People, Planet, PeaceScottish Green PartyWestminster Election Manifesto 2005

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People, Planet, PeaceShiona Baird MSPCo-Convenor of the Scottish Green Party

I am proud to introduce the ScottishGreen Party manifesto for theWestminster election 2005:

– a manifesto in the interests of people,not the profits of big business at any cost;

– a manifesto for the planet, offering realaction on climate change;

– a manifesto for peace and global justice.

People want fresh, honest politics, anoptimistic vision of the future and thepractical steps to bring it about. Only theGreens offer an alternative to the dinosaurpolitics of the other parties.

We’re about real quality of life. Wecampaign for real progress and a fairer,just society; for a safe environment andfor peace not war; for healthy, strongcommunities. We stand up for peopleand the public interest, not private profitabove all else.

We spell out progressivesolutions to promotepeace and co-operationin the world instead of aclimate of fear and paranoia. We set outa programme to help reduce globalconflict and tackle poverty.

Action on climate change forms acentrepiece of this manifesto. Because ofthe unsustainable actions of those whohave been in power for generations, oureconomy and communities face realclimate threats and future energy crises.

We are standing in every region ofScotland, in five times as many seats aswe did in the last Westminster election.This gives more people the chance to votewith their hearts and minds – not withdespair and lack of choice.

We are the only party that will implementreal and lasting solutions. It’s time togo Green.

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Greens Are the FutureRobin Harper MSPCo-Convenor of the Scottish Green Party

There are now 60 Green councillorselected in local authorities in the UK,seven MSPs in the Scottish Parliament,and 33 MEPs in the European Parliament.There are two Green members of theLondon Assembly. It is well nigh time fora Green MP.

As a party, we’re growing fast. The Greenchallenge to “politics as usual” is resonat-ing with voters all over the country.

In last year’s European elections, wecame a close second in some seats 17%of the vote. With such advances, a GreenMP comes closer every year.

When people elect Greens they like whatthey get. Our MEPs have led calls fortough new rules to ban some of the mosttoxic ingredients from everyday use inhousehold products and have forcedaction on animal welfare standards andthe treatment of asylum seekers. Ourhardworking councillors stand out incommunities for their commitment andtenacity, and for their work in preventing

poor developments andin promoting communityparticipation in decision-making.

Our MSPs have won victories on identitycards and on energy efficiency. Theyhave forced a climate change inquiry inthe Scottish Parliament and pressured theScottish Executive with amendments andBills on areas as diverse as nature con-servation, civil partnerships, GM cropsand public transport.

Unlike some other Scottish politicalparties, the Greens are not in the redfinancially, and that’s even without the bigbusiness funding of the other parties. Weare determined to build on this sustain-able growth over the coming years.

A Green vote is most certainly not awasted vote. A wasted vote is a votefor something you don’t trust and don’tbelieve in. Vote against waste.Vote Green.

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PeoplePlanetP e a c e Contents

Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

1. People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Nothing Short ofa Food Revolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Economics WherePeople Matter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Beating the Poverty Trap:Welfare Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Crime and Community:Prevention and Healing . . . . . . . . . 9

Changing the Face of Politics . . . . 9

2. Planet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Climate Change:Sleepwalking to Disaster . . . . . . . 11

Meltdown: Why Nuclear PowerIs Not the Answer . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Corporate Accountability:Tackling Big Business . . . . . . . . . 13

3. Peace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Building a Safer World:Co-operation, not Conflict . . . . . 14

International Trade:Where Fair Beats Free . . . . . . . . . 15

A Safe Refuge:Asylum and Immigration . . . . . . . 16

Would You Buy a Used PlanetFrom These People? . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Greens in Action Everywhere . . . . 18

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The Greens want to create a safe futurefor people and communities – a faireconomy that doesn’t trash the planetand serve only the few: a society wherecommunities are strong, where everyonegets a fair deal, where older people arecared for, where young people lookforward to a life of hope and opportunity– not fear and insecurity.

The out-dated obsession with free-for-alleconomics is alive and well in mostother parties, but it’s a concept whichcares little for people’s lives. It is obviousbig business needs better regulation toprevent abuses of people and theenvironment.

Good food is an essential, basic need.Yet the global food industry is increasinglypowerful and dangerous. The big super-markets have a stranglehold over the highstreet, paying producers and farmers lessfor their goods, forcing out local business-es and ripping the heart out of communities.

We propose more corporate account-ability, but also measures to boost small,community businesses.

The Scottish Green Party is the only partyto challenge the measurement of eco-nomic well-being as Gross DomesticProduct. GDP growth tells us nothing.

The real measure of our economy is howthe people are: their wealth, their health,the well-being of their families, theircommunity and their environment.Greens propose alternative measures toassess whether the economy is helpingus or harming us, and to guide moreinformed decision-making.

In this manifesto, we spell out ourapproach to an economy based onworkers’ rights, corporate accountabilityand fair trade. We outline the measuresrequired to deliver a tax and benefitssystem that is fair and equitable. Weshow how we would change the criminaljustice system to focus on prevention andrehabilitation, building a healthy society,not causing more fear, more crime andmore prisons.

These measures are in the interests ofpeople, not big business and profits atany cost.

“Too much and for too long, we seem to havesurrendered community excellence andcommunity values in the mere accumulation ofmaterial things. Our gross national product ...counts air pollution and cigarette advertising, andambulances to clear our highways of carnage. Itcounts special locks for our doors and the jailsfor those who break them. ... Yet the grossnational product does not allow for the health ofour children, the quality of their education, or thejoy of their play. It does not include the beauty ofour poetry or the strength of our marriages; theintelligence of our public debate or the integrityof our public officials. It measures neither ourwit nor our courage; neither our wisdom nor ourlearning; neither our compassion nor ourdevotion to our country; it measures everything,in short, except that which makes lifeworthwhile.”

– Robert F. Kennedy

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Nothing Short ofa Food RevolutionThe Scottish Green Party is campaigning fornothing short of a revolution in our food cul-ture. Greens want change in four key areas:

Good FoodObesity and diet-related illness are major causesof disease in Scotland. The high sugar, salt,processed fat and additive content of food, oftenmisleadingly labelled, is a major factor.

Greens want food to make us healthy, not sick.We will make local authorities provide schools,hospitals and care homes with healthy, fresh,local food. We will ensure all processed foodis fully labelled and ban additives of question-able value. We will control advertising of junkfood and remove fast food vending machinesfrom schools.

Safe FoodHardly a week passes without another food safetyscandal. The way we grow most of our food isharming our land, water and wildlife. Greenswant food to be safe for both consumers and

the environment. We are com-mitted to organic food: Greensforced action on organic produc-tion in the last Scottish Parliamentsession and our aim is to havemuch more organic food grownin Scotland.

Labour and the Liberal Democratshave opened the door to geneti-cally modified (GM) crops inScotland, despite the proven eco-nomic and environmental damagethey have caused in Canada andthe U.S. We will close that door.

Local FoodAs fruit and vegetable produc-ers struggle to make a living inScotland, cheap imported ber-ries, beans, salads and tropicaldelicacies are flown thousands

of miles by polluting planes to boost supermarketprofits.

Greens will actively encourage local, small-scalefood producers and food sellers, including lo-cal shops, farmers’ markets and box schemes.

The way we import food from all over the worldis fuelling climate change. We will use our “polluterpays” taxation system to ensure that the dis-tance food has travelled is reflected in its price.

Fair FoodFresh and healthy food is out of reach for manyof the poorest communities in Scotland. Wesee this as a priority for change.

The immense power of supermarkets over ourhigh streets, our farmers and over the entirefood chain has become a major concern.

The relentless drive for profit by the super-markets means Scottish farmers and farmersin developing countries are receiving less andless for their produce.

An industry survey in 2005 showed 88% of peoplewant regulation to force supermarkets to act inthe wider public interest.

Green MPs will work to:• ban the brands: take fast food advertis-ing out of schools and off children’s television,to prevent manufacturers from targeting young,impressionable consumers;

• make food labelling accurate and easy tounderstand, to prevent producers, proces-sors and supermarkets from making misleadingclaims about their goods;

• ban live animal exports;

• seek all routes to make Scotland GM free,including a law to keep biotech companiesat bay by holding them liable for any eco-nomic damage caused by GM crops;

• make the Office of Fair Trading regulatesupermarkets better, so that Scottish farm-ers receive a fair price for their milk and otherproduce;

• establish an independent supermarketregulator, ensuring a fair deal for farmers andconsumers;

“A statutory code ofpractice that stopssupermarkets bullyingsuppliers and abusingtheir power is neededurgently ... Withsupermarket executivesfrom the big four – andTesco in particular –able to whisper directlyinto the ears ofDowning Street (two ofits directors camestraight fromWhitehall), shoppersmight want to sendtheir own message, byvoting with their feetand buying elsewhere.”

– Felicity Lawrence,Consumer Affairs

Correspondent,The Guardian

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• reform the Common Agricultural Policy andCommon Fisheries Policy to protect the en-vironment on which the industries depend,providing support for farmers, fishermenand dependent communities through thetransition;

• ensure fair prices for farmers abroad too,through the UK’s leading position in globaltrade organisations and agreements.

Economics WherePeople MatterNatural, finite resources cannot be treated asincome, but as a priceless asset, to be usedwisely and sustainably. We need to improvethe quality of life for all but recognise the limitsof the resources on which our economy is built.

Growth, GDP andQuality of LifeThe reliance on gross domestic product GDPas a key measure of economic activity is flawedand unsustainable. The more we buy and themore we throw away, the “richer” we are sup-posed to be. As a measure of progress, this isabsurd.

In 2005, the Federation of Small Business pro-duced a well-being index that showed Scotlandat the bottom of the league of small, developednations. So much for GDP.

We need to measure and make progress on ouroverall well-being using more sophisticated toolssuch as the Index of Sustainable Economic Welfare(ISEW) and the New Economics Foundation’sMeasure of Domestic Progress (MDP).

Green MPs will work to:• replace GDP with a genuine progress in-dicator based on quality of life, distributionof income and protection of environmentalresources;

• require government and industry to reporton capital investment into our national in-f rastructure, non-renewable resourceconsumption and the environmental costsof development;

• decrease funding to the road construc-tion, nuclear energy and fossil fuel industries,and reduce arms and defence spending;

• introduce a Sustainability DiversificationAgency, to support the redeployment ofworkers’ skills and contributions in a sociallyjust and sustainable economy.

TaxationThe Greens will implement a tax system toencourage environmental sustainability and thereduction of material inequality. This will de-liver real economic security. Taxation can andshould be used to discourage social and envi-ronmental harm and promote equity betweenindividuals.

Green MPs will work to:• replace VAT with eco-taxes on pollutionand waste;

• scrap the Council Tax and Uniform Busi-ness Rate, introducing a Land Value Tax toencourage more efficient use of land andaccelerate urban renewal;

• increase taxation on corporate profits andreduce tax breaks for the rich.

Local Not GlobalGreens want more economic self-reliance. Weoppose the unfair globalisation of resources andmarkets dominated by transnational corpora-tions and unaccountable financial institutions.We want to minimise transport of imported goodsand reverse the control of capital falling into everfewer hands.

We will support small, local and communitybusinesses, whose needs are too often ignored.

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The total level ofunclaimed benefit(Income Support,Minimum IncomeGuarantee, HousingBenefit, Council TaxBenefit & income-basedJobseekers Allowance)in 2002/03 wasbetween £3,300m and£6,260m, whilst thelevel of non-takeup fornon-pensioner incomesupport and JobSeekers Allowance isbetween £860m and£2,140m.

The Republic ofIreland is nowseriously discussingthe introduction of aCitizen’s Income of £70per week for adults, and£30 per week forchildren.

A study from theUniversity ofCambridge showed thatan initial Citizen’sIncome scheme couldbe fiscally neutral.

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We will promote the social enterprise sector,where companies are committed to generatingeconomic, social and environmental profit.

Green MPs will work to:• set up democratically accountable com-munity banks to encourage local people toinvest in their own communities;

• reform banking law to give banks greatercommunity responsibility;

• provide tax incentives for sustainable smallbusinesses, co-operatives and worker-ownedbusinesses;

• support local finance initiatives, such ascredit unions and local exchange tradingschemes;

• increase support to the voluntary sector,recognising its social and environmentalbenefits;

• phase out Public-Private Part-nerships (PPPs) and PrivateFinance Initiatives (PFIs).

Beating thePoverty Trap:WelfareSolutionsCitizen’s IncomeOur complex, bureaucratic andexpensive benefits system isdesperate for an overhaul and weare suggesting a radical newapproach.

We propose to introduce a Citi-zen’s Income to every woman,man and child in the UK, with-out means-testing and withoutthe requirement to be in, orseeking, employment. It will bea universal right to cover basicneeds.

A Citizen’s Income will:• provide a basic income for those notrecognised by the current benefits systemsuch as full-time parents, carers, studentsand volunteers;

• allow people to take fulfilling part-time orvoluntary work. It would also support thosestarting new businesses of their own;

• ensure the poorest and most vulnerablein society are adequately provided for, boostingtheir income by 25% and ensuring they donot have to go through a complicated proc-ess to obtain basic financial security.

• slash the millions currently spent on ben-efits administration, benefits fraud and frauddetection;

• end the scandal of up to £6·3 billion ofmuch-needed benefits going unclaimed everyyear.

Citizen’s PensionTo solve the “pensions crisis”, both the SNPand the Liberal Democrats have adopted theidea of a Citizen’s Pension. Greens are delightedthat they have moved some distance towardsa Citizen’s Income scheme. We believe that aCitizen’s Pension should only be seen as a firststep towards a full Citizen’s Income Scheme.

Independent studies by the National Associa-tion of Pension Funds have shown that a Citizen’sPension could be afforded today within currentnet expenditure on state pensions.

For pensioners,Citizen’s Income means:

• an increase of between 27% and 33% inthe basic state pension for everyone (it isset initially at the level of the Pension CreditGuarantee, around £109 a week for a singlepensioner and £167 for a couple from April2005);

• unconditional payments for all old agepensioners, regardless of savings or NI pay-ments paid in the past;

• the abolition of the means-tested PensionCredit.

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From 1994 to 2003,the average prisonpopulation increasedby 17%.

In the same periodthe female prisonpopulation hasincreased by 68%;over four times thegrowth in the maleprison population.

“Overcrowding hasarguably become thesingle most problematicfactor in maintainingorder and security inScottish prisons. Itplaces enormous stresson the prisonerpopulation and thefinite resources of theScottish PrisonService.”

– Scottish PrisonComplaints

Commission,June 2004.

Crime andCommunity:Prevention andHealingRestitution for the victim and the communityand rehabil itation of the offender are keyingredients of the Green approach to thecriminal justice system.

While prison plays an important role in the criminaljustice system it should not be used as a wayof simply holding people with long-term socialproblems, drug addictions and mental healthproblems. The prison population has steadilyincreased since 1990 without any clear corre-lation with levels of crime.

We support restorative justice as an effectiveresponse to wrongdoing and conflict in com-munities, with a balanced focus on the offender,the victim, and community.

Millions of pounds have been spent over thepast decade on the deployment of surveillancetechnology, with no evidence-base to back itup. Labour has increasingly resorted to authori-tarian methods, but this has failed to reducethe fear of crime. Labour has also failed to liveup to its promise to be tough on the causesof crime. Poverty, inequality, social deprivationand environmental injustice are still rife in oursociety.

Civil liberties have been sacrificed for unproventechnological fixes that divert resources fromproven techniques that strengthen communi-ties and reduce crime. Greens will develop andinvest in a range of crime reduction and pre-vention measures that focus on tackling localsources of potential crime and improving thesafety of our communities.

Labour is once again seeking to trample civilliberties underfoot in favour of an unproven,impractical technological fix by seeking to intro-duce compulsory ID cards. We oppose theirplans to fingerprint and track the entire popu-lation of Britain for a National Identity Register.

We do not agree with the government’s claimthat the population must add biometrics to theirpassports. International Civil Aviation Organi-sation (ICAO) standards only require that thepassport photo be digitised. For the same costit would be possible to pay for 10,000 new po-lice officers. Civil liberties and fiscal prudencemean we must reject ID cards.

Green MPs will work to:• oppose ID cards;

• appoint more community police officersto focus on crime prevention;

• treat drug-taking as a health rather thana crime issue, rehabilitatingthe victims of addiction ratherthan locking them up;

• establ ish pol ice forceswith local accountability toindependent democraticallycontrolled police authorities;

• improve the design of ourcities to provide safer streetsand pub l ic spaces andstrengthen communities;

• support an independentPolice Complaints Procedure;

• provide universal access tohigh quality youth facilities;

• increase resources for care-takers, attendants and staffon estates, railway stations,parks and other public areas;

• ensure swi f t repa i r o fdamage done to public ameni-ties and spaces.

Changing theFace of PoliticsThe Scottish Green Party wants to introducedemocratic change to political life in the UK byshifting political power from the centre to more

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“In my view, climate change is the most severeproblem that we are facing today, more seriouseven than the threat of terrorism.”

– Sir David King,Chief Scientific Advisor to the UK government

PeoplePlanetP e a c e

The Scottish Green Party is the only partyto take the long-term future of the planetseriously. Both governments and citizenshave an overwhelming responsibility to actnow to protect the place that supportsus all.

Greens want climate change put centrestage. It is the most serious threat facing

life on earth and it must be addressednow. The impacts of climate change arenot just environmental, we face hugesocial and economic costs.

Action on climate change must also tackleglobal injustice. A recent study showedthat if every nation was as wasteful andpolluting as Scotland, we would need an

“People must be trustedto elect people who areresponsible fordeciding on the laws ofthis country. Ifpoliticians won’t trustthe people, why shouldthe people trust them?”

– Pater Facey,New Politics Network

2. Planet

Dennis S

addik

appropriate levels, giving people greater con-trol over their own lives.

Greens support calls for an independent Scot-land – not out of nationalistic fervour, but as ameans to create a more sustainable and demo-cratic system of government. Such constitutionalchanges will come about only if people in Scotlandwant them and support them in referendums.

We see independence as a process, not an event,and look forward to the ScottishParliament and local governmentassuming more powers and anincreasing relevance to Scotland.

Greens support a written consti-tution and reject the hereditaryprinciple. Labour has failed to de-liver on the House of Lords, withBlair blocking moves towardsgenuine democracy at every turn.

Green MPs will work to:• end any government, executive or judi-cial roles of the monarchy;

• set a voting age of 16 for all elections andfor candidates. The right to vote and standin elections will be based on the citizen’snormal place of residence at the time of voterregistration, rather than nationality;

• support a written Constitution and a Billof Rights as part of the legal framework ofthe Westminster Parliament;

• introduce proportional representation forall elected bodies and all levels of govern-ment, including the House of Lords;

• increase the involvement of communitycouncils in decision-making;

• promote a more serious form of politics,which always puts substance over style.

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extra two planets to live on. We will takeaction to reduce Scotland’s ecologicalfootprint to sustainable levels.

At this year’s G8, Greens will be backingthe Make Poverty History campaign andjoining calls for action on global povertyand climate change.

The Labour government has failedmiserably to make progress on reducingcarbon pollution. Indeed roadbuilding andplans to double air travel will make thingsmuch worse.

Labour also wants new nuclear powerstations. Greens are calling for a long-term energy plan built on energy efficiencyand renewable energy.

The way in which business is run must bereformed in the public interest. Responsi-ble businesses will make the grade, butpolluters and exploiters must be broughtto book.

It is our duty to nurture the seas as aresource, not pollute and over-exploitthem.

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Climate Change:Sleepwalkingto DisasterGlobal problems require both global and localsolutions. By building an international consen-sus for action on climate change and for a fairdeal for developing countries, we will make realprogress. But it’s vital that we match our wordswith actions here in Scotland.

Labour talks a good game, setting ambitioustargets to limit greenhouse gas emissions by60% by 2050. In action, Labour finances hugeroad-building programmes and expands airportsacross the UK. Labour will not provide the in-vestment and infrastructure we need to addressclimate change.

There have been some improvements in airpollution, but Glasgow, for example, still regu-larly tops lists of Britain’s most-polluted cities.Reductions in Scotland’s emissions lag behindthose of the rest of the UK, yet Labour still plansfor ever-increasing traffic levels.

If we significantly reduce the burning of fossilfuels, we can begin to tackle climate changeand conserve our dwindling oil reserves.

As part of our commitment to combating pol-lution, we want to bring Scotland’s housing andpublic transport into the 21st century and wedo not believe the polluting aviation industryshould enjoy massive subsidies.

Green MPs will work to:• support the introduction of a global Con-traction-Convergence scheme to share fairlythe world’s carbon emissions between richand poor countries;

• strengthen the UN Framework Conven-tion on Climate Change and co-ordinate astrong multinational response, which includesheavy oil users such as China and the USA;

• share our knowledge of energy efficiencyand renewable energy technology with gov-ernments across the globe;

• introduce import taxes for countries thatmaintain an unfair trading advantage by notcomplying with climate change treaties;

• ensure that the UK Climate Change Pro-gramme is the most ambitious governmentalprogramme in the world, “climate proofing”all spending decisions and government pol-icies. Set up a UK task force headed by thePrime Minister and the First Ministers of thedevolved countries, working for year-on-yearreductions in greenhouse gas emissions;

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olovanov

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• set tough emissions reduction targets forpower companies and industry;

• set an energy strategy for the UK to de-liver a phased withdrawal of fossil and nuclearelectricity generation and ambitious energyefficiency measures in all sectors leading toa target of 40% reduction in demand by 2020and establish renewable energy targets forfuel, heating and transport;

• allocate £500 million for the developmentof wave and tidal resources in Scotland;

• raise investment in other renewable tech-nologies, such as biomass and solar;

• upgrade the electricity grid to get renew-able electricity into centres of population;

• develop the case for a sub-sea electricitygrid to harness our offshore renewableenergy potential;

• ensure all new public buildings includeCombined Heat and Power and/or renew-able energy technologies;

• make al l new buildings comply withstringent energy efficiency ratings;

• end the “fuel poverty” that means the poorestfamilies live in homes that are the mostdifficult to heat;

• make the price of all transport journeysmore fairly reflect their cost to the environ-ment;

• oppose the building of new airports or theplanned expansion of existing facilities;

• support the Europe-wide campaign againstnight flights;

• end tax exemptions and other subsidiesfor the air industry, with the ex-ception of subsidies for “lifeline”island services;

• encourage the introduction ofurban transport systems, suchas trams and light rail, and bringthe railways back under publiccontrol;

• invest in high speed trains toconnect Scotland with Englandand Europe.

Green MPs will also work to:• protect the seas by creating a single MarineAct to make sense of the often conflictingand damaging “laws of the sea”;

• remove responsibility for control of theseabed from the Crown Estates and trans-fer them to the Scottish Parliament. Sporting,mineral rights and royalties should be trans-ferred from Crown Estates to new communityland trusts.

Meltdown: WhyNuclear PowerIs Not the Answer

“To present nuclear power as one of the mainways of combating climate change is short-sighted ... nuclear power simply does notrepresent a viable option at present.

“Given the costs associated with nuclear powerand current uncertainties surrounding theproblems of dealing with nuclear waste, makingthe UK more energy efficient is a far safer,cheaper and more realistic solution ...”

– Philip Sellwood,Chief Executive of the

Government’s Energy Saving Trust

We’ve always been assured that nuclear poweris cheap, clean, and safe. This is just not true.

The UK government is planning to acceptresponsibility for up to £5 billion of privately-owned British Energy’s liabilities. From April2005, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authoritytakes on the liabilities of BNFL and UKAEA,which are thought to amount to some £48billion. Nuclear power is not cheap.

The nuclear chain reaction itself doesn’t createCO2 emissions, but the mining, refining andprocessing of uranium ore are all highly pollut-ing. Over the whole fuel cycle, nuclear powercreates significant CO2 emissions, radioactiveemissions – both permitted and accidental –and radioactive waste, hazardous for millionsof years. Nuclear power is not clean.

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Nuclear power station leaks, accidents, disputedclusters of childhood leukaemia and now theterrorist threat, exacerbated by the industry’sinterest in AP 1000 reactors which replace doublecontainment systems with single, mean thatnuclear power is not safe.

Greens do not believe nuclear power can everbe a solution to climate change. Investment innuclear power diverts resources from moreeffective measures of reducing CO2 emissions.

Because of our ready access to wind, wave andother clean energy sources, Scotland could beself-sufficient in renewables. But to lead theworld in this technology, we need the politicalwill and the investment, which only the Scot-tish Greens would provide.

Green MPs will work to:• devolve all energy policy to the ScottishParliament;

• implement stringent and effective energyconservation measures to minimise our en-ergy requirements;

• rule out building any new nuclear powerstations – we don’t have to choose betweenunsustainable climate change or unsustain-able nuclear power;

• set targets to make Scotland the world’sfirst “fossil-fuel-free” state by 2050 withoutresorting to nuclear power.

CorporateAccountability:Tackling BigBusinessIt is 20 years since the worst disaster causedby a multinational corporation. In Bhopal,India, the Union Carbide pesticides factory leak-ed toxic gas and killed 20,000 people. Thecompany directors continue to evade justice forthis atrocity.

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The company behaved in the way that bigbusinesses continue to behave all over the world:it chased profit in a competitive market by driv-ing up production and slashing costs.

But cost-cutting means compromising wages,safety and the environment. Some companiesrecognise that accidents, under-paid workersand environmental pollution are not good forbusiness. But the bottom-line for corporationsis their duty to make profit for shareholders. Andcorporations are politically more powerful thanat any other time.

Tony Blair’s New Labour is increasingly account-able to big business and to lobbyists, not tothe electorate. At home, in Europe and inter-nationally, Labour is happy to be a best pal tobusiness, rather than to peopleand their communities.

Green MPs will work to:• introduce a Corporate Li-ability Act, combining the needfor more stringent environmen-tal enforcement with the needfor accountability of corporateentities on every aspect ofproduction process and busi-ness practice;

• support the Corporate Re-sponsibility Bill in Parliamentas a step towards corporateaccountability;

• empower workers, localcommunities and other affectedparties to have a say in guid-ing businesses in a socially andenvironmentally just society.

“... the corporation canneither recognise noract upon moral reasonsto refrain from harmingothers. Nothing in itslegal makeup limitswhat it can do to othersin pursuit of its selfishends, and it iscompelled to causeharm when the benefitsof doing so outweighthe costs. Onlypragmatic concern forits own interests andthe laws of the landconstrain thecorporation’s predatoryinstincts, and often thatis not enough to stop itfrom destroying lives,damaging communities,and endangering theplanet as a whole.”

– Joel Bakan,The Corporation

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PeoplePlanetP e a c e 3. Peace

“I like to believe that people inthe long run are going to do moreto promote peace than ourgovernments. Indeed, I think thatpeople want peace so much that oneof these days governments hadbetter get out of the way and letthem have it.”

– Dwight D. Eisenhower

Despite the atrocity of 9/11, despite thewar in Iraq, the threat of terrorism and thealienation of countries from the West, wecontinue to believe in peace.

We have always been, committed topeace and to peaceful solutions to con-flict. Greens were prominent campaignersin Scotland and across the world againstthe war in Iraq. We believe the US andUK have to rebuild international trust andhand over to a UN-controlled force. Webelieve that there has to be a just settle-ment in the Middle East.

Britain has a moral obligation to destroyits own weapons of mass destruction, andto deliver on our commitment to theNuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Greenshave consistently campaigned againstnuclear weapons throughout their history.

Britain must also scale down its armstrade, which supplies weapons for

conflicts and state repression all overthe world.

An unjust world will never be a peacefulone, so we believe it is the wealthy West’sduty to cancel Third World Debt and tofocus on eradicating poverty, disease andsuffering in the poorest nations.

We would legislate for fair trade to ensurethat the exploitation of the developingworld by the richest countries is haltedand to enable poorer countries to buildsustainable economies of their own.

We will support human rights and a fairsystem for supporting asylum seekers inBritain and value their contribution to ourcountry. We also believe our worldwidepeace and fair trade policies wouldreduce the number of refugees fleeingboth the danger and destitution they facein their own countries.

Michel Van W

ijngaarden

Building a SaferWorld: Co-operation,not ConflictTony Blair has allowed Britain to launch an ille-gal war on Iraq to serve the foreign policy of anextreme right-wing American president. He hasnot only exacerbated global tensions, but hasencouraged the climate of fear in which terror-ism can thrive.

We must respond intelligently to the threat ofterrorism, by stopping funds and arresting sus-pects where there is specific evidence of criminalactivity. Much more important, however, is toaddress the long-term underlying causes, suchas inequality, injustice and poverty.

At the same time, we need to be honest andrealistic about the nature of the threats facingus. Labour continues to spread fear and un-certainty in order to engineer unprecedentedmoves in both domestic and foreign policy.

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PeoplePlanetP e a c e

The Fairtrade Foundation

Britain could contribute much more construc-tively to a peaceful world. We must get rid ofour own weapons of mass destruction, whichencourage other countries to possess them,and greatly reduce our arms trade.

As one of the world’s richest nations, we mustco-operate with others in addressing povertyall over the world.

Green MPs will work to:• withdraw troops from Iraq and hand overto UN-led forces;

• decommission all the UK’s nuclear weaponsand other weapons of mass destruction;

• prevent nuclear proliferation and end supportfor the USA’s missile defence plans;

• cancel all outstanding debts of develop-ing countries, and immediately meet our UNobligation to commit 0·7% of GDP to fund-ing development;

• promote international efforts to combatAIDS, TB and malaria, and to provide freehealth and education services to all;

• restructure the military for conflict reso-lution and for peace enforcement;

• introduce education for peace and humanrights into all schools in order to teach theskills of conflict resolution, mediation and non-violent social change;

• oppose any moves to increase Europeanmilitary spending, as proposed in the cur-rent EU Constitution;

• support a “yes” vote on the EU Constitution,but also argue for significant amendments,in order to extend democratic account-abil ity and sustainable development inEurope;

• reform the UN Security Council by end-ing permanent membership and single countryveto, and introducing fair representation;

• give the UN more effective authority forearly mediation and intervention in disputes.

InternationalTrade: WhereFair Beats FreeThe Scottish Green Party believes that UK andEU trade policy should be governed by threekey ethical principles: to benefit the poorestcountries and the poorest people within them;to contribute to human rights; and to contrib-ute to greater environmental sustainability. Assuch, we fully support the growing trade jus-tice movement.

Trade can overcome local, regional and nationalscarcity, and can generate new livelihoods andemployment. However, it can also damage theenvironment and destroy vulnerable local indus-tries.

Green MPs will take account of both positiveand negative outcomes of trade and will en-sure that all countries have equal access to tradenegotiations. The UK is in a strong positionwithin institutions such as the WTO, the G8,and the EU to demand reform of internationaltrading regulations.

Trade agreements need to focus on achievingsustainable development, of which poverty eradi-cation is an integral part. Legislation is alsorequired to ensure that sustainability is notsacrificed for international “competitiveness”.

Green MPs will work to:• bring forward legislation toestablish an Ethical TradingAccreditation Scheme, whichwill set standards of envir-onmental sustainability andsocial welfare;

• implement an Ethical TradingTax, which penalises thoseproducing goods and serviceswhich fall below the standardsof the scheme, giving a competitive advan-tage to ethically-run businesses;

• introduce a currency transaction tax, akinto the Tobin Tax, in order to provide further

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funding to achieve the Millennium Develop-ment Goals;

• sign up to the international arms trade treatyto help control the flow of weapons;

• ensure that all countries have equal ac-cess to trade negotiations;

• reform the WTO, as part of a strength-ened UN, with a remit to enforce core socialand environmental standards in our tradesystem, rather than its current role of en-forcing the rights of multinational companies.

A Safe Refuge:Asylum andImmigrationThe Scottish Green Party fully supports theright of those fleeing persecution to asylum inthis country according to the 1951 UN Con-vention on the Status of Refugees. Both Scotlandand the UK are capable of offering sanctuaryto those who need it.

We believe that asylum seekers should be al-lowed to work and claim benefits as soon astheir application has been made. Permissionto work will ensure that skills are not wasted,as well as reducing the cost of supportingasylum seekers.

The Scottish Green Party supports a fair asy-lum policy and an end to the practice wherebyasylum seekers are subject to detention with-out reason.

Whilst recognising the contribution that refugeesand asylum seekers make to this country, Greenscampaign for the international policies that wouldreduce the need for asylum.

Green MPs will work to:• amend the law to allow asylum seekersto work and claim benefits as soon as theirapplication has been made;

• end the practice of making “failed” asy-lum seekers destitute, which drives them intothe illegal economy, leaving them open toabuse and exploitaiton;

• end the practice whereby asylum seek-ers are subject to detention without reasonbeyond the fact that they are seekingasylum;

• ensure there is an independent appealstribunal in line with international standards;

• ratify the 1990 UN Convention on the Rightsof Migrant Workers and their Families;

• honour our obligations under the 1951UN Convention Relating to the Status ofRefugees;

• promote the work of the UN in protectingrefugees and stateless persons and in sup-pressing human trafficking.

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“Unless we properly manage resources likeforests, water, land, minerals and oil, we will notwin the fight against poverty. And there will notbe peace. Old conflicts will rage on and newresource wars will erupt unless we change thepath we are on.”

– Wangari Maathai,Leader of the Mazingira Green Party of Kenya,

Founder of the Green Belt Movement,and Kenya’s Environment Minister,

on accepting the Nobel Peace Prize, 2004.

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Civil LibertiesCharles Kennedy Says:“The Liberal Democrats will take a stand on our civilliberties.”

– Launch of the Liberal Democrats’ Five Point Planfor Civil Liberties, 8th February 2005

Charles Kennedy Does:He was one of 17 Liberal Democrat MPs who missed the cru-cial vote on draconian anti-terror legislation on 28th February2005 in the House of Commons. The Government won thevote by only 14 votes.

“It was a miscalculation by everyone at every level. Therewas chaos in the chamber and we had no idea at all ...”

– Mark Oaten, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary

• On the Greens’ successful motion against ID cards inScotland, the Liberal Democrats abstained en masse.

EnvironmentLiberal Democrats Say:“In cities and towns where traffic congestion is a problem,... Liberal Democrats will extend congestion charging ...”

“No commercial GM crops until we know they’re safe for theenvironment.”

– Liberal Democrat “pre-manifesto”, September 2004

Liberal Democrats Do:Liberal Democrats led the campaign against a congestioncharge in Edinburgh. Their MSPs voted against moves byGreen MSPs to prevent GM crops being planted in Scotland.

SSP Says:“The SSP has always had differences with sections ofthe environmental movement.”

– Rosie Kane MSPThe SSP claim that Scotland’s leading environmental NGOs,Friends of the Earth Scotland and TRANSform Scotland,exhib i ted “ fake envi ronmenta l ism” over congest ioncharging.

The Chair of TRANSform Scotland had said:“The kneejerk reaction of the SSP is particularly shameful.Their decision to take sides with the Tories rips to shredsany environmental pretensions they may have had. Until now,we have had a productive working relationship with the SSP.We are now unsure whether we are able to work with theSSP in the future.”

Climate ChangeTony Blair Says:“There is no doubt that the time to actis now.”

– September 14th 2004

Labour Do:26th October 2004: ␣ Plans to curbindustry’s greenhouse gas emissionsare scaled back. Allowable CO2 emis-sions by power generators go up 6·6

million tonnes a year. Environment Secretary Margaret Beckettsays the plans could have damaged industry.

TransportJohn Prescott Says:“I will have failed if in five year’s timethere are not many more people usingpublic transport and far fewer journeysby car. It’s a tall order, but I urge youto hold me to it.”

– June 6th, 1997

Labour Do:By 2002, there was a 36·6 billion km

(8%) rise in annual motor vehicle journeys. Traffic levels arestill rising.

SustainabilityAlex Salmond Says:“This latest discovery coupled with high oil prices demon-strates the enormous oil wealth that is still to come.”

– 8th December 2004

“Our oil industry will remain one of the engines of the Scot-tish economy.”

– 1st March 2005

Alex Salmond Does Not Mention:Climate Change! Nor does he mention that the North Sea’s oilproduction peaked in 1999 and conservative projections putglobal peak oil at 2010, only five years away. A truly sustain-able Scotland can only be built by preparing now for life withoutoil. Oil is becoming a luxury item which ever fewer will be ableto afford.

Corporate AccountabilityMichael Howard Says:“The environment needs a government that is prepared toset a regulatory framework that is fair.”

– at a Green Alliance conference in September 2004

Michael Howard Also Says:“I want to praise the profit-makers, because too often in ourcountry, profit is used as a dirty word. We’ll cut the regula-tory burden you all face.”

– at the CBI Annual Lunch, 2005

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Greens in Action Everywhere

FoodFor a food revolution and supporting local com-munity campaigns against the megaretail invasion,opposing local supermarket developments andsupporting small business growth.

EnergyConsistently campaigning for increased fundsand action for energy efficiency. In February, theScottish Parliament voted to support a GreenMSP motion calling for tougher action on en-ergy efficiency. A Green Bill on Home EnergyEfficiency has been lodged.

WasteLeading a campaign for a “Zero Waste” approachto Scotland’s dire record on waste. Encourag-ing local authorities to take a lead in the absenceof government action.

TransportFor traffic reduction and more public transportwith a Green Transport Bill in progress. Pro-moting public transport alternatives to theExecutive’s £1 billion roads programme andopposing major new roads such as the M74Northern Extension and the Aberdeen WesternPeripheral Route.

Climate ChangeFor serious action, prompting the first parlia-mentary inquiry into climate change. Exposingthe contradictions of the Scottish Executive’smotorway building programme and promotionof ever more air travel.

GMTaking action for a GM-free Scotland, includ-ing a law to keep biotech companies at bay byholding them liable for any economic damagecaused by GM crops.

The Green movement is growing fastacross the world. Greens have becomegovernment ministers in Belgium, Finland,France, Germany, Kenya and beyond.There are Green Parties in 70 countries.Latvia has had a Green Prime Minister. Inthe UK we have 60 councillors, twoMembers of the London Assembly, sevenMSPs and two MEPs.

The only level of government where thereis no Green representation is at Westmin-ster. Although the voting system may

directly discriminate against emergingparties, a Green MP is inevitable.

This election, and this manifesto, arelargely focused on reserved issues, as theScottish Parliament has responsibility formany areas including public services. Butquestions will be asked across all areas.So what are our Green MSPs doing?

Using the powers in the Scottish Parlia-ment, and working with local communitiesin each region, the seven Green MSPs arecampaigning on:

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HealthFostering a publ ic health approach tocreate a National Health – not Sickness –Service with preventative action and ahealthier environment, and support for theban of smoking in enclosed public spacesto protect workers and non-smokers fromthe effects of other people’s cigarette smoke.

ID CardsGreen MSPs scored a landmark victory intheir campaign against ID cards, when theParliament backed a Green motion and votedto reject ID cards, demanding a statementfrom the Scottish Executive on the use of aproposed national identity database in Scotland.

Public ServicesTo replace council tax and business rates withLand Value Taxation. A bill is under devel-opment.

PlanningPromoting third party right of appeal to levelthe playing field between developers andcommunities. Green MSPs have campaignedlocally to save green spaces and supporteddozens of community campaigns against ill-thought out and unjust developments suchas those faced by the Greengairs commu-nity already surrounded by eight landfills andopen cast mines.

EducationCampaigning for sustainable development tobe at the root of all education approaches,and promoting peace education. Green MSPsare campaigning against against commercialinterests influence in education and end allPrivate Finance Initiatives.

For further information on anything in this manifesto, orfor enquiries about any other policy issue, contact:

The Scottish Green PartyFREEPOST RLRJ-USZY-EAZX

3 Lyne St.EdinburghEH7 5DN

Tel. 08700 772207

Email: office@scottishgreens.org.uk

Or visit the Scottish Green Party website at:

www.scottishgreens.org.uk

Promoted by Alastair Whitelaw, c/o 3 Lyne Street, Edinburgh EH7 5DN, on behalf ofthe Scottish Green Party, 3 Lyne Street, Edinburgh EH7 5DN.

Printed on 75% post-consumer waste by Posthouse Printing & Publishing Ltd.,The Press Building, 305 The Park, Findhorn, Forres IV36 3TE.

Photographs and graphics by Scottish Green Party and allied Green Parties except as credited.

There aremany waysof making

the world abetter place– but come

election day,this is firston the list:

Vote Green✗