a healthy society, for their goods, forcing out local business- not causing more fear, more crime and es and ripping the heart out of communities. more prisons. We propose more corporate account- These measures are in the interests of ability, but also measures to boost small, people, not big business and profits at community businesses. any cost. 5 People of miles by polluting planes to boost supermarket Planet Nothing Short of profits. Peace a Food Revolution Greens will actively encourage local, small-scale food producers and food sellers, including lo- The Scottish Green Party is campaigning for cal shops, farmers’ markets and box schemes. nothing short of a revolution in our food cul- The way we import food from all over the world ture. Greens want change in four key areas: is fuelling climate change. We will use our “polluter Good Food pays” taxation system to ensure that the dis- tance food has travelled is reflected in its price. Obesity and diet-related illness are major causes of disease in Scotland. The high sugar, salt, Fair Food processed fat and additive content of food, often Fresh and healthy food is out of reach for many misleadingly labelled, is a major factor. of the poorest communities in Scotland. We Greens want food to make us healthy, not sick. see this as a priority for change. We will make local authorities provide schools, The immense power of supermarkets over our hospitals and care homes with healthy, fresh, high streets, our farmers and over the entire local food. We will ensure all processed food food chain has become a major concern. is fully labelled and ban additives of question- able value. We will control advertising of junk The relentless drive for profit by the super- food and remove fast food vending machines markets means Scottish farmers and farmers from schools. in developing countries are receiving less and less for their produce. Safe Food An industry survey in 2005 showed 88% of people Hardly a week passes without another food safety want regulation to force supermarkets to act in scandal. The way we grow most of our food is the wider public interest. harming our land, water and wildlife. Greens want food to be safe for both consumers and Green MPs will work to: the environment. We are com- • ban the brands: take fast food advertis- mitted to organic food: Greens ing out of schools and off children’s television, “A statutory code of forced action on organic produc- to prevent manufacturers from targeting young, practice that stops tion in the last Scottish Parliament impressionable consumers; supermarkets bullying session and our aim is to have suppliers and abusing • make food labelling accurate and easy to their power is needed much more organic food grown understand, to prevent producers, proces- urgently ... With in Scotland. sors and supermarkets from making misleading supermarket executives claims about their goods; from the big four – and Labour and the Liberal Democrats Tesco in particular – have opened the door to geneti- • ban live animal exports; able to whisper directly cally modified (GM) crops in • seek all routes to make Scotland GM free, into the ears of Scotland, despite the proven eco- Downing Street (two of including a law to keep biotech companies nomic and environmental damage its directors came at bay by holding them liable for any eco- straight from they have caused in Canada and nomic damage caused by GM crops; Whitehall), shoppers the U.S.