Hopes Aren’t ‘Stratospheric’, They Are Unreasonable And Unachievable

The Green party members in Bournemouth at the weekend were, largely, exuberant. More than one person I spoke to used the word “joyful”. “The energy is amazing,” said Jean Lambert, the former London MEP. “It’s exceeded my expectations,” said the new leader, Zack Polanski. “Even the most unfriendly journalist can’t find anyone that isn’t fired up and ready to go.”

The fawning over this snakeoil salesman - dubbed 'Hypnotits' on Twitter -  has been astonishing to see. If they'd had social media accounts back in 1978 in Guyana when Jim Jones was getting his Messiah shtick on, it'd have looked a lot like this. 

Can't help but wonder if it's going to end up as disastrously.

Polanski himself contributed to this feeling. He has a talent for expressing members’ views clearly and without fearing how the rightwing press might respond.

Where once there was a nervousness about defending controversial but internally popular policies such as drug decriminalisation or denouncing Israeli “apartheid”, the party has now abandoned this caution – and members love it.

Yes, no doubt nutters applaud policy statements from those even madder than they are! 

Partly, it comes from the feeling of moving in the right direction in other ways, too. Many members have long been concerned about the party being overly white. While that’s still true, there were, as party chief executive, Harriet Lamb, said to me, “more global majority Greens at this conference than ever before”.

‘We’ve attracted even more loons this year, go us!’ 

What’s also important is that, for many members, the last few annual conferences have been – as more than one person said – “horrible”, marred by transphobic behaviour.

Translation: Psople who don’t believe men can become women simply by claiming that’s what they are. 

But, mostly, the party was focused on steering activist energy into winning new seats: it’s now confident of getting at least one Welsh Senedd member in May, and aiming for two. London’s local elections will be a big focus. And it’s hoping to win mayoralties in Hackney, Norfolk and Suffolk, and Sussex and Brighton – in the latter two, against Reform – in the latter, Millward herself is the candidate.

It remains to be seen whether enough people have come to their senses by then. As the old Chinese curse puts it, we sure are living in interesting times. 

The risk now for Polanski is that expectations are stratospheric.

Not the word I'd have chosen... 

And The Welsh Government Is Just Daft Enough To Try It, Too....

The Welsh Government has been advised to create dog-free zones to help make the outdoors “anti-racist”. Labour’s devolved administration has pledged to rid Wales of racism by 2030, and set out a plan to ensure “all areas” of public life were transformed.

According to a report submitted to the Welsh Government to steer “anti-racist” policy, dog-free zones should be created to make the outdoors more inclusive.

I know what you're thinking Reader, I thought so too,  but don't be hasty... 

The reason for this is not elaborated on in the report, which will be used by the Welsh Government to “support policy teams” who are “developing and implementing” anti-racist plans for Wales.

Actually, it is. Be patient.  

On the basis of reports provided to date, the Welsh Government has concluded that ethnic minorities face “barriers” to the outdoors created by “exclusions and racism”.

Barriers to outdoor activities includes the perception that growing food in gardens or allotments is an activity “dominated by middle-aged white women”.

No idea why that would keep them out, according to almost every advert I've seen so far, marrying a white woman is a goal! 

Climate Cymru BAME, along with groups polled to inform the anti-racist policy, suggested that ethnic minority residents could be directed to “community led” food growing groups to mitigate the issue.

And by 'community', they don't mean those run by Becan or Carys. But back to those dogs... 

A separate set of recommendations submitted by the North Wales Africa Society suggested that “dog-free areas” should be created, explaining that during its focus groups “one black African female stated that she feels unsafe with the presence of dogs”.

One. ONE!?! Truly, we live in the age of the Tyranny of the Minority.

The report also noted that others kept “seeing dog fouling on the floor”.

Given how ethnic minorities often live in their home countries (Ed: yes, I've been watching 'Snakes In The City' and a black mamba in those kitchens isn't the biggest poisoning risk in the house...) , how exactly is that a problem? 

And what about all the sheep, cow and rabbit poo that litters the countryside? 

H/T: Skipster via Twitter