News from another borough: Tory and UKIP Harrow paranoia?

To: Harrow Observer

Re: Harrow Civil Service Pensioners’ Alliance: hustings.

I recently (25/3/2014), attended a hustings called by Harrow Civil Service Pensioners’ Alliance on behalf of the Green Party which will be standing candidates in the forthcoming local and euro elections. UKIP, Conservatives, Labour, and Independent Labour were also represented and all parties put forward their policies on various matters. I was not surprised, but perhaps a little disappointed, that I was the only one to mention climate change and its possible implications for all of us.

I was, however, surprised by the emphasis placed by the UKIP and Conservative representatives on the issue of ‘beds in sheds’ ’ i.e. people living in converted garages, garden sheds etc. which was claimed to be a major problem in Harrow. UKIP also claimed this problem was widespread elsewhere and therefore the country ,  overpopulation problems. Both UKIP and Conservative claimed to have evidence from heat seeking detectors in over flying aircraft.

There were questions from the audience about the current London housing price inflation and resulting crisis in accommodation which is probably causing some of the ‘beds in sheds’ phenomenon through such things as young people staying on in parental homes. There were also questions on such issues as the pressure on local health facilities and threats to Freedom Passes. Perhaps it is these basic matters that concern Harrow voters more than the slightly spooky concerns with surveillance of the population which seem to obsess some of the parties standing.

Yours sincerely

Peter Murry, Brent and Harrow Green Party representative.

Brent Stop the War meeting: Environmental Crisis and the links to War

FUTURE MEETING at RUMI’S CAVE 26 Willesden Lane, NW6 7ST

April Meeting Monday 14^th April doors open 7.00 pm, meeting starts 7.30 pmsharp

 

We are very fortunate to be sharing this meeting with Disseminus who have invited

Dr Nafeez Ahmad to speak on Environmental Crisis and the links to War

A decade and a half into the 21st century, humanity faces a wide range of interconnected and overlapping crises - environmental, economic, energy, as well as concerning food, water, poverty, ideology, psychology, and culture. These crises are escalating. What is their link to war, violence and terrorism? This meeting will explore the range of potential scenarios for what a business-as-usual future holds for the human species and Planet Earth, the deep structural causes of our current predicament, and the opportunities for radical social transformation.

 

Dr. Nafeez Ahmed (www.nafeezahmed.com) is an investigative journalist, bestselling author and international security scholar. He writes for The Guardian go to http://www.theguardian.com/profile/nafeez-ahmed for a profile and a link to his Earth Insight blog on the geopolitics of environmental, energy and economic crises. He is executive director of the Institute for Policy Research & Development, and his latest book is A User's Guide to the Crisis of Civilization: And How to Save It, which inspired the documentary feature film, The Crisis of Civilization www.crisisofcivilization.com

London Mayor Boris Johnson is trying to persuade the Home Secretary, Theresa May, to allow water cannon on London’s streets.

You might not have seen a water cannon before. They’re like fire engines, except that the high-pressure hose is used to control crowds. Water cannons are used in other countries, but they’ve never been used here. London Mayor Boris Johnson is trying to persuade the Home Secretary, Theresa May, to allow them on London’s streets. What do you think? 38 Degrees member Neal Parsons has set up a petition, calling on Theresa May to rule out the use of water cannon for good. Do you agree? If so, you can sign the petition here: SIGN THE PETITION  Neal argues that: “The right to protest is one of the most important aspects of our free and open democracy and I believe that the threat of this weapon will be an inhibitor to people of all ages from exercising that right.” But Boris thinks there is broad support for water cannon. He says: “No-one wants to see water cannon routinely deployed on the streets of London but ... I have concluded there is broad support amongst Londoners for the use of this measure by the police in limited circumstances.” [1] So who is right? If you'd like to support Neal’s campaign to stop the use of water cannon, sign the petition here: SIGN THE PETITION  Thanks for everything you do, Andrew, Robin and the rest of the 38 Degrees team P.S. Neal started his petition on Campaigns by You, a part of the 38 Degrees site where anyone can start and run campaigns on the issues that matter to them. Check out the site or start your own campaign here:https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/visit-cby NOTES: [1] Independent, London Mayor backs water cannon use in the capital: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/london-mayor-boris-johnson-backs-water-cannon-use-in-the-capital-9203592.html

Alan Wheatley for Chancellor, NOW!

The photos I got a friend to take with my camera did not click properly tonight.

However, here is a clickable link to photo Peter a photographer from Demotix took of me tonight with newly decorated Kilburn Unemployed 'Budget Box'.

I believe though, that the most important work done by Kilburn Unemployed Workers Group activists has been the behind the scenes operations of Kilburn Unemployed Workers Group activists supporting one another in attempting to get support of claimant's doctor toward successful Employment & Support Allowance claims.

Swheatie

Demonstrate for a Peoples' Budget