| Climate Party | |
|---|---|
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| Leader | Edmund Gemmell |
| Treasurer | Andy Hill |
| Founded | 5 September 2022; 2 years ago (2022-09-05) |
| Ideology | Green conservatism |
| Political position | Centre-right |
| Colours | Teal Blue |
| House of Commons | 0 / 650 |
| Local government | 1 / 19,481 |
| Website | |
| https://theclimate.party/ | |
The Climate Party is a minor green conservative political party in the United Kingdom. It has been compared to the teal independent movement in Australia.
The party was founded in 2022 by Ed Gemmell, a councillor for Hazlemere in Buckinghamshire. Gemmell describes the party as a "business-friendly and climate-serious alternative" to the Conservative Party.
The party stood thirteen candidates in the 2024 general election, targeting Conservative-held marginal seats and MPs who 'obstruct climate action'.
Ideology
The party's core focus is on tackling climate change and decarbonising the economy by 2030. It describes itself as "100% focused on climate change". Its policy proposals include abolishing all fossil fuel subsidies, implementing "polluter-pays policies" and investing in green technology. It aims to lead the UK to economic revival and increased prosperity through a commitment to net zero by 2030, while restoring nature and decreasing pollution.
Electoral history
The Climate Party contested the July 2023 Uxbridge and South Ruislip and Selby and Ainsty by-elections, with Gemmell running in Uxbridge and Luke Wellock in Selby. Both candidates lost their deposits.
The Climate Party fielded thirteen candidates in 2024 general election, with leader Ed Gemmell standing in Wycombe. All Climate Party candidates lost their deposits, with only Gemmell reaching one percent of the vote.
By-elections
2019–2024
| Constituency | Date | Candidate | Number of votes |
% of votes |
Position | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selby and Ainsty | 20 July 2023 | Luke Wellock | 39 | 0.1 | 13th of 13 | Labour | |
| Uxbridge and South Ruislip | 20 July 2023 | Ed Gemmell | 49 | 0.2 | 15th of 17 | Conservative | |
General elections
| Constituency | Candidate | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banbury | Chris Nevile | 242 | 0.5 |
| Bangor Aberconwy | Steve Marshall | 104 | 0.2 |
| Bromley and Biggin Hill | Karen Miller | 94 | 0.2 |
| Clacton | Craig Jamieson | 48 | 0.1 |
| Colchester | James Rolfe | 74 | 0.2 |
| Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme | Michael Longfellow | 146 | 0.4 |
| Exmouth and Exeter East | Mark Baldwin | 134 | 0.3 |
| Greenwich and Woolwich | Priyank Bakshi | 173 | 0.4 |
| Leeds North East | Stewart Hey | 91 | 0.2 |
| Mid Buckinghamshire | Wisdom Da Costa | 147 | 0.3 |
| Northampton South | Penelope Tollitt | 98 | 0.2 |
| Salisbury | Chris Harwood | 127 | 0.3 |
| Wycombe | Ed Gemmell | 489 | 1.1 |
References
- Aldridge, James (5 September 2022). "New political party launched in UK to challenge Conservatives over climate change". Reading Chronicle. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
- Greenwood, Darren (30 June 2023). "Selby and Ainsty By-election: New 'centre-right' party aims for change on climate". York Press. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
- "Councillor details - Councillor Ed Gemmell". buckinghamshire.moderngov.co.uk. 28 July 2022. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
- ^ Donald, Rachel (28 July 2022). "Centre-right Climate party launches to oust Tory MPs opposing climate action". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
- McGlone, Conor (5 September 2022). "New Climate Party vows to 'take on' Truss at the next election". eandt.theiet.org. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
- Pack, Mark (31 July 2022). "Two new political parties take a tilt at the Conservatives". Mark Pack. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
- "The Tories have failed to "get climate done" – so I've launched a new centre-right party | Ed Gemmell". The Guardian. 7 August 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
- "The Climate Party". Twitter. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
- Donald, Rachel (28 July 2022). "Centre-right Climate party launches to oust Tory MPs opposing climate action". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
- "Our Blueprint". Climate Party. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
- "Uxbridge by-election full candidate list revealed". BBC News. 23 June 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
- "Selby and Ainsty by-election: 13 candidates announced". The Press. 24 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- "By-elections". www.northyorks.gov.uk. 25 February 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
- "Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election 2023 results". Hillingdon Council. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
- "'I can oust Steve Baker': Climate Party leader launches campaign to be MP for Wycombe". Bucks Free Press. 11 April 2024.