Greens enter final campaign week with fairness pledge
Greens will go to Westminster with a pledge to stand up for everyone’s “right to live with dignity”, Alison Johnstone MSP has said as she outlined her party’s policies on fairness while visiting Glasgow today.
Speaking at Glasgow West Carers Centre, Johnstone gave her backing to Patrick Harvie, who is standing in neighbouring Glasgow North, and said that by electing Scotland’s first Green MP, voters will get a local champion who will speak up and represent those who “continue to be ignored by Westminster”.
Johnstone also highlighted the importance of care work in Scotland and how the profession can often be “undervalued and underpaid”. Meanwhile, Harvie outlined Green proposals for a Universal Basic income that would see people live “free from the fear of poverty”.
Lothian MSP, Alison Johnstone said:
“There are more than 750,000 unpaid carers in Scotland in addition to those employed in the social care sector that provide invaluable daily support to people of all generations. Care work is essential for our society and economy, but frequently this is undervalued and underpaid.
“Carers are often in dire financial situations as a result of their commitment to caring for relatives. Better conditions for staff are a vital foundation for a better social care service, fully supporting professionals to put the needs of those being cared for first. As Scotland’s first Green MP, Patrick will speak up for those who continue to be ignored by Westminster.”
Patrick Harvie, who will stand down from Holyrood if elected an MP, said:
“Greens will make the case for a social security system based on a Universal Basic Income. We need a Green voice to stand up for everyone’s right to live with dignity, free from the fear of poverty.
“A Basic or Citizen’s Income – a universal payment to all rather than the current mean-spirited benefits system – is a longstanding Green policy which has been gathering momentum. Trials are planned in Fife and Glasgow, and countries such as Finland are piloting it, but I want to make sure that all of Scotland and the UK works towards building a welfare system that removes the stigma of benefits and helps promote equality.”