Latest news with #AdrianRamsay
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Water firms should serve the common good
The Water Commission's failure to consider renationalisation as an option for the industry does not necessarily mean that we'll 'watch the industry continue to sink under the failed model of privatisation', as the Green party's co-leader, Adrian Ramsay, has suggested ('Less reorganising, more doing': landmark report alone won't fix broken water sector, 21 July). But, as you say in your editorial (21 July), it will mean that 'making water companies value the public interest more highly, relative to private profit, will be an ongoing struggle'. There is a way, however, of ensuring that the public interest wins this struggle. Change the laws on corporate governance. Legally require water and other private companies to operate in the interests of the common good, and develop a regulatory system to ensure that this happens. This would make it easier to prosecute CEOs and other senior executives, should they fail to run their companies in the interests of the British people. In legislating this way, the government could take its lead from the German constitution, article 14, clause 2 of which states: 'Property entails obligations. Its use shall also serve the public good.' In so doing, the government could take note of the fact that this is a legal cornerstone of Germany's social market version of capitalism – one that for a long time has surpassed Britain's in terms of its higher levels of prosperity, with far lower levels of HendersonLeeds I could accept a privatised water industry if I had a choice of provider. As a Severn Trent customer, the only way to change my water supplier is to move house. There is no incentive for Severn Trent to offer me the best service it can, as there is no penalty for not doing so. Pious statements about regulation are easily addressed by looking at the regulatory bonfire that occurs every time we elect a Tory government. I've been a Labour voter for 40-plus years, and was incensed enough to think about changing my vote over the benefit changes disaster, but now have a positive reason to consider a vote for the Green party – an unambiguous commitment to nationalisation. This is the only way of getting an accountable BowdenBirmingham Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Greens see red: Brutal moment party's leadership hopeful repeatedly refuses to say he 'likes' rival (known as the 'boob whisperer') during radio clash
The Green Party 's leadership contest threatened to turn nasty last night after Adrian Ramsay repeatedly refused to say if he 'likes' rival Zack Polanski. In an excruciating exchange on LBC radio, Mr Ramsay was asked numerous times for his opinion of his fellow leadership candidate. Mr Ramsay initially declined on several occasions to say he 'likes' Mr Polanski. He instead only replied: 'Zack is a valued colleague.' Mr Polanski - who himself was quick to say he 'likes' Mr Ramsay - admitted his rival's answers 'hurt', adding: 'This is vicious.' Mr Ramsay, the party's current co-leader, is bidding to remain in charge and is standing in this year's contest as part of a joint ticket with fellow MP Ellie Chowns. The duo are being challenged by Mr Polanski, who is the party's current deputy leader and a member of the London Assembly. Mr Polanski has been nicknamed 'the boob whisperer' by online wags during the Green Party contest. It follows a 2013 interview with The Sun when, while working as a Harley Street hypnotherapist, he purported to help women increase the size of their bust. The Green Party leadership race, which is due to end on September 2, has become increasingly bitter. Earlier this month, Mr Ramsay suggested Mr Polanski, who has a sizeable online following, was hoping to use a 'big social media presence' to 'circumvent the really hard work that's needed' to grow the party. Appearing on LBC last night, Mr Ramsay and Mr Polanski were challenged over the hostile nature of their leadership battle. Asked if he likes Mr Polanski, Mr Ramsay said: 'I've enjoyed working with Zack over the last few years, of course.' Mr Polanski said: 'I really like Adrian so that does hurt. I disagree with Adrian on lots of things but I like him.' Challenged again to say he likes Mr Polanski, Mr Ramsay added: 'Zack is a valued colleague, absolutely.' Pressed again, he continued: 'I like working with Zack, absolutely.' Towards the end of the exchange, Mr Ramsay eventually conceded: 'I work with Zack effectively, I like working with Zack, I like Zack.'
Powys County Times
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Carrying chickens by legs causes them pain, Green Party leader warns
Carrying chickens by their legs 'causes injury, pain and unnecessary distress', Adrian Ramsay has warned in a bid to block a law change. The Government has planned to overturn an EU ban on catching and carrying poultry by their legs. But Green Party co-leader Mr Ramsay has called for animal welfare standards to be 'improved, not stripped back', as he urged ministers to halt their plans. He has tabled a 'prayer motion', calling for the Welfare of Animals (Transport) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 to be 'annulled' before they come into force next week. The regulations set out that farmers will be able to catch and carry turkeys weighing 5kg or less and chickens by both legs, but not by one leg. The existing ban 'does not reflect long-standing policy on appropriate methods of 'catching' chickens set out in GB statutory guidance', according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Ministers' decision to change the law followed a consultation throughout Great Britain, which found 40% of respondents supported two-leg catching. The majority of these were 'poultry industry stakeholders' who 'did not consider two-leg catching to be directly detrimental to bird welfare'. Some industry stakeholders also 'confirmed that young turkeys (weighing 5kg or less) are routinely caught by two legs, while older heavier turkeys (weighing more than 5kg) are routinely caught upright, by a range of different methods'. But Mr Ramsay told the PA news agency: 'The Government's attempt to quietly weaken animal welfare standards for poultry is deeply troubling. 'After Defra cited this practice in its guidance, ministers are now attempting to restore outdated industry practices in law. 'Allowing chickens to be carried upside down by their legs causes injury, pain and unnecessary distress. 'I want our animal protection laws to be improved, not stripped back further. 'If handling methods widely used on farms don't meet welfare standards, then they need to be improved, not made legal because enforcement has failed.'
Glasgow Times
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Carrying chickens by legs causes them pain, Green Party leader warns
The Government has planned to overturn an EU ban on catching and carrying poultry by their legs. But Green Party co-leader Mr Ramsay has called for animal welfare standards to be 'improved, not stripped back', as he urged ministers to halt their plans. He has tabled a 'prayer motion', calling for the Welfare of Animals (Transport) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 to be 'annulled' before they come into force next week. The regulations set out that farmers will be able to catch and carry turkeys weighing 5kg or less and chickens by both legs, but not by one leg. Adrian Ramsay has called for animal welfare standards to be 'improved, not stripped back' (PA) The existing ban 'does not reflect long-standing policy on appropriate methods of 'catching' chickens set out in GB statutory guidance', according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Ministers' decision to change the law followed a consultation throughout Great Britain, which found 40% of respondents supported two-leg catching. The majority of these were 'poultry industry stakeholders' who 'did not consider two-leg catching to be directly detrimental to bird welfare'. Some industry stakeholders also 'confirmed that young turkeys (weighing 5kg or less) are routinely caught by two legs, while older heavier turkeys (weighing more than 5kg) are routinely caught upright, by a range of different methods'. But Mr Ramsay told the PA news agency: 'The Government's attempt to quietly weaken animal welfare standards for poultry is deeply troubling. 'After Defra cited this practice in its guidance, ministers are now attempting to restore outdated industry practices in law. 'Allowing chickens to be carried upside down by their legs causes injury, pain and unnecessary distress. 'I want our animal protection laws to be improved, not stripped back further. 'If handling methods widely used on farms don't meet welfare standards, then they need to be improved, not made legal because enforcement has failed.' His motion has received cross-party backing, including from Conservative MP for Brigg and Immingham Martin Vickers, his running mate in this year's Green Party leadership election Ellie Chowns, and Labour MP for North Ayrshire and Arran Irene Campbell.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Carrying chickens by legs causes them pain, Green Party leader warns
Carrying chickens by their legs 'causes injury, pain and unnecessary distress', Adrian Ramsay has warned in a bid to block a law change. The Government has planned to overturn an EU ban on catching and carrying poultry by their legs. But Green Party co-leader Mr Ramsay has called for animal welfare standards to be 'improved, not stripped back', as he urged ministers to halt their plans. He has tabled a 'prayer motion', calling for the Welfare of Animals (Transport) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 to be 'annulled' before they come into force next week. The regulations set out that farmers will be able to catch and carry turkeys weighing 5kg or less and chickens by both legs, but not by one leg. The existing ban 'does not reflect long-standing policy on appropriate methods of 'catching' chickens set out in GB statutory guidance', according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Ministers' decision to change the law followed a consultation throughout Great Britain, which found 40% of respondents supported two-leg catching. The majority of these were 'poultry industry stakeholders' who 'did not consider two-leg catching to be directly detrimental to bird welfare'. Some industry stakeholders also 'confirmed that young turkeys (weighing 5kg or less) are routinely caught by two legs, while older heavier turkeys (weighing more than 5kg) are routinely caught upright, by a range of different methods'. But Mr Ramsay told the PA news agency: 'The Government's attempt to quietly weaken animal welfare standards for poultry is deeply troubling. 'After Defra cited this practice in its guidance, ministers are now attempting to restore outdated industry practices in law. 'Allowing chickens to be carried upside down by their legs causes injury, pain and unnecessary distress. 'I want our animal protection laws to be improved, not stripped back further. 'If handling methods widely used on farms don't meet welfare standards, then they need to be improved, not made legal because enforcement has failed.' His motion has received cross-party backing, including from Conservative MP for Brigg and Immingham Martin Vickers, his running mate in this year's Green Party leadership election Ellie Chowns, and Labour MP for North Ayrshire and Arran Irene Campbell.
