* Natalie Bennett: 2016 “is the year that we turn the ‘Green surge’ in to Green seats”
Fringes on the refugee crisis, the government’s 'Prevent' strategy and Islamophobia, and on how to build resistance to fracking will take place at the Green Party’s Spring Conference at the Harrogate International Centre, 26-28 February 2016.
Following the Greens’ best-ever performance in a General Election, in which the Party achieved one million votes for the first time, Green Party members and supporters from across the UK will congregate for three days of policy-making, learning and networking.
Speaking ahead of Conference, Natalie Bennett, who will deliver her Leaders’ Speech at 14.00 on 26 February, said:
“This year is the year that we turn the ‘Green surge’ in to Green seats. Driven forward by our passionate members and supporters, we look forward to increasing our number of seats on the London Assembly, putting in our best-ever performance in the London Mayoral contest, gaining a seat on the Welsh Assembly and growing our representation on councils across England and Wales."
Sian Berry, the Greens’ candidate for London Mayor, and Alice Hooker-Stroud, the new Leader of the Wales Green Party, will both deliver speeches to Conference as will Shahrar Ali and Amelia Womack, Deputy Leaders of the Green Party of England and Wales.
At the fringes, Womack will call on the UK government to do more to contribute to alleviating Europe’s worsening refugee crisis; Ali will explain how the government's Prevent strategy is fuelling Islamophobia; and Shan Oakes from the Harrogate and District Green Party will highlight the health and ethical issues around fracking, and discuss how the resistance can be further strengthened.
Other fringes confirmed today include a discussion on what is next for community energy and renewables and an update from the Green Party’s three MEPs (Lambert, Keith Taylor and Molly Scott Cato) on how they are making the Green voice heard in Europe.
Panels previously announced (1) will take place on flooding prevention and mitigation, greening our cities and on the political challenges and opportunities in the post Cop21 era.
Notes
1. https://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/2016/01/21/green-party-spring-conference-–-panels-announced/
2. Conference speeches:
Leader’s speech – 14.00, 26th February
Wales Leader’s speech – 16.15, 26th February
Deputy Leaders’ speeches – 10.30, 27th February
Green London Mayoral candidate’s speech – 16.15, 27th February