Radio 4 mixed up over Natalie Bennett
John Humphrys signed off his interview with Natalie Bennett, the Green leader, with: “Caroline Lucas, thank you.”
The interview, ostensibly ahead of the launch of the Green Party manifesto next week, included many references to “long term plans”, “vision and policies that would be implemented in five or more years.
Ms Bennett was forced to play down some of the party’s more controversial policies as she faced a barrage of questions from Mr Humphrys.
For example, she said the Citizens Income, a new form of universal benefit for all tax-payers was not an immediate commitment, despite being included in the manifesto.
She told the programme: “Let me say this very slowly – the commitment is in the manifesto. We don’t think we can introduce it in the term of the next parliament; it’s a big change. The Green party has a long-term vision about what Britain should look like. I don’t apologise for that.”