StevenConsider their manifesto policies: (LI'm not a Green Party voter. But:
> perhaps consider them as long-term aspirations in a changing world with unstable internal relations? Some certainly aren't achievable in my lifetime - if ever - but perhaps for younger people they seem a way to a better, more equitable world. So, from a younger person's perspective they make sense? Business - 4 day week, maximum 10:1 ratio between highest and lowest paid, rise in minimum wage to £15 per hour> Job opportunities seem to be difficult for many leaving education. If AI continues taking over a significant number of jobs and wealth creation, a 4 day week may be necessary? I assume the ratio of pay can be debated but the lowest paid in employment have to feel they're not being exploited and shouldn't be dependent on welfare. Also keep in mind the wealth of, for example, tech billionaires and similar, is mainly in share options not wages or salaries. NHS- increase spending by 15% or £30 billion, give doctors 35% pay rise> seems a sensible aspiration but a long-term one, if we are to have a healthy population, particularly those of working age, and retain medical staff in the UK?Education - abolish tuition fees (estimated cost £10 billion per cohort)> another sensible long-term aspiration but probably in conjunction with AI wealth creation and a review of tertiary education needs, etc, Keep in mid it's young people who need educational opportunities without being burdened with lifetime debt.Immigration - provide safe and legal routes for asylum seekers, provide successful claimants with accommodation. > wasn't this what used to happen before floods of boat people arrived as arriving hear is the only asylum route? Vet and agree of reject applications at embassies and consulates nearer their starting point to save a wasted journey or providea safe route? And liaise with our European neighbours to arrange a new equivalent of the Dublin treaty? With an ageing population some immigration must be needed, and it won't all be high paid jobs they need to fill?Drugs - decriminalise possession of all drugs> I think this has reduced drug use in Portugal and Spain? And the UK had fewer drug addicts in the 1960s when heroin was available on prescription? Probably needs more research but the aim should be to put drug smugglers out of business by destroying their market. Addiction is an illness, we treat alcoholics, why criminalise drug addicts who can be cured?Utilities - renationalise all the big five utilities, starting with water (estimated cost of water renationalisation £100 billion)> agreed not that realistic at present but increase regulation in the meantime Housing - build 150 ,000 houses per year, bring in rent control, spend £50 billion on insulating housing stock> a good aspiration, again, affordable housing is something affecting younger voters.Environment - stop oil exploration, give £1.5 billion to developing world to promote green energy> a sensible aspiration - green energy protects us from international oil markets and is necessary to alleviate a climate catastrophe Justice - spend £2.5 billion to fix court delays> doesn’t the court system need fixing?Defence - abolish nuclear deterrent> not realistic at present, particularly with unstable leaders like Putin, Trump, etc but one can see with health, education and housing needs wanting money the need to spend on armaments to kill conscripts and probably civilians does seem madness - but that's human nature, I guess!Europe - rejoin Customs Union, bring in freedom of movement, eventually rejoin the EU> yes, we should never have left; there were no benefits. Ok, perhaps another referendum, or a manifesto pledge is neededVoting - give vote to migrants with right to remain> Don't some- EU citizens with right to remain - have voting rights in local elections? I can't see this as s major short term needDevolution - offer referendums to Wales and Scotland> independence for Scotland and Wales would probably work if all constituent UK countries were in the EUTaxation - tax rises for those earning above £50k pa, wealth tax of 1% per year on assets above £10 million, 2% above £1 billion.> open to further debate on practicalities and details, it has failed elsewhere. A higher priority is probably the feudal leasehold system and its inequalities?Interestingly, talking to a UAE resident who was recently visiting the UK recently, some of these things - health care, housing, education, etc - are apparently a reality there because of their sovereign wealth fund from oil. Pity Mrs Thatcher trashed the Callaghan government's plan for a UK sovereign wealth fund.
Michael Ixer ● 19d