Main message to voters:
The Wales Green Party offers voters an alternative to Labour in Swansea East that will not make them worse off. We will fight for the NHS and for a high quality education system free for all. Our young persons guarantee also shows we are willing to invest in the people who are our future.
Election history:
Stood in West Cross as the Green Party Candidate in the 2017 Swansea Council Election.
Priorities:
- Other Swansea and Gower are under threat from fracking. We need to see a UK wide ban on the practice which could easily poison our groundwater supplies.
- Other We need a better system in place to help people with developmental disorders such as ASD to access specialist help both in school and at home.
- Other We need to see an end to trickle up economics where money is taken from the poor and disabled and given to the most well off in society.
Candidate positions on the election issues:
Economy
Targeting tax increases at high earners only is an ineffective way of raising revenue
The idea behind this statement is that high earners have resources allowing them to respond to changes in the tax regime to limit their liability - but there is no conclusive evidence of whether this statement is true or false.
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"Those who can afford to pay should do so.
We need to see an end to tax loopholes and hiding assets in overseas trusts.
The new Duke of Westminster avoided around £4bn of inheritance tax last year, an amount which could have plugged the entire NHS funding gap."
1 of 40 questions
To encourage economic growth, the UK's corporation tax rates should be decreased
The UK's current 'main rate' of corporation tax is 19%, the lowest rate in the G20 group of countries, however some EU countries, such as Ireland, rates as low as 12.5%.
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"Our Corporation Tax is already lower than many of our neighbours and much of the profit made is shifted to tax havens. Corporations paying their fair share will allow us to more easily invest in the skills, training and infrastructure required to actually promote economic growth."
2 of 40 questions
To fund public services, a financial transactions tax should be levied
The term 'financial transactions tax' covers a wide array of taxes levied on financial transactions. At the moment, in the UK, there is a 0.5% tax or duty on purchasing shares. Most proposals for a financial transactions tax involve expanding this tax or duty to transactions on other asset classes.
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"A tiny tax on banks could make a huge difference to the lives of many in the UK raising funds to help with social projects. Let's not forget who caused the 2008 that the poorest in society have paid for via austerity, while the bankers continue to receive massive bonuses every year."
3 of 40 questions
The UK government should expand its ownership of strategically important companies and utilities
This policy mostly refers to the reversal of privatisation - a process that involved the transfer of responsibility and ownership of a company/utility from the public to the private sector.
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"Privatisation has failed. Our railways and energy companies have been bled dry by shareholder dividends which have come at the expense of reinvestment back into society. If German, French and Dutch state companies are able to run our utilities, why can't our own state do it?"
4 of 40 questions
The UK should borrow substantially more money to invest in national infrastructure, even if this increases the national debt
The UK's Office for Budget Responsibility expects UK debt as a percentage of national income to peak in the current financial year at 88%.
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"Currently the national debt is on the increase and we see no benefit to the country as it is ending up in the hands of a small elite. We would end this scandal and invest in a sustainable future using renewable energy and a world leading public transport network."
5 of 40 questions
To fund public services, there should be a small increase in income tax for all earners
Currently, UK income tax outside of Scotland is levied at 0% up to £11,500 (the 'Personal Allowance'), at 20% from £11,501 to £45,00 (Basic Rate), at 40% from £45,001 to £150,000 (Higher Rate) and at 45% over £150,000 (Additional Rate).
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"Only higher earners should be taxed more than currently. In time we would replace income tax and NNDR with a Land Value Tax."
6 of 40 questions
Brexit
Leaving the EU's Single Market is a worthwhile price to pay to gain control over immigration to the UK
Access to the EU's Single Market tends to be associated with the free movement of people (one of the Single Market's 'Four Freedoms'), making it difficult to envision a scenario whereby full Single Market access can co-exist with full control of immigration.
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"Immigration has been a benefit to our society. We will fight for freedom of movement to allow our young people the same opportunities I had to travel and work in Europe."
7 of 40 questions
Once talks with the EU are complete, there should be a second referendum on whether to accept the Brexit deal or remain a member of the EU
In the UK, the principle of parliamentary sovereignty means that referendums have a 'non binding' quality. The absence of a formal constitution in the UK means that deciding to have a second or subsequent referendum is a political decision for parliament to make.
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"Absolutely. Nobody would sign a contract and allow the other party to fill it in later without the opportunity to cancel it. The current Conservative position is a bit like a dodgy market trader telling you no refunds after you buy something."
8 of 40 questions
The UK should remain a member of the EU
This is a close approximation of the wording of the 2016 'Brexit' referendum, which received 48% of the vote on a turnout of 72%, compared to 52% voting in favour of the 'leave' option.
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"The Wales Green Party will respect the democratic will of the people once they make an informed choice about leaving the EU, knowing exactly what we have signed up for."
9 of 40 questions
Even if there is no transitional UK-EU trade deal in place, the UK should leave the EU in 2019
Having notified the EU of its intention to withdraw under Article 50 of the Treaty on the European Union (TEU) in March 2017, UK withdrawal will take place either when there is an agreement in place or after two years - unless there is unanimous agreement in the EU to extent the negotiating period.
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
10 of 40 questions
Health
There should be no role for private sector operators within the NHS
While this is a devolved matter, with the National Assembly for Wales controlling Health in Wales, a move in this direction in England would likely have profound consequences in Wales.
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"The Wales Green Party supports the NHS Reinstatement Act which will reverse all NHS privatisations carried out so far. Some of the deals that have taken place should also be investigated by the SFO."
11 of 40 questions
New taxes raised to support the NHS should be earmarked solely for NHS spending
This would be an example of what is known as 'hypothecated tax' which the Financial Times defines as: 'A tax where the money obtained, or part of the money obtained, is used for a particular purpose, rather than spent on a number of things.'
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
12 of 40 questions
Social care costs above a threshold of £100,000 should be met by individuals' estates, including the value of their family home
While this is a devolved matter, with the National Assembly for Wales controlling Social Care in Wales, a move in this direction in England would likely have profound consequences in Wales.
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"This should always be centrally funded via National Insurance rather than the private insurance scam being set up by The Conservative PArty and their private donors in the financial services industry."
13 of 40 questions
Workers' Rights and Pensions
The UK's minimum wage should be raised to £10 per hour by 2020
Since April 2017, the UK's National Minimum Wage rates are as follows: £7.50 (25 and over); £7.05 (21-24); £5.60 (18-20); £4.05 (under 18); £3.50 (Apprentice)
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"The Green Party would also remove all age related bands so that young people also receive a fair wage for a fair days work."
14 of 40 questions
Zero hours contracts facilitate flexible working and should not be banned
Zero hours contracts mean that employers are not obliged to provide any minimum working hours to a worker , who is not obliged to do the work when asked. Such contracts legally cannot prevent a worker for looking for or accepting other work.
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"These contracts leave people not able to plan for their future or from week to week and can be used by employers to pressure workers to toe the line unfairly. They are also helping to increase the number of working poor who are forced to use food banks."
15 of 40 questions
The UK government should maintain the ‘triple lock’ of increasing the state pension each year
The 'triple lock' promises to increase the state pension annually by whichever of earnings growth, prices growth or 2.5% is the highest
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
16 of 40 questions
Education
University tuition fees should be abolished
While this is a devolved matter, with the National Assembly for Wales controlling Education in Wales, a move in this direction in England would likely have profound consequences in Wales.
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"Absolutely. Young people should not be forced to start their working life under a mountain of debt."
17 of 40 questions
The government should dedicate resources to opening new selective 'grammar' schools
This is a devolved matter, with the National Assembly for Wales controlling Education in Wales, but it is a key issue dividing parties in this election.
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"Education should be free for all and the resources should be used to improve the current system. We need to end academies also which have seen billions of pounds of assets handed over free of charge to pseudo-charities run for profit."
18 of 40 questions
Social security and Housing
The 'bedroom tax' should be scrapped
The 'bedroom tax' (also known as the 'under-occupancy penalty' or 'spare room subsidy') is a cut in housing benefit if you live in a council or housing association home and are classed as having a spare bedroom.
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"This is another part of our trickle up economy where the most poor and vulnerable in society are forced into food banks whilst the most well off receive tax cuts and subsidies from Government."
19 of 40 questions
The UK government should invest substantially in expanding the number of council houses built in the term of the next parliament
While this is a devolved matter, with the National Assembly for Wales controlling housing in Wales, a move in this direction in England would likely have profound consequences in Wales.
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"We need to ensure that new build are up to passivhaus standards and also that they are not built on green belt land. Much of the current empty stock of housing should be taken into social ownership and used for the homeless."
20 of 40 questions
The government should introduce legislation that caps landlords' ability to raise rents
While this is a devolved matter, with the National Assembly for Wales controlling housing in Wales, a move in this direction in England would likely have profound consequences in Wales.
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"The Green Party also supports a Landlord Registration Scheme to ensure that landlords and properties reach an acceptable minimum standard. We need to see and end to exploitative practices and people being forced to live in substandard accommodation."
21 of 40 questions
Unemployed people who fail to seek a job or accept training should have their benefits sanctioned
Sanctions for failing to seek work or accept training are a key feature of the way that Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) is currently administered.
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"The current system has been abused by DWP managers and has directly caused the deaths of claimants who have been unfairly sanctioned, whilst others have been forced into food bank use. We need to concentrate on large scale tax evasion as a priority, targeting those who can afford to pay first."
22 of 40 questions
The Political System
The voting age should be reduced to 16 in UK elections and referendums
The minimum voting age is currently set at 18 years old.
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"People aged 16 can get married, and sign up for the army to fight for the country. We believe they should also be able to have a say in their future."
23 of 40 questions
A system of proportional representation should be adopted for UK general elections
Proportional representation' refers to methods of casting and counting votes that are designed to facilitate a closer correspondence between the proportion of votes and seats won by parties than the current 'first past the post' system.
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"PR is a much more democratic way to run our democracy. It can also help to increase turnout as people will be less likely to come to the conclusion that their vote is wasted, particularly in "safe" seats."
24 of 40 questions
Wales should aim to become an independent country
Wales is not currently an indpendent country, but its devolved parliament controls many key aspects of Welsh life, including healthcare and education.
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"The Wales Green Party believes in the democratic right of the people of Wales to choose, and would give its members free reign to vote as their individual conscience dictates."
25 of 40 questions
Substantially more powers should be given to the National Assembly for Wales
The Wales Act 2017 recently passed into law, and it set out some new powers for the Assembly as well as moving from a 'conferred' to a 'reserved' powers model.
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"The Green Party believes that policy should be dealt with at the most appropriate level of Government, whether it be central, regional or local. We believe the Senedd should have powers to decide on Welsh matters regardless of policy area."
26 of 40 questions
The House of Lords should be reformed so that all of its members are democratically elected
Unlike the elected House of Commons, members of the House of Lords are not directly elected.
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"On a personal note, I would like to add that I believe that an elected second chamber should only contain independents and voting along party lines should be barred. In that way the will of the people rather than party allegiances would be better served."
27 of 40 questions
Wales is currently unfairly underfunded by the UK government
Adjustments to the Welsh budget are determined through the 'Barnett Formula'.
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"There is no doubt that Wales is underfunded by the UK Government and after Brexit this will get significantly worse. The Conservatives even blocked a motion to guarantee EU levels of funding for Wales, so it does not look good for the future."
28 of 40 questions
Environment
The government should do more to tackle climate change, even if this increases costs for industry
The term 'climate change' in this question refers to the scientific finding that human activity is resulting in changes to the global climate.
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"Climate change is a clear example of an externality. This is a market failure where companies are able to place certain costs of their business on the wider society. Climate change needs to be accounted for within the costs of doing business and this means industry paying their fair share."
29 of 40 questions
Regulated 'fracking' of shale gas and oil should be allowed by the UK government
The term 'fracking' in this question refers to the process of injecting liquid at high pressure into subterranean rocks, boreholes, etc. so as to force open existing fissures and extract oil or gas.
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"Fracking is a destructive practice which is exacerbating climate change and can also lead to earth tremors and poisoned ground water supplies. It uses millions of gallons of fresh water which is undrinkable afterward thanks to carcinogenic compounds being added to it and left in ponds on site."
30 of 40 questions
Foreign Policy and Defence
The UK should maintain the 'special relationship' with the USA in international affairs
The Special Relationship is the unofficial term for the exceptionally close political, diplomatic, cultural, economic, military and historical relations between the United Kingdom and the United States.
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"The special relationship has led us into a number of international wars which has destabilised the Middle East region and has caused terrorism at home. It is time we stepped away and started out on a new ethical foreign policy path and put an end to arms sales to oppressive regimes."
31 of 40 questions
Renewal of the UK's Trident nuclear weapons system should be cancelled
Last year the House of Commons voted by a large majority to renew the Trident system.
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"The money saved from cancelling Trident renewal would be better spent on a whole host of other areas such as health, education, renewable energy production. Trident itself could then be phased out over time at reduced cost to the taxpayer."
32 of 40 questions
The UK should continue to spend 0.7% of its national income on overseas aid
This has been the level of UK spending on foreign aid every year since 2013.
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"We support increasing this to 1% by 2020 as long as its use is revolutionised. We have to end conditionality to force markets open for corporations and focus on projects which will actually benefit people in developing countries, helping to make their lives better."
33 of 40 questions
Social Issues and Crime
The UK should dramatically expand its number of police officers, even if this means cuts in other public services or tax increases
The Home Office reports that there were 124,066 officers in the year ending March 2016 compared with 143,769 seven years previous to that - a fall of 14%
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"The Police do need to be restructured, held accountable and retrained in many areas including how they deal with peaceful protest. A small increase in numbers would not be ruled out to replace some of the numbers lost through austerity cuts which have left us vulnerable to terror attacks."
34 of 40 questions
For those convicted of a crime, there should be more of an emphasis on rehabilitation than on punishment
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"The current system is an abject failure, with many in prison going on to re-offend. We definitely need to realign the focus if we intend to change the current failed system."
35 of 40 questions
Burkas and other face-covering garments should be banned from being worn in public
There is currently no ban on Islamic dress in the UK.
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"The Green Party is a tolerant organisation which supports the rights of people to choose their attire."
36 of 40 questions
The recreational use of cannabis should be legalised
It is currently illegal to possess cannabis in any form in the UK.
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"The War on Drugs has failed. Legalisation means that the industry can be properly regulated and taxed. Cannabis use leads to less violence and deaths per year than alcohol use."
37 of 40 questions
Immigration
Immigration contributes significantly to the UK's prosperity
The latest ONS report estmiates that annual net migration to the UK was estimated by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) at 273,000 a fall of 49,000 from the previous year.
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"Our public services, private industries and NHS all benefit greatly from immigration and diversity and openness to other cultures makes our society richer. Immigration has been a net benefit to the Treasury."
38 of 40 questions
Net immigration to the UK should be reduced to below 100,000 per year
The latest ONS report estimates that annual net migration to the UK was estimated by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) at 273,000 a fall of 49,000 from the previous year.
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"As mentioned above immigration has been a benefit to our society. The pressure on public services has been caused solely by austerity cuts and is a political choice by the current Government who choose trickle up economics over social justice. Meaning the poor are now subsidising the rich."
39 of 40 questions
Too much immigration has undermined British culture and identity
The latest ONS report estmiates that annual net migration to the UK was estimated by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) at 273,000 a fall of 49,000 from the previous year.
Agree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"There is no such thing as a British culture and identity. We have always been a mish-mash of different races and cultures and have borrowed ideas from around the globe. Britishness means something different to each and every one of us and has no single simple definition. "
40 of 40 questions