Green Party Leader visits Habs

On 30th of September, in a joint meeting the Politics Society and the Geography Society, HABS welcomed the Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, Ms Natalie Bennett. Her talk addressed the controversial issue of Hydraulic Fracturing or, as better known in the media, “Fracking”. She highlighted the difficulty of attempting to regulate any new energy industry, as well as the potential environmental damage of extracting shale gas. She argued that there were better, safer, renewable and sustainable alternatives, such as tidal and solar power.

The Green Party Leader continued by talking about the future of British Politics and the position of her party within a emerging multi-party system. She argued in favour of a National Constitution Convention to re-draft the British Constitution as a single, codified document. In addition, Ms Bennett highlighted anachronisms in our constitutional arrangements, such as the role of the City Remembrancer in influencing the Legislature. She also argued in favour of large corporations who operate in the UK paying a fairer share of tax. The issue of tuition fees was also addressed, with the Green Party Leader saying a university degree is an entitlement and her party would always vote against tuition fees.

The meeting concluded by Ms Bennett answering a series of excellent questions about the future of the environment and her party. In one answer, she stated that in event of a hung parliament in 2015, the Green Party would not enter formal Coalition, but might be open to a Confidence and Supply arrangement with other parties.

We thank Ms Bennett for giving so generously of her time and for speaking with clarity and conviction. The Politics Society looks forward to welcoming Nicola Blackwood MP, Luciana Berger MP and the Rt. Hon Andrew Mitchell MP later in the term.