Green Not Grey
For a flavour of what the Green Party believes in take a look at our ten commandments of core values below.
To find out more about our National Policies and what is required to get Britain safely through this coming century, take a look at our Manifesto for a Sustainable Society
Core Values
- Humankind depends on the diversity of the natural world for its existence. We do not believe that other species are expendable.
- The Earth's physical resources are finite. We threaten our future if we try to live beyond those means, so we must build a sustainable society that guarantees our long-term future.
- Every person, in this and future generations, should be entitled to basic material security as of right.
- Our actions should take account of the well-being of other nations, other species, and future generations. We should not pursue our well-being to the detriment of theirs.
- A healthy society is based on voluntary co-operation between empowered individuals in a democratic society, free from discrimination whether based on race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, religion, social origin or any other prejudice.
- We emphasise democratic participation and accountability by ensuring that decisions are taken at the closest practical level to those affected by them.
- We look for non-violent solutions to conflict situations, which take into account the interests of minorities and future generations in order to achieve lasting settlements.
- The success of a society cannot be measured by narrow economic indicators, but should take account of factors affecting the quality of life for all people: personal freedom, social equity, health, happiness and human fulfilment.
- Electoral politics is not the only way to achieve change in society, and we will use a variety of methods to help effect change, providing those methods do not conflict with our other core principles.
- The Green Party puts changes in both values and lifestyles at the heart of the radical green agenda.
On education and children…
- Much smaller class sizes
- An end to the test and league table culture
- Free higher education available to all and the reinstatement of student grants
On health...
- Banning junk food advertising aimed at children
- Abolishing the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) - the privatisation of health and education services by stealth
On social security…
- Pensioner's income linked to earnings
- Everyone eligible for state pension at age 60 – unconditionally, without means testing
- Introduction of ‘Citizen's Income' – a payment to replace tax-free allowances and most social security benefits and made to every citizen – sufficient to cover an individual's basic needs
On taxation…
- Reform the council tax so that it is fairer on the poorest in society; inflationary increases only for pensioners
- A progressive, redistributive income tax system
- Phase out VAT and replace it with a system of environmental taxation
- Introduce a system of ‘eco-taxes' where the polluter pays and those who don't pollute, don't
On employment…
- Creating 200,000 new jobs in clean energy, energy efficiency, organic faming, recycling and public transport
On the economy…
- Meet the real needs of society rather than obsessively chasing ever higher levels of economic growth
- Use real progress indicators such as health, wellbeing and the quality of the environment rather than economic growth measurements such as GNP
On farming and agriculture…
- An end to intensive factory farming and live exports
- Replacing the Common Agricultural Policy with an organic, local and safe agricultural system
- NO to GM crops
On energy…
- An end to nuclear power and the £2 million tax payers subsidy paid to the nuclear industry every day
- As much encouragement as physically possibly to supply us with renewable energy. We can no longer rely on Oil and Gas, and nuclear and coal are extremly dangerous as a choice for humanity.
On transport…
- Safe walking and cycling routes to all schools and colleges
- A 20mph speed limit in all built up and residential areas, including villages
- Abolish the ten-year road-building programme to release £30 billion for public transport and road safety measures
- Introduce a tax on aviation fuel to generate additional £9billion revenue
On democracy…
- Proportional Representation to ensure our votes can actually reflect what we believe in.
On international peace, security and justice…
- Change world trade rules so they favour developing countries
- NO more illegal, immoral and counterproductive wars
- The elimination of ALL weapons of mass destruction produced by and owned by anyone anywhere in the world; immediate and unconditional nuclear disarmament