I support the green party because I see the future that I want for our country and myself in their policies.
I first became interested in politics during the 2015 election, when I was in Year 9 at KTS. I knew very little about each party’s policies, but I remember my first thought when I saw the general election results: why do the Conservatives continue to gain the support of our country? Polls show that their beliefs are the least popular out of the major parties, whereas Green came second to Labour by just 2.6%. The unfair voting system continues to lead to a disproportionate representation of our citizens’ views in the Houses of Parliament.
Over 50% of English students hope to attend university after completing their A levels. However, tuition fees are always rising; making higher education something that is out of reach for students from lower income backgrounds. A person’s familial wealth does not determine their intelligence, so why does the skyscraper high price on university suggest otherwise? Education should not be a profitable business; it should be a system that gives the largest rewards to the people that work hardest - not the ones that have the most money to offer.
The Green party wishes to eradicate tuition fees and student loans, which is something that would benefit a huge amount of students. Don’t we all wish that we could gain a degree without the pressure on our families to pay (on average) £6000 per year? While higher education without a price tag may seem unrealistic to some, several developed countries in Europe have already taken this leap. We don’t have to be the country with the highest tuition fees when countries such as Germany and Sweden have already proved that they aren’t necessary.
During the coalition government, the NHS was submitted to a complete reorganisation at the hands of the Tories. However, what it really needed was preparation for the financial struggles that it is dealing with now. The real issue at hand is the impending privatisation of the NHS. While it makes sense for some procedures to take place in private facilities, corporations can choose which procedures they wish to take over, often leaving the NHS with the most difficult, costly operations and patient care. The Green party promise to end this privatisation and make sure that good healthcare is something that everyone can afford.
Another issue that our entire planet is going to be affected by is the impending effects of global warming on day-to-day life. The global temperature record for February has just been broken, and scientists warn that the increase in Earth’s temperature is becoming higher even faster than previously predicted.
At the COP21 climate change summit in December last year, we (along with 184 other countries) pledged to keep global temperature increase “well below” two degrees. This agreement will come into operation in 2020, however it is not legally binding. A Conservative government would be unlikely to stick to this deal, especially considering that they are continuing the development of North Sea oil and gas. Furthermore, they plan to end support for onshore wind farms.
We need a government that will wholeheartedly back the transition to fossil free energy and make sure that our nation’s energy comes from safe and infinite resources - before it is too late.
The Green party have some of the most popular policies, and promise a future that will benefit the majority of us - yet we continue to support a party that is motivated by the wishes of the wealthy, not the average citizen.
Views expressed are author's own and do not represent those of Knights Templar School or its staff.