The political spectrum - what does it mean to Greens?
Green Party 2012 Spring Conference
Never has this question been so important? With uproar over the Coalition cuts and Labour turning an ever deeper shade of blue, where does this leave the Green Party? Is it solely left to the Greens to remain true to their core values of ecological astuteness, social justice, and economic democracy? How do we ensure that green policies remain important and on the agenda in this time of enforced austerity?
Tracy Dighton, co-convener of the national Political Committee, invites you a lively debate on old and new questions of left, right or forward. Panel will take place on Friday 24th February at 17.15. Discussions will be framed by 3 speakers:
Activist, writer and broadcaster Beatrix Campbell, inspired by the ‘do-able, radical and reasonable' manifesto for the general election, will take us on her intellectual journey from Red to Green. "Are these the worst of times to be Green Party elected representatives Green Party representatives in local government? A combination of eye-watering cuts and a protracted process of reducing local government's room for maneouvre, makes local government, indeed any kind of a hard place to do politics. And yet, now is the time to ensure that the Green's social justice and economic sustainability is given air time as part of the solution, not the problem."
Matt Follett, National Executive Policy Co-ordinator during the 2010 general election and Brighton and Hove councillor, will provide a critique of "Blue Labour" and "Red Toryism". Further, he will set out the merits of adopting a "Green Democrat" position in contemporary politics. "The real issue in the new political and economic climate facing greens, social liberals, and social democrats, is how to face the future without wanting to shelter in the past. Greens need to recognise the value of economic and co-operative enterprise and social democrats need to recognise the value of localism and environmental transition . A Green Democrat position is one that combines the dynamism of liberal diversity with the dynamism of a green and social democratic economic renewal. "
London Assembly member, Darren Johnson, a member for 25 years, has consistently worked to position the green party as an attractive mainstream choice for environmentally aware left of centre voters. He will refer to the work and achievements of elected greens and how this positions the party in the eyes of potential voters. "With an unpleasant right-wing government, an uninspiring Labour Party and a discredited Lib-Dem party, Greens have a real opportunity to be a much larger force in British politics. If we play our cards right there is a large body of left-of-centre, environmentally aware voters that the Green Party should become a natural home for."