Latest news with #GeorgeMonbiot
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Fairer elections and the threat of Reform UK
George Monbiot captures the betrayal and despair felt by millions of Labour voters who thought they were voting for change at the last general election (How we can smash Britain's two-party system for good at the next election, 27 May).Less than a year later they have found themselves with a government pursuing much the same cruel austerity policies as the Conservative one it replaced. And he's right that Keir Starmer's cynical descent into inflammatory Powellite rhetoric is a gift to Nigel Farage. Most voters want nothing to do with the politics of fear and division, but the UK's antiquated and unrepresentative electoral system fails to reflect the wishes of the progressive left and centre-left majority. A hung parliament is now a very real possibility after the next election. This would indeed be a huge opportunity to scrap the first-past-the-post system that has blighted British politics for so long. As two Green MPs who overturned massive majorities to win our seats, we know it's possible for progressives to win against all the odds – and to change the electoral system, we will have to. The Green party has long championed electoral reform. As candidates for the party's leadership, our aim is to be heading a much larger group of Green MPs in parliament, giving us the leverage and negotiating power to actually achieve such transformational Chowns MPGreen party, North HerefordshireAdrian Ramsay MPGreen party, Waveney Valley • George Monbiot is right to challenge the shortcomings of our electoral system. However, all electoral systems are flawed and in a democracy no individual decides what sort of government gets elected afterwards. Across Europe, where proportional representation prevails, the traditional parties of power are being replaced – not by a rainbow coalition of progressives, but by the seemingly inexorable rise of the hard right. In Scotland, the SNP-Green coalition broke down. In the UK, when the Liberal Democrats held the balance of power, they sided with the Conservatives in inflicting ideological austerity. When we had a referendum between engagement with Europe or isolation, the majority voted for the latter. The failure of our mainstream parties is that they have lost the ability to engage with ordinary people. Politics is the difficult task of leading the agenda while responding to the hopes and fears of wider society and all the ambiguities and compromises that are needed to do so. The government's shift in language from restraint to support for those most in need might be the beginning of something better – we can but BrownIlkley, West Yorkshire • George Monbiot is spot-on in his analysis of the dysfunctions of our electoral system. One glaring danger he doesn't mention, however, can be seen in the steep rise of the Reform UK vote. We used to hear as one of the justifications of the current system that it prevented extreme parties from gaining a significant representation. Never mind that this revealed an arrogantly undemocratic mindset, the evidence now is that the distortions of the system may precipitate precisely the opposite outcome. Given the fragmentation of votes, it is entirely possible that, with fewer than 30% of the ballot, Reform could achieve an absolute majority in parliament at the next general election. That undemocratic disaster, quite apart from the other democratic imperatives George identifies, should be ringing alarm bells for urgent SmithGlasgow
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Fairer elections and the threat of Reform UK
George Monbiot captures the betrayal and despair felt by millions of Labour voters who thought they were voting for change at the last general election (How we can smash Britain's two-party system for good at the next election, 27 May).Less than a year later they have found themselves with a government pursuing much the same cruel austerity policies as the Conservative one it replaced. And he's right that Keir Starmer's cynical descent into inflammatory Powellite rhetoric is a gift to Nigel Farage. Most voters want nothing to do with the politics of fear and division, but the UK's antiquated and unrepresentative electoral system fails to reflect the wishes of the progressive left and centre-left majority. A hung parliament is now a very real possibility after the next election. This would indeed be a huge opportunity to scrap the first-past-the-post system that has blighted British politics for so long. As two Green MPs who overturned massive majorities to win our seats, we know it's possible for progressives to win against all the odds – and to change the electoral system, we will have to. The Green party has long championed electoral reform. As candidates for the party's leadership, our aim is to be heading a much larger group of Green MPs in parliament, giving us the leverage and negotiating power to actually achieve such transformational Chowns MPGreen party, North HerefordshireAdrian Ramsay MPGreen party, Waveney Valley George Monbiot is right to challenge the shortcomings of our electoral system. However, all electoral systems are flawed and in a democracy no individual decides what sort of government gets elected afterwards. Across Europe, where proportional representation prevails, the traditional parties of power are being replaced – not by a rainbow coalition of progressives, but by the seemingly inexorable rise of the hard right. In Scotland, the SNP-Green coalition broke down. In the UK, when the Liberal Democrats held the balance of power, they sided with the Conservatives in inflicting ideological austerity. When we had a referendum between engagement with Europe or isolation, the majority voted for the latter. The failure of our mainstream parties is that they have lost the ability to engage with ordinary people. Politics is the difficult task of leading the agenda while responding to the hopes and fears of wider society and all the ambiguities and compromises that are needed to do so. The government's shift in language from restraint to support for those most in need might be the beginning of something better – we can but BrownIlkley, West Yorkshire George Monbiot is spot-on in his analysis of the dysfunctions of our electoral system. One glaring danger he doesn't mention, however, can be seen in the steep rise of the Reform UK vote. We used to hear as one of the justifications of the current system that it prevented extreme parties from gaining a significant representation. Never mind that this revealed an arrogantly undemocratic mindset, the evidence now is that the distortions of the system may precipitate precisely the opposite outcome. Given the fragmentation of votes, it is entirely possible that, with fewer than 30% of the ballot, Reform could achieve an absolute majority in parliament at the next general election. That undemocratic disaster, quite apart from the other democratic imperatives George identifies, should be ringing alarm bells for urgent SmithGlasgow 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.
The Herald Scotland
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Scotland could become first UK nation to criminalise ecocide
The legislation could see individuals found guilty jailed for up to 20 years. Senior executives at companies where offences occur with their consent or neglect would also be held liable. As well as custodial sentences, convictions could lead to publicity orders, mandatory environmental remediation and unlimited financial penalties. READ MORE: Ms Lennon pointed to pollution in waterways and the legacy of contamination from heavy industry as examples of the damage the Bill seeks to tackle. Supporters argue the legislation fills a gap in the statute book and would bring Scotland in line with over a dozen countries and the European Union, which recently revised its Environmental Crime Directive to include conduct comparable to ecocide. An open letter urging MSPs to "seize this historic opportunity" and back the Bill has been signed by more than 100 figures from politics, law, science, business and civil society. Signatories include journalist George Monbiot, actor Will Attenborough, KC and author Philippe Sands, Ecotricity founder Dale Vince, and former Finnish deputy prime minister Pertti Salolainen. Their letter states: "With this Bill, Scotland positions itself at the forefront of a global shift in environmental justice. "It joins a rising number of jurisdictions turning bold words into binding law — strengthening protections at home while helping to shape emerging international norms that reflect both scientific reality and moral necessity. "The Ecocide (Scotland) Bill sends a clear message: mass destruction of nature is beyond unacceptable — it's criminal. With political will, the law can and must align with public conscience." Ms Lennon said the Bill would send a strong message to polluters. 'I am delighted to be publishing the Ecocide (Scotland) Bill in the Scottish Parliament today, on a strong foundation of cross-party and public support,' she said. 'With ecocide law, Scotland can take bold and necessary action against severe environmental damage. 'Environmental destruction is not some distant issue for the people of Scotland — it directly threatens health, livelihoods and the future of entire communities. 'From sewage spilling into waterways to toxic pollution left behind by heavy industry, the damage is real and ongoing. 'Ecocide is a crime against the common good, and those who commit widespread or irreversible harm should be held to account. 'This is a vital opportunity for Scotland to become the first UK nation to criminalise ecocide and signal that the destruction of nature will not be tolerated here.' Monica Lennon's ecocide Bill has cross-party support (Image: Gordon Terris) Mr Vince told The Herald that ecocide should be treated with the same legal gravity as other serious crimes. 'For me, it is a great idea — that it should be illegal to purposely, knowingly and deliberately cause harm to the environment, especially the kind of harm that endures for generations, is perfectly sensible. 'We have not had such a law, and I guess that is why I am backing it as well. And you can see the harm being done around the world in pursuit of money, because there is no law to stop people doing that kind of stuff. 'We have environment regulations and stuff like that, but no actual law that says it is against the law to impact the environment.' He said Scotland could lead the way and send a message to the UK Government: 'Westminster needs a bit of encouragement to be bold on the environment." Jojo Mehta, chief executive and co-founder of Stop Ecocide International, said: 'This Scottish Bill is a striking example of how national action can drive global change. 'Around the world, ecocide law is gaining ground as a vital tool — not just to punish environmental destruction, but to prevent it. 'While the ultimate goal is to have ecocide recognised as a serious crime globally, national laws play a crucial role in legitimising that goal, building momentum and providing accountability now. 'They help shape legal norms that are increasingly being reflected in international frameworks. 'From the new Council of Europe Convention, which enables states to prosecute acts 'tantamount to ecocide', to the formal proposal by Vanuatu, Fiji and Samoa to make ecocide a core international crime, momentum is accelerating. 'Scotland's move adds meaningful weight to this shift, reinforcing the growing global consensus that mass destruction of nature must be treated as a crime, in law and in principle.' Scrutiny of the Bill is expected to begin before the summer recess, with a vote due later this year. If passed, the Ecocide (Scotland) Bill would require the Scottish Government to report on its operation after five years, including data on prosecutions, convictions and the law's environmental and financial impact.
Arab News
28-05-2025
- General
- Arab News
Authors, screenwriters sign letter calling Gaza war a ‘genocide'
DUBAI: Members of the literary community including Zadie Smith, Ian McEwan, Russell T Davies, Hanif Kureishi, Frank Cottrell-Boyce and George Monbiot are among 380 writers and organizations who have signed an open letter condemning Israel's war on Gaza, describing it as genocidal and calling for an immediate ceasefire. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ The letter, also signed by William Dalrymple, Jeanette Winterson, Brian Eno, Kate Mosse, Irvine Welsh and Elif Shafak, states: 'The use of the words 'genocide' or 'acts of genocide' to describe what is happening in Gaza is no longer debated by international legal experts or human rights organizations.' The writers are urging the UN to ensure the free and immediate delivery of food and medical supplies to Gaza, alongside a ceasefire 'which guarantees safety and justice for all Palestinians, the release of all Israeli hostages, and the release of the thousands of Palestinian prisoners arbitrarily held in Israeli jails.' They add that if the Israeli government fails to comply with the demand for a ceasefire, sanctions should be enforced. The letter, organized by writers Horatio Clare, Kapka Kassabova and Monique Roffey also says that Palestinians 'are not the abstract victims of an abstract war. Too often, words have been used to justify the unjustifiable, deny the undeniable, defend the indefensible. Too often, too, the right words – the ones that mattered – have been eradicated, along with those who might have written them.' The term 'genocide' 'is not a slogan,' it adds. 'It carries legal, political and moral responsibilities.'
Daily Mirror
13-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
UK supermarkets suspend supplies from pig farm over cruelty claims
Distressing images: Workers at farm owned by UK's biggest pig meat producer Cranswick filmed killing piglets by banned 'blunt force trauma' Four of Britain's biggest supermarkets have suspended supplies from a Lincolnshire farm linked to abuse against pigs. Secretly filmed footage shows workers at Northmoor Farm appearing to grab piglets by their hind legs and smashing them onto the hard floor – a banned method of killing known as blunt force trauma or 'piglet thumping'. Other harrowing footage from the farm owned by one of the UK's biggest pig meat producers, Cranswick, showed a sow being kicked and beaten with metal bars, as well as a botched killing that left an animal writhing in agony. One worker who failed to kill a sow with several shots from a bolt gun, reportedly told an undercover investigator: 'Don't let nobody see you doing like what we did [sic].' Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda and Morrisons acted swiftly following the investigation by the Animal Justice Project (AJP), which documented disturbing practices at North Moor Farm, Lincs – a facility that houses approximately 6,000 pigs. Environmental campaigner George Monbiot said: 'This should be a national scandal. Piglets are slammed against concrete and left gasping for air — it is nothing short of state-enabled cruelty. We've been sold the myth of high-welfare British farming for too long. This footage exposes the truth behind supermarket pork, and it must spark a public inquiry.' Yesterday Cranswick's share price plunged by around nine percent - its sharpest one-day fall since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. The firm sends more than 34,000 pigs to slaughter each week and generated £146m revenue last year. There were also scenes of sows being beaten with metal bars and pigs being left to suffer following botched euthanasia attempts. The AJP has filed a formal complaint with Trading Standards and is calling for an independent inquiry, prosecution of those responsible, and greater scrutiny across the wider pork industry. AJP campaign director Claire Palmer said: 'This marks the start of a national, sustained campaign to expose the violent realities of pig farming in Britain. We will not be pulling any punches.' In the footage, staff can be seen swinging piglets by their legs and slamming against concrete, leaving some breathing for minutes after. Barrister Ayesha Smart described it as "unlawful" and illegal killing, severe abuse, animal neglect, routine mutilations, "botched shootings" and intensive conditions. Videos show adult pigs, including heavily pregnant sows, being shot with captive bolts while unrestrained, whilst one sow was heard screaming after the first shot and left conscious. Signs of further abuse can be seen as footage shows pigs being kicked, scratched, kneed, jabbed, having their back hair pulled, and being beaten with metal bars and shovels. Workers were captured on film taking piglets and throwing them across pens, hoisting them by their ears, and dropping them onto hard floors. A decomposing sow was also seen left in her pen for days, says AJP. The organisation also claimed workers admitted pigs had not been checked, raising concerns about routine welfare monitoring", and the investigator filmed botched tail docking involving repeated attempts on the same piglet. Claire Palmer, Founder of Animal Justice Project, said: "Piglets were tail docked, had their teeth ground, and were given iron injections within 24-48 hours of birth. These painful procedures were carried out without anaesthetic. The investigator filmed botched tail docking involving repeated attempts on the same piglet. "Workers described mutilating up to 80 piglets in a single day as standard practice. Thousands of pigs were confined indoors on fully or partially slatted flat decks, without bedding, meaningful enrichment, or outdoor access. Sows are confined in restrictive farrowing crates for around five weeks at a time - from days before giving birth until piglets are weaned at approximately 27 days old." The use of blunt force trauma for piglets under 10kg was outlawed in 2022 after repeated warnings from the UK's Animal Welfare Committee and the EU's Reference Centre for Animal Welfare. Both identified the method as unreliable, inhumane, and unnecessary given available mechanical alternatives, states AJP. Dr Alick Simmons, former UK Government's Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer and former Veterinary Director at the Food Standards Agency (FSA) who watched the footage, said: "This shows repeated and ineffective attempts to kill piglets using blunt force trauma. "A humane killer was not used and no assessments were made to confirm death. "At least one piglet appeared to continue breathing after the attempted kill. "That such practices are taking place on a large, commercial farm highlights a serious failure in training, management and oversight. "This is unacceptable, particularly when a humane and legally acceptable alternative exists. It causes significant suffering and has no place in modern farming." Responding to the findings, Cranswick said it had ordered an urgent investigation and had suspended the farm staff. A spokesman said: "The welfare of the animals we rear is of the utmost importance and we are extremely disappointed to see the unacceptable lapse of welfare standards captured at Northmoor Farm. "As soon as we saw the footage we suspended the team working at the farm and we are conducting an urgent and thorough investigation. We have also suspended the farm from supplying any pigs until the investigation is completed." The farm is approved by Red Tractor but said it would immediately suspend the farm's certificate pending investigation. Sir Roger Gale MP, patron of the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation, said: "The scenes shown in this footage are deeply disturbing and raise serious concerns about the standards being maintained on a farm certified by Red Tractor. The public deserves confidence that the food they buy is produced with care and in accordance with proper welfare standards." Last year the Mirror revealed how residents living next door to a Cranswick pig farm complained of severe health problems including nosebleeds, breathing problems and even being housebound due to the sounds of pigs screaming and air pollution. Last month its plans for a controversial mega farm in Norfolk were rejected over environmental concerns. The farm was due to house up to 870,000 chickens and 14,000 pigs over two sites at one time but received nearly 15,000 complaints. In response the the investigation, Sainsbury's said: "These allegations involve unacceptable treatment of animals which has no place in our supply chain." Morrisons said: "We care deeply about animal welfare and these are shocking and concerning allegations." Tesco said: "We take all reports of poor animal welfare extremely seriously and expect our suppliers to adhere to our high welfare standards. Asda added: "We have clear animal welfare policies that all our suppliers must uphold and we welcome the swift response and action taken by Cranswick at this farm."
