The country needs a strong Green Party. At a time of accelerating climate breakdown and nature collapse, with a crippling cost of living crisis and deepening inequality, it’s never been more urgent that Green voices are heard, Green policies are enacted and Green influence is felt.
That’s why it’s so important that we urgently address the crisis that has overtaken the party.
Apology over Zionism is Racism policy
Former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas has expressed deep sorrow for the hurt caused by the Zionism is Racism policy, passed at the party conference last weekend.
Lucas said those who spoke against the motion were clear: the policies and approach of this Israeli government are racist, its horrific actions in Gaza constitute genocide, and a campaign of boycott, divestment and sanctions is necessary and legitimate. But supporting a motion which effectively denies Israel the right to exist crosses a very significant red line.
Lucas is committed to working with others to embed a deeper understanding of both antisemitism and Zionism within the party; to work to show everyone, especially Jewish people, that the party is safe for them; and to make the party’s policy making processes more inclusive and effective.
Entryism and accountability concerns
That includes acknowledging the vulnerability of internal structures. Entryism has been a problem for many parties, but the tradition of direct democracy and weak accountability mechanisms mean the party is woefully exposed.
The Zionism is Racism policy was voted for by just over 1000 self-selecting members – around 0.5% of the Party’s total membership, an unknown number of whom were actively encouraged to join the Green Party simply to push the motion through. Policy making urgently needs to be made far more representative.
Electoral record and influence
Winning Holborn and St Pancras, a Labour stronghold for over 40 years, was always going to be a big ask, especially under First Past the Post, but the party achieved its second best parliamentary by-election result ever, trebling its share of the vote.
With over 1000 councillors and more than 220,000 members, as heatwaves follow floods, the party is a major part of the nation’s political landscape – and its influence is increasingly being felt.
By mounting a political and credible electoral threat to Labour’s left, demonstrated most clearly by the win in the Gorton and Denton by-election and then in May’s local elections, the party played a major role in ridding the country of Starmerism.
From immigration and Brexit, to public ownership and electoral reform, Greens have successfully pushed Labour to be braver and bolder. And nowhere more so than on the about-face on the West Bank and Gaza, a shift away from Starmer supporting calls for water and electricity to be cut off to Ed Miliband now demanding sanctions and more – Greens helped do this.
It’s vital that this work continues – and that makes doing everything possible to make the Party fit for the future couldn’t be more important. The party is determined to do exactly that.
