Green Party slammed by own members over ‘royalist grovelling’ in social media posts
The Green Party of England and Wales has a longstanding position in opposition to the monarchy. Its policy currently states that the party supports a position where ‘no person shall acquire the right to any office of government by inheritance,’ ‘the monarchy shall cease to be an office of government’, and ‘peers and members of the royal family shall have the same civil rights and fiscal obligations as other citizens’.
Despite the Green Party’s republican stance, its official social media channels have posted to ‘thank’ the Queen for 70 years on the throne, coinciding with the jubilee weekend.
👑 On the #PlatinumJubilee we thank Her Majesty the Queen for her 70 years of service.#HM70 pic.twitter.com/prKJPbzdlP
— The Green Party (@TheGreenParty) June 2, 2022
These posts have gone down badly with party activists and supporters. At the time of writing, the Tweet above has over 270 comments and more than 100 quote retweets, almost wholly negative. On Instagram, the same post has over 250 comments – again overwhelmingly negative. On Facebook there are over 100 comments, almost exclusively negative.
Many of these comments have come from members who hold or have held significant positions within the party.
Matthew Hull, chair of the Green Party Trade Union Group suggested this messaging – seemingly contradicting the party’s policies and values – would “demoralise our own activists”. Former deputy leader of the Wales Green Party Benjamin Smith said, “70 years of consistently undermining democracy at home and abroad is nothing to celebrate.” The former co-chair of Green Party Women Kathryn Bristow said, “We don’t have anything to thank her for, the very least she can do is abolish herself and pay reparations”.
Some members went further. Symon Hill, a member who is also a Campaigns Manager at the Peace Pledge Union, expressed disappointment at the party engaging in “royalist grovelling”.
Others took a more sarcastic tone. Ruthi Brandt, a former Councillor for the Greens in Oxford asked, “Who hacked @TheGreenParty’s Twitter account?” And Alexi Dimond, a Green Councillor in Sheffield tweeted, “Service to hierarchy, tax avoidance, imperialism and unearned hereditary privilege? It’s the 21st century. The Monarchy is an anachronism preventing equality, fairness and justice.”
Meanwhile, former Bristol City Councillor Rob Bryher put it simply – “Delete this tweet”. As did openDemocracy editor Adam Ramsay – ‘this is embarrassing.’
Despite the Green Party’s social media channels seemingly being unaware of the mood in the party, the Young Greens appear to have judged the tone a little better.
👑 Over £28 billion being spent to celebrate the coronation of our unelected head of state.
💷 During a cost of living crisis we need to give money to the people not a wealthy institution.
🗳 We need a proper constitution and an elected head of state! pic.twitter.com/MkZXpLVmDz
— Young Greens 🌱 (@YoungGreenParty) June 2, 2022
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Image credit: Michael Garnett – Creative Commons
Putting aside opinions regarding the monarchy, the Green Party should pay tribute to Charles for the way in which he has continuously campaigned to tackle the most important issue we face, namely Climate Change! I think the Green Party would do well to become more of a “broad church” and tolerate differences of opinion on other issues, whilst sticking to the two main issues, Climate Change and Biodiversity. By doing this we would attract more people to the cause – as has been shown by the recent peaceful demonstration in London.
Patricia P.
I was about to sign up as member of the Green Party as no other party holds my beliefs. Then I saw it was anti Royal which to me has nothing tio do with their main Green issues. Indeed as you say Charlkes had done much for the Green cause. Ig the party wants new members it should think again.
Many people do not now that the Green Party is both republican and anti Unionist (demonstrated by their activities in Scotland). The more people I point this out to the more potential votes they lose. Most are shocked that they did not know and feel quite betrayed.
As you said, this has nothing to do with environmental values. Although much of my life is focused on conservation and ‘green’ issues, I could never vote for the Green Party. I am a farmer with a 288 acre Organic farm. It is people like me that the greens need on side but we won’t even use them as a protest vote. It just highlights the party as an urban based organisation with no understanding of the rural character.
I shall just have to continue as that rare creature, a farmer that votes Labour.
As a local party officer with the local policy officer role I was disgusted to see those social media posts but heartened to see the many responses from both established Green candidates, councillors and officials as well as members and supporters all United in their opposition to celebrating the monarchy.
It is good to see this article and hopefully it will be published by the official social media accounts to go some way to making amends for yesterday’s debacle.
I’m a republican and support the GP. I can’t think of a worse job than being monarch. However as a person I think Queen Elizabeth gas been superb in her role that she never wanted in the first place. That doesn’t change he fact that I support becoming a republic after she has gone. All the sniping over a post that is merely just being courteous, is tather churlish imo.
No wonder republicanism has gone nowhere in this country for decades if this is the fight self-styled “republicans” like yourself put up.
“I think hereditary power is bad but I’m going to wait actively doing anything to end it until at least the current woman in charge dies because I think she’s a bit nice”
Saying that you can’t think of a worse job is just completely tone-deaf and makes me think those who label the Greens as “Tories on bikes” may have a point after all. Making out that cutting a few ribbons and greeting flag-waving schoolchildren is some great hardship is something I’d expect from a toff like Rees-Mogg not a supposedly left-wing party.
Simon and Neil, while siMON goes to far praising the Queen, say she should be the last monarch is a tactical move to give us time to get a new constituition and reduce opposition from people who feel sorry for her. I agree with the approach but it will have to be changed assuming we have nt won a republic before the queen abdicates or dies. It might be that Republic who adapt this approach have an eye on a big campaign once the Queen goes. so you are both wrong and right at the same time. I am not a member of Republic but am thinking of going.
Some people say the Queen is just a figurehead, has no power etc. Not true. About 30 years ago she removed a democratically elected government of Australia just because presumable some shadow behind the throne asked her to do so. So much for democracy! Eric Walker
Sir John Kerr, the Governor-General of Australia at the time, did that, not the Queen.