1. What impact do you think the Green Party’s eco-socialist policies have had on the party’s growth and how can that be sustained?
As far as we’re aware, no analysis has been made of the reasons why people have joined the Green Party over the last few years. After twelve years of Conservative government, more families are living in poverty and more people are aware of the seriousness of impending climate catastrophe. Both issues are likely to have increased party membership with the understanding that our eco-socialist policies seek to tackle them effectively.
In 2016, YouGov’s poll of British people showed that on balance 39% viewed capitalism unfavourably and 33% favourably, and 36% viewed socialism favourably vs 32% negatively. Evidence suggests that Labour membership surged with Corbyn’s socialist, green and anti-austerity platform, and Starmer’s distancing from Corbyn presents us with an opportunity to attract those alienated by Labour’s move to the right.
In order to build upon our growth we need to keep our messages in the public’s awareness through better local and national communication. As TULO candidates, we see local parties building stronger relationships with local trade union councils as an important element of driving further party growth via encouraging solidarity with industrial actions and also clear communication of our eco-socialist values; all within a wider strategy developed by the External Communications Officer. Ensuring that the party leadership seize the opportunities raised by the current cost of living crisis and increasing industrial unrest will also be key to sustaining party growth, and communicating our eco-socialist policies effectively.
2. The recent Tory by-election defeats suggest the electorate are making their own decisions on strategic voting. How can the Green Party intervene to turn that to its advantage?
The whole executive will need to encourage the whole party to engage with the strategy devised by the Election Officer(s). After analysing the data and specifying target wards and constituencies where Greens are most and least likely to be successful, this may include working with a broader coalition of parties and, if necessary, standing aside for another party. Building relationships and strategising with councillors and activists from other parties may pave the way to future success, even if not producing immediate gains.
Seeing the power of cooperative action may encourage other parties to be more open to proportional representation. As the Conservatives gained an 80-seat majority, despite just 29% of the electorate voting for them in the 2019 general election, and as YouGov opinion polls suggest there is strong support for it among Labour voters (64%), this represents a great opportunity to more effectively foreground Green Party support for PR. However as TULO candidates we would not want to undermine the strategy of the Election Officer(s) should a different path be chosen.
3. What would be your priorities for campaigns outside election periods that would raise our profile in communities, engage our members and attract new ones? How could that be financed?
Our policies are a natural home for people who are working class, as well as those marginalised by rampant capitalism. Key campaigns involve committed engagement with unions, and at a local level, with Trade Union Councils. Highlighting our policies on a living wage, working conditions and the need to transform our economy is a natural way into conversations.
Earning respect by campaigning with and for those let down by recent governments allows our voice to be heard on issues that may seem like ‘luxury’ issues to those in real poverty; joining the dots to build a bigger picture. Local parties should keep their fingers on the pulse regarding live local issues, show how green policies intersect with these concerns and consider campaigning with other local groups. Solidarity extends beyond the picket line and can help draw people into the party.
As Labour / Liberal Democrats tend to focus on floating voters in winnable constituencies, there is huge potential to tap into and target the 15.5 million registered voters who did not use their vote in 2019 - more potential votes than any of the major parties received.
GPEx members must have a clear idea of where money is spent as they're accountable for finances on behalf of members, and there have been concerns about full financial transparency. If money isn’t available for campaigning but is spent on increasing staff numbers, we have to examine the benefits and lost opportunities these funding decisions are producing; and if necessary change funding directions.
4. How can the Party improve the way it communicates its policies to the BAME and white working class?
Firstly, we cannot assume that all members of BAME think alike and have the same viewpoints so we must take time to listen to and better understand the concerns of different communities. The same principles apply to people who are white working class.
However, BAME and white working class people have far more in common than divides them. Countering the divisive political and media rhetoric which deliberately deploys ‘divide and rule’ means we must offer a consistent counter-narrative in GPEW communications.
We must better value the input from Greens of Colour, hearing their concerns and acting to make them a more effective group as they will have greater insight into possible barriers to engagement. This may have financial implications but acting upon the Diverse Matters report is a party priority and our lack of diversity a stumbling block in our communication with various communities. There is no liberation group for working class people in GPEW. Perhaps the closest we have is the Trade Union Group, who have been very effective in recent years. The TULO role liaising with unions and the Union Group, and helping devise a strategy for implementing the Diverse Matters Report recommendations, will be an increasingly important one within GPEx.
In order to address this disparity of representation, we should actively promote and up-skill our working class and BAME activists to give them the confidence to work within their communities and spread the party word. We tend to hear best from those who are like us.
5. Should the Green Party review its policy on NATO in the light of the current conflict in Ukraine and what would be your approach?
Sarah is a pacifist who sees no value in military conflict and believes all the money poured into the military industrial complex could be spent far more wisely on constructive, rather than destructive goods. History has shown time and again that passive resistance works. However, passive resistance is a strategy that takes time and she has never had to live under the autocratic rule of a tyrant seeking to rebuild the golden age of a long-gone Empire.
Were all national leaders calm and rational, it would be far easier for her idealistic pacifism to be put into practice. When confronted with the horrors of a brainwashed army deliberately targetting civilians, it is hard for either of us to stand by that commitment and refuse military aid. No country has ever been brave enough to step back from militarism and disarm.
Enlarging military groupings seems a retrograde step but witnessing such annihilating destruction within Europe's borders means the party may have to review its policy on NATO once hostilities have ceased. This should be via the usual democratic pathway of debate; possibly with a dedicated session in the build up to conference, followed by membership vote. There has been much discussion recently about the small and likely unrepresentative numbers attending conference, so another possibility could be opening the vote to the whole adult membership outside of conference.
6. The 24 hours news cycle means that contributions from our spokespeople have to be rapid if they are to be given media space. How can we manage that whilst maintaining democratic accountability?
Our spokespeople are chosen for their expertise in areas on policy and have been authorised to speak on behalf of the party. If they speak publicly against party policy, they must declare that they are doing so as laid out in the code of conduct. There are effective means to democratically remove any spokespeople deemed to have broken the guidelines for speakers.
7. Given that some Government policies such as privatisation and reducing rights are a thread crossing different sectors how can spokespeople cooperate on our overall messaging to ensure this is addressed?
A joined-up effective, dynamic, responsive and clear communications strategy across all broadcast, print and online media platforms at local, national and international levels, is essential for any political party. Consistently deploying clear, concise and agreed key messages, adapted for the issues of the day, using a broader range of articulate spokespeople, trained in broadcast media, must always be a priority.
Communications staff or the External Communications Officer should alert the relevant spokespeople if they see specific issues are likely to come up in the media, and ensure that these spokespeople communicate with each other regarding overall messaging if a topic reaches across several specialist areas. Obviously this relies on good working relationships between the various spokespeople which we would encourage. We would like to see a condition of becoming a spokesperson to be a commitment to work effectively with others with whom you may disagree for the sake of the party.
8. How would you raise the international relevance and profile of the GPEW?
If successful in being appointed as TULOs, we would already be encouraging Green Party groups locally and nationally to build links with national unions or local Trade Union Councils, and to support union action locally where it intersects with Green Party interests. Unions often have international links and this could be an additional way to explore extending our current international cooperation.
There are already international green organisations and events and these should be better promoted and reported upon in our communication with members. A positive move would be to be clearer about how GPEW can support those without the financial means to engage in international trips, and a budget should be allocated to enable this. GPEW, through the External Communications team, should be proactive in posting news, celebrating victories and building international campaigns through existing green media and conferences.
Many towns and regions are already part of town twinning arrangements. It would be good to encourage members to explore whether there are green politicians or councillors in their twinned locations and to use this connection to build links at a grass-roots level. Local Greens at each end could be proactive in organising twin events and visits.
9. The Green Party has recently encountered difficulties in maintaining a respectful and comradely debate on issues where there has been sharp disagreement. What would be your approach to improving the atmosphere in which these debates take place?
The party has clear statements about treating each other with respect, assuming good faith and valuing diverse thinking. This holds true for many issues, yet on one issue, these integral values have been abandoned, including weaponisation of the complaints system.
We were Co-EROs in the 2022 Green Party Women elections which involved candidates with a spectrum of beliefs, aware that a previous election had to be rerun due to the promotion of slates and negative comments about opponents. We were utterly impartial and treated all candidates with equal respect. We laid down firm ground rules for candidates and strongly encouraged them to ensure their followers also abided by party values and ethos. They were mostly adhered to, candidates asking members to remove inappropriate social media posts. The election was fair and its tone praised as convivial.
GPEx must remind conference, special interest groups and Green Spaces moderators of our values and policies. Those with authority in debating spaces should remind members and strictly apply these to all comments. Those repeatedly breaching our values should be warned and if necessary removed from spaces. Similar guidance should apply to members' social media / public campaigning; asking ‘does this comment respect members with different views?’, 'does it insult or belittle others?’, and ‘would a member of the public find this off-putting if considering joining the party?’
Where there are seemingly intractable, divisive and passionately held differences of opinion, we would welcome the opportunity for professionally facilitated dialogue between key spokespeople representing different viewpoints.
10. How can we ensure a level playing field in internal elections when some candidates have the advantage of access to a national platform and networks?
It is tempting to say that elections are never a level playing field; candidates have differing levels of experience, ability and networks. However, use of national resources to promote only some should be prevented.
If someone standing holds a role that enables access to, for example, Action Network, whilst other candidates for the same role don't, rules should be in place. One way might be to deny access to AN for use in self-promotion, or the promotion of one candidate / group of candidates only. The other possibility would be to ensure there is election funding to pay for staff time to offer equal promotion opportunities to all candidates.
As joint EROs we did not permit promotion of slates though of course all candidates and their supporters could post about individuals they planned to give their vote to. This was, for the most part, followed by all candidates and supporters. Disappointingly, one of those who broke that guidance was someone holding high office in the Party. This was not a level playing field. Whilst those in leadership and on GPEx / GPRC need to develop good working relationships with each other and with those on special interest group committees, we should consider whether all those in post refrain from publicly commenting or promoting candidates. In a party where many will not personally know any of the candidates, promotion or indicative voting comments from those with a national profile may hold undue sway and make the playing field even more uneven.
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