“I’ve just come off the phone to Tata’s head office in Mumbai … reminding them of their responsibility to the workers and the areas they operate in.” Thanks Carwyn. I’m sure all steelworkers in Port Talbot and elsewhere in Wales and around the UK can now sleep easy, knowing that the better nature of the CEO of this multi-national corporation has now been appealed to by our Welsh Labour First Minister.

Unfortunately, as far as I’m aware Tata don’t have any real responsibility to the workers, especially when they cease to be their employees, which could happen relatively soon; and I’m not sure large companies have ever held any responsibility for the areas they operate in, particularly in the socio-economic context Carwyn Jones was talking.

This is one of the Wales Green Party’s biggest issues with multi-national corporations, and the economic system that dominates today: they only really have legal responsibility to maximise profit to their shareholders. That is, quite literally, the bottom line. Whilst they must adhere to decent pay, working regulations, health and safety legislation, and usually some fairly-flimsy environmental standards, really their focus is on making cash. And cash for those at the top, not cash for those who put the hours in on the shop floor.

Picking out some elements that did come from the shop floor, so to speak, recently Roy Rickhuss, general secretary of the steelworkers’ union Community, said on the BBC: “What we don’t want to do is to just sit back and wait … for someone to come and tell us what they are going to do to save our industry. Because it is our industry. Governments come and go, and to some extent employers come and go, and what stays the same is the workforce and the communities in which they live.”

It is precisely those workforces, and those communities – those that rallied outside the Senedd recently, that the Wales Green Party believes to be most important, and that I think we should listen to, and work with to make a sustainable future for steelworkers, and for us all here in Wales. And that is why I question the concept of trying to get in another multi-national company to buy Tata steelworks in the UK.

There are calls for re-nationalisation of steelworks as an essential building block of our infrastructure: we need steel, for houses, for railroads and, the Wales Green Party would argue, for all the clean-energy generating renewables we should be supporting around the country. But most people, including Labour – both Corbyn- and Carwyn-flavoured, are using nationalisation as a ‘stop-gap,’ which in my eyes is just using the state to save the system that put jobs at risk in the first place.

Isn’t waiting for another multi-national buyer just ‘out of the frying pan and into the fire’ for the steelworkers and their communities? Should a whole community be held to ransom by global markets and the fancies of one single employer?

I think we need to shake up the Senedd and get out of this way of thinking.

There are other options. Real options that truly represent the “sustainable future for our steel communities here in Wales” that Carwyn talked about. Not this idiotic ‘rinse and repeat’ mentality to saving our steel by selling out to large multi-nationals that it feels like he is – alongside almost everyone else in a position of political power, essentially, crossing his fingers for.

Real sustainability means looking in the long-term. It might mean diversifying so that ups and downs don’t hit as hard and can’t sweep everything out from under you. It might also mean self-regulating, or self-governing – so that those involved and impacted can adjust and react to make sure they are protected, with support from government.

I’m not completely sold on outright re-nationalisation of our steelworks, and certainly not just as a short-term measure ready to re-sell on the global market. ‘Governments come and go, and to some extent employers come and go’ as Rickhuss said. What remains are the workforces and their communities. We mustn’t let the steelworks close, because any break in employment will be devastating for those workers and their communities – skills and connections will be lost as people are forced to move or take up other employment, even over a short period of time of closure.

But I bet the steelworkers themselves have a tonne of ideas about what would make their work sustainable in the long-term. I think they know their skills and their strengths, they know what they want in their communities, and I think they are very well-placed to weigh up the balance between what is a risky strategy and what is a decent strategy that will keep work sustainable into the future in their communities.

‘Our industry’. That’s what Rickhuss said, and I think I agree: it should be theirs.

There is, I believe, a role that government can play in this, and perhaps taking on the plants while sustainable business models and strategies that benefit the workers and their communities are developed. And we should be supporting the transition to whatever that future looks like in their communities – be it re-nationalised or worker-owned co-operative steelworks, other businesses that use the very same skills to create multiple smaller organisations and enterprises with a diverse base of revenue, or something else entirely.

But we do need to start building more things that need steel like wind turbines and railroads – not to artificially save jobs, but because these are also key parts of a sustainable future. If steelmakers like those in Port Talbot are able and willing to supply that steel, then we should support them to do so. We should also provide subsidies to increase energy efficiency, perhaps to help the steelworks change the focus or method of manufacturing, perhaps to recycle steel. We should use our power to allow buyers in the UK to measure the socio-economic impact as well as price to determine contract bidding – because, after all ‘socio-economic impacts’ is just another word for the effects on workforces and communities, and that is what we should be focusing on.

This is how the Wales Green Party would get out of the current crisis.

Leaders of the Green Party of England and Wales and Wales Green Party will be participating in the Reclaim the Power action camp being held near the Ffos-y-Fran opencast mine, Merthy Tydfil from the 30^th of April till the 4^rd of May.

Activists from across the UK will be coming to the camp to highlight the damaging impact of coal on health, the local environment and to the climate globally. The location of the camp will be announced at 12pm Saturday 30^th of April.

The Green Party of England and Wales and Wales Green Party activists are supporting the camp being organised in partnership with local community groups, environmental action group Reclaim the Power and Climate Camp Cymru. Hundreds of people are expected to participate in events taking place over the back holiday weekend.

Alice Hooker-Stroud said:

 " Fossil fuels must stay in the ground if we're to act responsibly on climate change. We don't need or want more open cast in Wales. There is huge potential for renewables in Wales, creating a clean energy economy fit for the future. Not only is the industry potentially worth billions to the Welsh economy - which could be invested by communities and local authorities in public services - but it would provide decent, sustainable jobs across Wales.”

 Despite an unopposed Welsh Assembly vote for a moratorium on open-cast mining in Wales last year, mining company Miller Argent is seeking planning permission for a yet another mine nearby at Nant Llesg.  

 Natalie Bennett, leader of the Green Party of England and Wales said:

 “If we are to meet commitments made in Paris to keep temperature rise below 1.5 degrees we need to end fossil fuel extraction now. The UK government is failing to act to cut our carbon emissions, instead it is decimating the renewables industry, and pursuing fracking and continuing the operation of open-cast mines; the UK’s climate change and energy policies are in crisis.”

Ellen Gibson, a spokesperson from Reclaim the Power, commented:

“The local community have battled the giant Ffos-y-fran mine polluting their homes and our planet for nearly a decade. Now we are joining them to resist coal company Miller Argent’s attempts to override local democracy and force through a new mine next door.”

A spokesperson for the local community group opposed to the mine said:

“This camp will boost the local community who are campaigning against dangerous levels of air pollution, noise and degradation of our beautiful landscape. It will also draw greater attention to the bullying tactics coal companies are using to try and overturn community rejection and enclose common land at Nant Llesg.”

 Alice Hooker-Stroud (leader of the Wales Green Party) and Amelia Womack (Deputy Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales) will be speaking at the camp at 2pm on the 1^st of May as part of the Solidarity Sunday event.

 Alice Hooker-Stroud and Natalie Bennett will be holding a press conference at the entrance Reclaim the Power camp (the location with be confirmed on Saturday 12pm) at 8.30 am on the 3^rd of May, to coincide with actions taking place that day to shut down the mine.

 For images, interviews and further information please contact: Kimbryan@walesgreenparty.com/ 07874260407  

 Please RSVP to Kimbryan@walesgreenparty.com/ 07874260407 if you intend to attend the press conference. Due to actions to shut down the mine that day and anticipated police presence it may be necessary to relocate the press conference.

Dear Gareth,

  I was disappointed to see the manifesto assessment chart that you've published recently. I believe that the Wales Green Party and Friends of the Earth Cymru are of one mind in believing that environmental issues should be at the top of the agenda in Welsh politics. 

 As a party that takes addressing climate change and protecting the environment as a starting point for all of our policies, you probably won't be surprised that we were disappointed not to get a better score in the table. I feel this is largely down to the methodology you've chosen.

 For example, it feels odd that a commitment to a can and deposit scheme is given the same weighting as an overall commitment to tackling climate change - where of course we were the only party to gain the full mark.  

 I am also sure you are in no real doubt that the Wales Green Party is unambiguously in favour of a fossil free Wales. We have campaigned extensively against fracking, and open cast mining in communities across Wales, often alongside FoE representatives and volunteers. Activists from the Green Party will be participating in this weekend's Reclaim the Power camp being held in Merthyr Tydfill. Alice Hooker-Stroud, Amelia Womack and Natalie Bennett will all be there, speaking out against open cast mining.

 That we score less than full marks on that in your assessment, I feel, misrepresents of our position based on a somewhat narrow reading of our manifesto. Indeed we have received little credit for the array of other environmental policies in our manifesto that don't fall into your key asks.

 One of the most important roles Green AM's will play in the next Assembly is calling out other parties when their green policies amount to greenwash and box-ticking. I know from the role you and your colleagues have played in scrutinising key environmental legislation in the last Assembly that you are an organisation we will want to work closely with in doing so.  

 My fear is that the way FoE Cymru has approached this actually makes it easier for parties to pay lip service to the green agenda, and disguises - in some cases - a commitment to green issues which is superficial at best.

 I hope that you will understand my reasons for writing to you. I would be happy to meet to talk to you about our environmental policies and commitments, and hope we will be working closely together in future. 

Best wishes, 

Hannah Pudner 

Deputy Leader of the Wales Green Party

Wales Green Party Leader and Deputy Leader Alice Hooker-Stroud and Hannah Pudner will be joined by the party's two deputy leaders, Amelia Womack and Shahrar Ali, at Pride Cymru this weekend as the Wales Green Party's LGBTIQ+ group launches a campaign to recognise non-binary genders.

Welsh Green Pride are set to launch a petition urging the government to follow in the lead of tech giants Google and Facebook to acknowledge that many people do not identify as male or female.

Welsh Green Pride have highlighted that many individuals who do not identify as 'male' or 'female' are not protected by the Equality Act 2010. The treatment of individuals who do not identify as a binary gender does not take into account their gender identity and they therefore remain unequal by law.

The spokesperson for Welsh Green Pride, Andrew Creak, said: "First and foremost, a binary understanding of gender is outdated. It is something science has long gone past. It is also immoral. Considering that over 40% of non-binary people have attempted suicide at some point, a third have experienced physical assault, and that a sixth have experienced a sexual assault, this is an incredibly important issue. People who identify for example as gender fluid or bigender deserve to be recognised by the UK government and law. Being accepted and having legal recognition has an enormous impact on an individual's mental health."

In 2013, Brighton & Hove Council accepted 'Mx' as a gender neutral title. This was welcomed by many as a progressive initiative.

Creak, who identifies as gender fluid, added: "Although legal documents in the United Kingdom currently only recognise two binary genders - 'female' and 'male' - over a quarter of trans people in the UK identify outside this gender binary. Australia and New Zealand, for example, have taken actions to ensure these people aren't excluded from legal processes. These countries have also taken practical measures that demonstrate inclusivity, such as adding an extra option on passports: a simple 'X' for unspecified gender. There is no question why the UK could not do the same."

The petition kick-started by Welsh Green Pride calls for a gender option other than 'male' and 'female' to be available to anyone who requires it on all legal documents and records. Find the petition at www.pride.greenparty.wales/non-binary_exists.

Alice Hooker-Stroud, Leader of the Wales Green Party, pledged her determination to support those affected by hatred, racism and xenophobia and dedication to fight for a fair deal for Wales during her speech to the Green Party’s Autumn Conference today (2 September).

Hooker-Stroud, who has led her party for eight months and whose debut speech to Spring Conference went down a storm, said:

“I am hurt by the hatred, racism and xenophobia that dominated the EU referendum campaign, and that a majority vote to leave the EU, appears to have legitimised this prejudice. I am saddened that now so many thousands of people in the UK people in our communities - our friends, our families and our neighbours - not just EU nationals, but people of colour and ethnic minorities, feel so unwelcome, and live with uncertainty about their futures.

"Discrimination goes much deeper than words, and my hope is that we can now begin to expose and address the structural and hidden forms - as well as the day-today of inequality and discrimination in the UK. Not just in terms of race, but gender, disability, class and sexuality.”

Reflecting on her tenure to date, Hooker-Stroud, said:

“There were many highlights in the 2016 Welsh Assembly campaign: By entering into informal talks on the potential formation of a progressive alliance, the Wales Green Party laid the groundwork for potential future alliances, and paved the way for people to start thinking about a different form of politics.”

Hooker-Stroud said “the EU referendum has, at least, opened the debate about electoral reform and representation, about accountability and democracy, and importantly for Wales about the position of the devolved nations within the UK, and the terms of the relationship between us and Westminster. And it has brought to the fore a problem that we all know is not purely characterised by the crass headlines and campaigning of the EU referendum."

Ahead of the council elections next year, Hooker-Stroud looked forward to the Wales Green Party campaigning to elect “excellent candidates who will make caring, compassionate and strong representatives of their wards. I also look forwards to campaigning alongside Welsh Green Pride in their Non-Binary Exists campaign – to have non-binary gender properly recognised."

"We will fight for fair powers, fair funding and fair representation in Wales, making sure that voices from across Wales are heard.” 

Wales Green Party responds to growing crisis for refugee children

Alice Hooker-Stroud, leader of the Wales Green Party responds to UNICEF’s report, ‘Uprooted’, which today revealed that over half the world’s refugees are children: 50 million children have been forcibly displaced from their homes worldwide; 28 million have fled violence and conflict. It states that nearly one in every 200 children worldwide is now a refugee.

“It astounds me that at the same time this report is published, the UK Minister of State for Immigration, Conservative MP Robert Goodwill, announces the building of a wall in Calais.

The refugee camp in Calais sits between the fifth and sixth richest countries in the world – us and France, and our Government’s approach is to try and pen them in with concrete.

It’s absolutely ridiculous. This problem will not go away. We need an internationally co-ordinated effort to home refugees, particularly children. All refugees in these camps are in danger of exploitation, trafficking, and abuse. Building a wall increases these dangers.

There is a growing crisis here, and half of those in crisis are children who are experiencing an appalling start to life which will impact them for the rest of their lives. We can’t just block that out with a wall.”

The UK now has a legal obligation (the ‘Dubs Amendment’) to provide a place of sanctuary, and a safe route into the UK for the most desperate child refugees. Although an estimated 70-120 children have been reunited with their families in the UK this year, so far no unaccompanied children have been brought to the UK under this law, which commits to resettling 3,000 children. 

Wales Green Party will be supporting WASPI Pembrokeshire today, 9th September, when representatives will meet Stephen Crabb MP to discuss changes made to the Women State Pension age. There will be a demonstration outside of the meeting which will include speeches from Wales Green Party's Frances Bryant and Jim Scott.

The state pension age for women was raised to 65 without fair warning, and as such some women are finding that their financial plans have been ruined. The Wales Green Party supports WASPI’s assertion that there should be provision made for transitional payments to bridge the gap for women who in some cases have had as little as two years notice that their pensions will be delayed by up to six years.

The demonstration is targeted at Stephen Crabb who, while Work and Pensions Secretary, said that women should not expect the government to intervene, and that it would be impossible to unwind changes dating back more than 20 years.

Hannah Pudner, Deputy Leader of the Wales Green Party said: “This is not a campaign to move away from a single state pension age, it’s a campaign to help those women who have been most affected by this change. Nobody should be in the position where they’ve planned for one specific scenario for the majority of their lives, only to have the rug pulled from under them and to discover that their planning was in vain, as the government has changed the pensionable age for women without fair notice.”

Speaking at the demonstration, Frances Bryant, past Wales Green Party candidate for Preseli Pembrokshire, said “Nobody disputes that there should be pension parity between the sexes, but the rapid introduction of this policy combined with lack of information to the women concerned has led to immense hardship and huge financial loss. It is disgraceful to treat women in this cavalier way, and the Green Party stands with WASPI in its very reasonable request for fair transitional payments to those women who have been so adversely affected.”

Jim Scott of Pembrokeshire People’s Assembly added “The situation women are facing with sudden pension changes is typical of the current Tory Government, and Crabb, as always, is in full support of these bungled changes. The Tories’ ‘slash and burn’ austerity economics have left thousands of women in a situation where they have no time to plan for changes to their pensions that will see them thousands of pounds worse off for many years. This week we have also seen a National week of action around Britain from DPAC (Disabled People Against Cuts) who have also been devastated by brutal Tory welfare cuts. We are here today to show Crabb and his Government that we will stick together on issues like these and that we can and we will fight back against such ideological policies.”

Wales Green Party responds to the Boundary Commission for Wales: 2018 Review of UK Parliament constituencies in Wales which reduces the number of constituencies from 40 to 29.

Leader, Alice Hooker-Stroud said:

"The aim of this Government is clear and consistent: to disenfranchise more and more of the electorate for their own political gain: by changing the rules on registering to vote and allowing 800,000 people to fall off the electoral register; and to then completely disregard these people when changing electoral boundaries.

We are being sold the line of cutting costs, and making our democracy fairer. The first of which is completely unnecessary, and the latter completely untrue. These proposed boundary changes make marginalised communities and peoples even more so - those in rural areas, young people, and poorer communities. Wales' voice will be heard less under these changes than other devolved nations, despite the fact that more of our powers remain in Westminster. It is unacceptable and disrespectful.

Its not the boundaries that need changing, its the electoral system: the first-past-the-post system in Westminster that allows a Government to be elected to make all these changes with the backing of less than a quarter of our population."

SNP, Plaid and the Green Party join forces to resist Tories' ‘toxic politics’

Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of Scotland, has joined forces with the leaders of Plaid Cymru and the Green Party to call for progressive parties to work together to resist the ‘Tories' toxic politics’.

The leaders have released a statement ahead of Theresa May’s first major conference speech as Conservative Party leader.

In the statement - signed by Sturgeon, Leanne Wood of Plaid Cyrmu, Alice Hooker-Stroud of Wales Green Party, Jonathan Bartley and Caroline Lucas from the Green Party of England and Wales and the leaders of the Green Parties of Scotland and Northern Ireland - the politicians attack the Conservatives for the ‘the most toxic rhetoric on immigration seen from any government in living memory.’

The statement goes on to say:

“This is not a time for parties to play games, or meekly respect the tired convention whereby they do not break cover during each other's conferences. It is an occasion for us to restate the importance of working together to resist the Tories' toxic politics, and make the case for a better future for our people and communities.”

The statement was drawn up this morning between the parties as a response to increasingly hostile rhetoric from the Conservative Party Conference.

Wales Green Party Leader, Alice Hooker-Stroud, said:

“We need progressive parties to be working together to present a real opposition to the Conservatives. May's vision for 'hard brexit' threatens the harmony and wellbeing of communities in Wales. As a united group we can resist the legitimisation of prejudice which this conference has encouraged."

Hooker-Stroud also expressed concern about May's insistence that Wales will not be part of Brexit negotiations. She said: "For any Brexit deal to be best for the United Kingdom in its entirety, devolved nations should be active participants and deserve a seat at the negotiating table. Our needs are individually different, and we cannot be treated as a sideshow to the main attraction."

Full statement, signed by:

Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland

Patrick Harvie, Co-convener of the Scottish Green Party

Jonathan Bartley, co-leader of the Green Party of England and Wales

Caroline Lucas, co-leader of the Green Party of England and Wales

Leanne Wood, Leader of Plaid Cymru

Alice Hooker-Stroud, Leader of the Wales Green Party 

Steven Agnew, Leader of the Green Party of Northern Ireland

The countries of the United Kingdom face a spiralling political and economic crisis. At the top of the Conservative Party, the narrow vote in favour of leaving the EU has now been interpreted as the pretext for a drastic cutting of ties with Europe, which would have dire economic results - and as an excuse for the most toxic rhetoric on immigration we have seen from any government in living memory.

This is a profoundly moral question which gets to the heart of what sort of country we think we live in. We will not tolerate the contribution of people from overseas to our NHS being called into question, or a new version of the divisive rhetoric of 'British jobs for British workers'. Neither will we allow the people of these islands, no matter how they voted on June 23rd, to be presented as a reactionary, xenophobic mass whose only concern is somehow taking the UK back to a lost imperial age. At a time of increasing violence and tension, we will call out the actions of politicians who threaten to enflame those same things.

This is not a time for parties to play games, or meekly respect the tired convention whereby they do not break cover during each other's conferences. It is an occasion for us to restate the importance of working together to resist the Tories' toxic politics, and make the case for a better future for our people and communities. We will do this by continuing to work and campaign with the fierce sense of urgency this political moment demands.

The Wales Green Party is deeply disappointed at the Assembly's opposition to enacting an Autism Act for Wales. The Senedd voted 27-24 against the motion and the autism community are left waiting for assurances that autism will be treated with the seriousness it warrants.

Kirsty Williams, Welsh Liberal Democrat and Education Secretary in the Welsh Assembly, opposed the motion despite the Welsh Liberal Democrats manifesto promising: “An Autism Bill, to meet the needs of autistic people for the next Assembly term and beyond.” 

Every Labour Party Assembly Member in attendance voted against the motion.

Alice Hooker-Stroud, Leader of the Wales Green Party said:
“I am surprised to see Kirsty Williams’ u-turn on this Act. It harks back to Nick Clegg and the Tories in Westminster, going back on promises made to Lib Dem voters. 

If I had voted for her, I'd be calling for reassurances that she won't allow Welsh Labour to ride roughshod over her promises during the election campaign in return for her cabinet position. I'd be keeping a close eye on her actions in the Senedd in relation to those of Welsh Labour, who have once again showed that they are unwilling to listen to advice from the community most affected by their actions. 

The National Autistic Society Cymru, experts, and the autism community have shown overwhelming support for the Act. Welsh Labour's partisanship cannot go unchallenged when it comes at the cost of people in desperate need of recognition and support."

Lisa Rapado, Wales Green Party member and National Autistic Society member added:
“The result of the vote yesterday was beyond disappointing as we see the wait for autism diagnosis taking longer than ever, and ever increasing numbers of families being left with no choice but to home school their children as fewer schools seem able to deal with children on the autism spectrum.

This community has been surveyed about its needs on a regular basis and survey fatigue is setting in with many – it’s past time for the Labour Government to stop the surveys and start delivering. They have proven to be unwilling, but the autism community in Wales will continue to fight for an Autism Act that could do so much good.”

The Wales Green Party pledged to support an Autism Act for Wales in their National Assembly for Wales manifesto and it forms part of their Policies for a Sustainable Society for Wales

Alice Hooker-Stroud, Leader of Wales Green Party, has called for the Welsh Government to immediately ban zero hours contracts for their staff.

"The Government has claimed to limit zero hours contracts across Wales, but can't get their own house in order. Welsh Government once again appear to talk the talk, but not walk the walk.

Zero hours contracts risk pushing more people into poverty. The Government has an obligation to ensure that its staff, and the staff of those agencies it employs, are treated fairly. A commitment not to use zero hours contracts should be part of any Government procurement process - and it needs to be enforced. "

Last month, Green Party members reaffirmed their support for workers striking against unfair contracts and their commitment to tackling exploitative employment practices. At Autumn Conference, members voted overwhelmingly in support of an emergency motion instructing the party to push the government on issues of employment status.

Co-Leader of the Green Party of England & Wales, Jonathan Bartley, said:

“The rise of this way of employing people, along with the growing use of agency workers and other kinds of casual work, make it harder to enforce protections for workers’ rights, and make it harder for workers to unionise and fight collectively for better pay and conditions.

Zero-hour contracts, the gig economy and other dodgy employment practises are taking us into an age of insecurity. The Green Party should be at the absolute forefront of the fight back - offering solutions to the challenges of work in the 21st century.”

Wales Green Party has written an open letter to Councillors in Wales in the wake of the draft budget and the prospect of real terms cuts to local government. The Party empathises with the prospect of five more years of cuts, but urges Councillors not to keep opting for the same old quick fixes that have failed Welsh communities.

Instead of using outsourcing firms or global consultants Wales Green Party pleads with Councillorsto engage with their communities, listen to residents, and protect the most vulnerable.

Wales Green Party Leader, Alice Hooker-Stroud, said:

"I sympathise with the challenges faced by our Councils right now. We're suffering from Westminster's austerity ideology, a poor deal given to the Welsh Government, and real terms cuts to Council budgets. But that's no excuse for wasting public money on profit-driven consultants, selling off our valuable assets, or for not genuinely representing your community."

Councillor Gwynfor Edwards, who recently defected from Labour to become Wales' first Green Councillor said:

"Yes, times are tough for Councils. We can't bury our heads in the sand, or rely on others to make decisions for us. I've worked hard to propose innovative solutions to cuts, and to engage with as many of my community in Deiniol as possible. I'd urge my fellow Councillors to do the same."

Full letter text:

Dear Councillors

We know it's been another tough week for you. Well, it's been a tough year, a tough term for you. We know when you became a Councillor you thought you'd make a positive difference, improving our public services and improving the lives of those around you. You knew it would be hard, but no one could have foreseen just how painful it was going to be. We know you didn't become a Councillor to see schools, social care provision and libraries being closed all around you.

This week you might have felt a shred of relief when you first read the Welsh Government's draft budget. But now you're realising that 'no further local government cuts' actually means 'further local government cuts'. You're already faced with a mammoth challenge of implementing existing cuts, and you know that many planned initiatives are under threat due to the looming EU funding withdrawal. The failure to take inflation into account, guaranteeing a real terms budget cut compared to last year, is really kicking you when you're down.

But we need you to face up to the challenge. We need smart and efficient cost savings that don't hit the most vulnerable in our communities. Now is not the time for snoozing in meetings. It's not the time for long lunches and social events. Or for being compromised by party loyalty. It's not the time for taking shortcuts, handing over valuable publicly owned assets to the private sector under the guise of protecting them.  And it's certainly not the time to be paying global consultancies with questionable ethics tens of thousands of pounds to do your job for you.

It's time to listen to your residents. To attend every public meeting and consultation. To genuinely represent your community. And to start thinking creatively. You can't blame 'the Council' for decisions that are made. Cabinet member or not, you are the Council, and you're all we've got. Make your decisions based on the needs of the most vulnerable.  And if you're in need of some fresh ideas, give your local Green Party a call.

There are going to be hard choices ahead. But remember why you got into this in the first place, and talk to the people that you represent. You must do your utmost to protect our public services. Whilst transferring our assets to private companies might seem like an easy win, you're removing any chance of democratic oversight. Use every skill you have to get your Council to work more efficiently and smarter, but don't, whatever you do, pick up the phone to PricewaterhouseCoopers again.

With best wishes

Wales Green Party

On Friday 21st October, Wales Green Party Leader, Alice Hooker-Stroud addressed Plaid Cymru's Annual Conference on the subject of progressive alliances at Westminster. Her speech is below.

Prynhawn da pawb. Yn gyntaf, diolch i Compass am y gwahoddiad i ddod yma i siarad a chi heddiw.

Its great to have the opportunity to come here and talk to you today. But I have to admit, that even coming here is not without difficulty – it does make me a little nervous if I’m honest! So I thought I would start by acknowledging this because I think it characterises some of the discussion I hope we will have today.

Mae’n rhaid i mi ddweud, rydw i yn teimlo dipyn yn nerfus i fod yma! Mi fydd rhai o’n aelodau ni yn hapus iawn i glywed fy mod i yma, yn ceisio weithio gyda phleidiau blaengar arall i chreu dyfodol well, i greu dyfodol fwy theg i ni gyd. Ond hefyd, yn siŵr, mi fydd rhai o’n aelodau ni ddim yn hapus iawn.

Some of our members will be pleased to hear I am here today to try and work together with other progressive parties for a better future, a fairer future. But others will be much less confortable with it. So, just to be clear: today I am here to discuss with you the opportunities and difficulties inherent in forming a progressive alliance to work towards a proportional system in Westminster.

Felly, i fod yn glir, rydw i yma i siarad am y bosibilrwydd o weithio gyda’n gilydd i ymgyrchu dros cynrychiolaeth gyfrannol yn San Steffan.

I’m not saying I rule out any other ways in which we might work together, and we are a party that advocates cooperation. But we have to admit openly and honestly, that in the current political culture, it can be complicated working with other parties, let alone forming alliances.

Mae’n rhaid ddweud, mae o’n gallu fod yn galed weithio gyda phleidiau arall yn y ddiwylliant wleidyddol sydd gennym ar y foment. A dyma un o broblemau y system fel y mae hi ar y foment. Yn enwedig yn San Steffan, mae o’n ddiwylliant gystadleuol iawn.

The system we have at the moment – especially in Westminster, is highly competitive. Its divisive. It can even be tribal. There are reasons why our members are our members and not yours; and vice versa. There are reasons why people vote for us, or vote for you. And there are many who would perhaps like to vote for either of us, but don’t – or can’t.

Because the system of first-past-the-post means that for a lot of people, “voting for what you believe in” and “wasting your vote” basically means the same thing. In actual fact, only a very small number of votes in a general election count for anything. Parties only pay attention to voters in swing seats. The vast majority of us are silenced. We vote tactically, or we disengage. The Conservative Government elected in 2015 was elected by only 24% of the population eligible to vote – the least representative election in history. How can we call this a democracy?

Ac i lawer o bobl, mae “pleidleisio dros bwy rydw i’n ei chredu ynddo” yr un fath a “gwastraffu pleidlais.” Dydi’r mwyafrif o’r pleidleisiau a fwrir ledled y wlad ddim yn cyfrif. Dim ond y rhai sy’n byw mewn ‘swing seats’ sydd a llais. Mae gennym lywodraeth yn San Steffan chafodd ei hethol gan 24% o bobl hawl i pleidleisio. Mi oedd yr etholiad yn 2015 “yr un mwyaf anghyfartal yn ein hanes etholiadol.” Pa fath o democratiaeth yw hon? Mae’n rhaid i hyn newid.

This must change. And especially after a referendum that promised people they could ‘take back control,’ I believe there is an opportunity in the current political climate. Though as I highlighted at the beginning, it is not without difficulty. Because we will have to work together to achieve change, to build a more representative and inclusive democracy where tactical voting is history, and to achieve a proportional system where every vote counts.

Mae’n rhaid i ni ymgyrchu dros system lle mae pob pleidlais yn cyfrif, lle does ddim rhaid i ni bleidleisio’n tactegol, i gael chreu democratiaeth gynhwysol. Mae’n rhaid i ni ymgyrchu dros cynrychiolaeth gyfrannol.

Ond dydi newid mor enfawr ddim yn mynd i fod yn hawdd. Oherwydd mi fydd yn rhaid i ni weithio gyda’n gilydd – a dydi hyn ddim yn hawdd. Ond rydw i yma heddiw oherwydd rydw i’n meddwl fod o’n pwysig i ni thrafod amdano yn agored. A rydw i’n edrych ymlaen i glywed eich meddylion chi amdano.

I am here today because I think it is important that in this case – on something as game-changing as proportional representation – that we work together. And I look forwards to hearing your views on it, because I believe that it is only through talking to each other openly and honestly that we will have a chance to make progress. Thank you.

Diolch yn fawr. 

Wales Green Party Deputy Leader, Hannah Pudner, calls for attention to be given to Wales over illegal air pollution breaches. The response follows today's high court judgement that the Westminster Government's plan to tackle air pollution is illegally poor.

Hannah Pudner said:

"The air pollution crisis is not just facing London, it's a clear and present danger here in Wales. In fact, Crumlin in Caerphilly has the second worst air quality in the UK, second only to London's Marylebone Road. We urge the Welsh Government to tackle this issue which is causing over 1000 early deaths each year in Wales.

"Vehicle pollution is a major factor so we once again need to question the viability of the proposed M4 relief road. Wales needs to be using the full force of our new law, the Well-Being of Future Generations Act, to ensure that current proposals are effectively scrutinised and air pollution goals are met.

Pudner is also pushing for Local Authorities to take responsibility for effective measurement of air pollution levels. She said:

"In addition, the Welsh Government needs to provide ring fenced funding to Local Authorities to be able to implement measures to reduce air pollution.

"Local authorities are obliged to assess air quality and to take action to ensure that air pollution levels are as low as possible. Disappointingly, this is not happening in many areas of Wales, and we have five towns which significantly exceed EU levels. Local Councils must take this issue seriously, and do all they can to protect the quality of air and therefore our health. Providing safe and effective walking, cycling and public transport routes would be part of the solution.

"Green Party groups across Wales are taking grassroots action on this issue, because protecting our planet and our health is our priority."

Wales Green Party will be welcoming Green Party speakers from Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland at their annual conference in Machynlleth to discuss post-Brexit challenges for devolved countries.

Wales Green Party members will be joined by Scotland's youngest MSP, Ross Greer of the Scottish Greens; Eamon Ryan TD, Leader of the Irish Green Party and Steven Agnew MLA, Leader of the Green Party in Northern Ireland, this weekend.

Steven Agnew MLA said:

"I am delighted to be back in Machynlleth, having visited here a number of years ago. The international nature of the Green Party sets us apart from others and it is important we maximise this by sharing ideas and good practice. As Brexiteers seek to harden borders it is vital that the Green Party dissolves barriers to co-operation through the relations between our sister parties.

This is an excellent learning opportunity for each of us and will further strengthen the bonds of the Green Parties of these islands. I applaud the leadership of Alice Hooker-Stroud in bringing our parties closer together and believe this is just one part of a successful strategy that will result in electoral success for the Wales Green Party." 

Alice Hooker-Stroud said:

"The future of the UK is being carved out by a small number of people in Westminster. Many who voted to leave the EU voted to ‘take back control’. Where is that control for us, for Northern Ireland and for Scotland? We all deserve a voice. Our annual conference is an opportunity for us to make sure that we listen to people and to make sure that we have them front and centre of our future post-Brexit. I look forwards to hearing about local concerns from our membership across Wales, and an international perspective from our colleagues from across the UK and Ireland.”

Wales Green Party members will also have the opportunity to learn from Green electoral successes from other parts of the British Isles. Scottish Greens achieved their highest number of votes in the Scottish election this May, with six MSPs in Holyrood.

Ross Greer MSP said:

"Scottish Greens have proven that the Green message is a powerful one, even with a number of left-of-centre parties competing for the vote. I can see huge potential for the Greens in Wales. Like our sister parties who have seen success across Europe, our policy is underpinned by economic, environmental and social justice. We work together. We have a lot to offer."

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Wales Green Party will be welcoming Green Party speakers from Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland at their annual conference in Machynlleth to discuss post-Brexit challenges for devolved countries.

Wales Green Party members will be joined by Scotland's youngest MSP, Ross Greer of the Scottish Greens; Eamon Ryan TD, Leader of the Irish Green Party and Steven Agnew MLA, Leader of the Green Party in Northern Ireland, this weekend.

Steven Agnew MLA said:

"I am delighted to be back in Machynlleth, having visited here a number of years ago. The international nature of the Green Party sets us apart from others and it is important we maximise this by sharing ideas and good practice. As Brexiteers seek to harden borders it is vital that the Green Party dissolves barriers to co-operation through the relations between our sister parties.

This is an excellent learning opportunity for each of us and will further strengthen the bonds of the Green Parties of these islands. I applaud the leadership of Alice Hooker-Stroud in bringing our parties closer together and believe this is just one part of a successful strategy that will result in electoral success for the Wales Green Party." 

Alice Hooker-Stroud said:

"The future of the UK is being carved out by a small number of people in Westminster. Many who voted to leave the EU voted to ‘take back control’. Where is that control for us, for Northern Ireland and for Scotland? We all deserve a voice. Our annual conference is an opportunity for us to make sure that we listen to people and to make sure that we have them front and centre of our future post-Brexit. I look forwards to hearing about local concerns from our membership across Wales, and an international perspective from our colleagues from across the UK and Ireland.”

Wales Green Party members will also have the opportunity to learn from Green electoral successes from other parts of the British Isles. Scottish Greens achieved their highest number of votes in the Scottish election this May, with six MSPs in Holyrood.

Ross Greer MSP said:

"Scottish Greens have proven that the Green message is a powerful one, even with a number of left-of-centre parties competing for the vote. I can see huge potential for the Greens in Wales. Like our sister parties who have seen success across Europe, our policy is underpinned by economic, environmental and social justice. We work together. We have a lot to offer."

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Wales Green Party leader: "We don't build walls, we build relationships"

Wales Green Party passes motion in support of refugees and asylum seekers.

The motion passed by the Wales Green Party at their conference this weekend (12-13 Nov) states that local authorities in Wales should conduct a review of potential housing for refugees with a view to increasing the number of people that can be resettled. It also states that all local authorities should be given a legal obligation to home refugees, provide them with support and welcome them into communities.

Speaking in support of the motion, Wales Green Party leader Alice Hooker-Stroud stated:

"Refugees need what we all need – food, a home, love and respect. We know that many people in Wales deserve better, but we also know that we can't turn our backs on those who are fleeing poverty and conflict. We must show that we are committed to providing safety and support for refugees. We need to show that we in Wales don't build walls, we build relationships. We build communities."

Commenting after the motion was passed, she added:

"I can't begin to imagine what it's like to have to leave your home, your friends and your family. We are lucky enough to have wonderful communities in Wales – communities with a history of welcoming people who seek refuge and helping those in need. It's great to have a statement that that shows the Wales Green Party believes in continuing that wonderful openheartedness."

Commenting on the outcome of the conference motion, which was voted through by Wales Green Party members, Deputy leader, Hannah Pudner, stated:

"At the last count, there were 23,000 empty houses in Wales. In the first half of this year, fewer than 4,000 people in Wales required housing. Although it's not a simple task, the main message is clear: there are lots of houses that could be put to use in Wales. The refugee crisis in Europe cannot be ignored, and we can do much more. This policy motion is a statement of how strongly the Wales Green Party is committed to helping those in need. "

The Home Office in the UK has committed to resettling 20,000 displaced Syrians living in refugee camps in the UK by 2020. Oxfam stated that for Wales to meet its fair share, each council only needed to welcome fewer than 10 families each. [1]

Britain's contribution to solving the crisis has been much smaller than other countries: 75 times smaller than Germany's effort, and one-third of France's commitment. Sweden processed 163,000 asylum applications last year, despite having a population seven times smaller than Britain's. [2] [END]

Notes

[1] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-36444884

[2] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/syrian-refugee-crisis-refugees-british-government-20000-4000-progress-how-many-migrants-immigration-a7219971.html "Britain's contribution has been modest compared to other countries. Germany's federal office for migrants said last week it expects to take in 300,000 refugees in 2016. This equates to 75 times as many as the UK each year. France has pledged to accept 30,000 refugees over the next two years, so 15,000 a year – three times the rate of the UK. Sweden took 163,000 applications for asylum in the last year, most of them refugees who travelled to Europe on their own accord. This is despite Sweden having a population almost seven times smaller than Britain's."

[3] 23,000 empty homes in Wales http://gov.wales/topics/housing-and-regeneration/housing-supply/empty-homes/houses-into-homes/?lang=en

[4] Data on the number of households applying to local authorities for housing assistance under the Housing Wales Act 2014 and the number of homeless households in temporary accommodation. http://gov.wales/statistics-and-research/homelessness/?lang=en

[5] The motions passed at the Wales Green Party conference this weekend in relation to providing safety and support for refugees and asylum seekers were:

1. A review of potential housing and facilities available for refugees shall be made by each local authority, including social and private housing.

2. Local authorities should be given a legal responsibility to house refugees, provide support services for those in need, and ensure they are welcomed into our communities.

3. Wales should increase the number of refugees we can home to reflect the reviews conducted by local authorities

Alice Hooker Stroud, Wales Green Party Leader, commenting on the Autumn Statement said:

"To build a Wales fit for the future, the Welsh Government need to urgently redirect infrastructure spending to focus on climate change protection. New capital investment from Westminster presents an opportunity for Wales to build resilience to resist the impacts of climate change and transition to a clean, green economy.

In the same week that Wales has been handed millions of pounds of investment from Westminster we have seen floods wreak havoc in Wales; a reduction in climate change spending from the Welsh Government including cutting back flood defences; and a commitment to build more roads in Wales. These moves simply don't add up.

Welsh Government needs truly to have the wellbeing of future generations set at the heart of every investment action it makes; not just paying lip service to the idea. We need to grasp with both hands this opportunity to slow climate change and to build communities that are strong enough to stand up to the challenges of a changing climate, both now and in the future."

The Wales Green Party is urging the Welsh Government to ensure that the third sector organisations are provided sufficient funding to continue their work to end violence against women in Wales. Charities such as Welsh Women’s Aid have highlighted that a cap to housing benefit could have a devastating impact on domestic abuse services in Wales. These specialist services that provide life saving support to women rely on housing benefit to cover the cost of providing accommodation to a person going through a crisis.

Furthermore, the UN has highlighted that local impacts of climate change will multiply the threats faced by women in developing countries. Women face greater risks of domestic and sexual violence during and after natural disasters. The Wales Green Party also urges the Welsh Government to take into account the wider context of climate change, refugees and asylum seekers when tackling violence against women. 

Wales Green Party leader, Alice Hooker-Stroud said:

“Plans must be made to ensure that Wales plays a part in solving the problem of violence against women globally. A number of women seeking refuge and asylum in the European Union are fleeing gender-based violence. It is equally important to work to end violence against women globally as it is to work to end all forms of abuse here in Wales.

And there is still a lot to do here in Wales. Whilst we support the Welsh Government's 'Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015' which pledges to promote awareness of domestic violence and other abuse, this is not enough. Sufficient funding must be given for organisations to be effective, and there are new threats to deal with like changes to housing benefit. As a direct result, support centres and refuges are facing wide-scale closure in Wales. This is unacceptable."

Wales Green Party today welcomed NICE’s announcement of a consultation on their new draft guidelines on outdoor air quality. *

Local Green Parties across Wales are in the early stages of a citizen science campaign to monitor air quality in rural and urban locations across the nation.  Poor air quality is not just a feature of cities, but can happen anywhere there is a build-up of vehicles in an area of poor ventilation.  A street of terraced houses in Crumlin, Caerphilly, is so polluted by passing vehicles that it has the second worst air quality in the UK, second only to the Marylebone Road in London.

Pippa Pemberton, Campaigns Coordinator for the Wales Green Party, said:

“There is an urgent need to improve air quality across Wales and the UK, which is why Wales Green Party have launched our citizen science campaign to monitor air quality across Wales.  The Westminster Government has been taken to court several times on this issue, and has repeatedly been found to be failing in their legal duty to protect people from dangerous levels of air pollution.  So we have taken matters into our own hands, to collect data to show how appalling air quality really is in Wales.

The impact of air pollution in Wales is absolutely shocking. Well over 1000 people in Wales die early because of it every year. So we are pleased to see NICE stepping up to advocate action on air quality, our biggest public health issue outside of climate change.

And while we welcome their emphasis on future urban design, the development of clean air zones, driver training and public information, we don’t think that this report goes far enough.  We applaud their call for improvements to walking and cycling infrastructure, so that people are safe and inspired to be active in their travel, but we are worried by the lack of recommendations for public transport. It is all very well to support low and zero emission private and fleet vehicles, but the real change in public quality of life will come when we reclaim and reinvigorate our public transport systems across urban and rural areas.

We call for NICE to include recommendations for integrated and affordable public transport in their final report, and for the Westminster government to provide ring-fenced funding for councils to develop new local public transport networks fit for the 21^st century.”

Notes

* https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/indevelopment/gid-phg92/documents

The major human sources of air pollution are the combustion of fuels for heat, electricity and transport. Road transport accounts for 31% of nitrogen oxides (NOx), 18% of PM10 and 19.5% of PM2.5 UK emissions (PM are particulate matter of differing sizes). It frequently accounts for more than 64% of air pollution at urban monitoring sites. This comes from exhausts and other sources such as the wear of tyres, brakes and the road.

In 2008, the effect of human-produced (anthropogenic) particulate air pollution on mortality in the UK was estimated at equivalent to nearly 29,000 deaths at typical ages, and an associated loss of total life of 340,000 life-years

The Welsh Government’s decision to open the areas of Bae Ceredigion and Pen Llŷn a’r Sarnau up to scallop dredging has shocked members of the local community in Ceredigion.

Aberystwyth University Nature Society is hosting a drop-in community forum event concerning the practice of scallop dredging in Cardigan Bay, taking place Saturday 3^rd 10:00 -14:00 December at Aberystwyth Bandstand. Wales Green Party shares the concerns of Aberystwyth University Nature Society and opposes any scallop dredging in Cardigan Bay. Ceredigion Green Party has actively campaigned for wildlife conservation and highlight that scallop dredging is one of the key concerns on the agenda. 

Ceredigion Green Party has raised several questions regarding the recent announcement by the Welsh Government that they will reopen Cardigan Bay to scallop dredging. The Welsh Government is being urged to shed light into whether local people would benefit from scallop dredging, as well as whether there is an option to develop a diving scallop industry following the steps Scotland has taken to limit the damage to the seabed. Ceredigion Green Party are also curious as to where the impetus to restart dredging in a Special Area of Conservation is coming from. The party urges for an open and honest discussion from the part of the Welsh Assembly Government on the issue. 

Alice Hooker-Stroud, leader of the Wales Green Party expressed full support to those in the local community who are against scallop dredging in the area. She said:

“Cardigan Bay should be a jewel in Wales’ crown. The wildlife in the area draws tens of thousands of visitors - and over £4 million - to West Wales each year. The Welsh Government is putting that local economy and the local wildlife at risk.”

Naomi Davis of Aberystwyth University Nature Society said: “This area is vital in supporting the UK’s largest breeding population of bottlenose dolphins, the internationally important Atlantic seal, as well as the large variety of fish, molluscs and crustaceans who call the Bay home. We feel that the National Assembly has a responsibility to protect all conservation areas from dangerous commercial practices and to listen to the local people who will be directly affected.”  

Elly Foster, Ceredigion Green Party member said: “In 2010 following an extensive consultation, important protections were introduced by the Welsh Government to limit destructive scallop dredging in the Bay. Now following pressure from scallop fishermen for short-term economic gains, this precious area is to be opened up again with permits awarded for scallop fishing. Claims are made by the Welsh Government that this new approach is supported by research and that there will be no risk of harm. Yet these claims rest on a very insubstantial foundation. The research conducted does not demonstrate with any confidence that harm will not occur.”

Ceredigion Green Party are working with several different stakeholders on the issue and last week welcomed a talk from Mick Green of the Whale and Dolphin Society. 

Green highlighted that Brexit has the potential to make the already threatening situation worse. “We must keep vigilant” he said, “and keep up the pressure on our elected representatives. We need to fight to keep Environment high on the government agenda.”

The main advantage of the EU directives over the international treaties is that NGOs can take the Government to a European court if they feel the directive is being ignored or not being enforced properly.  Once article 50 has been triggered, the government will put a Great Repeal Bill through parliament which will transfer all existing EU law into UK law. 

Wales Green Party is concerned that this may be to the detriment of environmental protection in the UK.  

“Brexit could mean we lose the power to protect our environment. We must make sure this does not happen”, said Alice Hooker-Stroud.