About Rupert Read

Rupert Read was a Green Party councillor in Norwich and a candidate in the 2009 European Parliamentary elections. He is Chair of the Green House thinktank.

Articles by Rupert Read

Reflections on Eastleigh - the end of two party politics in England

The electoral system enshrines a duopoly that continues to crumble, while UKIP grow ever closer to their first parliamentary seat. They are no longer a fun sideshow - it is time to scrutinise them properly.

What next after Clegg's Lords-reform? An open letter to the Deputy Prime Minister

In this open letter to the Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Rupert Read of the Alliance for Future Generations argues that it was the failure to articulate a revised 'mission' for the Lords, as distinct from the Commons, which led to the demise of the of the Lords bill. 

Syria: my enemy’s enemy is not my friend

The failure of some elements of ‘the Left’ to see a real revolution even when it stares them in the face.

Guardians of Britain's future generations?

A new report has been launched in Westminster on how to restructure democratic institutions to take care of future generations.

Libya has opened the way to diplomatic sanctions against Syria

One of the first actions of the Libyan Transitional National Council has posed a challenge for European countries.

A new think-tank aims to bring green politics into the mainstream

A new environmental think tank was launched today and welcomed by Green Party leader Caroline Lucas

Yes to AV! campaign says it with postcards

A new ‘Yes to AV’ site has just been launched. This is an independent site with loads of Yes2AV e-postcards to choose from. You can send the appropriate postcard to the appropriate person you know, in a bid to enthuse them about voting Yes on May 5.

The British should heed Free Libya’s call for a no fly zone

Britain's responsibility to protect the Libyan people from Gaddafi's crack-down is unavoidable. We must not be so fixated on our past mistakes in Iraq and Afghanistan that we fail to help Libya to free itself. Let's pressure our government now to back a no-fly-zone and break with Britain's sorry past.

A leaked "No to AV" letter from William Hague is dissected by a Yes! campaigner

The below letter from William Hague to fellow Conservatives, urging them to help the party ensure a vote against AV in the May 5 referendum, was leaked yesterday to Rupert Read. A supporter of the Yes! campaign, Read delivers a blow-by-blow response.

AV means you can stick to First Past the Post if you really want to!

An epicycle in the arguments for the Alternative Vote in the coming UK referendum, it permits you to only vote once just like now!

Greens back AV

Could a Green Norwich change local rule across the UK?

The Green Party won its first Westminster MP this year, could it now gain control of its first city? A Green candidate is excited by the prospect of sending a wake up call across England.

Why Greens should get behind AV

Some Greens are taking a "purist" position and rejecting AV, but this will only favour the forces of conservatism who benefit from the status quo.

This week's editor

Heather McRobie


Heather McRobie is a regular contributor to 50.50

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