The Climate Party is a minor green conservative political party in the United Kingdom. It has been compared[by whom?] to the teal independent movement in Australia.[2]
Climate Party | |
|---|---|
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| Leader | Edmund Gemmell |
| Treasurer | Andy Hill[1] |
| Founded | 5 September 2022 |
| Ideology | Green conservatism |
| Political position | Centre-right |
| Colours | Teal Blue |
| House of Commons | 0 / 650
|
| Local government | 1 / 19,481 |
| Website | |
| https://theclimate.party/ | |
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 stood thirteen candidates in the 2024 general election, targeting Conservative-held marginal seats and MPs who 'obstruct climate action'.[4]
Ideology
editThe 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] It aims to lead the UK to economic revival and increased prosperity through a commitment to net zero by 2030, while restoring nature and decreasing pollution.[10]
Electoral history
editThe 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.[11][12] Both candidates lost their deposits.[13][14]
The Climate Party fielded thirteen candidates in 2024 general election, with leader Ed Gemmell standing in Wycombe.[15] All Climate Party candidates lost their deposits, with only Gemmell reaching one percent of the vote.
By-elections
edit2019–2024
edit| Constituency | Date | Candidate | Number of votes |
% of votes |
Position | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selby and Ainsty | 20 July 2023 | Luke Wellock | 39 | 0.1 | 13th of 13 | Labour | |
| Uxbridge and South Ruislip | 20 July 2023 | Ed Gemmell | 49 | 0.2 | 15th of 17 | Conservative | |
General elections
edit| Constituency | Candidate | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banbury | Chris Nevile | 242 | 0.5 |
| Bangor Aberconwy | Steve Marshall | 104 | 0.2 |
| Bromley and Biggin Hill | Karen Miller | 94 | 0.2 |
| Clacton | Craig Jamieson | 48 | 0.1 |
| Colchester | James Rolfe | 74 | 0.2 |
| Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme | Michael Longfellow | 146 | 0.4 |
| Exmouth and Exeter East | Mark Baldwin | 134 | 0.3 |
| Greenwich and Woolwich | Priyank Bakshi | 173 | 0.4 |
| Leeds North East | Stewart Hey | 91 | 0.2 |
| Mid Buckinghamshire | Wisdom Da Costa | 147 | 0.3 |
| Northampton South | Penelope Tollitt | 98 | 0.2 |
| Salisbury | Chris Harwood | 127 | 0.3 |
| Wycombe | Ed Gemmell | 489 | 1.1 |
References
edit- ^ Aldridge, James (5 September 2022). "New political party launched in UK to challenge Conservatives over climate change". Reading Chronicle. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Councillor details - Councillor Ed Gemmell". buckinghamshire.moderngov.co.uk. 28 July 2022. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
- ^ 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.
- ^ McGlone, Conor (5 September 2022). "New Climate Party vows to 'take on' Truss at the next election". eandt.theiet.org. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
- ^ Pack, Mark (31 July 2022). "Two new political parties take a tilt at the Conservatives". Mark Pack. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "The Climate Party". Twitter. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
- ^ Donald, Rachel (28 July 2022). "Centre-right Climate party launches to oust Tory MPs opposing climate action". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
- ^ "Our Blueprint". Climate Party. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
- ^ "Uxbridge by-election full candidate list revealed". BBC News. 23 June 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
- ^ "Selby and Ainsty by-election: 13 candidates announced". The Press. 24 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ "By-elections". www.northyorks.gov.uk. 25 February 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
- ^ "Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election 2023 results". Hillingdon Council. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
- ^ "'I can oust Steve Baker': Climate Party leader launches campaign to be MP for Wycombe". Bucks Free Press. 11 April 2024.