tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3248875225722772842024-02-07T02:56:46.060+00:00Green HighburyThe blog of the Highbury Green PartyJonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10578871090425868287noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324887522572277284.post-9902671928715984892015-05-01T19:21:00.001+01:002015-05-01T19:21:24.889+01:00Canvassing in Islington today #greendoorstepJust a very quick post to say - what a fabulous day out canvassing in sunny Islington today! Here I am pictured with our wonderful Green councillor, and Parliamentary Candidate, Caroline Russell (@highburyonfoot)…<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh95lxQjmOnup31GT9VQYQrqS1iiAY0cYGFslFK71dO4xOvwuki1WdcRkSQFUEwk4_Xf7KfmxMKxZPg33E1xCu0qOvDyTGhFzFofDgh0g_6llOcYRbaEf8_9eMVDy-Rx5LOODBmnKH57s/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-05-01+at+18.45.39.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh95lxQjmOnup31GT9VQYQrqS1iiAY0cYGFslFK71dO4xOvwuki1WdcRkSQFUEwk4_Xf7KfmxMKxZPg33E1xCu0qOvDyTGhFzFofDgh0g_6llOcYRbaEf8_9eMVDy-Rx5LOODBmnKH57s/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-05-01+at+18.45.39.png" height="236" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's the first time I've been out canvassing this election and it was really striking how the tide seems to have turned towards the Greens. This is due in no small part to all Caroline's excellent hard work as a councillor, and I'm sure we've been helped by (at last) getting some decent coverage in the leader debates.<br />
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Sure, we still met people who were planning to vote Labour - always have, always will, but even they were strikingly friendly and positive towards the Greens. Many were apologetic about the fact they were planning to vote Labour.<br />
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And we met so many people who were undecided between Labour and the Greens, or who had decided to vote Green having voted Labour all their lives.<br />
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One man told me he stopped voting Labour and started voting Green when the "son of Thatcher" came into office. He meant, of course, Tony Blair.<br />
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But many were much more recent converts. One man who was planning to vote Green for the first time said "for me, Ed Miliband lost it in the TV debate last night with his attitude to the SNP". Over and over again, voters told us they couldn't believe a Labour leader would rather have David Cameron in number 10, wreaking more destruction on the lives of the poorest and most vulnerable, than do a deal with the SNP.<br />
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And we met so many people who were voting Green with huge enthusiasm. Everywhere we went there were Green Party posters up (see pics below) - sometimes in the upstairs windows where teenage kids were voting Green even though their parents were sticking with one of the 'grey' parties. <br />
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The tide is really turning. People are coming to the Greens as a fresh, positive alternative. The peaceful political revolution starts here!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1VDW08tf_opGhXWoaPbcGrPvChsVMOgEAtk6qp81pWlVBzibkkoyKg4LHQlfaIx8MX-kjQTn1EkMgCd3X3KjybxeWVOxQABaNgerluuwJujlpQKPwSN1-Pwf5iVPQG2RZ50J_S6gf-g/s1600/11127490_998834570149268_2249877596632351324_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1VDW08tf_opGhXWoaPbcGrPvChsVMOgEAtk6qp81pWlVBzibkkoyKg4LHQlfaIx8MX-kjQTn1EkMgCd3X3KjybxeWVOxQABaNgerluuwJujlpQKPwSN1-Pwf5iVPQG2RZ50J_S6gf-g/s1600/11127490_998834570149268_2249877596632351324_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This lady was going out so she stuck the Green Party poster on the *outside* of her front door!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdqNxFO-4auz_iDnsmJUQqR1B60TaydXMk-VEKfBsKPLgtKRkP5wwGEFJk04HMvgdpDQVr_Agpq3NLu24FVU_ab9dj5E9zBPqWsnqrkJhPK6UDDVFdYFq4Cm6lbuyvQFIRapJHMN_LBI/s1600/11168420_998834596815932_4016680735848482353_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdqNxFO-4auz_iDnsmJUQqR1B60TaydXMk-VEKfBsKPLgtKRkP5wwGEFJk04HMvgdpDQVr_Agpq3NLu24FVU_ab9dj5E9zBPqWsnqrkJhPK6UDDVFdYFq4Cm6lbuyvQFIRapJHMN_LBI/s1600/11168420_998834596815932_4016680735848482353_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We gave this voter a poster and she propped it up in the window straight away.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtobdOstQN1N5IJzK_1T3suRzkNUDCUPqj-a1wJFdJS7cklzAf2aKeN-7kslV9iHf_WkRz658T1xVQri-XI4KFEl6vpWfZ4ksIINMeuuglyXwQKmrCRblLZpHaxXIEMGoOXXVPjA9sVk/s1600/11188448_998834540149271_5603787389023212286_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtobdOstQN1N5IJzK_1T3suRzkNUDCUPqj-a1wJFdJS7cklzAf2aKeN-7kslV9iHf_WkRz658T1xVQri-XI4KFEl6vpWfZ4ksIINMeuuglyXwQKmrCRblLZpHaxXIEMGoOXXVPjA9sVk/s1600/11188448_998834540149271_5603787389023212286_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This voter went one better and had *four* posters up in her window including Caroline's election leaflet.</td></tr>
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<br />Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04095910795259815685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324887522572277284.post-31211372448664042182015-05-01T10:48:00.000+01:002015-05-01T19:08:32.848+01:00Why it is not OK to use kids as free political advertising! #stickergate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQX0HtraT9cGiUnJV76pG8SjJHwaiT3VYH2m_MifcBZvXyhlnkjuCSZ1HuJfFN4BSjyytIRIaH-7vi7UPaCXUJCc5MahXRl6M9vphccvJ_CPS6vAYZGvBQAGzTY6tnPqY2jd14v2FtSo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-04-30+at+21.03.11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQX0HtraT9cGiUnJV76pG8SjJHwaiT3VYH2m_MifcBZvXyhlnkjuCSZ1HuJfFN4BSjyytIRIaH-7vi7UPaCXUJCc5MahXRl6M9vphccvJ_CPS6vAYZGvBQAGzTY6tnPqY2jd14v2FtSo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-04-30+at+21.03.11.png" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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Photo credit - Emily Thornberry via Twitter</div>
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This week the Islington Labour party were yet again waiting at the school gates of primary schools armed with 'vote Labour' balloons and stickers aimed at children as young as 4 years old. They <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/england/8646384.stm">have form for this</a> and it isn't the first time someone has suggested that this form of campaigning exploits children.</div>
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When we challenged Emily Thornberry about this she <a href="https://twitter.com/EmilyThornberry/status/593459047359238144">suggested</a> it was just a bit of fun. So, are we Greens just spoiling the party atmosphere, or is there a serious point here? </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Indoctrination of primary school age kids is prohibited by law (section 406 of the Education Act 1996). This includes promoting a particular political party to them. That is for broadly the same reasons that a lot of people would like to limit or prohibit advertising to young kids. They are not sophisticated enough to understand what's being pushed at them and how; and they don't know what other options they have.</span></div>
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<span data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span style="color: #141823; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"></span></span>
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<span data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The position for secondary school kids is different - there, you can have mock elections etc and provided this is done in a balanced way it is not only permissible but desirable. Of course it would still be absolutely impermissible, unbalanced and plain wrong to push just one political party to kids in a secondary school.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">To me these considerations all apply with equal force at the school gates.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The simple fact of the matter is that if the Tories, UKIP or even the Green Party were down at a school with armfuls of blue, purple or green balloons many people would be absolutely up in arms.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Yet some of my Labour supporting friends have been relaxed about pushing Labour party stickers and balloons at primary school kids.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, why is the Labour party different?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In my view the problem here is that Labour feels entitled to the votes of people in Islington. A lot of people here do vote Labour, sometimes over 50% of those voting in Islington North (but still way under 50% of the whole population including non-voters!) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In Emily's constituency of Islington South the figures are rather less impressive - just over 40% of those voting chose Labour, with just over 60% turnout, which means a measly 27% of Thornberry's Islington South constituents voted Labour.</span></div>
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<div class="UFICommentContent" data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0" style="color: #141823; line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$24:0"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="UFICommentContent" data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0" style="color: #141823; line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$24:0">But there is a still a sense of entitlement, of saying 'these are our voters, of course they want our badges/balloons'. I believe that sense of entitlement is wrong and damaging. It also makes it very difficult for people to dissent or disagree, even just to the extent of making their child the only one without a balloon or a sticker.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="UFICommentContent" data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0" style="color: #141823; line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="UFICommentContent" data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0" style="text-align: justify;">
<span data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Thornberry has <a href="https://twitter.com/EmilyThornberry/status/593458724641099776">sought to defend her actions </a>by saying that </span></span><span style="color: #141823;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">children and parents had a choice about whether to take a sticker or balloon. But local parents are telling us every single kid walking out of school that day had a Labour party sticker on his/her uniform. </span></span><span data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1" style="color: #141823; line-height: 16px;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0"><span data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$0:0"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I don't accept there was any real choice here. Anyone who has ever collected a kid from primary school knows that would be about the last possible time and place you wo</span></span></span><span data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$0:0"><span style="font-family: inherit;">uld want to have a detailed political conversation (or any serious conversation) with an adult. We also all know that kids will see stickers and balloons and will want to have one and that the path of least resistance is often to allow that. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1" style="color: #141823; line-height: 16px;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823; line-height: 16px;">So, what can we do about this and what needs to change?</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><br /></span></div>
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"></span></span>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: inherit; line-height: 16px;">I would like to see all political parties in Islington and elsewhere stay away from primary school gates and concentrate on having canvassing conversations with adults at an appropriate time and in an appropriate place.</span></span></span></div>
<span data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body">
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<span data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span style="color: #141823;"><span style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".2v.1:3:1:$comment997863206913071_998235306875861:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span style="color: #141823;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">I actually think that older primary school children are completely ready to learn about politics and I would like to see hustings organised aimed at this age bracket (say 9-12 year olds) with their parents, as well as hustings aimed at teenagers aged 13-17, so that children can start to learn and get informed about the policies of *all* the parties. Surely that's the right way to go about <a href="https://twitter.com/EmilyThornberry/status/593459756209205248">civic engagement </a>for primary school children, Emily?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04095910795259815685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324887522572277284.post-27440012106544181762014-05-26T20:43:00.002+01:002014-05-26T20:47:12.687+01:00Proportional representation for Islington!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">As local authorities in <a href="http://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/news/islington_council_elections_lib_dems_lose_all_seats_in_a_landslide_victory_for_labour_1_3614566">Islington</a> and other metropolitan
boroughs ponder how to ensure effective democracy with no, or minimal,
political opposition - is it time to bring in proportional representation for
local government?<br />
For example, in Islington we have 48 local councillors. On yesterday's results
with PR this would translate into a small Labour majority: Lab 27, Green 9, Lib
Dem 7, Tory 5.<br />
What we actually got is what someone has <a href="http://www.islingtontribune.com/news/2014/may/labour-win-landslide-victory-town-hall-lib-dems-wiped-out-single-green-councillor-will">described</a> as 'the North Korea of
London': Labour 47, Green 1, others zero.<br />
Surely a change would be beneficial for everyone but particularly for local
democracy, not to mention voter participation?</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijb3cp2UICR6arm-40nqmURV2Jtzx98w23VyvhXaKQ-G4nk4lQk_QTsJu_hRpWSFrtE8_0f2G4aneVklR11JvO_pI_XoJE0Ew9Ef-GYaLWnrbbS7iNOywFX4BsUeZo_lHG_i9Jc7qiTV8/s1600/2014greenpichart.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijb3cp2UICR6arm-40nqmURV2Jtzx98w23VyvhXaKQ-G4nk4lQk_QTsJu_hRpWSFrtE8_0f2G4aneVklR11JvO_pI_XoJE0Ew9Ef-GYaLWnrbbS7iNOywFX4BsUeZo_lHG_i9Jc7qiTV8/s1600/2014greenpichart.png" height="240" width="400" /></a></div>
Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04095910795259815685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324887522572277284.post-57448535262484287242013-10-28T16:51:00.001+00:002013-10-28T17:06:36.156+00:00Council mustn't shirk it's public health responsibilities on air pollution<br />
Highbury Greens are delighted to see that Richard Watts, the new Council Leader, recognises the harmful effects of air pollution on Islington residents’ health but was worried by his claim at the recent <a href="http://www.islingtontribune.com/news/2013/oct/boris-urged-now-do-your-bit-fight-traffic-pollution" target="_blank">Air Pollution meeting</a> that "Islington can not go any further on its own". He was certainly right to say that the Mayor of London should do more to remove diesel vehicles from our roads, but there are plenty of actions that Islington Council can and should take, and his new administration should not shirk its own responsibilities.<br />
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A number of possible actions were outlined at the self same meeting by Public Health expert, Lucy Saunders of the Greater London Assembly, who described physical inactivity and air pollution as two of the top things the council could address to deliver the best health outcomes for residents on a range of issues from cancer, lung and heart diseases to obesity. Summing up her workshop, she described Islington's streets as "our biggest public health asset" and listed the following actions suggested by residents to increase physical activity levels by encouraging walking and cycling for local trips:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>managing the borough's roads for the movement of people and not just traffic</li>
<li>reducing on-street parking year on year</li>
<li>running a "streets for people" health-check on all council policies </li>
</ul>
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The negative health impact from pollution and traffic danger is worse for those with underlying health conditions and people with low incomes, who often live on the most polluted roads. I'm glad Islington Labour have at last woken up to the health implications of air pollution and look forward to seeing action on this basic issue of fairness.Caroline Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505973186572737859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324887522572277284.post-326808182312447582013-09-17T23:16:00.000+01:002013-09-17T23:16:14.558+01:00All the fun of the fair comes at a priceSo what do you think about events on Highbury Fields? The <a href="http://www.islingtontribune.com/news/2013/sep/plea-stop-fairground-protect-green-highbury-fields-rejected" target="_blank">Islington Tribune</a> recently featured residents concerned about extensive damage to the Fields caused by compaction of the soil by heavy lorries, leaving deep cracks in the ground. I could see what people were concerned about. It would be easy to twist an ankle if you stepped awkwardly on one of these cracks, which could clearly be dangerous to people running and playing on the grass. <br />
<br />
Highbury Fields is Islington's largest open space and is valued and enjoyed daily by residents across Islington. Is it ok to close off large sections of the Fields for paid for events like funfairs which appear to cause long term damage to the park? Fairs are enjoyed by many but limit the space available for children and adults to play and relax for free without pressure to spend money.<br />
<br />
Whenever the council has consulted on events on Highbury Fields there's been a strong vote in favour of community activities like the Gillespie Festival rather than commercial events with huge lorries.<br />
<br />
This weekend a funfair is due to arrive. A funfair is an easy option, will presumably make money for the council, and almost by definition will be fun for some, but a cost of £10 for ten tokens, with some rides charging more than one token, will price many families out of the enjoyment. If Highbury Fields is "a resource for all those in the borough with no access to green space", as Cllr Richard Greening says in the Tribune 6 Sept, then perhaps the council could look into more affordable and inclusive options for next year?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHUmQhZXWkqjPTKhWOJ3wVYDGsCygRrlCbZA1O1wLEK5Lm67bnEvolESfCJBezINr8EKkvHfPQnY_A6sVt4_86udZcEOe58X3ueha5SHQO9vgGCtZapXQ6PlVR0QNDVQyf7ASZDVhIT40/s1600/IMG_6359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHUmQhZXWkqjPTKhWOJ3wVYDGsCygRrlCbZA1O1wLEK5Lm67bnEvolESfCJBezINr8EKkvHfPQnY_A6sVt4_86udZcEOe58X3ueha5SHQO9vgGCtZapXQ6PlVR0QNDVQyf7ASZDVhIT40/s320/IMG_6359.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Example of the deep cracks opening in the grass showing compaction damage.<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Caroline Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505973186572737859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324887522572277284.post-7456260970709541022013-04-22T14:17:00.003+01:002013-04-25T12:02:21.290+01:00Highbury needs more people-friendly streets not this Council "innovation"<br />
Update 25th April letter of the week in the <a href="http://pic.twitter.com/wPxMU7pHyy" target="_blank">Islington Gazette</a>. Not online so content below.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPLnxZCrOnGGdzkPQGwIu9IiGoyc7hqZv2GR2fio7hMoTsLhGNLYXFrnfa61CzYCHSGsuK0rjGBGNW7fr5hHXUFjwFAOImaG7UH6mB5uPQ7T_3tu50QJyWtHSF7raGQd_ID0zhSCCZ4OSi/s1600/IMG_5315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPLnxZCrOnGGdzkPQGwIu9IiGoyc7hqZv2GR2fio7hMoTsLhGNLYXFrnfa61CzYCHSGsuK0rjGBGNW7fr5hHXUFjwFAOImaG7UH6mB5uPQ7T_3tu50QJyWtHSF7raGQd_ID0zhSCCZ4OSi/s400/IMG_5315.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The controversy surrounding the Drayton Park width restriction layout exposes Islington Council's muddled thinking about managing our roads and an apparent lack of any consideration for the safety and convenience of residents (<a href="http://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/news/controversial_holloway_road_layout_branded_illegal_leaving_islington_council_facing_1million_payout_1_2022375" target="_blank">Controversial Holloway road layout branded illegal – leaving Islington Council facing £1million payout. Gazette 18th April</a>).<br />
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The Council's continued insistence that the layout was put in at "residents’ request" for safer roads is baffling. There was no prior discussion with residents of the proposed measure either at the Highbury West ward partnership meetings or with the representatives of pedestrians and cyclists. The council initially described the width restriction design as "innovative" and insisted "it would bed in" and "people would get used to it". <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsCCUFt6W9HujwPEcPKQ2EicanDZX8xsZ_UIrRenc6IS8nRjEsZCUFETpdOHkIh7G4jVzRKVPP0duD33TybA9XPMUkBffjiOyoCPJmxwq8r_3eCtQ6Sl4ByihWE-xvWnfmgHSg8TwaOgxa/s1600/IMG_5227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsCCUFt6W9HujwPEcPKQ2EicanDZX8xsZ_UIrRenc6IS8nRjEsZCUFETpdOHkIh7G4jVzRKVPP0duD33TybA9XPMUkBffjiOyoCPJmxwq8r_3eCtQ6Sl4ByihWE-xvWnfmgHSg8TwaOgxa/s400/IMG_5227.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ernestas Jegorovas, caroline Russell & Charlie Kiss at the Drayton Park width restriction.</td></tr>
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Drayton Park is a wide sweeping and increasingly residential road. A massive opportunity has been missed to upgrade the public realm, reclaim road space for residents and manage the very real danger presented by large lorries using residential roads with a lorry ban enforced by a camera rather than the current width restriction that makes cars swerve dangerously from one side of the road to the other, flipping over with alarming regularity. <br />
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The council need to decide if they want a speed control measure or a way of preventing large lorries from cutting through residential streets or both. The current design does neither effectively and has been to the detriment of the amenity and safety of residents. It is hard to conclude other than that the Council wanted a revenue stream from confused motorists rather than a better designed street. Lorry bans can be enforced without width restrictions by erecting a camera to monitor lorry movements, fining any lorry drivers who ignore the ban. Speed can be controlled by redesigning streets to feel like places for people rather than highways dedicated primarily to fast moving vehicles. <br />
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Islington has the least public green space in London, our streets should be valued as precious public space and every opportunity taken to widen the pavements to deter speeding and make space for planting trees, transforming the roads into a more pleasant place to walk and cycle for the 65% of residents who have no access to a car or van. This has been a shocking and avoidable waste of council resources. Highbury needs more people-friendly streets and less of this wasteful "innovation".Caroline Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505973186572737859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324887522572277284.post-46022114854866448622013-03-20T11:18:00.000+00:002013-03-20T15:42:09.126+00:00Solidarity with the PCS Union Strikers! <div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2IEi8YzNfC2JORUCCIOvryq7C0OGCK0qWjWYLLLiyROgBBKKrL7Q4shEPzzM1Y_0h7uFI1ctijUoP8L9bnzNQhq5ZQpSZHnVJoagBO3c7JjvuDqFBPjvq-nKXQllRmZ3OaOwIpWK4DQ/s1600/6146_strike_day_graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2IEi8YzNfC2JORUCCIOvryq7C0OGCK0qWjWYLLLiyROgBBKKrL7Q4shEPzzM1Y_0h7uFI1ctijUoP8L9bnzNQhq5ZQpSZHnVJoagBO3c7JjvuDqFBPjvq-nKXQllRmZ3OaOwIpWK4DQ/s200/6146_strike_day_graphic.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
I'm just back from the picket line at Euston Tower, joining representatives of the PCS Union and Unison on their budget day #M20 strike to protest against Government attacks on civil servants' pay, pensions and working conditions.<br />
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The strikers' demands are simple: fair pay for all civil servants now, and no privatisation of key public services.<br />
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I was a civil servant myself for some years, as were others in my family. People don't become civil servants to get rich - they do so because they want to serve the public and play a part in providing key public services. Civil servants do hard work for less money than the private sector - 5 to 10% less pay for the same jobs, in fact.<br />
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The last government, under Blair and Brown, sought to undermine public servants at every turn. They suggested that the private sector was in some way superior to the public sector. That's an insidious, damaging and wrongheaded idea that, together with Ed Miliband's failure to support the strikers, does continuing damage to the public sector.<br />
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Now public sector pay and pensions, and working conditions, are under attack from the Con-Dem coalition.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the PCS Euston picket line, 20 March 2013</td></tr>
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We in the Green Party are clear: the private sector - acting for profit, lining the pockets of directors and shareholders - can never match up to the public sector, acting for the common good and in the public interest, when it comes to the delivery of key public services like running the NHS or providing welfare benefits advice to vulnerable people.<br />
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So today we say: shame on this Government. Shame on Ed Miliband for failing to support public sector workers. We stand with the strikers in standing up to the Government and demanding an end to its failed austerity measures which threaten to send us into a triple-dip recession. As the PCS Union has pointed out, a rise in civil service pay this year to keep pace with inflation could be more than paid for by serious action against wealthy tax dodgers. <br />
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Good luck and solidarity to all the strikers today. We hope that the Government - and the Labour party -are listening.Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04095910795259815685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324887522572277284.post-23713475790364020372012-04-02T16:21:00.005+01:002012-04-02T17:43:31.870+01:00Why Clissold Park needs a Cafe for All (and why it matters!)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRe16NrSJiytj9t_pJMgk3aNKjyiavklX2cNQrPv3U1l0KT53804O83OvoA3_8-CDN1Eli4LTBzcUK17GMThX6ruCjfHYlIapm82mVNUu0dXGj70BCqHuNNfaIQqxm1bwTMQv0HxhBwo/s1600/The+House.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 273px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726824979326624930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRe16NrSJiytj9t_pJMgk3aNKjyiavklX2cNQrPv3U1l0KT53804O83OvoA3_8-CDN1Eli4LTBzcUK17GMThX6ruCjfHYlIapm82mVNUu0dXGj70BCqHuNNfaIQqxm1bwTMQv0HxhBwo/s320/The+House.jpg" /></a> What does the <a href="http://www.archive.official-documents.co.uk/document/cm42/4262/sli-00.htm">Stephen Lawrence inquiry</a> have to do with the <a href="http://www.london24.com/news/islington_class_row_over_clissold_park_cafe_s_posh_nosh_1_1204756">recent row </a>over the decision to award the contract for Clissold Park cafe to multi-million pound<br />catering company the <a href="http://www.companyofcooks.com/locations/our-locations/clissold-park">Company of Cooks?</a> At first sight, very little - but bear with me...<br /><br />If, like me, you live on the Islington/Hackney borders, Clissold Park - and its cafe - may well be a big part of your life.<br /><br />The park cafe is unique. It isn't just another eaterie (trendy or otherwise) catering for local residents who care to go there. It provides somewhere for those who don't have a garden to go in fine weather. Somewhere children can play outside without parents worrying about the traffic. And a sociable community space for those who don't get out much. Long-time residents will remember the endless chess games that used to take place on the cafe terrace over one small cup of coffee...<br /><br />So when the Council recently carried out a <a href="http://www.clissoldpark.com/restoration.htm">£9m refurbishment</a> using funding from the National Lottery, the future of the cafe was a hot topic for many local residents. What would be on the menu? What would it cost? Would it still be a place for local teenagers to hang out after school, for parents and carers coming in out of the cold after a long stint in the playground, or for pensioners popping in for a cup of tea and a chat?<br /><br />Sadly, things started to go wrong when Hackney's Labour Council <a href="http://hackneycitizen.co.uk/2011/05/11/small-businesses-slam-hackney-council-over-clissold-park-cafe-contract/">took the decision </a>that only companies with an annual turnover of £1m or more would be eligible to bid for the contract to run the new cafe. This extraordinary decision to exclude local businesses has never been properly explained by Hackney Council. The suggestion that only those with this level of turnover are 'financially viable' or have 'relevant experience' is, frankly, insulting to smaller businesses. Smaller local businesses were rightly furious at being excluded in this way - and the decision set the scene for what was to follow.<br /><br />Then came the award of the contract to Company of Cooks, who <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=company+of+cooks&oq=company+of+cooks&aq=f&aqi=g4&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0l4.543497l547713l1l547916l26l17l4l0l0l0l390l3497l1j2j9j2l18l0.frgbld.&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=ee7c5e72a193e6cc&biw=1280&bih=827">describe themselves </a>as a "private and corporate catering company" who "cater for all events at prestigious venues for that special occasion". They do the catering, for example, at <a href="http://www.companyofcooks.com/events/company-of-cooks-events/kenwood">Kenwood House </a>in Hampstead.<br /><br />The reopened Clissold Park cafe featured "waiter service" and <a href="http://www.companyofcooks.com/locations/our-locations/clissold-park">menu </a>items such as "cumin roast carrot, cous cous, feta & spiced nut salad" and "orange and lavender cake" - with prices to match. A cup of tea was priced at £1.85: for comparison, a mug of tea in the nearby, and excellent, leisure centre cafe - <a href="http://www.hoxtonbeach.com/index.php">Hoxton Beach Cafe </a>- costs <a href="http://www.hoxtonbeach.com/index.php?/falafel/news/some_coffee_prices_go_up_at_clissold">just £1</a>. Gone were ordinary dishes at ordinary prices. Also disappearing were the dishes featuring other world cuisines - for example, the excellent Turkish food which had featured on the menu at the temporary cafe during refurbishments. And this in the London borough where the majority of London's <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2005/05/26/turkish_london_feature.shtml">Turkish community</a> lives.<br /><br />Many local residents could no longer afford to visit the cafe. And anecdotal evidence (which is all we currently have to go on) suggests the previous diverse mix of customers from all Hackney's communities has been replaced largely with those who are white and affluent.<br /><br />This was, as GLA Candidate and Hackney Green Caroline Allen <a href="http://www.greenparty.org.uk/localsites/hackney/news/clissold-cafe-comments.html">commented </a>after visiting the cafe-<br /><br />"<strong>A missed opportunity to have a real community cafe</strong>".<br /><br />So - what went wrong? I believe the answer is actually quite simple. Hackney Council should have thought about who was currently using the cafe. It should have considered the needs of all sections of the community before awarding the contract for the cafe. It should have consulted the whole community (teenagers, older people, parents, those living in social housing, those from different ethnic backgrounds) about its proposals for the cafe. And it should then have required the contractor to provide something for the whole community in running the cafe.<br /><br />This isn't just good sense - it's what the law requires. Under the <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/section/149">Equality Act 2010</a>, Hackney Council was obliged to assess, and then to have regard to, the diverse needs of the communityin taking decisions about how to run the park and the cafe. So far as the Green Party has been able to ascertain, the Council failed entirely to carry out these duties before awarding the contract in this case.<br /><br />The legal duty concerned (the 'public sector equality duty') was introduced by the Race Relations Amendment Act 2000, <a href="http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/background-to-the-public-sector-duties/">following a recommendation </a>in the Stephen Lawrence inquiry report. So now you know....<br /><br />PS We've been campaigning since the cafe reopened in January, and it seems from recent announcements that we have made some progress. As you can read <a href="http://www.hackneygazette.co.uk/news/too_posh_clissold_park_cafe_makes_menu_more_inclusive_1_1238437">here </a>and <a href="http://www.eastlondonlines.co.uk/2012/03/bangers-and-mash-return-to-clissold-park-cafe/">here</a>, the cafe management have now made some moves to make the menu 'more inclusive'. This is welcome so far as it goes. But as far as we're concerned the most important thing is this: next time, the Council needs to take account of the needs of all its residents (young and old, rich and poor, black and white) <em>before </em>it makes important decisions of this kind. That is the way to ensure fairness for everyone - and we believe that <a href="http://www.greenparty.org.uk/policies.html">fair is worth fighting for</a>!Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04095910795259815685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324887522572277284.post-86375565021995246042012-03-08T15:00:00.015+00:002012-03-08T16:37:54.184+00:00Happy International Women's Day!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGM-PMLr6BORhddqlw5FweX9IiizFaSxDCc0Qn0uGFhm6mcMXaHX7XsauKWmAz37FlecGxiBZR4WGlmrzuFm-TK3XdMcLBQgmy5qpBULVAaNjKWWKFwVv_teripsdFfZUm6INKWN2VF8g/s1600/Kate+and+Caroline+Lucas+May+2010.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717545077810622482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGM-PMLr6BORhddqlw5FweX9IiizFaSxDCc0Qn0uGFhm6mcMXaHX7XsauKWmAz37FlecGxiBZR4WGlmrzuFm-TK3XdMcLBQgmy5qpBULVAaNjKWWKFwVv_teripsdFfZUm6INKWN2VF8g/s320/Kate+and+Caroline+Lucas+May+2010.jpg" /></a>Shortly before Caroline Lucas was elected as the Green Party's first ever MP, the <a href="http://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/">Fawcett Society </a>ran a campaign called "What about Women?" highlighting the importance of women's issues in the runup to the general election. (See Green Highbury, <a href="http://greenhighbury.blogspot.com/2010/04/what-about-women.html">17 April 2010</a>).<br /><br />After two years of coalition government, there is, sadly, little for women to celebrate. An article in today's <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/mar/07/international-womens-day-equality-polly-toynbee?INTCMP=SRCH">Guardian </a>comments that<br /><br />"This marks the first era in living memory that British women's freedoms<br />have gone into reverse, as women pay the heaviest price for government<br />policies."<br /><br />Fairness and equality matter not just as important principles, but because a fairer society also means a happier, healthier, and more successful society. Groundbreaking <a href="http://www.equalitytrust.org.uk/why/evidence">research </a>by the Equality Trust shows that improving equality leads to reductions in violent crime and mental illness; improved life expectancy; and better social mobility.<br /><br />As the only party with a female leader, the Green Party has shown that we put our principles into practice.<br /><br />Earlier this year, the Fawcett Society called a <a href="http://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=1247">day of action</a> to deliver a clear message to the coalition Government:<br /><br />"Don't turn back time on women's equality!"<br /><br />The vital work of the Fawcett Society and the Equality Trust, as well as Trades Unions such as <a href="http://www.unison.org.uk/women/">Unison</a>, to secure the rights of women continues. Indeed, it is now more important than ever. We in Islington Green Party are proud to support them ... and we'd like to wish all our readers a very happy International Women's Day!Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04095910795259815685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324887522572277284.post-7207166687964331662012-02-02T11:30:00.000+00:002012-02-02T11:30:01.262+00:00Highbury Roundhouse - Let's see what we can do!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">A good turn out of concerned residents attended the Highbury East Ward Partnership meeting on Tuesday night to hear the latest update on plans for the <a href="http://www.highbury-roundhouse.org.uk/" target="_blank">Highbury Roundhouse</a>. The <a href="http://www.islington.gov.uk/Democracy/reports/reportdetail.asp?ReportID=9931&intSectionID=6&intSubSectionID=2" target="_blank">planning brief</a> for the proposed development is due to go to the Council Executive for approval next week. Clearly the council has listened to comments submitted in response to their consultation, offering residents some comfort on amenity and the impact of the development on neighbouring properties, though many still have concerns.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">However it is quite clear that developers are being given carte blanche to demolish the Roundhouse office building at 71 Ronalds Rd to allow them to go for new build (VAT free) rather than refurbishing the existing building which would incur VAT payments. When questioned, the council claimed the building not being listed as justification for allowing demolition. VAT incentives to demolish are clearly a national planning problem but if the council had a serious commitment to sustainability it would encourage the retention and refurbishment of a perfectly sound building.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">Further, the council seems to have given up on its strategic aim to provide a recreational walking & cycling route from Highbury Fields, via Gillespie Park to link up with the Parkland Walk at Finsbury Park. Even though it is currently working on this link through the Sustrans Connect 2 project at the other end. While Whistler St residents and users of Olden Gardens have justifiable (but not insurmountable) concerns about design and security this should not be enough to justify cancelling what would be a major strategic benefit for the borough. The proposed omission of this final link in the chain is a sad loss for Islington. Islington Green Party urge Councillor Convery to reconsider this before finalising the planning brief.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">While residents were relieved to hear that at last the Council has allowed the Roundhouse a lease, a major concern is that the Roundhouse has to raise nearly two million pounds by the end of this year. This is a moment for all of us in Highbury who care about this precious community asset, to either dig deep in our pockets or get creative with fund raising ideas. While the Roundhouse are already approaching numerous potential funders, a clear demonstration of community effort in raising funds will make a more persuasive case. Highbury, lets see what we can do!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span>Caroline Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505973186572737859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324887522572277284.post-37816066138035016122012-02-01T14:40:00.000+00:002012-02-01T14:40:45.106+00:00Ward Partnerships - democratic accountability?<br />
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Local residents wishing to "play a role in influencing decisions and services in their areas" are invited by the Council to do so through attendance at regular ward partnership meetings with elected councillors in each of Islington's sixteen wards. You may be interested to hear that one ward partnership appears never to have met, nine wards have no future meetings advertised and five of those have not met since September or earlier.</div>
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The council website states "Ward Partnerships have replaced Islington’s area committees and must be consulted by council departments on a range of issues that affect local residents including: planning and community benefit from developments; traffic and parking; road maintenance; utility works; crime and anti-social behaviour; environmental improvements; tree felling; litter, dog fouling and neighbourhood clean-ups." </div>
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Islington Green Party congratulates those councillors who are advertising and holding regular meetings, providing "a way for people and organisations in a ward to get involved, meet councillors, share their knowledge and to help tackle local issues". But with half our wards having no future meetings advertised there appears to be a significant shortfall in local democracy in the system. Over half our elected councillors should take urgent action to establish a programme of future meeting dates, advertising them widely to enable the community to engage with these important local issues. </div>
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This was picked up by the <a href="http://bit.ly/z6Kqyu" target="_blank">Islington Tribune</a>. Councillor Convery seems unconcerned that meetings are not being held regularly in some wards depriving residents of the opportunity to "get involved, meet councillors, share their knowledge and help tackle local issues".</div>
</span></div>Caroline Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505973186572737859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324887522572277284.post-28779319941049829932011-07-22T13:59:00.000+01:002013-03-20T14:01:26.627+00:00Wildlife Vandalism - Drayton Park Sidings<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5e9lMuuMzOmPlMP2CfRTpUo6Yk6DqBQ_mAJ1he-IHinXQ23lyVn4lebZ_x0y1pTGj2ST9jgxAKptaFhBSMh4QwzA-9QgA2i-Csi_HeHdBUUkcCfsxLMYZo7onWvd_Pj0MgstXe8SZjg/s1600/Drayton+Park+Sidings_DSC5988.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634789392627044834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5e9lMuuMzOmPlMP2CfRTpUo6Yk6DqBQ_mAJ1he-IHinXQ23lyVn4lebZ_x0y1pTGj2ST9jgxAKptaFhBSMh4QwzA-9QgA2i-Csi_HeHdBUUkcCfsxLMYZo7onWvd_Pj0MgstXe8SZjg/s320/Drayton+Park+Sidings_DSC5988.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 213px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d;">As you might have read in the local papers, a couple of weekends ago Network Rail workers completely destroyed the trees and shrubs at Drayton Park Station sidings, a site of Local Importance for Nature Conservation in Islington whose trees included silver birch, willow and rowan as well as a number of woodland plants. The workers have razed the entire site to the ground. It is of the utmost concern that Network Rail did not consult with the proper bodies before taking irreversible action to destroy the wildlife at this site.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d;"><br />A large number of bird species either nest in or depend upon the sidings, including the great spotted woodpecker, sparrowhawk, kestrel, jay, greenfinch, goldfinch, woodpigeon, the house sparrow (a Red Data Book species, pictured) and many others. Some species will have had their nests destroyed in the devastation, and it is quite likely that their second and third brood nestlings will have been killed.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d;"><br />It is an offence against the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built. The Friends of Gillespie Park have written urgently to the Council asking them to take immediate action to bring those responsible to account for their actions. Thus far, the Friends have, unfortunately, been met with a succession of excuses and misinformation. Now Network Rail are saying that the wildlife was cleared for 'safety' reasons - an explanation which sits ill with the fact that they had previously let trees grow at the site undisturbed for nearly ten years.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d;"><br />Drayton Park sidings has been an important part of a ‘green corridor’ which, together with Gillespie Park, the Parkland Walk and other open areas including the Arvon Road allotments, needs to be managed for the benefit of local wildlife. We support the Friends of Gillespie Park in calling upon the Council to act now to ensure that there is no possibility of any future vandalism at this site or at any other wildlife site in the borough. Those responsible must be held to account.</span></div>
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</span>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04095910795259815685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324887522572277284.post-75484511044199571772011-06-17T23:48:00.003+01:002011-06-18T00:02:50.187+01:00Can we trust Islington Labour to safeguard our trees?<div style="font: 16.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Last week, the campaign to save two mature plane trees in Richmond Avenue, came to an abrupt conclusion when the trees were unceremoniously chopped down by the Council. As reported by the </span></span><a href="http://www.islingtontribune.com/news/2011/jun/felling-ends-plane-tree-battle-richmond-avenue"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">Islington Tribune</span></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, private insurers had said the trees were the cause of subsidence to a large property in the road and that the trees had to go.</span></span></div></div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><div style="font: 16.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Campaigner Meg Howarth claims in last weeks's </span></span><a href="http://www.islingtontribune.com/letters/2011/jun/bleak-future-trees"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">Tribune</span></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> that the recorded damage is "very slight, the lowest possible official category of structural damage and certainly fixable by underpinning". This suggests the felling is a clear breach of the council's new tree policy 14: "we only fell trees for sound arboricultural reasons such as...proven to be causing significant structural damage."</span></span></div></div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><div style="font: 16.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Executive Member for the Environment Cllr Paul Smith inherited a </span></span><a href="http://www.islington.gov.uk/DownloadableDocuments/Environment/Pdf/greenspace/a_policy_for_trees_in_islington.pdf"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">comprehensive tree policy</span></span></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"> </span>written in 1992, updated in 2002 and again in 2009. He decided a new </span></span><a href="http://www.islington.gov.uk/Council/CouncilNews/PressOffice/2011/01/PR4312.asp"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">common sense tree policy</span></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> was required to "protect Islington's trees while slashing bureaucracy".</span></span></div></div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><div style="font: 16.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Cllr Smith has certainly "slashed bureaucracy", but his new slimmed-down </span></span><a href="http://www.islington.gov.uk/environment/planning/planninginisl/plan_conserve/trees_and_landscape/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">two page tree policy</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;"> </span> has not "protected" two precious, mature planes from the unreasonable demands of insurers keen to minimise their costs.</span></span></div></div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><div style="font: 16.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ironically the trees were felled, in the same week that Islington Council published it's excellent </span></span><a href="http://www.islington.gov.uk/council/councilfairness/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">Fairness Commission report </span></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. The felling was in direct contravention of the Commission's Recommendation 11 on Public Space, which states "we need to reclaim, protect and maintain communal spaces in Islington for community use".</span></span></div></div><div style="font: 16.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div></div><div style="font: 16.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The benefits to health and well-being provided by the needlessly-felled plane trees in Richmond Avenue are lost to the community for ever. Street trees take years to grow and are an invaluable asset to the community not only providing shade, cleaning our polluted air and improving the visual amenity of public space, but also contributing to the health and mental well-being of all residents.</span></span></div></div><div style="font: 16.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div></div><div style="font: 16.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Nothing can be done in the short term, to replace a pair of trees, thought to be a hundred and fifty years old, but perhaps Islington Council can commit to considering the fairness implications of spending council money to destroy community assets for the benefit of insurance companies and private householders?</span></span></div></div>Caroline Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505973186572737859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324887522572277284.post-90272006094322467792011-03-25T17:43:00.000+00:002011-03-25T17:43:27.742+00:00Alternatives to the Cuts - meeting 22nd March<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">In advance of the big March for the Alternative on Saturday, Camden, Haringey and Islington Green Parties held a public meeting in Archway, to encourage discussion of economic alternatives to the damaging Tory/Lib Dem cuts to essential public services.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Speakers and audience contributors agreed that it was essential the many anti-cuts groups battling to save individual services understood that there was a major structural problem in the British economy that needed to be dealt with, rather than feeling that they had to fight against others for shrinking public funding.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Natalie Bennett, chair of Camden Green Party, said that Britain was a wealthy country, which had lots of people living in poverty and poor public infrastructure. That situation had arisen through a failure to tax the wealthy and large corporations. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">She said: “Throughout the Thatcher years taxation as a percentage of GDP was greater than 40%, but in 2009 that was 36%. ‘Corporate social responsibility’ shouldn’t be about staff having a fun day out painting a local community centre, but companies accepting the need to pay the tax they fairly owe. We can’t continue to see, for example, Barclays bank paying </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">1% tax in the UK on profits of more than £11 billion.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Sue Hessel from Haringey Federation of Residents' Associations spoke about the NHS as “our biggest miracle”, saying it provided “the psychological magic of people feeling cared for”. She said that while public sector provision of services such as residential care homes might be marginally more expensive than private, this was due to better pay and conditions for staff and consequent greater stability for residents, something that was vital for the vulnerable.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">She noted how before 2000 it had been assumed that NHS services would be provided by the public sector, but the new health bill allowed for “any willing provider”, which might soon only mean the private sector. “I worry 2011 will be seen as a watershed year,” she said. “We need to stop the train leaving the station.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Lydia Prieg of the New Economics Foundation outlined the many faults in our current banking system. She described London’s banking regulation as looser than that of the US and said attempts to deal with the “too big to fail” problem were regarded by many commentators as inadequate. She added: “Large banks are effectively getting a subsidy when borrowing on the market. All the participants understand they can’t default, so they get cheaper rates and smaller institutions can’t compete.” <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Arianna Tassinari, incoming co-chair of the SOAS students’ association, said British students were facing the most expensive fees in Europe. “As a society do we value education as a public good?” <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Camden Green Party Councillor <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maya de Souza, said councils could make savings, for instance marginally reducing all workers hours could save jobs and services, avoiding large redundancy costs and the misery of unemployment for many. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">With the March for the Alternative tomorrow, we have a chance to show the government and communities across the country that the cuts are not inevitable and there needs to be another way. If you want to save your library you need to recognise that you are part of a wider movement towards a different society in which the better-off will make a fair contribution. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment-->Caroline Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505973186572737859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324887522572277284.post-6959493578930515082011-02-10T13:04:00.001+00:002011-02-10T18:05:58.842+00:00Parking, fairness & health - will the Council join the dots?For a Council engaged in a Fairness commission, Islington is doing a strange job of ignoring the impact of its policies on health inequality. Last Aug, prompted by the revelation that Islington has the sixth worst air quality in London, <span id="goog_1589798422"></span><a href="http://bit.ly/gJD9SD">Islington Green Party<span id="goog_1589798423"></span> </a>encouraged residents to respond to the Mayor's consultation on Transport policy, telling him to maintain policies that decrease car use.<br />
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</div><div>The Islington Gazette has just woken up to the impact of vehicle emissions related poor air quality in Islington - <a href="http://bit.ly/hnWX9T">front page</a> today and has made the link with the destructive new council parking schemes to increase the number of short trips by car in the borough. Reducing the number of cars on our densely congested roads creates a safer more pleasant street-scape, encourages walking & cycling and reduces the pollution in the air we are breathing.</div><div><br />
</div><div>The Council's <a href="http://www.islington.gov.uk/Council/councilfairness/fairnessmeet/meeting_6_health_inequalities.asp">Fairness Commission</a> is meeting next week to discuss health inequality, but the discussion is confined to smoking, mental health and diet. By avoiding the elephants in the room that are increased car use, poor air quality and more sedentary lifestyles, the Commission is missing a whole raft of ways that the Council could support residents' health. Cancelling the residents' Roamer Parking scheme and the scheme for unlimited visitor parking vouchers would be an easy step to support residents to incorporate more active travel into their daily lives and to improve the quality of the air we breathe.</div></div>Caroline Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505973186572737859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324887522572277284.post-73461062540962283802011-02-09T23:48:00.000+00:002011-02-09T23:48:25.647+00:00Recycling follow up<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_yUV-JT8vlrzpzBOMTC-ThEsm9SYxiOpWo_VnhSLTLjkFf6Vzg3cIsaL50jl6J1V7qQ9xiP9US3MXmwu5d-zIutDESa_1qUWKGSviFJMFGOvGp58sjfjUsDbL0TO92jZ3XKK3VomrCAlh/s1600/IMG_1486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_yUV-JT8vlrzpzBOMTC-ThEsm9SYxiOpWo_VnhSLTLjkFf6Vzg3cIsaL50jl6J1V7qQ9xiP9US3MXmwu5d-zIutDESa_1qUWKGSviFJMFGOvGp58sjfjUsDbL0TO92jZ3XKK3VomrCAlh/s200/IMG_1486.jpg" width="150" /></a>Last November the <a href="http://www.islingtongazette.co.uk:80/news/backlash_over_110_fines_for_islington_residents_who_refuse_to_recycle_1_736864">Islington Gazette</a> reported that the Council was going to introduce compulsory recycling. We were delighted that Islington were minimising rubbish sent to landfill but felt that a "carrot not stick" approach would be more successful - see my letter to the <a href="http://bit.ly/frljok">Gazette. </a><br />
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It looks as if the Council may have listened. I arrived home this afternoon to find a motivational message attached to my food waste recycling box, thanking me for recycling and encouraging me to continue. Praise where praise is due, well done Islington.Caroline Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505973186572737859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324887522572277284.post-26418496647915468082011-02-08T21:54:00.008+00:002011-02-08T22:41:58.055+00:00Cuts and Consultation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRnvDBpCUyfxAM8mGOxKVnpZ3D-CPSmtWNFp4bSlzACGzDTwO4o6QgyYyyTb_M9bI6jD0bHSkfJHEkzl0EyFmwEMIJ4cSfNt68ze-e4ijEyHXOJT5OCk4TcF1pjcUdT5IqRWViFKX8W3w/s1600/gillespie.jpeg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRnvDBpCUyfxAM8mGOxKVnpZ3D-CPSmtWNFp4bSlzACGzDTwO4o6QgyYyyTb_M9bI6jD0bHSkfJHEkzl0EyFmwEMIJ4cSfNt68ze-e4ijEyHXOJT5OCk4TcF1pjcUdT5IqRWViFKX8W3w/s320/gillespie.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571441204200176626" /></a>In December 2010, news reports suggested that jobs were under threat at Islington's Ecology Centre and Gillespie Park local nature reserve. <div><br /></div><div>The Friends of Gillespie Park have been around for as long as the Park itself - 25 years this year. The park exists because of a community campaign to 'save the sidings' which resulted in the park - then a railway siding- being transferred to the Council for just one pound, for the benefit of the community.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Friends have been pressing the Council to tell them what is proposed for the park and Ecology Centre, amidst <a href="http://www.islingtontribune.com/news/2011/jan/nature-lovers-warn-loss-staff-could-let-drug-users-move">fears</a> that job cuts could make the park less safe. But the new Executive member for the Environment, Paul Smith, failed even to answer their emails.</div><div><br /></div><div>When the draft budget was published, it showed £750,000 being slashed from the sustainability budget, which includes the Ecology Centre.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Tuesday, at an emergency meeting with the Friends and concerned local residents, the Council was again pressed to consult the Friends on what was proposed. The response from the new Council leader, Catherine West, was that the Council could 'no longer afford' to consult people - it was, she said, too expensive.</div><div><br /></div><div>But consultation doesn't need to mean glossy brochures or expensive consultants. Consultation simply means talking to the people involved at an early stage when all the options are still on the table, and taking their thoughts into account when you reach your view. Done properly, in a case like this, it will probably cost nothing at all - and the Friends' twenty-five years knowledge and experience of the Park will be invaluable in finding suitable ways to safeguard it now for future generations to enjoy.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm glad to say that Council officers have now agreed to meet the Friends to explore the options. With any luck this will be a constructive process and the decisions ultimately reached will be the best that they can be in the difficult circumstances we are now facing.</div><div><br /></div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04095910795259815685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324887522572277284.post-46864922398874424232011-02-02T19:17:00.006+00:002011-02-02T20:54:38.840+00:00Trees for all!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhviYMX4eACfjXMRT4fF22A8bFc7XzQoMD1UgrVkc8cPaUs5tUlV6RCCciXJ1bBaQGyTTjTXapNjo8vPxGCbo5ezRNhAT2wH7wtFcsrZOKVOwyaZFiz3ztaOAunZXy5yKvQ6E6ufHdZO6U/s1600/treesisgaz.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhviYMX4eACfjXMRT4fF22A8bFc7XzQoMD1UgrVkc8cPaUs5tUlV6RCCciXJ1bBaQGyTTjTXapNjo8vPxGCbo5ezRNhAT2wH7wtFcsrZOKVOwyaZFiz3ztaOAunZXy5yKvQ6E6ufHdZO6U/s320/treesisgaz.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569174710061502082" /></a>Recent reports that <a href="http://www.london.gov.uk/media/press_releases_london_assembly/londons-street-trees-could-fall-victim-budget-cuts-assembly-tol">street trees could fall victim to cuts</a> were brought a step closer to home when I attended Islington Council's Overview Committee to listen to a debate about the new Tree Policy.<div><br /></div><div>The new administration is determined to tear up the work done by the previous administration (their political opponents) and by local residents, and has reduced the trees policy to just 2 pages.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cllr Paul Smith is the new (Labour party) executive member for the environment. His speech to the committee on trees was revealing. Cllr Smith believes that while trees 'may be a big issue in the more fortunate parts of the Borough', they are not a big issue elsewhere - for example, on council estates. </div><div><br /></div><div>But is this right? Surely, people living in areas of greater social deprivation are the ones who need trees the most - and who suffer most when their physical environment is degraded. People living in cramped accommodation, without gardens, rely on access to parks and other green spaces. And the majority of residents in the Borough who don't have cars can't easily drive further afield to enjoy the benefits for their health, wellbeing, and peace of mind offered by our forests. Most of all, isn't it patronising to assume that people only worry about trees if they are middle class?</div><div><br /></div><div>Cllr Smith told us last night that in these straitened financial times we couldn't afford to be spending 'lots of money on paper'. Well, we'd certainly agree that lengthy documents are a waste of paper (and trees) - and the previous policy (at 69 pages) was rather wordy - but I'm not sure that cuts in the Council budget should mean any lesser degree of protection for our trees (especially now that we can ill afford to replace them).</div><div><br /></div><div>Today, the Council has published its <a href="http://www.islington.gov.uk/democracy/reports/reportdetail.asp?ReportID=9110&intSectionID=6&intSubSectionID=2">budget proposals for the coming year</a>. There's a lot of detail there which we're only just beginning to analyse, but they've already announced that tree officers will be lost. </div><div><br /></div><div>And on top of that a whopping 3/4 of a million pounds will be wiped off the sustainability budget. Apparently, the Council plans to "realign sustainability priorities to energy efficiency and resident focus". It also plans to use the Ecology Centre to provide "services in line with [the] fairness agenda". If I find out what that means, I'll let you know!</div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04095910795259815685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324887522572277284.post-79294901396001012892010-10-17T21:21:00.004+01:002010-10-17T21:35:21.477+01:00Reaction to final planning decision for the former National Children's Home site at 85 Highbury Park from Caroline AllenCaroline Allen attended the planning meeting last week where Islington Council granted permission for Action for Children to build on the mature gardens at 85 Highbury Park. This is the full text of her letter to the local press:<br /><br />Having just attended the planning meeting, along with other members of Islington Green Party and local residents, I must write to express our deep disappointment at the decision to approve the development of Action for Children's former National Childrens' Home site at 85 Highbury Park in its current form, in spite of the failures to meet the planning brief.<br /> <br />The plans had been referred back to look at the two areas where the brief had not been met. On the first point regarding the proportion of affordable housing, a 5% increase was achieved, which we welcomed. However there had seemingly been no attempt at all to address the second point, requiring the mature grassland (known as “The Field”) to be retained in its entirety.<br /><br />Katie Dawson of Islington Green Party was applauded for her passionate speech opposing the plans, reminding us how local campaigns had saved Gillespie Park and Barnsbury Wood from developers and that these were now much loved community green spaces. Could the same not be done for the ancient grassland at NCH? Islington Green Party has campaigned long and hard on this issue, commissioning surveys by the independent bodies London Wildlife Trust and London Natural History Society to examine the land. Experts from both organizations confirmed that the site has great ecological value as an example of pre-urban grassland, and is very rare in Islington, and indeed London. Had it not been privately owned it would be a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation and therefore protected from development. This is now lost forever. The proposal to transplant a tiny fragment of the grassland into an artificially landscaped area within the development just shows how little the councillors understand about conservation and biodiversity.<br /><br />Particularly ludicrous, was the input of Councillor Kelly, who seemed to suggest that any opponents of this scheme did not support affordable housing in Islington. It seems wilfully simple-minded to look at the need for more social housing and the need to protect our green spaces as an “either/or” choice. Would Cllr Kelly like to build affordable housing on Gillespie Park or fell the trees of Barnsbury Wood to provide more social housing? The wonderful opportunity of the NCH site was that it offered ample space to provide housing and preserve this natural treasure for future generations.<br /><br />Councillors on the planning committee have now established a dangerous precedent: ignore the planning brief on two points and you’ll get away with one; maybe try four and you’ll get away with two. How ironic that in 2010, the International Year of Biodiversity, Islington Council and Action for Children have chosen to destroy this ecologically rich and irreplaceable natural gem. <br /><br />Caroline Allen, Islington Green PartyCaroline Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505973186572737859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324887522572277284.post-40513572778740557592010-09-12T22:56:00.010+01:002010-09-13T15:15:06.628+01:00Residents turn out to the "Save the Secret Garden" planning meeting<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGF1Zc49wUHDjrJulelzJeLfMAuexYViMVZEc5k42heWaPS91S3Kfp0i6NDGiwEr7OmdXbyqv9unZ3slgPYg7ShyphenhyphenSSGx3Oby_DKhSYIPs6-UiiLfFufg1_you4HretyIe_s5L9Xsl3d90J/s1600/NCH+protest+group+2+DSCF0143.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516151518090533186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGF1Zc49wUHDjrJulelzJeLfMAuexYViMVZEc5k42heWaPS91S3Kfp0i6NDGiwEr7OmdXbyqv9unZ3slgPYg7ShyphenhyphenSSGx3Oby_DKhSYIPs6-UiiLfFufg1_you4HretyIe_s5L9Xsl3d90J/s320/NCH+protest+group+2+DSCF0143.jpg" /></a>Last Tuesday, residents turned out in force to demonstrate to Councillors the strength of feeling over the Action for Children planning application at 85 Highbury Park.<br /><br />The new centralised Planning Committee voted to defer the planning decision for a month and have invited the developers to meet the conditions of the planning brief. Specifically 50% affordable housing rather than the 40% in the proposals.<br /><br />We now have a month to lobby Councillors to meet a second condition of the planning brief , namely "retention of the mature gardens in their entirety". The developers have massively downplayed the significance of the grassland in the Islington context. Councillor Klute raised the example of Barnsbury Wood, which is similarly hidden behind buildings and is retained as a nature reserve with some public access. The hope is that the scheme can be improved to deliver both 50% affordable housing, which is desperately needed in Islington along with a design that allows this rare and valuable grassland to be retained and enjoyed by future generations.Caroline Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505973186572737859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324887522572277284.post-83108239473320775102010-05-21T13:12:00.007+01:002010-05-21T14:07:51.883+01:00Thank you<blockquote>"<i>Don't forget, Katie made history and left a signature on the Council. So nothing went to waste!</i>" (Highbury resident)</blockquote><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAueL5wu3N2QmF72pP3t4Nf-ZejMC2iNxJwUO4CyVa92dWPU97i4JGoq6scGbsbH9yfPje6HrgQnQUcYx3xzK3aWBvqdqm9L-9JElchoheyJYOHJLXhChI9P4m4FqYh2Wjt4pN8xuHew/s1600/Katie_Dawson1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 100px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAueL5wu3N2QmF72pP3t4Nf-ZejMC2iNxJwUO4CyVa92dWPU97i4JGoq6scGbsbH9yfPje6HrgQnQUcYx3xzK3aWBvqdqm9L-9JElchoheyJYOHJLXhChI9P4m4FqYh2Wjt4pN8xuHew/s320/Katie_Dawson1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473697189700605250" /></a><blockquote></blockquote>It's taken me a while to write this post, but I just wanted to thank all the voters in Highbury West who backed Katie Dawson on May 6th - over two thousand of you, double the number who voted for Katie last time. As you'll all know by now, sadly that wasn't enough to get Katie re-elected, but we do want you all to know how much we value your support. We also want you to know that we in Islington Green Party will continue to fight for what we believe in - albeit, for the time being, as members of the community rather than with our own distinctive voice on the Council.<div><br /></div><div>I'd also like to thank the many Highbury residents who have got in touch by phone, text, and e-mail with very kind messages of support and thanks for Katie's hard work over the last four years. Those messages mean a huge amount to us.</div><div><br /></div><div>The political picture in Islington has changed a lot: not only are Labour, rather than the Lib Dems, in control of the council - but unlike in the past four years, there is no close balance between the parties. The overwhelming dominance of one party makes it more important than ever for those of us on the outside to hold the administration to account. We will aim to shine a light on unfairness, injustice, and environmentally damaging behaviour by those charged with running our Borough wherever it occurs. </div><div><br /></div><div>That work of holding the Council to account started a bit sooner than expected this week when the new Labour administration took the decision, without any consultation or prior announcement, to abolish local planning committees and centralise all planning decisions. This undemocratic move means our local green spaces, including those at the Secret Garden and the Sobell Centre, are at risk of inappropriate development as never before. The fight goes on!</div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04095910795259815685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324887522572277284.post-60899768878794567832010-05-11T12:08:00.005+01:002010-05-11T15:41:44.149+01:00Our first Green MP!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycUptv5JIOzx_RT3GIVor-2r3Vx9kXUbVOA6rA6DypqqRLmk4bvfk6z_VDyX1tCWuk5odT9RVTEWFMLJDJPFAKtFC_J7Kk2jjPdQLiU5EmQ3h7nEFZjvGDucfjny7BOsQ2MAXbgzzSE0/s1600/Caroline+Lucas.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 212px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469967831490041394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycUptv5JIOzx_RT3GIVor-2r3Vx9kXUbVOA6rA6DypqqRLmk4bvfk6z_VDyX1tCWuk5odT9RVTEWFMLJDJPFAKtFC_J7Kk2jjPdQLiU5EmQ3h7nEFZjvGDucfjny7BOsQ2MAXbgzzSE0/s320/Caroline+Lucas.jpg" /></a>
<br /><div>The last few days have been an extraordinary emotional roller-coaster. We've <a href="http://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/content/islington/gazette/news/story.aspx?brand=ISLGOnline&category=news&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=newsislg&itemid=WeED07%20May%202010%2018%3A38%3A11%3A030">lost a councillor </a>and <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/may/07/caroline-lucas-green-party-brighton">gained an MP </a>(in Brighton!) And we still don't know who will be forming the next Government or <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/may/11/green-party-downplay-rainbow-coalition">what role </a>the Green Party will play.</div><div> </div><div>
<br />In Islington North we obtained the <a href="http://www.greenparty.org.uk/elections/general_results_2010.html">fifth highest </a>Green general election result in London; thank you very, very much to all of you who supported me. </div><div> </div><div>
<br />As a first-time Parliamentary candidate, I've had a lot to learn - and loads more that I still don't know. But I've loved every minute of it, and I'm eager to do more. </div><div> </div><div>
<br />A few people have suggested it's time for a rest - but first I need to honour a few promises I made in the course of the campaign. One thing I promised was to continue with the community campaign to <a href="http://sarahcopeharingey.blogspot.com/2010/04/whittington-gets-its-claws-out.html">save the Whittington</a>, holding to account whoever forms the next Government (and the one after that!) So I was there at the <a href="http://dwhc.org.uk/2010/05/05/dwhc-planning-meeting-3/">DWHC meeting </a>last night brainstorming ideas about how to do just that.</div>
<br />Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04095910795259815685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324887522572277284.post-69318723806451926182010-05-05T22:05:00.007+01:002010-05-05T22:35:02.699+01:00Vote for Policies!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmzAGBNEP2Q75ZfmMhTp86Gvdw_wbRHv-hfTbf5z1-iE5VGp1aeGjdCN6sPhyrAG0BqPbOmz2sV_WhA8bSLDKL0Nnli6SXhD7DBD3obZ5sGPOKQWPcS_ZMBx4GIT1RCB3Tu9Q6_duQePQ/s1600/safe_image.php.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 130px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmzAGBNEP2Q75ZfmMhTp86Gvdw_wbRHv-hfTbf5z1-iE5VGp1aeGjdCN6sPhyrAG0BqPbOmz2sV_WhA8bSLDKL0Nnli6SXhD7DBD3obZ5sGPOKQWPcS_ZMBx4GIT1RCB3Tu9Q6_duQePQ/s320/safe_image.php.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467902235247201522" /></a><br />Thank you to all of you who have been following our campaign over the last couple of months. It's been really, really exciting and rewarding - and for me as Parliamentary Candidate a huge privilege to be able to represent the Green Party, and its radical policies, in Islington North.<div><br /></div><div>As Greens we often find that we start the electoral race with one hand tied behind our backs for two reasons: first, because people feel that a vote for us won't really count and secondly, because people aren't too sure whether we have good policies outside the environmental field. </div><div><br /></div><div>But in this exciting general election campaign, we have been able to address both those concerns head-on. </div><div><br /></div><div>Every Green vote really will count this time, because for the first time in living memory people are getting serious about the need for electoral reform. When it comes to putting pressure on whoever forms the next Government to introduce truly proportional representation, the Green Party will need to argue that its total number of votes nationally means that it should no longer be shut out by the voting system. The strength of that argument depends crucially on the total number of votes cast for the Green Party across all the constituencies where it has candidates. If we can't make that argument, there's a real danger that this once-in-a-generation opportunity will either be missed altogether (under the Tories or a Tory/Lib Dem pact) or will simply be used to create an exclusive 3-party system to replace the existing exclusive 2-party system (by the introduction of the Alternative Vote system under Labour or a Lab/Lib Dem pact).</div><div><br /></div><div>So, this is one general election where you can vote for what you believe in <b>and</b> be a catalyst for real change.</div><div><br /></div><div>As for our policies, don't take my word for it - go and have a look at the truly fantastic <a href="http://voteforpolicies.org.uk/constituency-results?place=n5+2jx">Votes for Policies</a> website. Over 260,000 people have now completed their survey, which lets you pick the best policies without knowing which party they come from. Last time I looked, the Green Party was the clear winner nationally - and even here in the traditional Labour heartland of Islington North, it was neck-and-neck between me and Jeremy Corbyn based on a sample of over 600 people.</div><div><br /></div><div>So tomorrow, please do vote for what you believe in. In 2010 more than ever before, every single Green vote counts.</div><div><br /></div><div>PS And as we've often said before, however you decide to vote in the General Election, please vote Green in the Council elections to help Katie Dawson keep her seat on Islington Council - and hopefully to elect some more Green councillors so we can <a href="http://islington.greenparty.org.uk/localsites/islington/about-us4/Achieved.html">achieve</a> even more.</div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04095910795259815685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324887522572277284.post-34213073008270960242010-05-04T12:36:00.005+01:002010-05-04T13:19:24.971+01:00Highbury East hustings<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpw5SGk6c0plPnsDSbHcjDNpjh-IHLi0GLF5r-0Q1sXMwxP0jqdx01Upc1lzrpGONFfCnbdGRjo2gCND0nbQyBgFQxw6BxIBDZy7hosDHJ5T3Y9w4mIJUsAdn_b3M5ESkJMdrDwHRvJDw/s1600/Roundhouse.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467377996346751890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpw5SGk6c0plPnsDSbHcjDNpjh-IHLi0GLF5r-0Q1sXMwxP0jqdx01Upc1lzrpGONFfCnbdGRjo2gCND0nbQyBgFQxw6BxIBDZy7hosDHJ5T3Y9w4mIJUsAdn_b3M5ESkJMdrDwHRvJDw/s320/Roundhouse.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>My last hustings of the campaign, last night (Bank Holiday Monday), was at <a href="http://www.highbury-roundhouse.org.uk/">Highbury Roundhouse</a>. The Roundhouse, on Ronalds Road, is a great community facility which I and my three kids have used a lot over the years, and which provides excellent services for older people too.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br />The hustings was all about Highbury issues - and three out of the four parties* managed to field Highbury candidates to answer them!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br />We faced a range of challenging questions on issues from the Council's tree policy to the rumoured threat to the <a href="http://www.fancyapint.com/pubs/pub771.php">Highbury Barn Tavern </a>(the word on the street is that there are plans to turn it into a Sainsbury's local); and from rat-running down Fieldway Crescent to the possible reintroduction of a <a href="http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/">Citizens' Advice Bureau </a>in Islington and the future of the excellent <a href="http://www.islingtonlaw.org.uk/">Islington Law Centre</a>. We were also quizzed on broader policy issues such as improving secondary schools; the need for investment in social housing; and the erosion of local democracy.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br />Thank you very much to William Ellington (Chair of the Roundhouse), Victoria Ellington (Management Committee) and Andrew Berthier (Director) for inviting me; to Nicky Anderson (Pensioners' Worker) for providing the refreshments; and to Martin Jones (Highbury Fields Association) for chairing the hustings and giving us all a chance to have our say!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:78%;"><br />*The speakers were as follows: Conservative - Neil Lindsay (Highbury East); Lib Dem - Terry Stacey (Highbury East); Green Party - Emma Dixon (Highbury East); Labour - Catherine West (Tollington).</span></div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04095910795259815685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324887522572277284.post-63275902345791631482010-04-29T19:22:00.015+01:002010-04-29T22:16:56.961+01:00Whittington Rally Today<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaTgpSknet9wBazbvOcIbUJvZW2EV5nTu-1Ljzk6x7x9NF3XB1kcsRmZ7MKZfahuJN-gckXMhUk-iUcI-uwy6jufgpydJQgrj7EuqmEgHF1WpNRl9cnJuvYBggBc_B1qcckhpw520tBY0/s1600/P1020816.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaTgpSknet9wBazbvOcIbUJvZW2EV5nTu-1Ljzk6x7x9NF3XB1kcsRmZ7MKZfahuJN-gckXMhUk-iUcI-uwy6jufgpydJQgrj7EuqmEgHF1WpNRl9cnJuvYBggBc_B1qcckhpw520tBY0/s320/P1020816.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465628439348701858" /></a>Thank you very much to the <a href="http://dwhc.org.uk/doa/comment-page-1/#comment-182">Defend the Whittington Hospital Coalition</a> for having me to speak at their rally today. <div><br /></div><div>As I told the audience outside the hospital, whatever the results of the general and local elections on May 6th, we in the Green Party will be there on May 7th to hold the new government to account on the Whittington.</div><div><br /></div><div>And elected Greens everywhere - including (fingers crossed) one or more <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/can-caroline-lucas-change-british-politics-for-ever-1953738.html">Green MPs</a> in the House of Commons for the first time ever - will continue to oppose privatisation of the NHS in all its forms. <a href="http://www.keepournhspublic.com/index.php">Keep our NHS public</a>!</div><div><br /></div><div>PS The Labour party issued a <a href="http://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/content/islington/gazette/news/story.aspx?brand=ISLGOnline&category=news&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=newsislg&itemid=WeED29%20Apr%202010%2011%3A15%3A49%3A820">new pronouncement</a> today (a week before the election) on the future of the Whittington. While this is being trumpeted as the hospital being 'saved', local people, who have already endured months of uncertainty, still don't quite know where they stand. According to the Labour health minister it is for 'clinicians' to say whether the A&E and maternity units should close. But which clinicians? While consultants at the Whittington have come out against the closures, Royal Colleges speaking on behalf of two-thirds of doctors today <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/apr/28/doctors-nhs-cuts-guardian-letter">called for mass closures</a> of A&E and children's departments in order to achieve the £20 billion cuts which Labour and the Tories say are required. We in the Green Party will be watching very carefully indeed to see how things develop after the election. </div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04095910795259815685noreply@blogger.com0