RESEARCH
Pratt, Andrew (1962-)
Biography
Born September 1962
Party activist and parliamentary candidate.
The Green Party.
Andrew (Andy) Pratt was born in Devon and attended Exeter school. He describes his schooling and home life as fairly conservative while growing up. As a reaction to this, Andy cites punk, science fiction and other popular cultural influences as having a significant impact on him while growing up.
Andy became politically active at a young age and his first deliberate attendance of a political meeting was that of the young socialist wing of the Labour movement in 1979. He studied at university, and in the period after study describes himself as a political activist, living as a nomadic traveller and doing various jobs, including working on a city farm in London. In 1992 Andy’s career changed course when began working for Oxfam as a UK campaigner.
Andy describes himself as really motivated by the peace movement. One branch of the peace movement with which he worked was the Green Collective. A memorable role of this initiative was establishing the green fields in Glastonbury festival, to which he played a key role.
Andy didn’t join the Green party until 1991, but has been at the centre of the Green party’s development in the local community. He describes two of his biggest achievements as keeping the Plymouth Green party alive and kick-starting the Greens in Totnes.
(Biography completed by Jenny King).
Transcript of clip
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When did you first become interested in politics?
Probably as a teenager, around thirteen, fourteen.
Was there anyone who encouraged you to become involved in politics?
Bob Marley? Um, I mean a lot of influences, I read a lot of things, I read a lot of books, and some of those encouraged me. There was a lot of science fiction actually…
I was from, I am from actually, a normal, I would say, what you would say in the ‘60s, which was a long time ago, a middle class background. My parents, were, I think, very much, not especially political. And they were sort of, probably, fairly for the majority, conservative; small C, maybe big C when they voted…
Perhaps I was reacting slightly against the conservatism of my education which was very conservative. Yes that was probably the main reaction against the education system I found myself in…They [Pratt’s parents] wanted me to have a good education. I found the actual school very conservative and oppressive, but the general atmosphere of the family was, you know, relaxed and they didn’t, they were accepting of my views which I think is very important.
Interview Summary
Date of recording: 23/04/2014 Name of interviewer: Rachel Coke |
[0:00] Interviewer introduces the project, states time and place ofthe interview, Interviewee states name, date of birth, place of birth. [0:27]Description of Early political memories, influences - Bob Marley, readings science fiction, family background - conservative family, influence that they had, reactions against conservativeness of schooling [3:03] Asks for a repeat of the question -What influence do you think your family had on political views - found school conservative and oppressive, family accepting of his views. (3:33]Description of effect of school on politics and his experiences of youth politics - explosion of punk rock culture, 1st political meeting - young socialists [4:49] Description of career background, paper round, unpaid political activist - city farm, nomadic traveller - selfemployed until 1992, started job with Oxfam. [6:48) Description of route into the Green Partypeace movement, Green CND, didn't join Greens until 1991, roles taken in the party - secretary of Exeter Greens, Stood for council, involvement in South West Greens, involvement in Plymouth Greens 2010. [9:33] Challenges of being as a activists -limited resources, political system, alternative policies, key political issues - domination of sterling socio-economic model [12:26] Description of number of times standing in elections and which ones, makeup of the Greens as a local political party, free thinkers, politically motivated people. [14:29] Description of most interest involvements as an activists, story about time on anti-logging campaigns, standing for MP in 1997, now being a main organisers, passionate issues - destruction of the environment, manmade inequalities [17:01)Description of the effect lack of party finance has had - political system corrupt, levels of community politics, harder to get activists in to political system - aim to get people to use the rights they have, age separation more difficult for young people, problems more acute [21:49] Description of Memories and experiences of electioneering, challenging perceptions of politics, - memorable general election 1997 - standing as MP, end of Thatcherism, Conservative policiesgoing to the political count - Obama 2008 election, 2010 - caroline Lucas. Euro elections - elected Green MEPs - proportional elections (26:271Description of importance of issues local v national - perception of national party, party importance over the candidates.[27:491 Recounts experiences with other political parties - cyniCism, Linda Gilroy story, respect, co-opting of Green polices. [29:17] Not member of social club moved to next questioning block [29:321 influence of religion in Devon -culturally conservative/liberals - non' conformism. Recount history of famous Plymouth MP and impact, class and race greater impact, liberal tradition, race - 20-10 years more multicultural build up. [34:15]Comments on women impact, sexist politics, limits on the power they hold. [36:05} Comments on Devon as battleground - Greens as 3rd/4th party. University has an impact on politicsYoung Greens. Ignored by Westminster - centralised - interest in military/defence [41:43) Describes biggest achievements - keeping Plymouth Green party alive, kick-starting Greens in Totnes, [43:25jFinal reflections from Andrew, [45:10] End of interview, suggestions of further people to speak for the project. " |
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Listen here to Andrew Pratt talk about the influnences that have shaped his political identity.