Reformist and/not radical? The case of Young Greens, the youth and student wing of the Green Party of England and Wales

“We aim to harness the energy and ideas of young people, and change the direction of our society towards a sustainable and just future.” This is the current stated aim of Young Greens, which is the youth and student wing of the Green Party of England and Wales for young people under the age of 30. This aim is a much-diluted version of the radical goals of youth-led and youth-driven environmental movements calling for rapid and systemic change, as well as their radical repertoires of contention involving non-violent direct action and at times civil disobedience in the form of disruptive Do-It-Ourselves (DIO) politics. Instead, Young Greens opts for a reformist approach to obtain change through lobbying, voting and standing for election, especially at the local level. Magid Magid (born 1989), a Somalian child refugee and Green Party member who became Lord Mayor of Sheffield in 2018 and then a Green Party MEP in 2019 is an exception rather than the rule regarding the successes of this reformist path. At a time when youth voice, young environmental activists and radical climate protest actions are so prominent, why do some young people choose to pay a membership fee and become a member of Young Greens? Why do they decide to join a youth and student wing that advocates reformist politics operating through hierarchical parliamentary structures? What is the appeal of Young Greens? Is there any cross-over between environmental movement activists and youth wing activists? Why don’t more young people join Young Greens? This paper is a case study of Young Greens in England and Wales today. It addresses the structure, sphere of influence within the Green Party, stated aims, campaigns, communication and methods of Young Greens. The paper draws on a long-term study of this youth wing and the author’s recent interviews with members (as well as its equivalent in France).