“UKIP have broken things wide open.”
We speak to Green Party leader Natalie Bennett about some of the key issues that we’re thinking about in the run-up to the General Election.
Why do you think there has been a surge in support for The Green Party?
There is a new space available, before the financial crash things were going ok, people thought the economy was alright, and in general we were doing ok.
The need for real change has given us a space, the Green Party has always been talking about mainstream policies and tax but people are more ready to listen to us now.
How do you think the Green Party can help the people?
People are concerned about their personal situation but also about the future of society, a healthy society is better for the individual as well as the community. At the moment we have a failed system. David Cameron says that we need to deal with ‘poverty of aspiration’ but it’s actually poverty of opportunity we need to address. With a proper base minimum wage, and wealth tax and jobs that you can build a life around with a reasonable sense of security, not zero hour contracts.
Why do you think there are so few women in politics?
You can understand why young women are less likely to vote than young men, there are simply far less women involved in politics. We have some great young women candidates and in Milton Keynes we have two for both seats. We do need a wide range and it is great to see two women coming forward. A support network is important, if you don’t see your counterpart doing something that you want to do you’re not going to think that you are able to do it.
I get a lot of last minute calls to speak on panels to up the woman percentage.
Why do you think there has been such a low voter turnout in the past?
I don’t think people are apathetic, I think they are disillusioned and ground down and understandably feeling as though they have to choose between three ‘business as usual’ parties or UKIP….
The Scottish referendum helped to blow politics wide open – people are taking notice who might not have before. There is a real sense that what we have now isn’t working and can’t work.
How important is the young persons vote?
A lot of 16-17 year olds joining the GP but a lot of young people feel disempowered and by not voting they’re completely losing it their power. Brand’s (Russell) doctrine “Don’t vote, it only encourages them” is damaging – by not voting you’ll be counted as the people who are happy enough not to have to bother. I urge people to register and vote, it also gives you the right to complain afterwards.
“Individual behaviour is useful but not going to change the whole landscape”
How much power to you think our press and media outlets have over voting and social behaviour?
Media ownership is a huge issue for democracy and climate change, at the moment it is controlled by a handful of right wing-media tycoons. In the BBC’s letter to me about the debate they said that they were going on the figures from 2010, but politics has changed and this does everyone a disservice, it cuts out 5 years of development.
Why do think people are not engaged with their power as a consumer and climate change issues?
Climate change rhetoric is often fear mongering, but it has been easier to talk about since the financial crash. The economy and cc can be dealt with together, for example we have the worst state of housing stock in Europe, but by insulating these houses we create jobs, cut carbon emissions and lower bills.
Despite all the nonsense that has been printed in the past, 75% of the public believe in climate change. With the foods and loss of species, governments need to implement long term green policies.
For example, we are about to spend £15 bill on new roads when there are a back log of £12 billion unpaid repairs, we should fix first. 50% of children under 11 haven’t been on public transport because the system is not providing affordable and good public transport.
Earthmojis connecting climate change through a universal language
Natalie Bennett in 10 questions:
- What is your earliest memory? playing mud pies in the back yard
- What would your super power be? suck co2 out of the atmosphere
- What did you want to be when you were growing up? wanted to be an archaeologist
- Which book changed your life? The Women’s Room by Marylin French
- What is your guiltiest pleasure? Too long showers
- What is top of your bucket list? I would love to catch the Transsiberian
- Who would you invite to your dream dinner party? Isabella Whitney (inspired me to write books), Germaine Greer, Pharaoh Hatchepsut, Empress Woo of China, Mary Wollstencraft
- How do you relax? By baking and making preserves
- What keeps you awake at night? Nothing
- Which word do you most overuse? ‘right’ a lot
DTGT conclusion
No matter who you support, remember to vote on 7 May. Our friends, I Give an X, are asking people to change their profile picture on social media to an X to show they are voting. If you’re voting and proud, choose your X here: http://igiveanx.co.uk
I Give An X from Pentagram on Vimeo.
