Changing the Face of Politics
The Scottish Green Party wants to introduce democratic change to political life in the UK by shifting political power from the centre to moreappropriate levels, giving people greater control over their own lives.
Greens support calls for an independent Scotland – not out of nationalistic fervour, but as a means to create a more sustainable and democratic system of government. Such constitutional changes will come about only if people in Scotland want them and support them in referendums.
We see independence as a process, not an event, and look forward to the Scottish Parliament and local government assuming more powers and an increasing relevance to Scotland.
Greens support a written constitution and reject the hereditary principle. Labour has failed to deliver on the House of Lords, with Blair blocking moves towards genuine democracy at every turn.
Green MPs will work to:
- end any government, executive or judicial roles of the monarchy;
- set a voting age of 16 for all elections and for candidates. The right to vote and stand in elections will be based on the citizen’s normal place of residence at the time of voter registration, rather than nationality;
- support a written Constitution and a Bill of Rights as part of the legal framework of the Westminster Parliament;
- introduce proportional representation for all elected bodies and all levels of government, including the House of Lords;
- increase the involvement of community councils in decision-making;
- promote a more serious form of politics, which always puts substance over style.
“People must be trusted to elect people who are responsible for deciding on the laws of this country. If politicians won’t trust the people, why should the people trust them?” – Pater Facey, New Politics Network