The Green Party is considering proposals to remove Tasers and pepper spray from police use, according to reports. The party's formal policy process is also examining potential changes such as ending police officers in schools and closing prisons, with the Government's counter-terror programme Prevent also under scrutiny.
Policy proposals under review
Documents seen by The Times reportedly show the ideas are being considered as part of the party's formal policy process, ahead of its conference in Brighton in October.
The Green Party said motions were at an early draft stage and the wording was not yet finalised. More than 150 motions have been submitted ahead of the conference, meaning it is unlikely all of them will be debated.
Political backlash
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp MP dismissed the proposals as evidence of the party's "latest madness". He said: "The Greens care more about appeasing the anti-police far-left mob than supporting the police and catching criminals. It's clear they are on the side of lawbreakers, not the law-abiding majority."
He added: "The Green Party have shown themselves to be a disgrace and a danger to the public. They are certainly no longer the harmless badger and whale-loving party they were in the past."
Party response
Green Party leader Zack Polanski responded on social media: "In the Green Party, any member can propose a policy. It’s in our constitution, and members decide whether to debate it."
He added: "So when the media presents that as the Green Party 'proposing' a policy, they’re misleading you. Worth asking why the billionaire press constantly attacks us."
A Labour Party spokesman said the Greens' "proposals" were out of touch with the realities of modern policing and the vital work the police do every day. He added: "These plans would make it harder for the police to stop dangerous criminals and to protect the public from potential future terrorist attacks."
A Green Party spokesman said: "Conference is still weeks away and members have only just begun submitting motions. There is a prioritisation process, and not every motion submitted will be debated. Only motions passed by conference become Green Party policy."
