NEWS AND VIEWS FROM THE GREEN PARTY IN THE LONDON BOROUGH OF BRENT

23 Nov 2014

The Green Party Trade Union Group sends its support to NHS workers from all the unions who will be on strike tomorrow, (24/11/2014).


 The Green Party Trade Union Group sends its support to NHS workers from all the unions who will be on strike tomorrow, (24/11/2014). The severe pay freezes imposed by the government are unjust and part of the unjust neo-liberal policies punish the poor, the sick,  the vulnerable and also those who provide health care.

As if that were not enough, NHS workers are sometimes doing their utmost to keep an adequate health service running inspite of misguided marketization and cut backs.

We all need the work that these workers do and they need a decent wage!

22 Nov 2014

London Federation of Green Parties speakers' meeting 20/11/2014: Health devolution, Animal testing, Land Value Tax

London Federation of Green Parties speakers' meeting 20/11/2014: Hugh Small: "How Devolution Solved a Victorian Public Health Crisis" London Federation of Green Parties speakers' meeting 20/11/2014: Caroline Allen: 'The Scientific Case Against Animal Testing' London Federation of Green Parties speakers' meeting 20/11/2014: Dave Wetzel: 'Land Value Tax' London Federation of Green Parties speakers' meeting 20/11/2014: Questions and discussion

20 Nov 2014

The next Campaign Against Climate Change Trade Union Group meeting

The next Campaign Against Climate Change Trade Union Group meeting will be from 12.00 - 3.00 on 6th december 2014 in Committee Room 4 at Camden Town Hall (Judd Street entrance), Euston Road, London.





19 Nov 2014

Air pollution - EU court judgment on the application of ClientEarth v The Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Dear all,

You may be interested in court ruling today about air pollution, here is
the press release issued this morning on the subject, entire text copied
below. Here is the link to Jean's website:
http://www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk/2014/11/19/air-pollution-ecj-clientearth-defra/


Thank you,
-Claire

----------------------------------


 Press release 19.11.2014

For immediate Release

*Air pollution - EU court judgment on the application of ClientEarth v The
Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs*

This morning (November 19), the European Court of Justice (ECJ) delivered
its judgment [1] in a case brought by Client Earth [2] against the UK
government over its continued and persistent failure to reduce air
pollution. Around 4 300 [2] early deaths occur each year in London that are
attributed to air quality related illness – more than deaths attributed to
alcoholism or obesity.

Jean Lambert, London Green MEP said:

‘If the government cannot make sure that the air we breathe is clean and
safe, the courts must do something – this decision means that people can
bring actions, and rightly so. Here in London, overall one of the most
polluted places in Britain, the Euston Road is already four times over the
legal limit for nitrogen dioxide levels. This is due to two factors,
Mayoral inaction from Boris Johnson and unacceptably high nitrogen dioxide
levels, I’d like to see both go.’

This ruling is significant because it is the ECJ’s first ruling on the
effect of the Air Quality Directive, and will determine what action the UK
courts take against the government. It will also set a precedent in
respects of EU law which could clear the path for a series of legal
challenges across Europe where governments are not protecting people from
air pollution.

The case will return to the UK Supreme Court for a final ruling next year,
when judges will apply the ECJ’s ruling to the facts in the UK case. This
means that it is possible for the UK Supreme Court to order the government
to instigate new plans to meet limits faster.



ENDS

 Notes To Editors

[1]
http://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2014-11/cp140153en.pdf

[2] http://www.clientearth.org/

[3]
https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/environment/ultra-low-emission-zone/user_uploads/ulez-supplementary-information---final-291014.pdf-1



--


Claire Norman

Media and PR Officer to Jean Lambert, MEP

Green Member of the European Parliament for London

Can Mezzanine

49-51 East Road

London

N1 6AH



Office: 020 7250 8417

Mobile: 07917 881 648



Email: media@jeanlambertmep.org.uk

Website: http://www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk
<http://www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk/>

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/GreenJeanMEP

Twitter: @GreenJeanMEP <http://twitter.com/GreenJeanMEP>

10 Nov 2014

told them so, but that's no consolation if I need to go to a&e

evening standard on impact of a&e closures in w.london

Peter Murry
5:37 PM (1 minute ago)


told them!
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/health/waiting-times-at-ae-at-west-london-hospitals-hit-a-record-after-closures-9850531.html

6 Nov 2014

gptu statement on Unite NHS strike 24 November 2014; Please circulate

Unite the Union have announced that
“NHS workers have had their wages cut by up to 15 per cent since 2010 thanks to the government's draconian pay policy of pay freezes and minuscule below inflation pay rise”.
 The Green Party Trade Union Group believes that this is characteristic of  a nation where neo-liberal economics has run riot, penalising the poor, the sick,  the vulnerable and also those who provide their health care.
Unlike Cameron’s cronies, nobody who works in the NHS expects to become a billionaire, but NHS workers will be striking again for decent pay on November 24thThe Green Party Trade Union Group sends it support, we all need the work that these workers do and they need a decent wage!

5 Nov 2014

Unite members working in the NHS will step up their fight for fair NHS pay with a further four-hour strike on Monday 24 November.

NHSpay web banner 24Nov









Unite members working in the NHS will step up their fight for fair NHS pay with a further four-hour strike on Monday 24 November. 
Thousands of NHS workers took to picket lines at hospitals across England on the 13 October, behind a swell of public support, to protest against the government’s refusal to implement a tiny 1 per cent consolidated pay increase to all NHS staff. (check out the photo gallery below) 
YOU deserve a pay rise – we know it, the public know it. Take action on the 24th to make sure the government knows it too. 
Join a picket line on Monday 24 November between 7am-11am. Get your Unite flags and placards from your rep. Let’s show the government that it’s time to pay UP for NHS workers. 
NHS workers have had their wages cut by up to 15 per cent since 2010 thanks to the government's draconian pay policy of pay freezes and minuscule below inflation pay rises. 

You work hard taking care of others - now you need to take action.

  • Four hour strike action –  Monday 24 November 2014 from 07:00 -11:00 
  • Action short of a strike (work to rule), starting at midnight on Monday 24 November to 18 January 2015 

2 Nov 2014

Scott Bartle selected to fight Brent North for the Green Party

Scott Bartle
Brent Green Party today announced that Scott Barttle has been selected to fight the Brent North seat for the Green Party in the 2015 General Election.
 

Scott holds registration as a positive behaviour psychologist and works within the NHS. He lives in Mapesbury Ward Brent, where he stood as Green candidate in the 2014 local elections and gained 8% - one of the highest results for an individual Green Party candidate in the constituency.
Explaining his decision to stand Scott said:
As a Cornishman raised in one of the most deprived areas of the UK and Europe I am acutely aware of the human impact that poverty can have as detailed in the ‘horror’ statistics. It was no surprise that the regional areas of Britain were increasingly turning away from the three main parties as they have experienced neglect since Thatcher, perpetuated by Blair, and continued by the coalition.
It was also no surprise that in Brent, one of the most deprived areas of London, we have people turning away from the UK government and mistakenly thinking that their values are represented by elements in Syria. When people are alienated from the society they live in, there is only so far that they can be pushed. It’s been said that the apocalypse won’t come like lightning, but gradually like a fog. Mostly, successive governments have managed to avoid the ire of the public in perpetuating the agenda of their corporate donors but the fog is starting to become visible around us.

Whilst this fog may be pollution, as our government is being taken to court by the EU for London’s  poor air quality - we know only the Greens will protect our environment.

When Labour started the erosion of civil liberties and now the Tories pledge to repeal Human Rights legislation – we need the Greens to lead the resistance. 

When Labour sought to channel public money out of the NHS through Private Finance Initiatives that we are still paying now – we need a Green to look at the long term.

As studies reveal 50% of people receiving social care in Brent feel unsafe, we need to stop allowing private equity companies to funnel profits off-shore when they’re failing in their primary duty – Greens care.

When our foreign policy, rendered inconsistent by our colonial past is still causing conflict across the world and giving cause to recruit people from our own communities – we need a Green to challenge that.
When the economic policy of ‘austerity’ advocated by Conservatives and Lib-Dems is an irreconcilable failure and Labour pledge to continue it  - the fog envelopes us. 
Nobody actually wants all of this – it’s why it is vital we look for an alternative. 
As Parliamentary Candidate for Brent North I will seek to highlight that Greens can provide something for people to vote FOR, rather than against – a real choice.

Through saying YES to Human Rights, YES to a consistent foreign policy, YES to Economic Change, YES to Public Services, YES to Environmental Action, YES to Green Jobs we are saying YES to a sustainable future for people, nature and wildlife worldwide

1 Nov 2014

Shahrar Ali selected to fignt Brent Central for the Green Party

Shahrar Ali and his opponent Dawn Butler
Brent Green Party today announced announced the selection of Shahrar Ali to contest Brent Central in the 2015 General Election.

Shahrar Ali was recently elected make deputy leader of the Green Party of England and Wales.

Shahrar contested the seat in 2015 and stood in the London Assembly, European and local elections.

Speaking earlier today Shahrar Ali took on the neo-liberal parties and promised something radically different:

He said:

"The People of Brent have been let down time and time again. 

From the closure of libraries and A&E wards to the privatisation of schools and council services -- all the main parties are responsible. 

From the displacement of communities from social housing to the eviction of families due to the bedroom tax -- all main parties are responsible.

From the assault on civil liberties from arbitrary raids to the deplorable tactic of racist van slogans -- all main parties are responsible.

It is high time for change of the political order.  

I have a track record of fighting the people of Brent's corner year in year out.

More and more people are coming round to our way of thinking -- and doing -- for a long-term, sustainable way of living. Politics doesn't have to be looking after number one. It can be about the common good for all, including the species we share the planet with and what we leave behind for our children's children.

As MP for Brent Central, I will fight for everybody's right to a decent life - education, health and meaningful work - and an economy that doesn't shortchange the planet every time we buy more than we need.

The Green Party is on the rise. As recently as 2012 we were knocking on the LibDems door. With Sarah Teather out of the race, and the LibDems in meltdown here more than anywhere, we are the main challenger to Dawn Butler and Labour-sheen policies. Out with the old politics, in with the radical."