Comments on: Extinction Rebellion launches election campaign

By: Tim Rossiter

Tim Rossiter — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 17:38:22 +0000

The most immediate problem is whether we get a Tory or Labour government. If it’s Labour their existing policies are much greener than the Tories right now and I believe they would be much more open to the evolution of green policies and ideas when in power. They are far from perfect, we still have the everlasting growth nonsense, but I’d rather trust a leader with an organic allotment than one who fairly recently said he wished to leave “no stone unfracked”.
There are also issues of truth, accountability, democracy and the right to protest etc. and again I’d rather trust someone with a lifetime of radical activism than someone who prorogues Parliament.

So lastly, for me, it comes down to tactical voting. I think whatever it takes to get Johnson out is more important to me than the virtuous feeling of having voted green (except in Brighton and maybe Bristol West) and then enduring four more years of environmentally destructive Tory rule.

By: Sylvia Duffy

Sylvia Duffy — Sat, 16 Nov 2019 08:58:13 +0000

I largely agree with the above comment. We have to distinguish between parties on other issues as well as climate change. For example the Tories will make any promise you like but continue to support only the rich. Labour party at the moment is locked into too many differing policies. Our present dual system corrupted by an extreme Right wing press has poisoned the whole system. In the long term we need proportional representation which would give more power to the Greens who are the only ones likely to carry out the required actions to counter climate change.

By: Julia Gibb

Julia Gibb — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 14:40:34 +0000

First I fully support the need for urgent action. However I struggle to understand this simplistic approach.

Governments need to address many complex issues and therefore the associated budget demands. We can for example a party have a party that meets the demands outlined in the article but does so by privatisation of the NHS to fund that change.

I am always wary of single issue ( no matter how important) pressure groups. I want a party that has a clear plan outlined. The one that says we fund the climate change plan by scrapping HS2 and Trident replacement. The HofLs will also be scrapped and weapons of force projection (Aircraft Carriers/Astute Class submarines etc will be phased out.

Give me a costed plan that politicians are locked into in.