Sally Bunce has been selected as the Green Party candidate for the upcoming election for Mayor of the Tees Valley Combined Authority. Originally from Elland, North Yorkshire, Bunce has a diverse professional background, initially working in the pharmaceutical industry before embarking on a seventeen-year career as a police officer in Cleveland and North Yorkshire.
Currently residing in Redcar and Cleveland, she is deeply involved in environmental advocacy, specifically focusing on addressing the mass marine die-offs along the north east coast. Bunce's commitment to environmental issues extends to her volunteer work as a marine mammal medic and her efforts to educate others about ocean conservation in various educational settings.
Bunce's campaign for Tees Valley Mayor is driven by her desire to introduce greater transparency, honesty, and integrity into the role, which she believes has been lacking. Her decision to run for office is rooted in her long-standing dedication to combating social and environmental injustice, particularly in the Cleveland coast area, where she has been active for nearly six years.
Through her candidacy, Bunce aims to collaborate with the residents of Tees Valley to implement the changes she feels are deserved and necessary for the betterment of the community and the environment.
The Green Party stands as a unique political entity that emphasizes an interconnected approach to social, environmental, and economic issues. This manifesto outlines the party’s commitment to transforming society for the betterment of both the planet and its inhabitants.
The party views social, economic, and environmental challenges as interconnected and believes that resolving one requires addressing them all together. Success is not solely measured by economic indicators but also by the quality of life, including personal freedom, social equity, health, and ecosystem health.
Humanity's survival is dependent on biodiversity and the sustainable use of finite physical resources. Every individual, including future generations and other species, has a right to basic material security.
A healthy society is built on voluntary cooperation among empowered individuals, without discrimination. Decisions should be made as close as possible to the affected individuals to promote accountability and participatory democracy.
The party seeks non-violent solutions that consider minority and future generation interests. Change can be achieved through various methods, including lifestyle changes and direct action, as long as they align with core principles.
Humans are part of and depend on the natural world, which has suffered significantly from human activities. Traditional political and economic approaches are seen as destructive, emphasizing the need for a shift from growth-driven policies to those focusing on sustainable well-being.
Proposes a society where individuals coexist with nature and each other in mutually beneficial ways, stressing empowerment over dominance. Values the diversity of human relationships with each other and the environment, advocating for a balance of various life-enhancing processes.
All policies and actions should aim for sustainability, ensuring that resource use and environmental impacts are within the planet’s capacity to handle indefinitely. Calls for urgent action to address climate change and biodiversity loss, emphasizing ecological and egalitarian solutions.
Advocates for replacing GDP with indicators that reflect true progress towards ecological sustainability and human well-being.Supports the enhancement of rights and freedoms, balancing individual actions with the health of society and the planet.
Promotes more democratic processes at all levels of government and society to ensure fair and inclusive decision-making. Supports measures to address inequality and ensure all citizens have access to necessary resources without compromising ecological integrity.
Encourages a shift in cultural values towards sustainability, cooperation, and respect for diversity. Engages in both global initiatives and local actions to implement its principles, aiming for a broad-based transformation across all sectors of society.
The Green Party's manifesto presents a radical rethinking of political, social, and economic systems, aiming to create a fair, sustainable society that respects the interconnected nature of global challenges. Through a combination of policy reform, cultural change, and grassroots action, the party seeks to redefine progress and ensure a viable future for all inhabitants of the planet.