Cllr Gareth Kitchen

GB News has announced it's cutting up to a third of its workforce, as losses mount and advertisers steer clear of its toxic content.

https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/rats-in-a-sack-gb-news-faces-a-swathe-of-job-cuts/

#ukpol

Can I just say; If you like Green policy and all the things we stand for join the party and have your say. The threat from fringe groups is real! https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/28/greens-examining-how-party-decides-policy-as-membership-triples-under-zack-polanski #GreenParty #ukpol

@Christo_459@mastodon.me.uk @PoliceStateUK@mastodon.me.uk Meta of course! Facebook probably pay them a few pence per 1,000 views so 1.3m views could generate roughly £25. Not bad wages in Sri Lanka where the minimum wage is about £3 a day. It’s a bargain for Zuckerberg in terms of engagement, it keeps the adult population doomscrolling.

So Prince Harry writes an article titled "My fears for a divided kingdom" with the subtitle "We must stand against both anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim hate."

But the BBC headline? "Harry warns of 'deeply troubling' rise in antisemitism in UK."

Notice what got cut? The Islamophobia. The subtitle. The line where Harry writes: "anti-Muslim hatred and all forms of racism draw from the same well of division. They must be confronted with the same resolve."

Harry's original piece explicitly rejects hierarchy among forms of hatred. He writes: "When anger is turned toward communities – whether Jewish, Muslim, or any other – it ceases to be a call for justice."

Yet the BBC framing created the very imbalance he warned against. His words got filtered through a lens that prioritised one form of bigotry over another, even when the source material demanded equal treatment.

Read the original article here: https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2026/05/my-fears-for-a-divided-kingdom

Compare it to the BBC coverage: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8xw55q0elvo

This isn't about diminishing antisemitism. It's about exposing how the establishment's selective attention distorts even messages meant to promote unity. When the BBC chooses which suffering to amplify, they're not just reporting, they're shaping the hierarchy.

All bigotry deserves equal condemnation. Not just when it fits the narrative.

#Islamophobia #Antisemitism #MediaFraming #SelectiveOutrage #PrinceHarry

Green Party MPs seek to amend King’s Speech

Measures to tackle the cost-of-living, climate change and inequality Hannah Spencer MP said:

My Green colleagues and I are so incredibly disappointed in this King’s Speech, but it’s not a surprise. In the wake of a devastating set of local election results for the Labour Party, the Prime Minister and the government should have used this opportunity to lay out an urgent, transformative, progressive programme to redistribute wealth, tackle the nature and climate crisis and make life affordable for everyone.

My Green colleagues and I will seek to amend the government’s plans to include the urgent action needed to bring down people’s bills – rent controls, nationalising water, freezing energy prices, and taxing wealth. We need to see these measures despite the Labour Party’s drama, and even if there’s a different Prime Minister this time tomorrow!

I’m disappointed that instead of using this opportunity to get behind the Green Party’s demands, the government has laid out more of the same fiddling around the edges. There’s some positive movement on democratic reform and EU alignment, but also worrying double-downs on airport expansion and their cruel, unworkable immigration policy.

I was elected to give a voice to a politics that represents everyone. This is the first King’s Speech I have been in Parliament to hear, and I haven’t heard anywhere near enough to make meaningful changes to people’s lives. It’s a missed opportunity, it’s disappointing, and it’s out of touch. The people of this country deserve so much more.

The amendment will include:

• Freezing energy prices in July to stop them going up by over £300
• New powers to control rents
• Funding for councils to buy existing homes from private landlords
• Water utilities to be brought back into public ownership
• Free bus passes for under 22s
• Universal free school meals
• Further measures to tax fossil fuel companies and the extreme wealth of billionaires and multimillionaires

#GreenParty #ukpol

There are around 200 berths at that marina where Zack and his partner lived. Over the last 35 years, that would mean many hundreds of different boats ⛵.

Apparently, only ONE ever registered for council tax 😳 whilst nine people had registered to vote at a bungalow on the property.

So, Zack Polanski was one of the hundreds who didn’t realise the rules applied. The council never chased anyone there. He’s now contacting them to sort any shortfall ✅.

What was sold as “Zack Polanski dodging council tax” is actually a story about hundreds of boaters not understanding the rules, not paying, and a council not enforcing them. A genuine mistake that’s being fixed.

This really does seem like a concerted effort to tarnish Polanski over an error that hundreds of others at the same marina have also made.

#GreenParty #ukpol

My favourite Green Party graph. Simple but VERY clear on how things are going. :)

https://join.greenparty.org.uk/

#GreenParty #ukpol

# Blimey!

On the basis of results in over 1,000 wards where the BBC has collected detailed voting data, it is estimating that if the whole of the country had had an election and those people who didn't have an election voted similarly to those who did, the outcome of the election would be as follows:-

#ukpol #GreenParty

The establishment are losing control of the narrative, the thrashing out is increasing, the spell is breaking, the fear they feel tells them they are losing power.

VOTE GREEN.

https://join.greenparty.org.uk/

#ukpol #GreenParty

So, Starmer's adviser held 16 undisclosed meetings with top US tech bosses. Is that serving the public interest or securing private benefit for others in exchange for the misuse of public power?

#GreenParty #ukpol

We’re living in Labour’s head and running their campaign strategy. :)

I’d love to meet the genius who came up with “The Green Party does not deserve your vote.” Great work lads!

https://join.greenparty.org.uk/

#GreenParty #ukpol

MYTH BUSTING 💚

See the facts, not the fiction; read our real policies below.

[1] “Greens want to abolish air travel”. This is false. We’re not proposing to abolish air travel. We advocate for a frequent-flyer levy, a ban on domestic flights for journeys that could be completed by train in less than three hours, and a halt to airport expansion

[2] “Greens want to end meat and dairy”. Wrong. We support improved animal welfare in the meat and dairy industry, but we’re not calling for any kind of ban. Our position emphasises sustainable practices and British-sourced farming above all.

[3] “Greens want to force home degrowth”. Wrong again. Our housing policy is to invest £29 billion over five years; insulating existing homes to slash the cost of living, building new social and affordable housing, and improving energy efficiency.

[4] “Greens want to abolish capitalism”. Another media smear, headline lie. We advocate for greater regulation, public ownership of key utilities (like rail, water, and energy), and to tax extreme wealth. We are not calling for the abolition of capitalism or the free market. Who makes up this garbage?

[5] “Greens want to disband NATO”. Nope. We support NATO reform, a “no first use” nuclear weapons policy, and reducing spending while supporting international laws that protect us, but we have not called for NATO to be disbanded.

[6] “Greens will abolish the police”. More lies. We propose restoring youth services, community-based policing, rehabilitation programmes and ending violence against women and girls; we’re not calling for the police to be abolished.

[7] “They will open the borders without controls”. Our policy calls for a fair and humane system of managed immigration, whilst supporting the ending of hellish detention centres for most migrants.

[8] “They will redefine family and gender”. Wrong. We support self-identification and oppose discrimination against trans and non-binary people, that’s all.

[9] “Greens will force Universal Basic Income”. False again. We support TRIALING Universal Basic Income, but as part of a broader reform of welfare to ensure economic security.

[10] “They will ban nuclear energy”. Not really, no. We oppose new nuclear for safety reasons, high costs and waste issues, instead prioritising renewables such as wind, solar, and tidal, which are cheaper, quicker to implement and more efficient in the long term.

[11] “Greens want to legalise crack cocaine”. One last time… WRONG. We want to decriminalise, not legalise drugs. This means supporting those victims of drug addiction, rather than penalising them; it’s even been proven to work in a number of European countries. Drug supply will still be illegal.

#GreenParty #ukpol

88% of UK businesses rely on US tech

Some of the UK’s most critical industries are also its most exposed. Its banking and telecommunications sectors (both at 95%) are the two most dependent, and nearly 90% of publicly listed utilities companies use US tech. Basically, if Britons want to make a phone call, withdraw cash, or turn on a light, the overwhelming odds are that the infrastructure behind it runs on foreign tech. That’s a critical weakness for any nation’s infrastructure.

https://proton.me/business/europe-tech-watch

Nice :)

As Labour, Daily Mail, Spectator and all other vested interests ramp up their attacks on us we find that our message of hope breaks through….. :)

https://join.greenparty.org.uk/

#GreenParty #ukpol

Great to see that the French Govt. is moving off Microsoft.

It's now become clear that countries need to strive for digital sovereignty to reduce their dependence on US Big Tech. Strategic moves like this give the governments greater control over their IT infrastructure, improve interoperability, and improve national security. What's not to like?

Expect to see other European countries follow suit in future years. But probably not the UK, I fear.

https://linuxiac.com/france-launches-government-linux-desktop-plan-as-windows-exit-begins/

#ukpol

🐥 🐕‍🦺 Skylarks are nesting and now is a crucial time to help protect them. These ground nesting birds are easily disturbed, and even a brief interruption can cause nests to fail.

From 1 March to 31 July, dogs must be kept on a lead no longer than 2 metres on open access land like many commons. This requirement is part of strengthened dog control laws that came into force on 18 March 2026, with tougher penalties for irresponsible behaviour in the countryside.

Please help skylarks and other wildlife thrive by keeping dogs on leads during the breeding season and following the Countryside Code.

A small action can make a big difference 💚

@richwareham@mastodon.social Thanks. I merely asked four questions based on the BBC article. Frankly if “The government is urging more councils across England to sign up to a single, nationwide parking payment app” I don’t think they are unreasonable questions to ask. But this seems to have upset you greatly and sorry about that. @openrightsgroup@social.openrightsgroup.org

So, .gov.uk wants to roll out the UK's new National Parking Platform app 🚗 nationwide and I think it's worth asking some hard questions before we all forced to download it.

What I want to know:

- 🔓 Will it be open source? Transparency matters for public infrastructure.
- 🤝 Will user data be shared with or dependent on the likes of Google, Apple, Meta, X, or other third parties?
- 🏠 Who actually owns the data and where will it be stored?
- 🔄 If you opt out completely what alternatives exist?

Privacy shouldn't be the price of participation in modern life. Not everyone wants to register with US Big Tech just to park their car. I think this is a valid choice.

If this becomes mandatory infrastructure, the public deserves answers before rollout, not after.

🔗 BBC coverage: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgep3ryp9po
🔗 Official site: https://www.npp.org.uk/

@openrightsgroup@social.openrightsgroup.org

#DigitalPrivacy #DataRights #BigTech #PrivacyMatters #UKParking

Whoop-de-do. The OPCC have referred me to the Monitoring Officer over my report on this months Police & Crime Panel. :( Sigh. I don’t think they understand that Greens do politics differently…..

@eco_g@listed.to

#ukpol #police #gloucestershire

5th March 2026 Dear Shabana. I notice today that you referred to me in your speech on immigration at the IPPR think tank. You said -A party leader should not be on the beaches of France encouraging people to make a perilous crossing on small boats. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised especially after the hateful Labour campaign in Gorton and Denton but this is just the latest in a string of lies peddled by a discredited Government who intentionally fan the flames of racism and division. When I went to Calais. I was not there to encourage people to travel to the UK. I was there to see at first hand the suffering your Government and successive Governments have done in demonising migrants in a pathetic bid to pander to the base instincts of Reform and the flawed strategy of Morgan McSweeney. As you will know. if you even bothered to research my visit instead of taking Reform talking points. I was there to witness the brutality of families living in tents in freezing temperatures. I filled water tanks and picked up litter. What that visit did do is confirm my belief that if we are to smash the boat gangs and stop the boats, we need to offer safer and managed routes for migrants to come to this country. Showing compassion as a politician is not a crime. In fact, we need to see much more of it. It reminded me of a young MP who in October 2015 spent three days in Lesbos helping migrants fleeing war-tom Syria. She posted videos on X. talked about handing out water and croissants to refugees and food parcels. When she returned to the UK. she wrote a very moving piece in the New Statesman. She said “we have to work with our European partners and create new, safe and legal routes for refugees to get to Europe. We cannot abandon them to their fate, left as prey for smugglers whilst risking death on the seas.” She said “maybe we can make ourselves feel better by saying no-one is making them get on the boats. And again. the Home Secretary is not entirely wrong when she says that we have to be mindful of push and pull factors. but she does again entirely miss the point. Because the push factor is either death or the slow torture of a temporary life in a camp which amounts to no kind of life at all. If that is what they face then they are going to run. We cannot kid ourselves that they have choices; we have to act.” This was of course, you. And I agree with every line you said So maybe have a word with the younger Shabana. She seemed like a really decent person. And as Gorton and Denton proved, Hope beats Hate. Yours sincerely. Zack Polanski Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales

Zack Polanski letter to the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood……… Well worth the read.

#ukpol #GreenParty #Shabana

The Green Party’s co-deputy leader, Mothin Ali, has told Middle East Eye he fears for his life and has faced death threats after Conservative MP Alec Shelbrooke made a false claim about him in parliament which Keir Starmer appeared to agree with.

They will get me killed. Over the last couple of days I’ve received about 20 death threats. He can say what he wants in there and get away with it. I want to see how brave he is. Will he repeat this outside parliament?

#ukpol #GreenParty #MothinAli

Pitching a draft for the next manifesto.

#GreenParty #ukpol

@ChrisMayLA6@zirk.us They could cast that net widley and maybe think about some cold cases too? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-61941113

Green Party leader Zack Polanski responds to Palestine Action ruling

The court has ruled that the government’s authoritarian ban on Palestine Action was unlawful. Now it is time for the government to stop criminalising the people protesting a genocide – and start ending the UK’s complicity.

Over 2,700 people have so far been arrested for holding a sign opposing genocide and the proscription of Palestine Action. Those already charged should have those charges dropped, and the Crown Prosecution should discontinue action against all those arrested.

#GreenParty #Gaza #PalestineAction #ZackPolanski

Clive Lewis MP:-

Morgan McSweeney’s resignation should not be treated as a cleansing moment. He was not an aberration. He was the tip of an iceberg.

What he represents is a political culture that has dominated Labour for a generation. A culture forged under Blair and Mandelson that taught the party to be relaxed about extreme wealth, comfortable in the orbit of billionaires, lobbyists and corporate power, and increasingly detached from the lives of the people it was created to represent.

The Mandelson scandal matters because it exposes that culture in its rawest form. Proximity to wealth and power was not a by-product. It was the point. Access was normalised. Influence was laundered as ‘serious politics’. Moral judgement was dulled by the belief that being close to money and power was a sign of maturity rather than capture.

That mindset hollowed Labour out. It replaced a party rooted in working-class life with a professional political caste fluent in donor networks, private dinners and elite reassurance, while communities were told to accept decline as the price of ‘responsible’ government. Politics became about managing optics and markets, not challenging vested interests or redistributing power.

McSweeney’s departure changes none of that on its own. Unless Labour confronts the culture that rewarded closeness to wealth, blurred ethical lines and treated democratic accountability as an inconvenience, this will amount to little more than damage limitation.

Remove one operator and the system that produced him remains. And unless that system is dismantled, Labour will continue to lose its moral authority, its social base, and ultimately its right to govern, leaving the ground clear for forces far worse to exploit the wreckage.

It really is hard to see how Labour, let alone Starmer, can recover from this.

#ukpol

A real shame if this photo went viral again today. #uspol #ukpol

Newly elected Green councillor in Maidstone, Stuart Jeffrey, spoke to BBC Politics South East. He said: “The media has platformed Nigel Farage over and over, pushed his message out at the expense of parties like mine. Last week we had the same number of MPs as Reform, this week we still have more councillors than Reform. We don't get anywhere near the coverage given to Farage and his team and that is why the public vote as they do - we struggle because of the media presence.”

#ukpol #GreenParty

So, yet again my small high street cookshop in a rural English town has paid more tax than Starbucks entire UK operation.

Cynically, Starbucks is more than profitable enough to pay £40m of royalties to its US parent company, thereby incuring a loss of £35m.

Global revenue for 2024 was $36billion.

As a Green Party district councillor it makes my blood boil.

#ukpol #GreenParty