Wales Green Party has condemned UK Government plans to water down nuclear power safeguards as “a reckless step by a government openly flaunting its corporate capture”.

Linda Rogers, deputy leader of Wales Green Party said:

“This news is a cynical move by an industry that can’t pay its way, looking desperately for a purpose.

“The government’s statement is riddled with misleading quotes from the nuclear industry, making it clear that Keir Starmer has been captured by these corporations.

“The problem for the nuclear industry isn’t regulation, it’s the cost. The industry wants government handouts, because the technology is so much more expensive than renewable alternatives. We know that Hitachi dropped plans for Wylfa Newydd when they decided the government money on offer wasn’t enough. Ripping up planning protections won’t solve this basic problem.”

The party also highlighted impacts on local decision making and the Welsh language. Linda continued:

“Whether we place these huge installations that will have a legacy for centuries should be decided in Wales, not by a distant Westminster government. We’ve seen thinly veiled propaganda from nuclear corporations implying that protecting our language is trivial. The UK government should think very carefully before colluding with them on that.”

“We have a choice to make about our energy future – do we support communities to own their own renewables that boosts the local economy, or impose extractive, expensive nuclear which still has no long-term answer for dealing with radioactive waste.”

For more information contact:

Sam Coates, Communications Coordinator:
press@greenparty.wales

The post Labour’s dash for nuclear lays bare corporations capture of government  appeared first on Wales Green Party.

“During the election, Labour promised again and again they would protect the future of steel production in Wales. The Welsh Labour Government assured us that a Labour administration at the other end of the M4 would make the difference, yet today’s announcement offers nothing more than the inadequate subsidy already promised by the previous Conservative government.

“The imminent closure of the second blast furnace will have a devastating effect on the highly skilled workforce, their families and the surrounding communities. The need for the transition to green steel production has been understood for decades. Yet successive governments in Westminster and Wales have left the future of communities at the whims of a multinational company. The people of Wales know only too well what happens when governments and industries walk away.

“From wind turbines to trains, we need steel to turn our economy green. Bringing well-paid, dignified jobs back to Wales is at the heart of the change we need. The steel industry should be in public ownership, enabling us to lead the green industrial revolution. Nationalisation, not subsidising multinationals for the benefit of their shareholders, is the only way to secure a future for Green steel production in Wales.”

The post Publicly owned steel needed for economic transition say Welsh Greens appeared first on Wales Green Party.

Phil, aged 28, was raised in and still lives in Cwmbrân, and attended the former Llantarnam Comprehensive School and Coleg Gwent before attending Aberystwyth University to study psychology and international politics.

Locally he has campaigned with Climate Action Torfaen and Llarcs Community Group. He also helps lead the Young Greens in Wales and England as the Political Education Officer for the party’s youth movement.

“We offer a stark contrast to the business-as-usual parties that simply aren’t working for most people living in Cymru, or for the planet.

“As a young person, I’m immensely proud to be in a leadership position. Far too often our voices and experiences are ignored or belittled by politicians. Greens will always listen to the voices of all people, no matter their age. If you are a young person reading this and want a political party that will respect and listen to you, rather than patronise you, join the Greens today!

“I’m looking forward to helping us break through into the next Senedd where positive elected Green voices are so desperately needed.”

Anthony Slaughter, Wales Green Party leader, said:

“I’m really pleased to welcome Phil to the Wales Green Party leadership team. Phil is a dedicated and passionate campaigner for social and climate justice. I’m looking forward to working with him to ensure that Wales gets the elected Green representation at every level of government that our communities so desperately need. This starts with the Senedd election in 2026.

“As an active member of the Young Greens committee, Phil will also be a much-needed voice for young people who are so woefully underrepresented in Welsh politics.”

The post Cwmbrân local, 28, is new Welsh Greens deputy leader appeared first on Wales Green Party.

“At a time of multiple crises, inequality, climate and energy, the status quo is clearly failing the people of Wales.  The report rightly highlights the urgent need for changes to the current devolution settlement, in particular the need to fully devolve justice, policing and rail infrastructure. These are all longstanding Green Party policies.

“Greens believe that independence is not just viable, as the report says, but essential to building the fairer, greener future for Wales that we know is possible.

“Independence is the opportunity to truly give power to the people of Wales, enabling us to shape our own future while working closely with our neighbours and other small nations to face our joint challenges and opportunities.

“The report is a valuable and important contribution to the ongoing discussion on the future of Wales. Work must continue at pace to involve all of our diverse communities in shaping our common future. As a nation with outrageous levels of poverty and increasingly facing the challenges of the climate and nature crises, doing nothing is not an option. Westminster isn’t working. Wales deserves better.”

For more information or interviews contact press@greenparty.wales

Read our submission to the Commission

Join our press distribution list here.

The post WALES GREEN PARTY WELCOMES CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSION REPORT AS PART OF JOURNEY TO INDEPENDENCE appeared first on Wales Green Party.

The post Our evidence to the Independent Commission on Wales’ Constitutional Future appeared first on Wales Green Party.

“There can’t be any room for slippage and misunderstanding. It’s not so much about what’s not in it – it’s about the need for it to be strengthened. We need a really strong focus on biodiversity and the nature crisis.”

The Agriculture (Wales) Bill is about working in partnership with the agriculture community, he added.

Mr Slaughter said: “We need to take the agricultural sector along with us. I speak with farmers all the time, and people at the NFU (National Farmer’s Union) and they are very much on board. They want to be doing the right thing as regards land management.

“So, I think that using this Bill to ensure that doing the right thing is the easiest thing to do.

“Food production is vital and at the same time everything has to enhance the landscape and the natural world.”

Read the full article in Nation.Cymru

The post New Agriculture Bill a “historic opportunity” for Wales, say Greens appeared first on Wales Green Party.

Anthony said: “This moment is a crucial time for Welsh democracy. The entire devolution settlement is at risk, threatened by a UK government intent on clawing back powers from the devolved nations. The most recent and blatant example of this is Westminster’s use of Section 35 to block Scotland’s Gender Recognition Reform Bill, a disgraceful attack on democracy and human rights. Westminster isn’t working. Wales deserves better.

“Wales Green Party believes that an independent Wales is a vital and necessary step towards building a fairer, greener society. An independent nation working together with others to build a truly equal, sustainable future. A nation in control of its ample sources of clean, renewable energy moving towards a zero-carbon future. Our vision of an independent Wales is that of a diverse, cosmopolitan and internationalist nation, committed to equality.

“A better future for Wales is possible, free from the chaos and cruelty of Westminster. Coming together at this summit to share ideas is a vital step towards building a truly progressive, inclusive and independent Wales.”

Read the full article in Nation.Cymru

The post Anthony Slaughter to speak at Wales’ first independence summit appeared first on Wales Green Party.

Cllr. Ian Chandler said: “I am delighted to be the Council’s Champion for the LGBTQ+ community in Monmouthshire. Despite the great progress that I have seen in my lifetime, LGBTQ+ people in the UK still face discrimination when accessing public services, at work and in education. Shockingly, two-thirds have experienced verbal, physical or sexual abuse, and nine in ten secondary school teachers say that pupils in their schools have suffered homophobic bullying. This has to change and I want to support LGBTQ+ people in Monmouthshire to have their voices heard.

“Like many LGBTQ+ people, I was nervous about finally ‘coming out’ publicly. I was fortunate that my family and friends are very accepting of me being non-binary and have given me lots of support in my journey. I want everyone, whatever their sexuality or gender identity, to feel able to live as their authentic selves with pride and without fear.”

Read the full article on the Monmouthshire County Council website.

The post Green Councillor announced as Monmouthshire’s first LGBTQ+ champion appeared first on Wales Green Party.

Only 18 months ago the people of Scotland voted for a pro independence majority with both Scottish Greens and SNP manifestos pledging to deliver a referendum. For Westminster to ignore and override that mandate undermines our democracy and the devolution of power.

Scotland’s future should be a decision for the people of Scotland. Wales’ future should be a decision for the people of Wales. That is what a truly voluntary Union would look like.’

The post Wales Green Party react to Supreme Court ruling on Scottish independence referendum appeared first on Wales Green Party.

The conference comes following an exciting year for the Party in Wales. In May’s Local Authority elections Wales Green Party made an historic breakthrough getting Councillors elected across the country, eight Green Party Councillors around Wales plus two in Cardiff under the Common Ground joint ticket. This has resulted in a growing awareness of the Party and it’s policies and a steady increase in membership throughout the year.

On the eve of the critically important CoP 27 Climate Summit in Egypt Wales Green Party will use this conference to highlight their wide ranging policies to tackle the Climate Emergency and the multiple crises facing communities in Wales.

Anthony Slaughter, Leader of Wales Green Party, said, ‘ At a time of Climate Emergency, economic and energy crises, communities across Wales are being let down by both governments in Westminster and Wales. The failure at every level of government to take the urgent and radical action needed in the face of the climate crisis is already impacting on communities across Wales with ever increasing extreme weather events causing devastation and disruption in cities and towns throughout the nation. The ongoing failure to meet existing, arguably inadequate, climate targets displays an embarrassing lack of leadership on the global stage and is a betrayal of future generations.

Following our election successes earlier this year, and the increased exposure, people can see that Greens have the joined up policies to tackle the many interconnected challenges that face our society. That is why I am confident that moving forward we will continue to build on our success and get elected Green representation at every level of government in Wales. Elected Greens are delivering the change needed across Europe, including the Scottish Greens in government in Scotland. Wales deserves no less. ‘

The post Wales Green Party holding annual conference in Llandrindod Wells appeared first on Wales Green Party.