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Friday 6 March 2015

Mayoral welcome ... and some confusion,

Publishing here, a reply to an "open letter" from Mayor Joe Anderson.
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Dear Joe,
It's is always useful to have our policies tested whether by friend or foe.  As we emerge as a contender for government we will increasingly be called on to review and refine our policies.  Our underlying values and principles will remain the same.

The answer to your question "What do we stand for" lies in the general election manifesto which will be released in a few weeks' time.  That manifesto, like its predecessor for the 2010 election, is informed by the large body of policies maintained on our web site.  Some of those polices apply to the long term, some are applicable sooner. 

I will respond to the particular ones you have chosen to highlight.  The headings you have placed above each of our policies, though, are not accurate.  (My comments are in green.)

"1.       Legal protection for the right to join or support terrorist groups"
Policies for A Sustainable Society PD433 "It should not be a crime simply to belong to an organisation or have sympathy with its aims, though it should be a crime to aid and abet criminal acts or deliberately fund such acts."

There is no "right to join a terrorist group".  You've picked the wrong policy, anyway, as PD433 relates to the arms trade.  Perhaps you were in a hurry.
You probably meant to criticise policy PD443 and you should quote it in full and consider it together with the other policies in the section which take a strong line on Terrorism. 
PD443 says Those accused or found guilty of atrocities, or planning to commit, aid or abet in their execution, should be dealt with under the same principles as those accused of more conventional criminal activities. In particular, those accused of supporting terrorist acts should have normal rights against arbitrary arrest or imprisonment. It should not be a crime simply to belong to an organisation or have sympathy with its aims, though it should be a crime to aid and abet criminal acts or deliberately fund such acts.
So raising money for and encouraging people to fight for Islamic State, for example, would be against PD443 and are criminal.

"2.       Stop Funding Faith-Schools"
Policies for a Sustainable Society ED176 “No publicly-funded school shall be run by a religious organisation. Schools may teach about religions, comparing examples which originated in each continent, but are prohibited from delivering religious instruction in any form or encouraging adherence to any particular religious belief.”

This policy relates to the long term.  It did not appear in the 2010 manifesto and is unlikely to be in the 2015 manifesto, but the secular principle is a good one.
Before it appeared in a future manifesto I believe we would need to refine and extend this policy  to show how schools would be supported by good local authorities through a gradual transition,  respecting their ethos and traditions.

"3.       Ending school places for 5 year olds"
Policies for Sustainable Society ED023 “We will move towards a system in which early years education extends until the age of 6. This will mean that academic learning is not introduced until the age of 6.”
You misunderstand.  This does not mean "Ending school places for 5 year olds".  It relates to research that shows that children can benefit if academic learning in schools is delayed until children are a bit older; meanwhile they should receive early years education.  The principle operates well in Finland.

"4.       Propose a “zero-growth” economy"
Policies for Sustainable Society EC201 “Allow the current dependence on economic growth to cease, and allow zero or negative growth to be feasible without individual hardship should this be necessary on the grounds of sustainability.”

I think you misunderstand the difference between "economic growth" and "dependence on economic growth".  The policy advocates an economy which is strong enough to provide for people's needs and flexible enough to grow or shrink as necessary from time to time without individual hardship, as it says.
 

"5.       Dismantle UK borders and ditch immigration controls"
Policies for Sustainable Society MG300 “We will work to achieve greater equity between the UK and non-Western countries. In step with this, we will progressively reduce UK immigration controls.”
Your heading misrepresents this medium-term policy.   We do not propose to open UK borders.  We need effective immigration controls.

If you believe in greater equality, and I understand you may have described yourself as a socialist at one time, then you would applaud the aim for greater equality between Western and non-Western countries.

As that aim is achieved, progressively, the incentive for migration would reduce.  As that incentive progressively reduces, and in step with that, the UK immigration controls could be progressively reduced.


John Coyne
Leader, Liverpool Green Party

-------- Forwarded Message --------
Subject: Open letter to the Green Party - What do you stand for?
Date: Thu, 5 Mar 2015 17:11:19 +0000
From: Anderson, Joe (Mayor of Liverpool) <Joe.Anderson@liverpool.gov.uk>
To: Office@GreenParty.org.uk <Office@GreenParty.org.uk>, Coyne, John <John.Coyne@liverpool.gov.uk>


Open Letter to Green Party Councillors and candidates.  Addressed to national and local leaders Natalie Bennett and Cllr John Coyne
First, welcome to Liverpool.
The venue you have chosen for your Spring Conference 2015 is a world class facility in a world famous city. As Labour Mayor of Liverpool, I am pleased you appreciate the investment we have made in our city, will experience the unrivalled hospitality of our people and will enjoy the business friendly attitude of our city. We are also a sustainable city and I’m sure our success in tackling carbon issues, supporting our residents with quality services and the growth of our economy were all factors in your decision to come to Liverpool this week.
As we approach the 2015 General Election and important local elections here in Liverpool, we are all looking forward to the various debates and discussions that will help inform voters’ decisions. During your conference you will no doubt raise these issues.
Like many Liverpool residents, I watched and listened to recent interviews with Green Party leader, Natalie Bennett on BBCTV, Radio 4 and LBC.
Frankly, I was left surprised and a little confused about the policies of the Green Party as we head into May’s elections.
To clear up any misunderstandings amongst Liverpool city residents, I thought it would be helpful for you to put on record your position on the range of policies Ms. Bennett raised on national TV and radio and proposes for your manifesto. I have listed the most eye-catching of your policies and, helpfully, added the reference to the relevant section of your policy document – Policies For A Sustainable Society.
1.       Legal protection for the right to join or support terrorist groups
Policies for A Sustainable Society PD433 "It should not be a crime simply to belong to an organisation or have sympathy with its aims, though it should be a crime to aid and abet criminal acts or deliberately fund such acts."
2.       Stop Funding Faith-Schools
Policies for a Sustainable Society ED176 “No publicly-funded school shall be run by a religious organisation. Schools may teach about religions, comparing examples which originated in each continent, but are prohibited from delivering religious instruction in any form or encouraging adherence to any particular religious belief.”
3.       Ending school places for 5 year olds
Policies for Sustainable Society ED023 “We will move towards a system in which early years education extends until the age of 6. This will mean that academic learning is not introduced until the age of 6.”
4.       Propose a “zero-growth” economy
Policies for Sustainable Society EC201 “Allow the current dependence on economic growth to cease, and allow zero or negative growth to be feasible without individual hardship should this be necessary on the grounds of sustainability.”
5.       Dismantle UK borders and ditch immigration controls
Policies for Sustainable Society MG300 “We will work to achieve greater equity between the UK and non-Western countries. In step with this, we will progressively reduce UK immigration controls.”

Enjoy your time in Liverpool and I look forward to you sharing your policy positions with me and the people of this great city.


Joe Anderson
Mayor of Liverpool