Wales Green Party Pledges Rent Controls and £1 Bus Fares in Senedd Manifesto
Green Party Outlines Ambitious Social and Economic Reforms
The Wales Green Party has officially launched its manifesto for the upcoming Senedd election, putting forward a raft of proposals aimed at addressing the prevailing cost of living crisis. Central to their platform are plans for immediate rent controls and significantly reduced public transport fares.
Antony Slaughter, the Welsh Green Party leader, detailed a proposal for a one-year rent freeze across Wales, to be followed by empowering local authorities to implement rent caps in designated "rent pressure zones." This measure, he stated, would ensure housing remains affordable, with rent increases only permissible for genuine home improvements, particularly those enhancing energy efficiency.
Furthermore, the manifesto commits to capping most bus fares at just £1, with complimentary travel extended to all individuals under 22 years of age. The party also intends to replace the existing council tax system, a move designed to alleviate financial burdens on households.
Although the party does not anticipate forming the next Welsh government, Mr Slaughter expressed optimism that the Greens would secure their first elected Senedd members. He indicated that the party's policies, particularly those concerning housing, would be crucial in any post-election coalition discussions. He refrained from specifying any "red lines" for negotiations but underscored housing as a paramount concern.
Speaking at the manifesto launch in Port Talbot, Mr Slaughter criticised "decades of exploitation" and "27 years of managed decline" under Welsh Labour, asserting that the Green Party offers tangible solutions to widespread public anger and despair. Other key priorities highlighted in the manifesto include investments in renewable energy, enhanced public services, and measures to protect Wales's natural environment. The party also pledges to ban no-fault evictions, mirroring legislative changes already implemented or planned in other parts of the UK.
