A Green party activist described war veterans as ‘agents of imperial terror’ less than an hour after the Last Post was played on Remembrance Sunday, The Spectator can disclose.
Leaked screenshots from the Greens Against Imperialism WhatsApp group reveal members discussing their views of British soldiers
Leaked screenshots from the Greens Against Imperialism WhatsApp group reveal members discussing their views of British soldiers and veterans. The special interest group includes current councillors, former party candidates and serving officers, including one with responsibility for diversity, equity and inclusion.
Ahead of the two-minute silence, a Green activist named Deb criticised the government’s plan to offer homeless veterans accommodation before Christmas. She wrote: ‘This government gets worse – why should war veterans be given housing over anyone else who is homeless? Welfare not warfare… all rough sleepers should be offered accommodation, support etc. Imho. Don’t prioritise meeting the needs of those who sign up to protect the monarchy over protecting us the people. The military exists to protect the monarchy and the establishment not us.’
Freelance journalist Cameron Baillie replied: ‘’War veterans” or as I like to call them, agents of imperial terror’. A supporter of deputy leader Mothin Ali, Baillie – an LSE graduate, according to LinkedIn – later argued: ‘All militaries depend on an insecure and exploited working class fundamentally, but they are turned into violent oppressors.’ The remarks went completely unchallenged in the group chat, which comprises multiple people with official party roles and elected councillors.
Baillie has advocating for the Green Party, including through promoting its candidates and backing the ‘Zionism is Racism’ motion. In May, he described the Greens as ‘our best (if not only) electoral hope’. He also explained that his coverage sought to challenge the party to maintain its anti-war and anti-corporate positions.
Later that evening, Sophus Magill, a Green councillor on the Isle of Wight and an admin of the group, wrote: ‘I’m sickened by those who, instead of using Remembrance Day to remember the horrors of war, use it to celebrate war. And the hypocrisy of those wearing poppies while supporting Israel and calling for war.’
Green leader Zack Polanski made one social media post across his channels yesterday. Pictured wearing a white poppy, the former breast-hypnotist wrote: ‘Time to pause and remember this morning at the Cenotaph. To honour all those who gave their lives in service of our country.’
The latest YouGov poll puts the Greens on 10 per cent, half their peak of 21 per cent in March. Despite Andy Burnham’s insistence that there will be no general election this year, the party is planning for a national poll in 2027. Among its priorities for the next twelve months are preparing target seats, candidates and campaigns.
A Green Party spokesperson said: ‘We do not comment on discussions on WhatsApp groups that are not official party group channels.’
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