In recent days, we have seen some politicians say completely different things to what they appeared to believe just a few years ago. I do feel sorry for the followers of such politicians who have to go out and support the changed view, while in 1984 style, denying the obvious contradictions that this involves and having to defend the indefensible. From a politics point of view, there could be justifications for this approach, such as focus groups advising the change of view, or loss of electoral popularity, or party unity, but it does lead to politicians having a low reputation.
While things cannot be portrayed as being perfect in the Green Party, there is some protection against such contradictions. One of them is that we have clearly enshrined core values and philosophy which lay out what the Green Party believe in and campaign for. While these are not currently in the public domain, I am working for them to be reinstated on the Green Party website for all to see. The constitution of the Green Party backs these two up with objects and aims. In particular I like “to develop and implement ecological policies”. Winning elections and campaigning are aimed at implementing these ecological policies. In some parties, winning elections and power appear to be an aim in themselves and building a better world gets lost somewhere along the way.
The constitution, core values, philosophy, objects, aims and policies of the Green Party can be changed, but require the membership to approve this at a conference. We are not at the whim of a leader to wake up one morning and just change these things.
Another thing which is encouraged in the Green Party is evidence-based policy making and following the science. I have just been reading Failed State by Sam Freedman. This has reinforced for me, the lack of evidence that some policies have really made any great improvement in our lives in the UK over the last 50 years – from education reform, health reform to Thatcher privatisations.
In the Green Party context, it is good to be able to apply evidence-based policy making by taking the science of ecology and determining policies we should be implementing if we want to live within the limits of the earth system – known as Planetary Boundaries. A key science exponent of these boundaries is Johan Rockstrom and if you have time take a look at this 15 minute video to understand the concept better.
What is clear from this is that we have breached many planetary boundaries – not just climate. We should all be working towards returning within these boundaries – staying outside them is very risky. This is a large challenge but is better than just ignoring the limits.
This set of values and policies can also inform us as to what the Hounslow Green Party should campaign for in the London Borough of Hounslow. Sometimes there are clear win-wins for our lives tomorrow if we live ecological lives. In other cases, we are not doing this for our immediate advantage, but to protect future generations, other countries or the diverse web of life across the world.
In Hounslow, we may not have much power, but at least we can try to nudge things in the right direction from a sound world outlook.
Tony Firkins
22 May 2025