WHY ROTHERHAM GREENS REJECT THE DEFENCE SECRETARY’S ‘GOOD NEWS’ ABOUT THE ARMS TRADE

The announcement by Defence Secretary (and my local MP) John Healey that Rotherham is to become a centre for the global arms trade puts Rotherham into a position of danger while distracting from the true investments needed in the Borough.

We only have to look towards areas of the country that have pre-existing links to the arms trade to know that the promise of prosperity will not come. For example, Barrow-In-Furness, which has been home to BAE’s Submarine Shipyard since 2004 still has 34% of it’s children living below the poverty line (higher than Rotherham’s current rate) despite BAE being one of the world’s most profitable companies thanks to their war profiteering. Similarly, in Telford, where the top of the range Challenger 3 tank is made, has recently seen an increase in its child poverty rate. The message is very clear that despite making money off wars the cash never trickles down into the local economy.

As a historian I am all too familiar with the reality that when wars happen the places that munitions and equipment are made are always the first targets which means that if this goes ahead Rotherham will become a key target of any hostile nation’s weaponry. In the second world war Rotherham was a hub of weapons manufacturing and because of this it was a regular target of Luftwaffe bombing raids that killed hundreds of people. In the modern age we are well within range of nuclear weapons capable of killing thousands at once from nations that this saber rattling is specifically meant to antagonise. It does not make us safe. This is using taxpayers money to make Rotherham a target.

Instead of investing into the multibillion pound global weapons industry that directly profits from suffering, Greens would work towards genuine energy sovereignty that would mean we no longer have to fight wars over resources like oil and gas.

Ask any former miner and they will tell you about how hellishly hot the mines would get, even in the dead of winter. This is geothermal. Investments into the infinitely renewable energy of geothermal that utilises this natural heat would make Rotherham a national centre for energy. The National Coal Mining Museum has proven that the heat of old mine shafts is capable of heating water that in turn can heat our homes. Investing into geothermal would therefore bring jobs back to the coalfields of Rotherham, end the winter fuel crisis and dependency upon overseas energy, and make Britain greener all at once.

As my Green colleague and parliamentary candidate for Rotherham Tony Mabbott says, “this Labour Government misunderstands what real security means. For most of the families in Rotherham, real security is having a dry, healthy home, earning enough not to have to choose between heating or eating in the winter, and being able to look after society’s most vulnerable people. It is not about spending billions on weapons that only bring harm and make us a target.”

Rotherham is in desperate need of investment but what we need is investment into sustainable jobs that will continue for generations to come, not investment that keeps the mega wealthy (especially the billionaires who run the arms trade) rich at the expense of everyone else.

Tom Hill

Tom Hill is a Green Party Councillor and stood against the Defence Secretary in the 2024 General Election.

Rotherham Greens Proud to support Pride

Rotherham Green Party have issued a statement of solidarity with this year’s Rotherham Pride, which takes place on 7th June in All Saints Square.

“We are happy to support the wonderful celebration of our diversity that is Pride, but also want to send our support to the LGBTQ+ community in the light of the recent Supreme Court judgement, and all the nasty culture war politics that have surrounded it.”

“The Green Party is proud to stand up for the rights of us all. The courts and parliament may take time to catch up, but trans men are men, trans women are women, and trans rights are human rights. We stand with our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters.”

Green campaigner Tony Mabbott added: “As human beings we have far more in common than that which divides us, and as Greens we don’t accept the politics of hatred and fear promoted by the far right. We should be proud of our diversity and fierce in our defence of it.”

‘A missed opportunity’ for Rotherham

Rotherham Greens continued to push for Rotherham Children’s Capital of Culture to include an event about Gaza as part of the year long series of activities.

In a question to the last Council meeting on 21st May, Tony Mabbott asked why there had been no progress in the six months since he first raised the matter, and said that this was a ‘missed opportunity’ for Rotherham.

Tony said: “after the terrible events of October 7th and the appalling aftermath of invasion and genocide”, I’ve been to lots of matches, rallies and demonstrations around the borough about the crisis in Gaza.”

“Wherever I went, it wasn’t just adults concerned about the situation – I’ve seen young people from Rotherham dancing, singing, reading poems, showing their artwork bout Gaza. I even saw a nine year old lad perform a rap about the subject.”

“The tragedy in Gaza isn’t just something happening miles away, it’s on televisions in living rooms in Rotherham, and it’s on the minds of our young people, who care deeply about what’s happening to children just like them who have no homes, no hospitals, and who have to cram hundreds to a tent just to go to school.”

“We need to celebrate the creativity of Rotherham’s young people and let them speak about Gaza.”

Keppel by-election – Tony mabbott Selected to stand

Rotherham Green Party has selected local Green campaigner Tony Mabbott to fight the forthcoming Rotherham Borough Council by election in Keppel ward, which is made up of Thorpe Hesley, Scholes and parts of Kimberworth.

Tony, who lives in Kimberworth, works providing advice to adults and families on low incomes, and was the Green Party candidate in Rotherham in the 2024 General Election, where he received a record breaking result – three times the Green Party’s previous highest vote.

For Tony, this election is about change: “We’ve seen from the recent local elections that people are fed up with the old parties who just offer the same failed solutions to the problems we all face.”

“When you talk to people in the streets and on the doorsteps, they also reject the politics of hate and fear, and want real hope and real change, which is what only the Green Party can provide.”

Thorpe Hesley resident and Green Councillor Tom Hill added: “I’ve worked with Tony for the last few years and know that he’s the right person for the job. Unlike those politicians who you only see at election times, Tony lives locally and works hard all year round. He’s exactly the kind of committed Councillor Rotherham needs.”

Rotherham Greens hail ‘record breaking local election results’

Rotherham Green Party welcomed the news that Greens increased their numbers of local councillors for a record breaking eighth year in a row, more than doubling the number seats held since they were last contested four years ago.

The Green Party candidate for Rotherham in the last General Election, Tony Mabbott, said: “Congratulations to all the new Green councillors elected across the comuntry and to all those council areas which have Green Councillors for the first time.”

“After these elections Councils still face a crisis in providing the services we all desperately need. Greens will oppose all cuts to services, continue to work with our communities to provide solutions at a local level and, through our elected MPs, will continue to demand support from national Government.”

“We believe it is wrong for the elderly, the poor and the disabled to face cuts while the very richest fail to pay their way. These elections have shown that people want change. The Green Party is willing and able to provide the real change we all need.”

*Note: After the 2025 local elections, there are now over 850 Green Party Councillors in England and Wales (more than Reform).

Green Party Leader in South Yorkshire for local election campaign

Rotherham Green campaigners Yasser Hussain, Tony Mabbott and Paul Martin, with Green Party co-Leader Adrian Ramsey (second from the right)

The co-Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, Adrian Ramsey, visited Doncaster during the recent local elections, where he met campaigners, including those from Rotherham Green Party.

Adrian said he’d been travelling around the the country and had heard time and time again that people were fed up with traditional Party politics and wanted change. “Only the Green Party and Green candidates”, he said, “offer real hope and genuine solutions to the problems we face.”

Rotherham Green Party member Yasser Hussain was impressed: “This is the first time I’ve seen an election campaign close up, and I was really pleased to see someone saying things that I agreed with rather than just something they thought I wanted to hear.”

Rotherham campaigner Tony Mabbott, who was the Green Party’s candidate in the 2024 General Election in Rotherham, added: “On the doorstep people tell us they are having a hard time, and the problems they face need thought out and intelligent solutions, not just sound bites and empty promises. I’m delighted that Adrian set out a clear way forward.”

It’s Green for Go in Doncaster

Rotherham Greens joined campaigners from across Yorkshire in heading to Doncaster to help the Green Party there run their biggest and best ever local election campaign.

Rotherham’s 2024 Green Party parliamentary candidate Tony Mabbott said, “Unlike other political parties, the Green Party doesn’t rely upon massive cash donations from millionaires and dodgy donors. We are just ordinary people and rely upon one another for our campaigning, either through small donations or by helping out with delivering leaflets and knocking on doors.”

“I was delighted to be able to nip up the road and help out our friends and neighbours in Doncaster Green Party as they fight their biggest local election campaign ever. Solidarity is something which Greens value as a strength in our communities and we are happy to show how it works in practice.”

Tony Mabbott and Yasser Hussain helping out in Doncaster during the campaign.

“Whatever happens to people in Donny will inevitably also affect people in Rotherham and vice versa. We all need well thought out solutions to the problems facing us, such as the shortage of affordable housing, the lack of care and investment in our streets and public spaces, and poor quality public transport. Only the Greens offer this.”

Support Better Buses

Rotherham Greens have been consistent supporters of the Better Buses for South Yorkshire campaign so we’re pleased that the South Yorkshire Mayor is finally putting plans to franchise bus services out for public consultation.

Green Campaigner Tony Mabbott said, “This is the system used in London and many other major UK cities. If implemented, fares, routes, and timetables will be set by the local council and not by private bus firms.”

Please follow the link below and complete the consultation by saying yes to franchising. “We Own It,” who campaign for public services ownership, has produced a guide, linked below, on how to complete the form, quickly and effectively at: https://weownit.org.uk/VotePublicControlSY

Consultation ends on January 15th so there is still time to get your
voice heard

‘Rat’s Life!’, say local Greens

Flytipping in one part of Rotherham has become so bad, it’s a case of ‘Rat’s Life’, say local Green campaigners.

Green Parish Councillor Tom Hill says that the flytipping between Birch Park Court and the railway line in Ferham has even attracted a kestrel, along with less wanted wildlife:

“Flytipping now takes place at least once and sometimes two or three times a week in this area, and has attracted large volumes of rats as well as birds of prey. I’m normally a fan of biodiversity, but not in these circumstances!”

Local resident and campaigner Joao Carlos added, “to be fair to council workers, they usually clear the rubbish pretty quickly, but without enforcement action it just returns within days.”

Green Party parliamentary candidate for Rotherham Tony Mabbott concluded:

“Flytipping was one of the main issues raised on the doorstep in Rotherham during the local and general elections. The Council has the legal powers to take action against those who fly tip and they need to use these powers now before residents suffer more.”

‘More of the Same’, say Greens after Labour refuses to scrap benefit cap

Local Greens have condemned this week’s refusal by the Labour Government to scrap the two child benefits cap, and say that it shows Labour’s promises of change were short lived.

Tony Mabbott from Rotherham Green Party said: “the two child benefit cap is inhumane and unnecessary, and removing it would lift a quarter of a million children out of poverty.* if ever there was a clear opportunity for the new Labour government to show that their promises of change were more than just words, this was it. But sadly they fluffed their lines.”

He went on: “Labour’s treatment of rebel MPs who voted to scrap the two child cap shows that they care more about looking strong and responsible than about helping the vulnerable and the worse off. It’s more of the same from Labour, and we all lose out.”

“I’m proud that all four Green MPs voted to scrap the two child cap, and disappointed that my Labour MP Sarah Champion voted to keep it. Greens will keep pushing Labour to be more ambitious in tackling the inequality and unfairness of the Tory legacy, and give us real change instead of broken promises.”

*Source – Local Government Association report into the two child benefit cap, using figures from ‘End Child Poverty’.