Climate Party
LeaderEdmund Gemmell
TreasurerAndy Hill[1]
Founded5 September 2022 (2022-09-05)
IdeologyGreen conservatism
Political positionCentre-right
Colours  Teal
  Blue
Website
https://theclimate.party/

The Climate Party is a green conservative political party in the United Kingdom. It has been compared to the successful teal independent movement of centrist, environmentalist independent politicians in Australia.[2]

The party was founded in 2022 by Ed Gemmell, a councillor for Hazlemere in Buckinghamshire.[3][4] Gemmell describes the party as a 'business-friendly and climate-serious alternative' to the Conservative Party.[4][5][6]

The party plans to stand in the next general election in 110 Conservative-held marginal seats, specifically targeting MPs who 'obstruct climate action'.[4]

Ideology

The party's core focus is on tackling climate change and decarbonising the economy by 2030.[7] It describes itself as '100% focused on climate change'.[8] Its policy proposals include abolishing all fossil fuel subsidies, implementing 'polluter-pays policies' and investing in green technology.[9]

Electoral history

The Climate Party contested the July 2023 Uxbridge and South Ruislip and Selby and Ainsty by-elections, with Gemmell running in Uxbridge and Luke Wellock in Selby.[10][11] Both candidates lost their deposits, polling less than 0.2% of the vote each.[12][13]

References

  1. ^ Aldridge, James (5 September 2022). "New political party launched in UK to challenge Conservatives over climate change". Reading Chronicle. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  2. ^ Greenwood, Darren (30 June 2023). "Selby and Ainsty By-election: New 'centre-right' party aims for change on climate". York Press. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  3. ^ "Councillor details - Councillor Ed Gemmell". buckinghamshire.moderngov.co.uk. 28 July 2022. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  4. ^ a b c Donald, Rachel (28 July 2022). "Centre-right Climate party launches to oust Tory MPs opposing climate action". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  5. ^ McGlone, Conor (5 September 2022). "New Climate Party vows to 'take on' Truss at the next election". eandt.theiet.org. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  6. ^ Pack, Mark (31 July 2022). "Two new political parties take a tilt at the Conservatives". Mark Pack. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  7. ^ "The Tories have failed to 'get climate done' – so I've launched a new centre-right party | Ed Gemmell". The Guardian. 7 August 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  8. ^ "The Climate Party". Twitter. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  9. ^ Donald, Rachel (28 July 2022). "Centre-right Climate party launches to oust Tory MPs opposing climate action". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  10. ^ "Uxbridge by-election full candidate list revealed". BBC News. 23 June 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  11. ^ "Selby and Ainsty by-election: 13 candidates announced". The Press. 24 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  12. ^ "By-elections". www.northyorks.gov.uk. 25 February 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  13. ^ "Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election 2023 results". Hillingdon Council. Retrieved 21 July 2023.

External links

Political parties in the United Kingdom
Categories