Do you agree? The Green party aspires to win just four seats in the coming election, and it will be lucky to win two. But some say its influence could go far beyond the polls.
The Green manifesto: Let's nationalise energy
Do you agree? The Green party aspires to win just four seats in the coming election, and it will be lucky to win two. But some say its influence could go far beyond the polls.
Earlier this month, more than 400 scientists signed a public letter to party leaders appealing for them to adopt urgent and radical policies to protect the environment.
After all, we have seen five years of record extreme weather events.
Perhaps this explains why some think that this election will see a Green boom. In local elections on 2 May, the Green Party gained 74 council seats, and its projected 6% share of the national vote is nothing to be scoffed at.
The Greens have been characteristically vocal about climate issues, arguing for a range of decarbonisation and insulation measures, as well as a reorganisation of the economy and a £13bn investment in public transport.
But the Green Party's standout policies are not all about the climate. Their left-learning policies look set to capture the hearts of former Labour voters who oppose Keir Starmer's centrist approach.
In the headlines. Nationalisation of the organisations that run our railways and water companies.
Economy. Higher benefits, more money for the NHS and public spending, and for insulating buildings. Higher taxes for the wealthy.
Education. Scrap university tuition fees altogether. Boost school funding by £8bn.
Immigration. To remove all barriers to asylum seekers wanting to enter the UK and to scrap income and language requirements for visas.
Health and social care. An additional £30bn per year for the NHS, and an additional £20bn per year commitment to social care.
Society. A four-day working week, as well as a substantial hike in the minimum wage, to £15 an hour.
As always, the Greens' ambitions are expected to be held back by the first-past-the-post voting system: they are likely to win just two seats.
But the power of a party is not only represented by its place in parliament. Some think that by threatening to divide the progressive vote, the Greens could be well-placed to put pressure on Labour to heed the voices of those on the left.
Do you agree?
Yes: A vote for the Green party is not only a vote for a healthier climate, but for a fairer society. Our public services are underfunded, the energy crisis is crippling household spending and our education system is in decline.
No: The Green party is the best party for policies on the climate, but we should not trust their judgement on the economy, education or social care. In fact, some say, the policies on their manifesto are ludicrously extravagant and utopian. How would we pay for any of them?
Or... We are seeing a far-right surge all the way across Europe. It is hard to see how Green policies could have widespread appeal in this context; in particular, their policies on immigration are unlikely to be received well.
The Green manifesto: Let’s nationalise energy
