1. Do you agree our anti austerity and Ecosocialist polices have led to growth of our party and its influence in England and Wales amongst millions of people?
Yes, these are key reasons why people join or support our party based on conversations I’ve had with new members and voters on doorsteps. However, this political capital, hard won, was recklessly squandered in the damaging debacle of Progressive Alliances strategy of 2017 – which went well beyond what conference approved.
2. Do you believe that in marginal seats where a candidate of another party is standing who shares many of our core values including PR, we should stand down, as we did with Salma Yaqoob at a recent general election?
Generally, we should stand tall even when other candidates share some of our policies or platforms. However, local party autonomy will ultimately dictate that decision, unimpeded by leadership interference (unlike the allegations of Richmond by-election, not put to rest by an unconvincing internal report).
3. What do you understand by the term “Ecosocialist”? 'Would you see yourself as being an ecosocialist? and what does that mean to you?
Green socialists, and I count myself as one, frame and explain policies in terms of their impact on social justice and environmental well-being. Climate justice would put an end to those least responsible for the climate change impacts having to most suffer their horrendous consequences. See my Ted Talk https://bit.ly/2NVbi6J.
4 Which one of the following 4 campaigns will be your top priority?
• PR
• Devolution and constitutional reforms
• A People's Vote on the terms of the final trade deal with the EU.
• De-growth
These are not mutually exclusive campaigns but de-growth probably top. I would rather talk about complete overhaul of the economic system to properly value environmental impacts – generally completely ignored by growth models and de-growth sounds like the same model in reverse. Replace with carbon budgets.
5 While national and specialist news media have deadlines and our party 'leadership' are still supposed to be 'speakers' rather than directors, how would you ensure that you make pronouncements that are a truly democratic way forward in times of democratic crisis such as parliamentary boundary changes reports?
The meeja does not call the shots as far as internal accountability for political statements is concerned. We need to get better at anticipating new policy through conference without risking governance by press release. That’s the discipline. There are some emergency processes too but these must not be abused.
6 How can succession of postholders for electoral office within GPEW be handled in such a way that there can be a 'level playing field' between candidates, rather than it being regarded that those who had most advanced notice of a vacancy having an unfair advantage?
Firstly, it’s not a succession, but an election. Unfortunately, I’ve witnessed Machiavellian tendencies – not now of course – but believe members are wised up to manipulation and will vote accordingly.
7 It is a mistake to put all our resources toward winning elections into the election period, if. we must first have a budget for campaign resources to boost our 'street cred’ and have more street stalls. Discuss.
Elections don’t just happen at election time just as voters don’t like to see us only at election time. Resources need to be utilised throughout the year. Our failed strategy of 2017 cost us 120 lost deposits from just two years earlier – that’s £60k, leaving aside Short money down, too.
8 What is your view of the Liberal Democrats politically?
Busted flush. Take Student fees betrayal. Yet ignore them at our peril – take Brexit opportunism.
9 What is your view of Spokespersons pooling their knowledge for greater insight into this Government's hidden agendas? (Eg, Consider the implications of this search link for closer collaboration between Health Spokesperson and Work and Pensions Spokesperson with Leaders/Principal Spokespersons as hubs https://www.
Good idea as the ideology of austerity cuts across many departments and spokesperson collaboration will help to expose it. But many spokespersons are currently in limbo, in what must be the longest internal review in their history. I would want to see them used more fully.
10 How to respond to demonising of, say, benefit claimants and anti-Zionists?
Play the ball not the person, as Natalie would say. We need to expose the hypocrisy and downright cruelty of capability assessments on the already marginalised (at risk of descending into suicide) and the obscenity of Israeli occupation of Palestinians.
11 'Do you believe every local party should be organising a public meeting promoting PR in the next few months'
If they have the resources and the will. If they have a better agenda, I would trust them to follow that – e.g. anti-fracking. Central support isn’t the same as centralisation.
12 'What lessons can the Green Party take from the campaign in Sheffield?'
What an inspirational campaign coming out of Sheffield! Community-based campaigns – Alison on fracking. Councillors representing their communities, like Magid and Kaltum. Sheffield consolidated on our previous victories and came back for more – now six councillors. For more on how I would support council campaigns https://bit.ly/2LmQAei.
13 How can Green Party communications of their policies be made more relevant to the working class (White and Black Minority Ethnic)?
Let’s make our own-branded campaign materials more representative of society. See our current spokespersons page. There is no visible ethnic diversity – which is frankly laughable, despite the brilliant people who could fill those roles (https://bit.ly/18QFrOS). You also have the opportunity to elect the first BME leader of a UK party.
14 In the event that Brexit does go ahead, including the possibility of an immediate no-deal departure in March 2019, what are your plans for the party's focus post-leaving and how would you propose to reach out to the 52% who voted to leave?
This is where I evasively say I don’t discuss hypotheticals because I don’t want to admit a bad outcome? No, if Brexit happens then we have to press on with the massive fallout that will occur, just as if we had voted for it ourselves – that’s the common point, democracy.
15. What is your view of ecosocialist perspectives which are more dominant in developing countries e.g. Latin America which are streets ahead in terms of renewable energy. Wind farms are seen to be the solution to dire poverty and whole communities are stabilized, giving respite from the never-ending 'war on drugs', drug economies and gang violence...?
These movements are far more inspirational than anything coming out of Europe, let alone BRIC. ALBA – social, political, economic integration across Latin America – has plenty to teach us about environmental protections as well as genuinely sustainable food production, healthcare for all, and education. For more on my campaign visit www.electshahrar.co.uk.
No comments:
Post a Comment