Six Green Party policies to know ahead of the local elections this week
It's no secret that the political landscape is changing here in the UK. What was once a seemingly unbudgeable two-party system has opened up into more of an open playing field. As the Conservatives have fallen more and more out of favour in the polls, the Reform party has apparently risen to present another right-wing option. It's a worrying development that seems to echo the rise of the far-right populism both here in the UK and in the United States of America.Meanwhile, with many doubting the efficacy of our current Labour government, the Green party has become a beacon of hope for many left-leaning people looking for another direction — and another place for their vote.The upcoming local elections on Thursday, 7 May will be one of the first times we see how this changing landscape shakes out — and where the votes fall will be in interesting indicator of what may come in the upcoming general election, scheduled no later than August 2029.Read MoreFinally, some good news!Led by Zack Polanski, the Greens have been embraced by many former Labour voters — and in the local elections, they stand a pretty good chance of gaining some major ground. Already, we've seen plenty of signs of the change of tide – just take the surprise election of Green MP Hannah Spencer, who successfully beat the Reform candidate in February's Gorton and Denton by-election.If you're feeling unsure about whether to try something new and vote Green, here is a breakdown of some of their policies — some from the 2024 general election, along with some more recent promises.However you choose to vote in the local elections this week, here's a guide to Zack Polanski and the Green party's manifesto and policies.On tackling the affordability crisisIn measures announced last month, the Green party has promised:Universal support with energy bills this winterThe extension of free school meals to all primary and secondary pupilsThe introduction of rent controls – because housing costs are one of the greatest impacts on household povertyThat the UK will join a customs union with the EU to reduce costs to businessesThe introduction of a 10:1 pay ratio which would help increase wages for those on lower incomes while limiting the salaries of high-paid executives.Polanski said: “The affordability crisis is something affecting nearly everyone, from the most vulnerable to people in work and comfortable, where any change in circumstance can push people over the edge into requiring a food bank. This crisis is totally avoidable and down to choices made by this Labour government and previous Tory governments. The Greens have a plan which would make different choices, taking on corporate power and vested interests to give ordinary people a way out of this crisis.”On defending the Human Rights ActThe Green party is committed to:Replacing the First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) system for parliamentary elections with a fair and proportional voting systemReplacing the House of Lords with an elected second chamberVotes for 16-year-olds and residence-based voting rightsCampaign to end violence against women and girlsScrap the Police, Crime Sentencing and Courts Act, the Public Order Act and other legislation that erodes the right to protest and free expressionCampaign for the right of self-identification for trans and non-binary peopleScrap the Prevent programme and tackle hate crime, misogyny, Islamophobia and antisemitismSeek to restore trust and confidence in the policeRepair and renew our crumbling court system with a £2.5bn investment
