20 September 2006

Autumn Green Party Conference in Hove

The Green Party's autumn conference begins tomorrow (21st to 24th in Hove). We'll be having in-depth discussions on social enterprise and education, as well as fringe meetings on topics as diverse as gay and lesbian rights in Poland, incineration, and targeting wards to win.

Let's look at what is happening recently with the other three parties.

Patricia Hewitt (Health Secretary) said that there are, in theory, no limits on private involvement in the NHS ... and that it will be up to local NHS primary care trusts to decide on the level of private involvement, not elected politicians in Westminister. For less and less public control over public services, vote Labour.

John Reid (Home Secretary) went for his first visit to a Muslim audience since becoming Home Secretary (3 1/2 months). All this rhetoric about engaging the Muslim community, and it's his first visit. Incredible. Don't rush it, John.

David Cameron has suffered a drop in party membership since becoming leader of the Tories (253,689 when he won the leadership in December ... to 247,394), and only 27% of his party recently participated in his vote to endorse his policy document. It's a lack of internal democracy, and we should trust them to deepen democracy in the country?

Meanwhile, Ming Campbell and the Liberal Democrats can't decide whether they oppose the renewal of nuclear weapons in Britain. I guess it'll depend on polls or focus groups.

People are looking for big ideas and action and decisions on principle, politics that resonates with their values (public services, peace, sustainability, safety, civil liberties, health, supporting local economies), and they can only get that with the Green Party.

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