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Dear Joe,
It's is always useful to have our policies tested whether by friend or foe. As we emerge as a contender for government we will increasingly be called on to review and refine our policies. Our underlying values and principles will remain the same.
The answer to your question "What do we stand for" lies in the general election manifesto which will be released in a few weeks' time. That manifesto, like its predecessor for the 2010 election, is informed by the large body of policies maintained on our web site. Some of those polices apply to the long term, some are applicable sooner.
I will respond to the particular ones you have chosen to highlight. The headings you have placed above each of our policies, though, are not accurate. (My comments are in green.)
"1. Legal protection for the right to join or support terrorist groups"
Policies for A
Sustainable Society PD433 "It should not be a crime simply
to belong to an organisation or have sympathy with its aims,
though it should be a crime to aid and abet criminal acts or
deliberately fund such acts."
There is no "right to join a terrorist group". You've picked the wrong policy, anyway, as PD433 relates to the arms trade. Perhaps you were in a hurry.
You probably meant to
criticise policy PD443 and you should quote it in
full and consider it together with the other policies in the
section which take a strong line on Terrorism.
PD443 says Those accused or found guilty of atrocities, or planning to commit, aid or abet in their execution, should be dealt with under the same principles as those accused of more conventional criminal activities. In particular, those accused of supporting terrorist acts should have normal rights against arbitrary arrest or imprisonment. It should not be a crime simply to belong to an organisation or have sympathy with its aims, though it should be a crime to aid and abet criminal acts or deliberately fund such acts.
So raising money for and
encouraging people to fight for Islamic State, for example,
would be against PD443 and are criminal.
"2.
Stop Funding
Faith-Schools"
Policies for a
Sustainable Society ED176 “No
publicly-funded school shall be run by a religious organisation.
Schools may teach about religions, comparing examples which
originated in each continent, but are prohibited from delivering
religious instruction in any form or encouraging adherence to
any particular religious belief.”
This policy relates to the long term. It did not appear in the 2010 manifesto and is unlikely to be in the 2015 manifesto, but the secular principle is a good one.
"3.
Ending school
places for 5 year olds"
Policies for Sustainable
Society ED023 “We will move
towards a system in which early years education extends until
the age of 6. This will mean that academic learning is not
introduced until the age of 6.”
You misunderstand. This
does not mean "Ending school places for 5 year olds". It
relates to research that shows that children can benefit if
academic learning in schools is delayed until children are a bit
older; meanwhile they should receive early years education. The
principle operates well in Finland.
"4.
Propose a
“zero-growth” economy"
Policies for Sustainable
Society EC201 “Allow the current
dependence on economic growth to cease, and allow zero or
negative growth to be feasible without individual hardship
should this be necessary on the grounds of sustainability.”
I think you misunderstand the difference between "economic growth" and "dependence on economic growth". The policy advocates an economy which is strong enough to provide for people's needs and flexible enough to grow or shrink as necessary from time to time without individual hardship, as it says.
"5.
Dismantle UK
borders and ditch immigration controls"
Policies for Sustainable
Society MG300 “We will work to
achieve greater equity between the UK and non-Western countries.
In step with this, we will progressively reduce UK immigration
controls.”
Your
heading misrepresents this medium-term policy. We do not propose
to open UK borders. We need effective immigration controls.If you believe in greater equality, and I understand you may have described yourself as a socialist at one time, then you would applaud the aim for greater equality between Western and non-Western countries.
As that aim is achieved, progressively, the incentive for migration would reduce. As that incentive progressively reduces, and in step with that, the UK immigration controls could be progressively reduced.
John Coyne
Leader, Liverpool Green Party
-------- Forwarded Message --------
| Subject: | Open letter to the Green Party - What do you stand for? |
|---|---|
| Date: | Thu, 5 Mar 2015 17:11:19 +0000 |
| From: | Anderson, Joe (Mayor of Liverpool) <Joe.Anderson@liverpool.gov.uk> |
| To: | Office@GreenParty.org.uk <Office@GreenParty.org.uk>, Coyne, John <John.Coyne@liverpool.gov.uk> |
Open Letter to Green
Party Councillors and candidates. Addressed to national
and local leaders Natalie Bennett and Cllr John Coyne
First, welcome to
Liverpool.
The venue you have
chosen for your Spring Conference 2015 is a world class
facility in a world famous city. As Labour Mayor of
Liverpool, I am pleased you appreciate the investment we
have made in our city, will experience the unrivalled
hospitality of our people and will enjoy the business
friendly attitude of our city. We are also a sustainable
city and I’m sure our success in tackling carbon issues,
supporting our residents with quality services and the
growth of our economy were all factors in your decision to
come to Liverpool this week.
As we approach the 2015
General Election and important local elections here in
Liverpool, we are all looking forward to the various debates
and discussions that will help inform voters’ decisions.
During your conference you will no doubt raise these issues.
Like many Liverpool
residents, I watched and listened to recent interviews with
Green Party leader, Natalie Bennett on BBCTV, Radio 4 and
LBC.
Frankly, I was left
surprised and a little confused about the policies of the
Green Party as we head into May’s elections.
To clear up any
misunderstandings amongst Liverpool city residents, I
thought it would be helpful for you to put on record your
position on the range of policies Ms. Bennett raised on
national TV and radio and proposes for your manifesto. I
have listed the most eye-catching of your policies and,
helpfully, added the reference to the relevant section of
your policy document – Policies For A Sustainable Society.
1.
Legal protection for the right to join or
support terrorist groups
Policies for A
Sustainable Society PD433 "It should not be a crime
simply to belong to an organisation or have sympathy with
its aims, though it should be a crime to aid and abet
criminal acts or deliberately fund such acts."
2.
Stop Funding Faith-Schools
Policies for a
Sustainable Society ED176
“No publicly-funded school shall be run by a religious
organisation. Schools may teach about religions, comparing
examples which originated in each continent, but are
prohibited from delivering religious instruction in any form
or encouraging adherence to any particular religious
belief.”
3.
Ending school places for 5 year olds
Policies for
Sustainable Society ED023
“We will move towards a system in which early years
education extends until the age of 6. This will mean that
academic learning is not introduced until the age of 6.”
4.
Propose a “zero-growth” economy
Policies for
Sustainable Society EC201
“Allow the current dependence on economic growth to cease,
and allow zero or negative growth to be feasible without
individual hardship should this be necessary on the grounds
of sustainability.”
5.
Dismantle UK borders and ditch immigration
controls
Policies for
Sustainable Society MG300
“We will work to achieve greater equity between the UK and
non-Western countries. In step with this, we will
progressively reduce UK immigration controls.”
Enjoy your time in
Liverpool and I look forward to you sharing your policy
positions with me and the people of this great city.
Joe Anderson
Mayor of Liverpool
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