Leading Greens

Green Scottish MEP

Patrick Harvie

Patrick joined the Scottish Green Party after the successful campaign to repeal Section 28 in Scotland renewed his interest in politics."

Before my election to the Scottish Parliament, I worked for the Gay Men's Services, PHACE Scotland (1997-2003).

My political career includes, Scrap Section 28 Campaign (2000-2001); Convenor, West of Scotland Lesbian & Gay Forum (2001-2); Scottish Greens' Social Inclusion Speaker (2001-2); Scottish Greens' Justice Speaker (2002-3); Scottish Coalition for Justice Not War (2002-3)

I joined the Labour Party while at university in Manchester. I quickly became disappointed and I let my membership lapse after the first year.

The Section 28 debate re-politicised me. I was appalled at the level of bigotry displayed, and by the eagerness with which ignorance and intolerance were promoted by the media. I was working to support lesbian, gay and bisexual young people at the time, and many of them shared my feelings of being under vicious attack. The success of the campaign for repeal was a moment we could be proud of. By the time the dust settled I had already joined the Scottish Green Party

Member of International Committee & MEP Trust

Joseph Healy

Gay rights campaigner in the Irish Republic in late 70s and early 80s. Editor of Ireland's first gay magazine 'Hermes'. Moved to London in 1984 and became active in many different campaigns and groups, especially around social housing. Diagnosed HIV+ in 1990 and went on to become Trustee of the Positive Place in South London from 1998 to 2001, where he was Vice Chair. Became International Coordinator of the Green Party of England & Wales in 1997 after serving 3 years as London Rep on the Regional Council dealing with international issues. Was also national Disability Spokesperson for the party. Selected as fourth on the London European Parliamentary election list and also Parliamentary Candidate for Vauxhall.

MLA, Green Party Principal Speaker

Darren Johnson

There are 2 Greens in the 25 member London Assembly and Jean Lambert MEP represents London in the European Parliament. The failure of the other partys on social and environmental issues shows that Greens are needed now more than ever - beware of imitations!

Darren has played a very active role in Green politics over the past 16 years and is now one of the party's bestknown figures.

It was widely acknowledged that Darren fought a very strong campaign as the Green Party's mayoral candidate in May 2000 and the party was rewarded with three out of twenty-five seats on the London Assembly. He was the first Green to take a seat on Lewisham Council in May 2002.

One of his key areas of policy interest is planning, where he has been involved in a number of high-profile campaigns to save threatened open spaces. He also has a major interest in transport and has given strong support to the introduction of congestion charging. He chaired a major inquiry on nuclear waste trains for the London Assembly and is an outspoken critic of the nuclear industry. Others issues of concern are planning, waste reduction and recycling, equality and the provision of opportunities for ethnic minorities, gay men and lesbians and the disabled.

Darren is openly gay and lives with his partner in Lewisham, South East London. His GLA responsibilities include, member of the Business Management & Appointments Committee, Environment Committee, Planning & Spatial Development Committee, and Economic & Social Development Committee.

Leader: Welsh Greens

Martyn Shrewsbury

There's still a long way to go before full rights between heterosexuals and homosexuals are recognised. It's vital that politicians take responsibility for ensuring liberty equality.

Green Leader Welcomes Gay Wedding Decision - 1st March 2004 Martyn Shrewsbury, the Leader of Wales Green Party/Plaid Werdd Cymru today sent a message of congratulation to a Green Party mayor in New York who married 26 gay and lesbian couples last week.

Martyn, who himself performs gay wedding ceremonies, described the US move as "a victory for equal rights over President Bush and right-wing homophobia."

President Bush has said, "Marriage between a man and a woman is the ideal, and the job of the president is to drive policy toward the ideal." But the Green Party's Martyn Shrewsbury said today: "Having witnessed President Bush's behaviour over the Iraq war and the Kyoto Protocol, we know what to make of his 'ideals'. This is about freedom and acceptance of differences. It seems President Bush is somewhat homophobic as well as being given to dishonesty and organised mass violence."

A lead Green Euro Election candidate, Martyn has pledged that equal rights would be one of his priorities if elected to Brussels, where he would join dozens of sitting Green MEPs from across Europe.

He commented, "There's still a long way to go before full rights between heterosexuals and homosexuals are recognised, and it's vital that politicians take responsibility for ensuring liberty and equal rights."

Parliamentary Candidate for Oxford East

Peter Tatchell

The Green Party is getting my vote. It goes one step further than the other partys. Greens not only want to make Britain a homophobia-free zone, they positively and proudly celebrate queer culture.
Go Greenies go!

Why I joined the Greens Tuesday April 20, 2004 - The Guardian

David Clark wants a political party that favours "non-market values in the form of social justice, a cleaner environment, taxation according to ability to pay and a global economy that serves human needs" (This Thatcherite lurch will take the Lib Dems nowhere, April 19). There is such a party - the Greens - and I've just joined.

In contrast to the pro-big business and pro-free market policies of Labour and the Lib Dems, Greens put people before profits and the common good before class privilege. They alone have succeeded in integrating a radical humanitarian agenda for social justice and human rights, with policies to tackle the catastrophic dangers posed by global warming, environmental pollution, resource depletion and species extinction.