It is a relief that my sitting MP is no longer Tory after 29 years of living in the Mid Sussex constituency. This election was always going to be interesting due to the new boundaries and the country-wide push for tactical voting. We could see that in the swing to Lib Dems, as most tactical voting websites had recommended them as the best chance to oust the Tories.

We were hoping we would keep our deposit at least, due to the fantastic national campaign run by the Green Party and the increase in the Green share of the vote in the local council elections. Unfortunately, it was not to be, and it gave me great pause for thought that the Reform candidate, who did not even live in the area, was able to poll nearly three times as many votes as me. I will admit that straight afterwards I found this very disheartening, but you can see by the numbers how this split the Tory vote and helped in their defeat.

I strongly believe that the next election will be very different for the Green Party, both nationally and locally. I first stood in 2019, and it was impossible to talk beyond Brexit when canvassing. For this election, it was all about getting the Tories out. But for the next election, there will be growing external drivers that are going to refocus both the government and the electorate on much more serious matters – the growing impacts of climate change.

This is a topic that the Green Party is putting center stage in its policies, and the public knows this. No one wants to be right about the devastating impacts of climate change, but in the next 5 years, they are going to be almost impossible to ignore. Underreporting in the UK news about devastating floods in Northern Europe and extreme heat events in central Spain and Greece means we here are less aware of the gathering impacts around us. Our little “Gulf Stream bubble” of protection is weakening rapidly, and that is when the UK will see what other areas of the world have been facing for a while now.

My prediction is the next election “hot topics” will be food security and demographics.

This spring the UK potato crop was devastated by extreme rain fall, leaving the plants to rot in the fields. These issues were seen across Europe too. The UK is already woefully lacking in food security, which was being quietly acknowledged by the  last government with Defra publishing its first of a planned annual report of the UK food security index in May this year. As climate change driven extreme weather events increase, the threat to other UK crops will also increase, and our food security reduced. One reason we are particularly vulnerable here is that we use the land we have so inefficiently, and waste too much food, leading to us having to import around 1/3rd of it from other countries. Farming is the lifeblood of our countryside, but the pressures to produce cheap, high yield crops, means we are one of the most nature depleted countries on earth. This is not the fault of the farmers, but of successive governments ignoring the issues and failing to channel financial support effectively. These issues can only be ignored for so long, and now we are critically exposed to climate shocks, so it won’t take much to tip this into a crisis that can’t be ignored. It will be interesting to see if the new Labour government has the foresight and courage to preempt and begin to mitigate these effects, as planned action, based on the best available science, is our only way forward that offers real hope. As things stand in Mid Sussex, we have impossible housing targets handed down by central government, and the Lib Dem controlled district council is putting prime agricultural land in the Neighbourhood plan ready for house building. This actually makes our food security worse!

Demographics of the UK are another crisis in the making, as the country is rapidly aging and our birthrate plummeting. Whilst less people, especially those that have the climate impact of the developed world, is good for the planet, rapid changes in demographics cause massive issues in caring for an aging population, and how to fund the pensions and care they need. In the UK our tax system is heavily biased to taxing earnings , but as the number of workers fall this won’t be sustainable. Intergenerational rareness must also be acknowledged, as this style of tax funding of services means that young people are paying for pensions and healthcare they will never get themselves. They are already largely shut out of home ownership, which stops many of them ever hoping for families of theor own, and saddled with eye watering student debts at frankly extortionate rates of interest. The previous Tory government hid this issue behind mass immigration to keep up the numbers of workers, but in most nations young people will become one of their most precious resources and nations will strive to keep their own. We will need to offer our young people a much much better deal than they are currently getting for them to want to stay in the UK.

Moving forward, I believe the Green Party is best placed to have credibility with the electorate on the real issues that are looming for the UK. I hope the new Labour government learns some lessons, borrows some policies, and begins to tackle the climate crisis, along with the intergenerational fairness gap.

Key Points for the Future:

– Early action is crucial for effective and cost-efficient solutions

– The presence of 4 Green MPs will help magnify the message

– Next year’s County Council elections are an opportunity to increase Green representation

– Showing Mid Sussex voters that Green votes lead to needed policies and actions

Roll on 2029 – but there is a lot that needs to happen before then!

References:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-food-security-index-2024/uk-food-security-index-2024

https://www.nationalfoodstrategy.org

https://www.msn.com/en-ie/weather/topstories/extreme-heat-and-flash-floods-scientists-warn-of-hazardous-summer-weather-in-europe/ar-BB1oruK3

https://phys.org/news/2024-06-weakening-collapse-major-atlantic-current.html

https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2020/september/uk-has-led-the-world-in-destroying-the-natural-environment.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_median_age

The post After the 2024 Election: What Next? … by Deanna Nicholson appeared first on Mid Sussex and Crawley Green Party.

The impacts of climate change are accelerating; global crop yields projected to decrease by an alarming 30% by 2050. However, a new threat has emerged that could further jeopardise the UK’s ability to feed its population: the collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC).

Recent scientific studies [1] indicate that the AMOC, a critical ocean current system that regulates global climate patterns, is at risk of collapsing within the next decade. If this occurs, the UK will experience a dramatic 5°C drop in temperature, leading to significant disruptions in agricultural production and food supply chains.

The combination of reduced global crop yields and a potential AMOC collapse creates a perfect storm that could severely undermine the UK’s food security [2]. To mitigate these risks and ensure a stable food supply for its citizens, the UK must take swift action to transition towards a more efficient and resilient food system.

The Green Party is the only political party in the UK that fully acknowledges the severity of this issue and has proposed comprehensive policies to address it [3]. Central to their strategy is a shift towards a predominantly plant-based agricultural system. In fact, Green Party councillors have already taken action at the local level, with Haywards Heath Town Council becoming the first town council in Europe to sign the Plant Based Treaty in 2022, recognising the critical role that plant-based diets can play in addressing the climate crisis and ensuring food security.

Plant-based food production offers numerous advantages over traditional animal agriculture, including greater efficiency in land use, water consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions. By reducing our reliance on livestock farming and dedicating more land to crop production, we can significantly increase our domestic food production capacity and reduce our vulnerability to global supply chain disruptions.

Moreover, adopting a plant-based food system would bring substantial public health benefits to the UK population. Studies have consistently shown that plant-based diets are associated with lower rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer. By encouraging a shift towards plant-based diets, we can not only improve individual health outcomes but also alleviate pressure on our already strained NHS healthcare system and enhance overall societal resilience.

The Green Party recognises that transitioning to a plant-based food system must be managed carefully to ensure that it supports the livelihoods of farmers and rural communities who currently rely on animal agriculture. They propose bold policies and investments in programs that help farmers transition to sustainable plant-based agriculture, while also providing financial support and retraining opportunities for those affected by the shift.

In addition, the Green Party plans to raise public awareness about the urgency of the food security crisis and the benefits of adopting a plant-based diet through targeted education campaigns, collaboration with health organisations and environmental groups, and partnerships with the food industry to promote plant-based options.

In this crucial general election, the British public has the opportunity to vote for a party that truly understands the severity of the climate crisis and the impending food security challenges we face. By voting Green, you can support a comprehensive plan to transform our food system, protect our nation from the worst impacts of climate change, and ensure a stable, reliable, and nutritious food supply for generations to come.

The urgency of the climate crisis and the looming threat of an AMOC collapse leave us no choice. We must act now, and voting Green is the first step towards securing a resilient, sustainable, and healthy future for the UK. With your support, we can implement the bold policies and investments needed to transition to a plant-based food system, support our farmers and rural communities, and safeguard our nation’s food security in the face of unprecedented challenges.

Vote Green for a future where the UK is not only prepared for the impacts of climate change but also leads the way in creating a more sustainable and equitable food system for all.

[1] – https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-39810-w

[2] – https://www.nationalfoodstrategy.org/

[3] – policy AR411 – https://gap.greenparty.org.uk/animal-policies.html#:~:text=The%20Green%20Party%20believes%20it,derived%20from%20non-animal%20sources 

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I am standing as the Green Party candidate in the General election for Crawley.

I have lived in Crawley for over 37 years and campaigned on many issues for over 4 years. I am a Green Socialist. I believe in people and the community. We urgently need to tackle the cost of living crib, poverty and the climate emergency.

I want to improve people’s lives by bringing new ideas such as; Community Wealth Building, Local Exchange and Trading Systems, a local energy company, local food growing, set up environmental businesses and community projects, build council and socially affordable housing in Crawley.

We need something better and that is why I am standing in this General Election. So on Thursday 4th July, Vote Green for Real Hope. Real Change.

The post GE2024: Iain – Our Candidate for Crawley appeared first on Mid Sussex and Crawley Green Party.

With a science background, I am committed to tackling climate change through evidence-based solutions like active transport and sustainable agriculture. I understand the strains on our infrastructure – water, roads, healthcare – due to increased housing development.

As a Town councillor, I have seen the challenges facing our area, and will push for planning changes that prioritize local resource capacity and deliver truly affordable housing to meet our community’s needs.

Vote Deanna Nicholson for a greener, fairer, and more sustainable Mid Sussex.

The post GE2024: Deanna – Our Candidate for MidSussex appeared first on Mid Sussex and Crawley Green Party.

Dear potential Green Party voter in Mid Sussex,

Tactical voting may seem like a good idea, but it ultimately undermines the very principles of democracy. When voters feel compelled to choose a candidate they don’t fully support just to prevent another from winning, it means the electoral system is failing to represent the true will of the people.

In Mid Sussex, with its high levels of education and environmental awareness, many voters may feel a strong alignment with the Green Party’s policies on climate action, social justice, and political reform. However, under the current first-past-the-post system, some may be tempted to vote tactically for a “safer” choice.

We urge you to resist this temptation and vote for what you believe in. Tactical voting only perpetuates a broken system and makes it harder for new voices and ideas to break through. A vote for the Green Party, on the other hand, sends a clear message about the kind of future you want to see – one that prioritizes sustainability, equality, and genuine democracy.

By voting your values, you can help build momentum for change and put pressure on other parties to adopt more progressive policies. With your support, we believe the Green Party can become a major force for positive transformation in Mid Sussex and beyond.

The post MidSussex – vote with conviction for a sustainable future! appeared first on Mid Sussex and Crawley Green Party.

The post Local party Manifesto appeared first on Mid Sussex and Crawley Green Party.

I am a Parish Councillor already. I speak up for residents and the environment.

I am both driven and organised and my responsibilities in the Parish Council include working with all aspects of the environment for Colgate and I also represent the area on both the Horsham District Council Climate Change and Wilder Horsham initiatives.

I’m also a member of the very active community based Memorial Hall Committee and Chair of a local Residents Association. Building communities and protecting our natural environment are two things which are very important to me.

I am determined to work hard and make real improvements to residents’ lives.

The post West Chiltington, Thakeham & Ashington – Barry Humphreys appeared first on Mid Sussex and Crawley Green Party.

I have a Degree in History from University College London and a PGDE and Masters in Transformational Leadership from Canterbury Christ Church University (with Distinction) and I am a qualified teacher. I have the skills to do the job.

Protecting this beautiful place, which has a past and a future, for residents and for generations to come, is my main priority. As your Green councillor I will use my organisational skills to look at the detail of planning applications and at policies which will affect the area.

Giving young people a voice is very important to me. I always work hard and like to get the job done. I’m determined to make sure that my young son, and all our children, grow up to a future worth having.

I am hard working, careful and dedicated to conserving our local environment.

The post West Chiltington, Thakeham & Ashington – Jen Altamirano Smith appeared first on Mid Sussex and Crawley Green Party.

I believe in a fairer society for everyone and will work hard to make that a reality for people in Storrington & Washington ward by speaking up for better homes, cheaper public transport, cleaner air and improved public services.

As a Parham Parish Councillor I have already stepped up to serve the community. Excessive traffic levels and rat-running through Storrington and Washington are massive issues, and of course the knock-on air pollution. I want urgent action to tackle it!

If elected, I will work hard at Council to support traffic action, help those in need and protect our unique environment, all year round, not just at election time.

The post Storrington & Washington ward – Claudia Fisher appeared first on Mid Sussex and Crawley Green Party.

With a Degree in Psychology, I joined the Civil Service in 1983 and worked in various information technology roles over the years, specialising in IT Security. When I took early retirement, after 27 years of service, I was Head of Information Assurance in the Ministry of Justice.

I was elected as the Green councillor for Storrington & Amberley ward in an historic by-election win in April 2022. I am a local resident and care deeply about keeping our area a great place to live and work in. As councillor I’ve worked hard over the past year to speak up for our area at Horsham District Council.

I am a trustee of Sandgate Conservation Society and also member of Storrington Conservation Society, helping to take care of local green spaces: Sandgate Park, Sullington Warren, Fryern Dell and the Riverside Walk.

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