Despite a petition amassing well over 100 signatures in 7 days, media coverage and pressure from the Electoral Reform Society to include all six parties in the televised leaders debate, the BBC have still not confirmed Wales Green Party attendance. 

Over the last 12 months membership of the Wales Green Party has tripled. We will be fielding candidates in constituencies across Wales, and already have our candidates for all regional lists, where we have a very strong chance of winning our first seat in the Senedd in the Welsh Assembly election in May.

In the most recent polls (30 Nov – 4 Dec 2015), on the regional level, the Wales Green Party equalled the percentage support of the Lib Dems, demonstrating that on a proportional level, our policies at least equal the popularity of those proposed by a party who is always included in leaders debates.

We need to make sure that the BBC #invitethegreens. Sign our online petition here and contact BBC Wales to let them know what you think. 

This article written by Alice Hooker-Stroud first appeared in Click On Wales on the 12th February 2016

Our electoral system in Wales needs a good shake up. Wales will not thrive until people put their heads above the parapet, challenge the status quo and dare to do things differently.

Progressive voters regularly have to hold their nose and vote for another term of a Welsh Labour government that has run out of ideas and has nothing left to offer but excuses. Over the entire existence of the Welsh Assembly, Welsh Labour have held power, but never in a majority government. Over that time, key indicators on education, health, and the economy have worsened.

Whilst the media struggles to accept there are more than four political parties to vote for in the Assembly elections in May, representatives of the Wales Green Party entered into talks with Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats to explore ways in which we might transform the politics of Wales. Breaking the one-party-state mentality, moving towards a progressive plurality of voices more common in Europe.

People want real change and exploring the possibility of progressive alliances is a vital part of creating a new kind of politics in Wales. Across Europe in Spain, Greece, Portugal and Germany, new alliances are revolutionising politics, giving the electorate a real choice in voting for change.

Although no proposal to take to our members for final agreement was reached, the Wales Green Party believes that parties with different priorities but common ground should be working together to fix our broken electoral system, giving voters a real alternative to make a better Wales.

Almost a quarter of the Welsh population live in relative poverty. Wales is completely off-course on cutting greenhouse gas emissions and tackling climate change. Ambitious targets are set, but quietly dropped or missed. Legislation is drawn up, but not delivered on.

Welsh Government is running out of steam.

Less than half the voting population in Wales take part in Welsh Assembly elections. How we end up with any particular government remains largely unquestioned by both the Welsh public and our media. Our system of ‘additional members’ or ‘top-up’ seats perhaps gives us some sense of electoral legitimacy: it’s a better system than that in Westminster.

But given that the current Conservative government in Westminster was given a mandate to govern by less than a quarter of the voting population, being ‘better’ is not hard.

If Wales instead compares itself to Scotland, we find that a much smaller percentage of seats is made up proportionally in the Senedd than in Holyrood. As a result, the ‘score’ of proportionality in Wales is much worse: our Welsh Assembly does not represent the political views of our people.

The truth is that the number of top-up seats in Wales is too small to ensure proportional outcomes from our elections, and especially so when one party holds the majority of constituency seats. When this is the case, smaller parties need to get a much higher percentage, a disproportionally higher percentage, of the overall vote in order to be represented in the Welsh Assembly.

In the Welsh Assembly election in 2011, Welsh Labour won 28 out of 40 constituency seats. There is no doubt that the top-up seats were insufficient to ensure proportional representation of the political views of the Welsh people in the Welsh Assembly. Welsh Labour, once again, formed a government after this election with a higher percentage of the seats than their share of the vote. They have now been in government in Wales for seventeen years straight.

There is a disconnect between our government, and our people. Political opinion is diversifying, changing and evolving, but our government is stagnant.

The Wales Green Party stands for grown up, inclusive, pluralist politics, and a political system that puts the people of Wales first. We are a party on the ascent and we will work, whether together or on our own, to ensure the next Welsh Government is accountable to those who want a fairer Wales, run for the common good.

We will continue to be a voice for a better Wales: progressive, sustainable, inclusive and innovative. An economy based on our strengths: based on the creation of new energies, worth billions in decent, sustainable jobs and cutting our unsustainable addiction to fossil fuels. Education: free, for all and throughout life. A healthcare system that keeps everyone healthy, as well as caring for us when we are sick, and free at the point of use. Warm, sustainable and affordable homes for people to live in; cutting energy use and carbon emissions, and reducing fuel poverty. Decent public transport, that allows people to move around freely, cheaply and with low impact on the environment. A Wales where our LGBTIQ+ community can thrive, where our elderly are protected and respected and women are empowered. Where we appreciate, support, care and respect each other, for the diversity in what each of us brings to society.

A Green voice in the Senedd will fight to bring that diversity to our political system and build a better, fairer, more democratic Wales.

Press Invite

Meet  Patrick Harvie, Green MSP and Co-convener of the Scottish Green Party and find out what a difference the Greens make in parliament.

The event will take place at 9am Saturday, 20th of February at Venue: The Pure Kitchen, Cardiff Bay CF10 4QH.

If you would like to attend, please contact: kimbryan@walesgreenparty.com/ 07874260407

Patrick Harvie will be talking about the impact the Scottish Greens have had since taking their first seat in Holyrood in 1999. Scottish Greens have been influential in bringing fresh ideas, policies and cooperation to the Scottish parliament. The Scottish Green Party has now become the fourth biggest party by membership in Scotland.

Green Successes at Holyrood

• Millions invested in community projects nationally through the Climate Challenge Fund

• UK’s first Green legislation, tackling hate crimes

• Secured Parliament’s support for youth enterprise

• Helped secure end to tuition fees in Scotland

• Won first UK vote against Trident

• Strengthened climate change legislation

• Switched funding from air routes to bus services

• Won vote against SNP plans for new coal power

• Secured millions for insulation and marine renewables

Welsh political parties today signed an historic pledge to make the climate deal signed in Paris, December 2015 a reality. The Climate Change Commission for Wales agreement aims to commit political parties to deliver a programme of government to tackle climate change. But Alice Hooker-Stroud, leader of the Wales Green Party, says that it is not strong enough to ensure a climate safe future.

“I am signing this agreement today on behalf of the Wales Green Party.  We are committed to working across parties to tackle the threat of climate change, regardless of our political persuasion.

However, I do not believe the commitment in this agreement is strong enough to deliver a climate-safe future. Since the Climate Change Act in 2008, global greenhouse gas emissions have continued to rise, as those in Wales have over recent years. Because of this inaction, we need to reduce emissions faster, and we must aim high.

We need to shake up our thinking on climate change and the economy. What is good for the climate is also good for our communities: decent, future-proof jobs; warm homes that use less energy and lower bills; decent affordable public transport links, and supply chains that support local businesses. These are all part of a sustainable future with clean energy and low – or zero – emissions. This is what we need in Wales and we can, and should be doing it now.

When in the Assembly, the Wales Green Party will push for real action on climate that transforms the economy in Wales to one that benefits our communities now and into the future.”  

The Climate Change Commission for Wales agreement will see political parties pledging to:

• To accelerate the transition to a low carbon economy with a clear roadmap for developing and supporting low carbon energy generation and a coherent approach to Green Growth
• To work together, across party lines, to agree ambitious carbon budgets in accordance with the UK Climate Change Act and forthcoming Environment (Wales) Act.
• Maximise emission reduction in Wales across all sectors, and in particular in the residential, transport and land-use sectors.

Today ( 4th of March) Wales Green Party are marching with Homes for Wales to demand an end to the housing crisis in Wales.

We recognise the urgency of this crisis and the devastating impact this has on some of the most vulnerable in our society. If elected to the National Assembly for Wales, Wales Green Party pledges to:

- ensure the building of a minimum of 12,000 new homes a year.

 - ensure that a significant percentage of these are allocated to meet social housing needs.

 - build new homes to the highest environmental and energy efficiency standards, helping to lift thousands out of fuel poverty.

 Anthony Slaughter, candidate for the Wales Green Party in Cardiff South and Penarth speaking at the Homes of Wales Rally held on the 4^th of March said;

“It’s time to end the housing crisis in Wales. Not enough homes are being built in Wales. The Wales Green Party recognises the urgency of this crisis and the devastating impact this has on some of the most vulnerable in our society. Wales Green Party accepts the recommendations of the recent Holman’s report and would ensure the building of a minimum of 12 000 new homes a year with a significant percentage being allocated to meet social housing needs. These homes would be built to the highest environmental and energy efficiency standards, helping to lift thousands out of fuel poverty.Wales Green Party offers it's full support to the Homes for Wales campaign and we are proud to be part of today's rally."

The Homes for Wales campaign has been set up by a coalition of organisations (Community Housing Cymru, CIH Cymru, Welsh Tenants, Residential Landlords Association, Home Builders Federation, RTPI Cymru, Care & Repair Cymru and Shelter Cymru) ahead of the National Assembly for Wales elections in May. We believe that everyone has the right to a decent affordable home, and housing needs to be acknowledged as a key issue by all political parties to help us to achieve this. No one can make the case for a housing crisis alone which is why we’ve come together to set up this cross-tenure campaign.Homes for Wales stands behind one simple message – End the housing crisis, build a stronger Wales. We ask that the next Welsh Government publishes an ambitious plan for housing as part of the new Programme for Government that sets out how they will end the housing crisis in Wales. We’re busy attending all party conferences to speak to politicians directly, but we also need to get members of the public involved so that they share their housing story with politicians on the doorstep. We need to get everyone talking about housing.

Shake up the Senedd

On Monday 21st March the Wales Green Party will launch its campaign to #ShakeUpTheSenedd and elect green voices to the Welsh Assembly.

Join Alice Hooker-Stroud, leader of Wales Green Party, Natalie Bennett leader of the Green Party of the England and Wales and candidates, members and supporters from across Wales on the campaign bus, provided by Mid-Wales Buses.

 Alice Hooker-Stroud will announce the Wales Green Party pledges ahead of the Welsh Assembly election on May 5th 2016. Natalie Bennett will talk about the difference that elected greens have made in parliaments across the UK and in the EU.

 Meeting at 1.15pm at the bus station in Aberystwyth, the launch will take place on the bus, which will visit the Rheidol Hydro scheme followed by refreshments in the Belle Vue Hotel Bar.

 To join the bus please RSVP to juliemakin@googlemail.com

Members of the press please RSVP to kimbryan@walesgreenparty.com and to discuss arrangements and confirm attendance

Itinerary

1.15pm – Meet bus at Aberystwyth bus station

1.20pm - Alice Hooker-Stroud and Natalie Bennett arrive at Aberystwyth train station.    

1.30pm – Bus leaves Aberystwyth to travel to Cwm Rheidol reservoir (15 minute drive)

1.45pm – Bus parks up next to reservoir.  Speeches from Alice Hooker-Stroud and Natalie Bennett

2.45pm – Return journey back to Aberystwyth

3.00pm – Refreshments at the Belle Vue Hotel bar, SY23 2BA

Siglo’r Senedd

Ddydd Llun 21 Mawrth bydd Plaid Werdd Cymru’n lansio ei hymgyrch i #SigloEinSenedd ac ethol aelodau o’r Blaid Werdd i Gynulliad Cymru.

Ymunwch ag Alice Hooker-Stroud, arweinydd Plaid Werdd Cymru, Natalie Bennett arweinydd Plaid Werdd Lloegr a Chymru ac ymgeiswyr, aelodau a chefnogwyr ledled Cymru ar fws yr ymgyrch, wedi ei ddarparu gan Fysiau cwmni Mid Wales Travel.

 Bydd Alice Hooker-Stroud yn cyhoeddi addewidion Plaid Werdd Cymru cyn etholiad Cynulliad Cymru ar 5 Mai 2016. Bydd Natalie Bennett yn siarad am y gwahaniaeth y mae aelodau etholedig y Blaid Werdd wedi ei wneud mewn seneddau drwy’r Deyrnas Unedig ac yn yr UE.

 Byddwn yn cyfarfod am 1.15pm yn yr orsaf fysiau yn Aberystwyth, cynhelir y lansiad ar y bws, a bydd yn ymweld â Chronfa Cwm Rheidol. Yna bydd lluniaeth ym Mar Gwesty Belle Vue.

 I ymuno â’r bws anfonwch ebost at juliemakin@googlemail.com

Dylai aelodau’r wasg gysylltu â kimbryan@walesgreenparty.com i drafod trefniadau a chadarnhau presenoldeb.

Trefn y dydd

1.15pm – Cyfarfod yn yr orsaf fysiau yn Aberystwyth

1.20pm - Alice Hooker-Stroud a Natalie Bennett yn cyrraedd gorsaf fysiau Aberystwyth.    

1.30pm – Bws yn gadael Aberystwyth ac yn teithio i gronfa Cwm Rheidol (taith o tua 15 munud)

1.45pm – Bws yn parcio ger y gronfa. Alice Hooker-Stroud a Natalie Bennett yn annerch

2.45pm – Teithio’n ôl i Aberystwyth

3.00pm – Lluniaeth ym Mar Gwesty Belle Vue, SY23 2BA

Wales Green Party:  For A Better Europe

The Wales Green Party announces its campaign to stay in Europe: Over the coming months they will be mobilising supporters to campaign to remain, ahead of the EU referendum on June 23^rd.

Sign the Green Party petition for a Greener Europe

Amelia Womack, candidate for South Wales Central and deputy leader of the  Green Party of England And Wales said:

"From environmental protection to workers rights, Wales is better in Europe. As a nation we have continued financial support from the EU to tackle our social and environmental issues to the value of around £1bn, and it is unlikely that Westminister will fill this gap should we leave. What's also clear is that when pollution knows no borders and a refugee crisis at our doorstep, we need to work together to tackle the shared problems we face as a union.  The European story has a long history, and one where Welsh people and the environment have benefitted. As Greens we know that the EU isn't perfect, but we have to be in the EU to change the EU, and work with other like minded parties across Europe to make it more democratic and accountable to European citizens."

Through EU Structural Funds, Wales has benefited from just over £4bn since 2000, supporting business, research and innovation, helping people into work, increasing skills, improving transport and digital networks, regenerating our communities, and enhancing our environment. Since 2007, EU projects have created 11,900 enterprises and 35,570  jobs, assisted 70,135 people into work, 223,000 to gain qualifications, and 49,245 into further learning.

Wales also benefits from EU funds through the Common Agricultural Policy,  providing around £200m a year to more than 16,000 farms in Wales. (Welsh Government, 2016)

The Wales Green Party believes that Europe needs reforming and that every European country has a role to play in building a better Europe.  By remaining part of the EU we can ensure that there are international rules to control big business and finance, that people’s rights are protected - at work and as consumers. The EU has also given us the freedom to live, study, work and retire across an entire continent.

By working with our European neighbours  we can tackle climate change, protect wildlife and reduce pollution. The European story should be celebrated. Countries with different histories and cultures have come together, opting to share sovereignty while keeping their own traditions, in order to work together for the common good.

Remaining part of the EU is essential to meet the challenges of the refugee crisis, international terrorism and climate change.

Wales Green Party leader promises that 2016 will see first Green Assembly Members.

The Wales Green party launched its election campaign – on a bus. Alice Hooker-Stroud, leader of the Wales Green Party, said:

“Across the UK and further afield we see the positive impacts that the Green Party have made in councils, parliaments and assemblies. It’s time to break the one-party state mentality in Wales and shake up the Senedd. As a party we have never been closer to getting green voices into the assembly.”

The launch took place on a bus provided by Mid-Wales buses in Aberystwyth. The double decker bus visited the Cwm Rheidol hydro scheme, which provides enough electricity to power 12,350 homes annually.  Over 60 members of the Wales Green Party attended the event as well as leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, Natalie Bennett and deputy leader and lead list candidate for South Wales Central, Amelia Womack.

“We are launching our campaign on this bus to send out a loud message: no more cuts to public services. From public transport, to our healthcare and education, it’s time to put the public first. We have the means to create a Wales we want to see – right here, right now. Voting Green in May means that we can start to build real change.“ 

The Wales Green Party Election Commitments

#FairEconomy A Wales that works for everyone

• Protect frontline public services
• Support local businesses, economies and supply chains
• Generate energy, income and jobs with community and publically owned renewables

#VibrantCommunities Sustainable and resilient

• Make renewable energy a core strategic priority
• Improve the resilience of communities against the impacts of climate change
• Improve democracy within Wales at all levels
• Increase opportunities to learn and work through Welsh

#FreeEducation For all, for life

• End the programme of school closures
• Support learning throughout life, both part-time and full-time
• Reinvest in further education colleges
• Prioritise no tuition fees for Welsh students studying in Wales

#AffordableHomes Insulated against high bills and cold snaps

• Build 12,000 new houses per year to carbon-neutral standards
• Increase the amount of social housing
• Strengthen tenants’ rights
• Enact a 10-year plan to insulate homes and make them more energy efficient

#PublicNHS For everyone, everywhere

• Put a greater emphasis on public health
• Bring greater attention to mental health support services
• Keep the NHS public
• Develop new approaches to social care services

#ConnectedWales Affordable, integrated public transport

• Fund public transport
• Bring back the North-South rail link, and support the South East Metro
• Keep fares at a level that encourages usage and provide free passes where appropriate
• Oppose the M4 relief road and invest in public transport all over Wales

Core Welsh industries are at risk. Port Talbot steelworks are a vital part of the Welsh economy, and the Green Party will fight for them not only on a Welsh but also on a Britain-wide basis. We are standing side by side with all workers and their families. Our experts are working hard to find intelligent solutions for the Welsh future and economy.

Lisa Rapado, candidate for the Assembly Election states:

“ My heart is with the steelworks. This desperate situation has been on the cards for a while and Welsh and Westminster Governments have been slow to read the signs. We urgently need to find a way to keep steel making a part of Port Talbot and Llanwern because Welsh steel is needed for the future renewable energy projects which will lift Wales out of dependency on polluting fossil fuels and earn an income for the next generation.

 Wales makes good quality steel, and we ask that British manufacturers buy their steel close to home so that our jobs and communities can prosper as they should. We will campaign to make sure that new investors don’t profit at the expense of the workers.”

The Wales Green Party launched its comprehensive manifesto at the Chapter Arts Centre on the 12th of April. Alice Hooker-Stroud leader of the Wales Green Party vowed the party will make history in May’s Assembly Elections and elect the first green voices to the Senedd.

Read the manifesto here

Speaking at the launch of the Wales Green Party manifesto launch Alice Hooker-Stroud said:

 “The National Assembly for Wales is the last national political body in the UK that doesn’t have elected Green voices.  There are Green representatives in community councils,  local government, the House of Lords, the House of Commons, the Scottish Parliament, the Northern Ireland Assembly and the London Assembly, as well as in the European Parliament. In all of these bodies, Greens have made a huge difference.  It is time to do just that in Wales and shake up the Senedd.  Strong Green voices in the Assembly will hold Welsh Government to account on the social and environmental issues that affect our communities, and create a better future for Wales.”

 The manifesto launched at the Chapter Arts centre in Cardiff outlines a vision for Wales that puts the people and the planet first.  Top priorities for the Wales Green Party include divestment from fossil fuels and investment in building sustainable and resilient communities, connecting Wales together and ensuring that education, health and culture are given the resources they need to serve the people of Wales.

Alice Hooker Stroud said

“We need warm and affordable housing, cutting energy use, reducing carbon emissions and fighting fuel poverty.  We need public transport that allows access to vital public services with low impact on the environment. We need schools, libraries and social care systems designed to fit our community’s needs across Wales. We need decently paid and sustainable work. We need community renewables that produce clean green energy and an investment for our future. We need to challenge the status quo and move into a different future for Wales. “

The launch was attended by candidates and supporters of the Wales Green Party and members of the press.

Ralph Cook, Cardiff County Councillor and former Deputy Leader of Cardiff Council joins The Wales Green Party 

Ralph Cook, the popular local Cardiff Councillor who represents Trowbridge and St. Mellons has joined the Wales Green Party.   Ralph joined the party after reading the Wales Green Party manifesto, launched last week, ahead of the National Assembly elections in May 2016. 

 Ralph Cook said:   “I have been a life long practical environmentalist and certainly was a long time before I became a Labour Party Councillor.  I am delighted to have joined a party that holds true to its values whilst also allowing its representatives to express their own positions on the big issues of the day: such a refreshing contrast to the controlling attitude of the Labour Party. I have been impressed by the Wales Green Party manifesto, their strong candidates for the National Assembly elections and their campaign to shake up the Senedd.   

Part of the motivation for my joining the Green Party is their opposition to the proposed M4 Relief Road. This road threatens the ancient landscape and wildlife of the Gwent Levels SSSI and will cost £1 billion - money that I believe would be better spent on the South East Wales Metro. An integrated public transport network built around the Metro concept would provide an enormous boost for the economy of South East Wales, is far better for the environment than building a few miles of motorway and would, I am sure be welcomed enthusiastically by the people of Wales.” 

 The Green party has seen a surge in membership in the last few weeks ahead of the Assembly elections and local elections taking place across the UK.   Hannah Pudner, Deputy Leader of the Wales Green Party said:

   “We've had a spike in people joining the party recently and we welcome them all, including Councillor Ralph Cook.  He isn’t the first, and wont be the last, disillusioned Labour Party member who wants a fresh approach to politics in Wales and to join the Green party.  He is a popular Councillor and will continue to serve the people of Trowbridge and St. Mellons over the next year".

When I look around me I see amazing potential here in Wales.

Inspirational and talented people,

Incredible natural resources

and strong community spirit.

 The foundations of a sustainable future for Wales,

not just environmentally but socially and economically.

 But right now, we are heading in the wrong direction, whether its poverty, cuts or carbon emissions. 

 What we are doing is not working

We need to shake things up,

We need new ideas and fresh thinking

This May, the Wales Green party will win its first seats in the Welsh Assembly,

 In Westminster, Scotland, Ireland and the EU elected Greens have punched well above their weight.

They have made warm affordable homes a national priority,

They have defended our vital public services, they have made sure sustainability and fairness are not sidelined by government

With your vote for the Wales Green Party we can do this and more in Wales.

Vote for the Wales Green Party and Shake up the Senedd

Alice Hooker-Stroud Shakes Up the ITV leaders debate

Fresh thinking and new ideas:  Alice Hooker-Stroud, leader of the Wales Green Party showed what the party will bring to the Senedd at the ITV leaders’ debate broadcast on the 20^th of April.

Alice Hooker-Stroud gave a strong, passionate performance, outlining a clear vision for the future of Wales.   According to the Blurrt UK poll measuring twitter reaction, Alice Hooker-Stroud topped the polls in terms of positive sentiment and volume.

From health, to education, to the future of Tata steel and the economy, Alice Hooker-Stroud consistently set out the Wales Green Party vision for a fair and sustainable society.

“If we are going to create a sustainable future for Wales, we need Green voices in the Senedd that make sure our public services, those essential elements of our communities, aren’t decimated. To make sure that we look for opportunities out of difficult situations instead of pointing the finger, blaming Westminster or simply accepting our lot.

Green voices will take environmental issues like climate change seriously and to make sure that Welsh Government delivers for the people of Wales, no matter who we are, where we live or how much we earn. Vote Green in May and Shake up the Senedd.”

 Deputy Leader, Hannah Pudner said:

 “Alice’s performance shows what a formidable AM she’ll be.  I can’t wait to see her grilling the next First Minister in the Senedd. The people of Wales have heard something fresh and new tonight, and I think they’re going to want to hear more of it.”

 Adam Smith a member of the audience said:

 “The Wales Green Party represents fresh thinking and new ideas for the people of Wales. I am proud to be voting Green in May.”

Help us get equal coverage, complain to the BBC here

Annwyl Mr Davies / Dear Mr Davies,

I am writing to you as General Secretary/Chair of Wales Green Party. I wish to raise a complaint about the treatment of the Wales Green Party in your reporting and articles.

A glance at any of the recent articles on the BBC website will illustrate the institutional bias demonstrated by the BBC. For example a piece on income tax proposals for Wales (dated 17 April) reported all the national parties positions on tax except the Green Party. There are many other examples of such bias on the BBC website.

Last night’s coverage on BBC Wales from Machynlleth, featured cut-out images of five of the party leaders and just a cursory, rather sarcastic, mention of the Greens. This is unacceptable and unfair.

I note that we wrote to you in January this year about our disappointment and anger at not being included in the leaders debate. Your response was the expected characterisation of "you are too small". I think it is difficult to defend the rational basis for such a decision which is at best arbitrary and subjective and at worst discriminatory. The Wales Green Party is, by any common sense definition, a national party (look at the number of candidates that are being fielded) and should therefore be treated as any other national party and expect a fair hearing. It is not the business of the BBC to decide which national party gets a hearing, but to report in a factual manner what they are saying. You will have noted the public disquiet about your initial decision on including the Wales Green Party in the scheduled leader debate and your subsequent change of mind following the campaign.

I am therefore asking you as a matter of urgency to instruct your reporters and journalists to adopt a fair and balanced approach to the Wales National Assembly election and seek the Wales Green Party view when making comparisons.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards

John Morgan

Wales Green Party Releases First Ever 360 Party Electoral Broadcast

It’s been a year of firsts for the Wales Green Party and their Party Electoral Broadcast for the National Assembly Election in 2016 is no different.

Featuring the leader of the Wales Greens, Alice Hooker-Stroud, the 360 video has been created with a camera system that simultaneously records all 360 degrees of a scene. Viewers can pan and rotate a 360 video's perspective to watch it from different angles.

The video has been made by United filmdom in conjunction with 4pi productions and can be viewed here

Producer Chris McFall of United Filmdom said: “As a film maker I wanted to do so something that represents the Wales Green Party, something cutting edge, that reaches out to younger disenfranchised voters in Wales. This is the world’s first ever party electoral video shot in 360 and it’s ground-breaking.”

Hannah Pudner, Deputy Leader of the Wales Green Party said “ The Wales Green Party has a huge commitment to the technology industry and the arts, we are proud that our party election video shows the enormous potential of 360 video and the incredible talent we have here in Cardiff. The video allows the viewer to experience the Wales Green Party message like never before.”

On TV the Party Election Broadcast will appear as a regular broadcast video, but on the internet the film can be experienced in 360 degrees.  Using a smart phone the viewer can click on the facebook video, as the phone is moved around the view will vary.  Allowing the viewer to experience the Wales Green Party message like never before.   People with head mounted displays like Google cardboard, GearVR, Vive or oculus rift can view the video through youtube.   

The Party Election Broadcast will be broadcast on BBC and ITV television 27 of April at;

1755 BBC2 Wales

1825 ITV Cymru

1855 BBC1 Wales

2055 S4C

1830 BBC Radio Wales

1804 BBC Radio Cymru

 NotesWhat is a 360 video?

A 360 video is created with a camera system that simultaneously records all 360 degrees of a scene. Viewers can pan and rotate a 360 video's perspective to watch it from different angles.

These videos have a “360 video” label in the lower left-hand corner and are viewable on computer, iOS devices and Android devices.

360 videos on computer

When watching a 360 video on a computer, the viewing angle is changed by dragging with the mouse.

Make sure you're using the latest version of your web browser (ex. Chrome, Firefox). 360 videos on Facebook aren't viewable on Safari or Internet Explorer.

360 videos on mobile

On iOS and Android mobile devices, the viewing angle of a 360 video is changed by dragging a finger across the screen or by navigating with the device. Make sure you're using the latest version of the Facebook app. If you're using an iOS device, it should be an iPhone 4S or newer or an iPad 2 or newer. The iOS device also should be running iOS 7 or later. If you have an Android device, make sure you're using Android 4.3 or later.

Alice Hooker-Stroud, leader of the Wales Green Party is shaking up politics in Wales- and the stats prove it.

 Another strong performance from Alice Hooker-Stroud on the BBC TV leaders debate has seen social media interaction from the Wales Green Party skyrocket.

 The Wales Green Party was independently verified as the political party that won both TV leaders debates ( ITV Cymru and BBC Wales) on social media.

  Communications officer for the Wales Green Party, Kim Bryan said:

 “We are seeing a phenomenal increase in social media activity in the last two weeks and are attributing it to Alice’s fantastic performance at the TV leaders debates. Alice is a refreshing new face to politics, she is young, sassy and represents new ideas and fresh thinking. She speaks to younger voters who tend to be more active on social media sites.”

 At the BBC TV leaders debate, Alice Hooker-Stroud urged voters to vote for what they believe in.

 “Where greens have seats we see the difference they make. In Wales, we are lucky, every vote counts. If you want a sustainable and fair future for Wales then voting green on your regional ballot paper will get greens elected so that we can #shakeupthesenedd.”

 Campaign manager Dan Boyle said:

  “ We are very confident of winning seats in the Assembly elections, it has been an excellent election campaign for the Wales Green Party. Across Wales we are seeing an increase in support from a broad cross section of people. We are delighted with Alice’s performance at the televised debates. She is the right person to be leading the party to the Senedd.

 Jack Govier the party’s Social Media officer reported that in the debates “47% of all tweets about Alice were positive, 15% higher than anyone else managed. Alice was the second most tweeted about leader overall  and received the lowest proportion of negative tweets.”

BBC TV leaders debate opening speech

To create a sustainable and fair future for Wales

We need Green voices in the Senedd.

 We will bring new ideas and fresh thinking to the Assembly.

We will make sure we all have a warm, affordable home  

establish a clean energy economy fit for our future

and protect our public services across Wales.

We will make sure that Welsh Government delivers for us all,

no matter who we are,

or where we live.

In Westminster, Scotland, Ireland and the EU elected Greens have punched well above their weight.

 And with seats in the Senedd, we will punch well above our weight here in Wales.

On the regional ballot in the Assembly election, you can vote for what you believe in.

 So, if you believe in a sustainable and fair future for Wales,

 Give your regional vote to the Wales Green Party.

Green Party London Assembly Member, Jenny Jones, visits Cardiff on Friday 29th April to support the Greens campaign in the city. Jones will accompany South Wales Central Lead List Candidate, Amelia Womack, in a visit to Gabalfa Primary School and hear about their Big Pedal Campaign. The campaign encourages children to cycle to school, and the Greens will be talking about their commitment to cycling in Cardiff.

Jenny Jones, a long time cycling campaigner, commissioned the report that paved the way for the London cycle-hire scheme, and advocates similar forward thinking in Cardiff. She commented: "Greens are the only party that are committed to prioritising a sustainable transport infrastructure, which is essential to link communities and enable safer cycling. We need to ensure that the costs of public transport and cycling are reduced, and that those of motoring are increased."

Greens have committed to develop new, safe cycle and walking routes and to implement a 20mph speed limit in all residential areas.

Amelia Womack said: "It's great to see schools across Cardiff supporting the Big Pedal Campaign with more and more pupils cycling to school. We need to lower speed limits and create new routes to ensure that travel to schools, linking communities and access to services can be done safely."

"We would like to see effective implementation of the Active Travel Act, developing the Enfys cycle route network in Cardiff and providing cycle training. Greens would ensure funding to develop more well designed routes and to transform Cardiff into a safe cycling city, that benefits from the environmental and health benefits that cycling brings."