King Charles 'not allowed to speak truth' in speech, claims Sutherland Greens candidate
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The newly announced Scottish Greens candidate for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross has said she pities King Charles III, after he gave his first King’s Speech yesterday.
Commenting on the monarch's speech, Anne Thomas said, "I pity Charles having to announce the UK Government's commitment to issuing more oil and gas licences when he knows full well that we need to accelerate action on climate and restore nature instead.
"I'm standing to represent Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross in Westminster. If elected, I would be a strong voice to speak the truth there which the King wasn't allowed to."
Environmental activist Ms Thomas, who lives in North Kessock, joined the Scottish Green party in 2011.
She added: "We are now seeing the effect of climate change in ever more extreme weather which can have devastating effects on people's homes, livelihoods and travel. We are already seeing the effects of extreme weather caused by climate change in the area with damage to Wick harbour and the Far North Line still closed with a bus replacement service following damage near Brora during Storm Babet.
“I am keen to present a strong case for local climate action focusing on better buses and trains which go when people need them, insulation for warmer homes and a public energy company which keeps money in the area and reduces poverty.
“When I stood for Westminster in 2015, food banks were just beginning to appear, now we are running a food shed in our village and a lot of other towns and villages are doing the same. This shouldn't be needed in the sixth richest country in the world.
“We have forgotten how to share, inequality has grown and most of the wealth produced in the Highlands goes elsewhere. We need MPs who seek to reverse this with policies like a universal basic income and community ownership and stand up for people and planet."
In solidarity with Zero Hour – the group behind the Climate and Ecology Bill – Highlands and Islands Greens shared a video on X, retweeting the campaign group's "Alternative King's Speech".
