Caroline Lucas slams Government's Autumn Statement that shirks its responsibilities

Caroline Lucas, the Green Party co-leader and MP for Brighton Pavilion, has accused the Government of 'shirking its responsbilities' after today's Autumn Statement.

Lucas accused the Government of having 'deeply skewed priorities'. She said:

Britain is drifting towards the stormy and unchartered waters of brexit with ministers refusing to reveal the route, or properly adjust the sails according to the headwinds. We needed an Autumn statement which rose to the challenges of the day, but we see a government shirking its responsibilities, lacking any moral compass and leaving us dangerously exposed to both economic shocks and climate change.

This Autumn statement shows a Government with deeply skewed priorities. At a time of uncertainty they are continuing with plans to give a tax cut to corporations and the highest earners – while our NHS is strapped for cash and local services are under immense strain. We could save billions by scrapping the plans to cut corporate tax and raising the threshold for the highest earners – and we could plough that money into our ailing NHS – but the Government has refused to change course.

Lucas slammed the Chancellor for failing 'even mention climate change' in his speech. She said:

With Trump’s election this could have been a moment for Britain to become a world-leader in the fight against catastrophic climate change but, instead, we see little evidence of a commitment to facing up to the greatest challenge of our times. Indeed, it is shameful that the Chancellor failed to even mention climate change in his speech. By caving into the motor lobby and freezing fuel duty again for the seventh year in a row the Government has made a mockery of the fact that it is the hottest year on record and condemned us to more carbon emissions and deadly pollution.

A Government with a genuinely bold vision could have used this Autumn statement to ensure that the economy is future facing on everything from the risks of a potential Brexit to the threats posed by climate change and growing inequality. Instead we have a backwards looking budget that fails to wage war on poverty and fails to grasp the realities of an uncertain world and the limited resources in it. A serious response to the situation we’re in could, for example, have included a nationwide insulation scheme to keep people warm in their homes, cut bills and create jobs in every community. Or the Conservatives could have scrapped their plan to hand cash to corporations and high earners and instead give the NHS the funding it so desperately needs.

2016 Election- Is America sick?

The other day, I came across a very interesting viewpoint regarding the election of President Elect Trump. I thought it was a viewpoint worth exploring. Getting sick is a warning to the body that something needs to change otherwise there may be a fatal consequence. 

America obviously was seeking change through this election, as lets face it, neither candidates were ideal. What Trump seems to have given America, is a taste of what it's like to be out of their comfort zone. An average candidate, doesn't make make people think. Doesn't stir up any sort of emotional response, be it positive or negative. Maybe this outcome is what was needed to make America realise change is needed in order to progress, to make people think and want to act to change a previously broken system.

How much worse does it have to get before people notice that the way Brent council is run is the 'sickness' warning us change is needed?

Written by L.E.

Stand up for the Planet and against Trump this Friday evening US Embassy

From the Campaign Against Climate Change

There will be another demonstration against Donald Trump and his undermining of action on climate change this Friday 5.30pm to 7pm 24 Grosvenor Square, London W1

FACEBOOK EVENT

Climate scientists and experts around the world are warning that a Trump presidency could spell 'game over' for the climate. But activists in the US and around the world are lining up to fight for the planet and we will stand alongside them. Join us at the US embassy to send a clear message of solidarity and determination, find out more about the global climate struggle and plans for future action. Speakers tbc.

Read more:

Trump a disaster for planet Guardian  Vox Com


This is what Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas said after the presidential election:

Trump's climate policies are nothing short of genocidal

Date: THIS FRIDAY, 18th November
Time: 6:00pm
Location: US Embassy, Grosvenor Square, Mayfair, London, W1A 2LQ. Map here
As the UN COP22 climate talks in Marrakesh draw to a close, a new dawn for climate policy is breaking with the election of Donald Trump as the President of the USA.

Environmental campaigners' worst fears look to be justified, as Presdent-elect Trump has already announced the appointment of Myron Ebell, a prominent climate change denier with strong links to the fossil fuel industry, as the head of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Earlier this week, the World Meteorological Organization predicted that 2016 is almost certainly going to be the hottest year on record, surpassing last year's record. Trump has called climate change a "hoax". The disconnect between the climate crisis and those holding power has never been starker. Now only the most wildly optimistic have any hope that the world won't pass 2°C.

This time last year the world's leaders came together in Paris to agree the historic Paris Climate Agreement, which aims to limit the increase in temperature to no more than 2°C above pre-industrial levels. It came into earlier at the beginning of the month. America is responsible for almost 20% of global carbon emissions and is the world's highest per capita polluter.

Trump has made it clear that he wants to withdraw from the Paris Agreement as soon as possible and his staff are already looking for ways to do so. There are real fears that this could pave the way for similar moves from other countries looking for a way to appease those with vested interests.

So, join us outside the American Embassy in Mayfair at 6pm on Friday to send a clear message: Trump's climate policies are nothing short of genocidal and will seal the fate of the millions, if not billions of people who are set to lose their lives as the planet warms irreversibly.

Please join and share our Facebook event with all the latest information:
https://www.facebook.com/events/333429317036859
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info@climatedefence.org
07903 316 331 / 07779 500 235

Greens' Guide to the Rights of EU Nationals in the UK

With EU nationals' rights considered a legitimate bargaining chip by the Government in the Brexit negotiations, JeanLamber MEP  and other Greens are showing we are firmly on the side of EU nationals and will stand up for their rights and for freedom of movement.

Written with a barrister, the factsheet contains important information about existing rights (see below)

Please note that this factsheet is designed to provide information only. The law may have changed since this was produced in November 2016 and you should always seek up-to-date legal advice. The author and publisher cannot accept responsibility for any reliance placed on the information contained in this factsheet.

Click on bottom right corner for full view

Lucas on Trump: 'Let's light a candle rather than curse the darkness'

November 9th: Caroline Lucas, the co-leader of the Green Party, has responded to Donald Trump being elected as president of the United States.

She said:

This is a devastating day for women, for people of colour, for disabled people and for an inclusive society in the USA.

Trump’s election is also a hammer blow for the fight against climate change – and presents a genuine threat to some of the poorest people in the world who will suffer its effects worse.

But this is no time to mourn – instead we must organize like never before to keep our communities cohesive and our climate safe. On this dark day we extend the hand of friendship to people in the USA who wake up in fear – we know that you are not defined by the hatred espoused by your new president. But it’s at times like this when we need to unite, learn, resist and hope more than ever before. Today, in whatever ways we can, let’s light a candle rather than curse the darkness.

Jam Jelly and Chutney for sale

From: Willesden Harvesters <willesdenharvesters@gmail.com>

Subject: Jam Jelly and Chutney for sale

Date: 13 November 2016 at 20:20:03 GMT

To: Willesden Harvesters Gmail <willesdenharvesters@gmail.com>

Dear all,

We have some of our produce for sale this year.  It could be the perfect Christmas present!

We have apple and blackberry jam, pink apple jam, crab apple jelly, chilli and ginger chutney, and Christmas chutney, all made from local apples, pears, blackberries and crab apples. 

There is no photo of the jar of our Christmas chutney, but it is also available. 

(made with star anise, cinnamon, clementines and dates) 

If you would like to buy any of the above mentioned, please email us. 

It could be the perfect Christmas present :)

Kind regards

Vendy 

(on behalf of Willesden Fruit Harvesters)

Transition Willesden monitoring for nitrogen dioxide

Hello all

Along with Transition K2K we have been monitoring for nitrogen dioxide in the area.  See and join our online group to find out more about the project, plus some useful info on what you can do about air pollution here.

This is part of a citizen science project run by the London Sustainability Exchange (LSX).

On Saturday 19^th November we will be meeting at 10:00 at Brent Civic Centre, Engineers Way, Wembley, HA9 0FJ.  We will be analysing the results and defining an action plan. If you would like to attend pls let us know by replying to this email. We have limited no of places so please let us know if you are interested.

To prepare for this event we are asked to a look at Brent's air quality plans:  https://www.brent.gov.uk/services-for-residents/environment/pollution/air-quality/

And read what other communities did to improve air quality in their area. See report here: https://issuu.com/londonsustainabilityexchange/docs/lsx_ca4c_final_report_nov_2015

We understand that the monitoring results show that a lot needs to be done in our area. It is up to us and the local community to take action!  All are welcome to get involved.

Please start thinking about what would you like to ask our local authority, how you want to work with planners, local businesses and health professionals to improve air quality in our area.

You can also join LSX's next events:

-          Webinar about Mayor’s consultation and DEFRA consultation: http://cmp.charityemail.org.uk/CXK-4D25N-4/sv.aspx

-          Event about Green Infrastructure and Air Quality: http://cmp.charityemail.org.uk/CXK-4L9M1-4/sv.aspx

Many thanks,

Viv