Disappointment and Hope: Some thoughts on the local election results

A disappointing result from Labour.

Equally disappointing and frustrating Conservative results.

But…

A really encouraging and inspiring result from the Greens.

So far, with over 90% of the results in, the Green Party have 121 new councillors bringing the total to over 400 Green councillors in at least 139 councils across England and Wales, 8 seats in the Scottish parliament and stunning results across the country when you look at the share of the vote – Greens often coming in second or third place even when they didn’t win a seat. In the West Midlands, the Green Party mayoral candidate was in third place with 5.8% of the vote on the first round.

So there are people in our country who are standing up for and voting for ialues that matter: care for our environment and planet; tackling inequity, prejudice and injustice; care for the vulnerable…

December 4, 2019December 4, 2019

Feeling Perplexed

Policies, Parties and People

Yesterday, Lois and I went to a local hustings for NW Coventry. We came away feeling even more perplexed and unsure who to vote for; we were disappointed with the overall quality of candidates being put forward by the parties.

So, while we were wavering between a Green or a Labour vote, we are now even more uncertain, and pondering whether to base our votes on the policies, the parties or the people that we would like to see go through.

The only two certainties seem to be that we won’t be voting (on the basis of the policies, parties or principles) for the Conservative or Brexit Party candidates.

Our main options then are:

Vote Green – recognising that this is the party whose policies most align with our priorities; who, while they cannot hope to achieve anything more than an increased share of the overall vote, and maybe a few more MPs to support Caroline Lucas, are the Party of the future, and the only party to consistently take the environment and social justice seriously. The local candidate, Stephen Gray, seems keen and committed, but lacks experience and seems more suited for a role as a city councillor than a member of parliament. While our Green vote might make a statement, it is unlikely to count in any way in a Labour-Tory competition in NW Coventry.
Vote Labour – while we are members of the Green Party, it is the Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership that we feel holds out the greatest hope for our country at this time. Reviewing their policies, almost all of these align with our own priorities, although several don’t go far enough. It may be that our Labour vote will help consolidate a Labour win in NW Coventry, and along with that an overall Labour majority. The local candidate, Taiwo Owatemi, is a woman from an ethnic minority and a health sector worker. However, she is not a Coventry resident, and came across poorly in the hustings, so it feels that she just isn’t ready to be an MP yet.
Vote Liberal Democrat – the local candidate, Greg Judge, came across as the most confident and competent of the candidates – and someone whom I believe we could trust to represent our constituency in Parliament. While we agree with many of the Lib Dem policies, there are others which seem to go against our principles, and those that are aligned generally don’t go far enough. In particular, we think their policy of revoking article 50 without a second referendum is misguided and won’t help heal the divisions that have arisen in our country. And, so far, we have failed to be inspired by Jo Swinson’s leadership.

So there we are. Do we vote on the basis of our Principles, the Party we would most like to see in government, or the Person whom we would most like to see represent our constituency in the next parliament?

We are open to any thoughts, comments, persuasion…

May 10, 2019

Adventures of an armchair activist: Going green-er… gingerly (1)

Going Green-er…

Last week’s UN report on biodiversity and ecosystems, together with the 2018 IPCC report on global warming have dramatically highlighted the damaging effects that we are imposing on our planet. Greta Thunberg and the leaders of Extinction Rebellion are surely right in emphasising that this is the most pressing issue for all of us: politicians, corporate leaders, and individual citizens alike.

So it seemed an appropriate place to start in my deliberations on how to live ethically in an exploitative, unjust, consumerist world.

I am so grateful for the beauty and goodness of our world, and the privilege I have in being able to enjoy that beauty. I long for others too – both now and in the future – to be able to enjoy and appreciate this goodness, and for the destruction and exploitation that has devastated so much of our planet to be rolled back.

And yet, as a wealthy consumer living in one of the wealthiest nations of our world, I have to acknowledge that – in spite of the small steps I have taken to reduce my carbon footprint – I am really more a part of the problem than the solution.

…gingerly

I recently calculated my carbon footprint and my conservative estimate came out at 7.69 tonnes of CO₂ per year – higher than the reported UK average of 6.50 tonnes (although I note that other sources put this at closer to 10 tonnes), nearly double the global average of 4 tonnes, and four times the required target of 2 tonnes.

So what are we doing about it? What could we be doing? And where is it that we are struggling?

The biggest contributor to our carbon footprint is flying. Lois and I both do it: to visit family and friends abroad; for work and conferences; to support others living and working in challenging circumstances. Neither of us enjoy it: the long waits in airport departure lounges and arrivals halls; the uncomfortable seats and tray food; the jet lag; and most of all, the knowledge that with every flight we are contributing to the destruction of our planet. But still we do it. We do what we can to offset our flying by buying carbon credits, but recognise that can never undo the damage we are doing. We try to limit our flying: not using a plane if there is an alternative transport option; limiting our flying to visiting family and friends; cutting down the number of such trips; avoiding international conferences where possible; and taking holidays in this country rather than abroad. And yet, we chose a cross-national marriage, our families are spread across four countries and our friends even wider, and we do want to prioritise our relationships. So we will continue to struggle with this. Is one long-haul flight per year acceptable? Is seeing grandchildren just once a year enough? Should I turn down invitations to international conferences on environmental grounds?

Other forms of transport make up our next biggest contribution. Here, perhaps we are taking some worthwhile steps (literally) by walking, cycling (me), and taking public transport when we can, rather than driving. Last year, we passed on our diesel estate to Joe and bought a smaller, hybrid car. Perhaps we should have gone fully electric, but the cost, patchy infrastructure, and limited second-hand market all put me off doing so at this stage. So we try not to use the car unless we have to, tend to drive at 60-65 rather than 70-75mph, and avoid heavy acceleration and braking. We are privileged, living where we do, that I can get into town by bike in 20 minutes, or the University in 30; that we have 4+ buses an hour going from outside our door to Coventry or Birmingham; and that we have such a good rail network from Coventry and Birmingham International. But it does frustrate me that rail travel is such an expensive (and time consuming) option. Travelling to Nottingham to see Esther and Rob would take 2 ½ hours and cost around £50 by train, compared to 1 hour and about £5 by car; further or more remote excursions increase dramatically in both time and cost. So, do we go further in our efforts to travel sustainably? Should we aim to ultimately get rid of our car? Do we sacrifice efficiency and cost (both of which we can afford) for the sake of sustainability?

When we set up Breathing Space a year ago, we deliberately chose a place on the outskirts of Coventry so it would be accessible by public transport. We have the advantage of regular buses to outside our front door combined with a sense of peace in the garden, and countryside walks from our doorstep. We encourage others to travel sustainably to Breathing Space. The reality is, however, that most of our visitors come by car, even those who live in Coventry (and we would probably do the same if it were us visiting somewhere else in the city). We don’t apologize for having no parking available on the property and will install a bike rack once the access ramp is completed, but is there more we could do to promote green-er travel among the users of Breathing Space?

And we have voted (in both local council and European elections) for the Green Party – a party that clearly has greener transport policies in its manifesto, and has done for years. But could we be doing more to lobby the government to incentivize train travel? to not build more airports but actually close a couple? to fund cycleways within towns?

So there we are – struggling to travel sustainably; succeeding in some aspects and failing in others; wrestling with the dilemma of balancing family relationships with green living.

What about you? Are there ways you have managed to cut down on environmentally damaging travel? Do you struggle with the same dilemmas as us? Do you have any suggestions that we could take up? Add your comments to the blog or join in a conversation on Facebook…

September 17, 2018

Why the Archbishop of Canterbury should wear a Green Party rosette alongside his dog collar

Let justice roll down like rivers

When Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, quoted the prophet Amos, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, in his speech to the Trades Union Congress last week, he – not surprisingly – drew harsh opposition from those in power, including a number of Tory MPs. Ben Bradley, MP for Mansfield tweeted: ‘Not clear to me when or how it can possibly be appropriate for the Archbishop of Canterbury to be appearing at TUC conference or parroting Labour policy’, while his fellow MP in Shipley, Philip Davies, commented that ‘Justin Welby ought to consider removing his dog collar and replacing it with a Labour Party rosette’.

But as the Archbishop pointed out in his speech, the Bible is political – dangerously so.

‘Mary’s song, the Magnificat, central to the New Testament, is so revolutionary that anyone who takes it seriously finds it a threat to power and entitlement.’ – Justin Welby

A Labour Party rosette?

So perhaps Philip Davies is right, and Justin Welby should replace his dog collar with a Labour Party rosette. Perhaps every minister of religion, and indeed any serious follower of Jesus should do so. As Justin Welby pointed out,

‘To speak to the TUC in its 150th year, is to receive the enormous gift of being in the presence of a gathering that has been instrumental over that century and a half in reducing inequality, challenging injustice, and speaking up for the poor, the marginalised and the oppressed.’

And ‘reducing inequality, challenging injustice, and speaking up for the poor, the marginalised and the oppressed’ is precisely what Jesus stood for, so perhaps his followers should be more outspoken in doing so too.

Or a Green Party rosette?

Shortly after Justin Welby’s TUC speech, I received a copy of the new Green Party Political Programme. And, once again, I am impressed with the clear and refreshing agenda they are proposing, and just how much that aligns with the values the Archbishop was expounding in his speech, and how much they align with the Bible and Jesus’ own manifesto of the Sermon on the Mount.

Caring for our environment

Policies to care for our environment, reduce energy consumption, accelerate the roll-out of renewable energy, reduce waste, and protect and care for all animals; promoting creativity

‘We live on an amazing planet, rich in resources and able to sustain an incredible diversity of life. But we cannot take for granted it will always be this way.’ – Green Party Political Programme

‘The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it’. – The Bible

‘Have a good look at the birds in the sky… Take a tip from the lilies of the countryside…’ – Jesus

Challenging privilege

Making every vote matter; reforming the House of Lords; enabling diversity across politics; ending discrimination; an economy which delivers for the people who make it; tackling workplace exploitation and inequality; introducing a Universal Basic Income

‘Reducing privilege increases the power of ordinary people – of all of us. As the establishment shrinks, democracy grows.’ – Green Party Political Programme

‘At the heart of the Green Party is a belief that everyone is equal, that all lives have intrinsic value and that personal life choices are deserving of dignity.’ – Green Party Political Programme

‘He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,

And lifted up the lowly.’ – The Bible

‘Blessings on the meek! You’re going to inherit the earth.’ – Jesus

‘We will take immediate action to deliver real gender equality and to tackle violence against women and girls. We will make misogyny a hate crime and make it easier to challenge media sexism. We will fiercely protect and enhance women’s rights.’ – Green Party Political Programme

‘Whichever of you is without sin should throw the first stone.’ – Jesus to a group of men about to stone a woman ‘caught in adultery’.

Building peace and promoting international friendship

Standing up for migrants and refugees; building bridges; nuclear abolition; increasing international aid

‘We believe in waging peace not war, and are the only Party in England to unambiguously oppose all nuclear weapons, with their potential to end all human life.’ – Green Party Political Programme

‘Whatever the outcome or terms of Brexit, we will continue to stand in fellowship alongside our European neighbours, healing the scars of centuries of conflict through sharing and collaboration.’ – Green Party Political Programme

‘All peoples on earth will be blessed through you.’ – The Bible

‘They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.’ – The Bible

‘Blessings on the peacemakers! You’ll be called God’s children.’ – Jesus

Embedding collective kindness in our society

Restoring the NHS; empowering children in education; promoting local services; renewing communities; and supporting disabled people; making housing accessible

‘We envision a country underpinned by well-funded, locally led public services providing care and support for all – a society rooted in kindness.’ – Green Party Political Programme

‘He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich he has sent away empty’ – The Bible

‘I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you made me welcome. I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you looked after me; I was in prison and you came to me.’ – Jesus

A dog collar and a rosette?

No doubt others of different political and religious persuasions will find lots of gaps in this, see all sorts of ways in which the church has not lived up to the Bible’s teaching or Jesus’ manifesto, or see more alignments with other political parties. And there will be those who would argue that religion and politics don’t mix.

However, it seems to me that if my faith – or anyone else’s for that matter (whether Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Humanist, or any other belief system) – is not political then it is of no value at all. And it has to be political in a way that promotes justice, peace, diversity, compassion, and care for our environment.

So I don’t think the Archbishop of Canterbury should get rid of his dog collar just yet. But I do think he is right to speak out for justice and to wear a rosette (preferably green) alongside his dog collar.

April 17, 2017

West Midlands: No-one left behind

I am proud to live in the West Midlands. It is a great part of the country, with a rich history and a dynamic sense of diversity and inclusion. And it is an area that seems to offer hope and promise. And it is in that context that the mayoral election coming up on the 4^th May seems to be an incredible opportunity for a new direction – one in which we see some real development that benefits everyone and in which no-one is left behind.

That is the promise being offered by James Burn, the Green Party candidate for the West Midlands mayor.

In his manifesto, James Burn outlines his vision for a better West Midlands:

This manifesto is my vision for a better West Midlands. A West Midlands we can create together. A happier, healthier and more sustainable West Midlands where no-one is left behind.

This is a bold and ambitious manifesto, but one which seems to get to the heart of what is needed to make the West Midlands a better, healthier and more sustainable region. James sets out his vision for what is needed in terms of greater transparency, accountability and inclusion in the governance of the region; for a growing economy; more accessible transport and housing; a healthier environment; steps to boosting equality and diversity; tackling crime; and working for greater wellbeing and public health.

And, although ambitious, I see this as a credible and achievable manifesto, and one which James seems to have the credentials and commitment to see through.

James is currently an elected councillor for Chelmsley Wood in Solihull. He is Leader of the Opposition on Solihull Council (one of the 7 constituent members of the WMCA).

James has lived in the West Midlands for more than 15 years and has worked across much of the region in the private, public and voluntary sectors including as a senior policy advisor within local government. He is a qualified social worker and currently runs his own small business.

So I will be voting for James Burn in the forthcoming Mayoral election.

I encourage all my West Midlands friends to read his manifesto and to take this opportunity to bring about a positive change for our region.

James Burn’s Mayoral Manifesto

You can read James Burn’s manifesto by clicking here, or on his website: www.jamesburn.org

Here are some highlights:

Democracy

Ensuring that the West Midlands Combined Authority is transparent and accountable and truly representative of the people of the West Midlands;
Taking a lead in only taking the average salary for the West Midlands and being transparent in his own expenses;
Engaging more directly with the communities he is representing

The economy

Championing inclusive growth and supporting small enterprises, co-operatives and local businesses in the region;
Supporting more apprenticeships and skills training;
Pressing for the living wage throughout the West Midlands, reporting on the gap between the highest and lowest paid workers in the authority, and lobbying for a trial of universal basic income in the region

Transport

Bringing public transport back into public ownership;
Improving local bus, metro and rail links and ensuring they are more accessible to all, including students, the elderly, the disabled, and parents with young children;
Developing a long-term plan to increase walking and cycling and making them safer and more accessible to all

Housing

Making the provision of more housing, including more affordable housing, a top priority;
Improving standards for private landlords;
Helping homeless people get back on their feet and stay there by the provision of more housing options, linking together homeless services, and ensuring the provision of good information to those in need

Environment and Energy

Working towards a clean and affordable, low-carbon energy system;
Setting up a municipally owned West Midlands Energy Company to provide clean and affordable energy to the West Midlands;
Protecting wildlife and green spaces and making them more accessible to all

Equality and Diversity

Challenging discrimination and inequality throughout the West Midlands;
Promoting open working and collaboration between faith groups, BAME communities and women’s groups and the police, schools, voluntary groups and others;
Ensuring more women, members of BAME communities and people from socio-economically disadvantaged groups are able to start up their own businesses;

Crime and Community

Commission community and voluntary organisations to investigate ways in which the police can improve their relationships with local communities;
Targeting sexual violence and abuse of both adults and children through police training, reporting of violence and abuse, and public education;
Focusing more resources on tackling the causes of crime including evidence-based drugs policies, restorative justice, and support to reduce reoffending

Wellbeing and Public Health

Institute well-being measures for the success of the combined authority broken down across geographical areas and socio-economic groups;
Tackling income inequalities;
Promoting programmes to improve mental health and wellbeing

March 27, 2017

Politics and greed: seeking integrity and justice

Politics and greed

In May this year, George Osborne, former Chancellor of the Exchequer and MP for Tatton in Cheshire, will take up a sixth job as editor of the London Evening Standard.

Although it is reportedly common for sitting MPs to hold other jobs, I struggle to see how he can take on this new role with any sense of integrity. Mr Osborne, reportedly, already has four other jobs besides representing his constituency[1]:

He is an advisor to the American fund management firm Blackrock, for which he is reportedly paid £650,000 a year for one day a week’s work;
He is a speaker at the Washington Speaker’s Bureau, through which he apparently earned £800,000 in 15 speaking engagements last year;
He is a fellow at the US think tank, McCain Institute, from which he receives a £120,000 annual stipend;
He is chairman of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership.

Time, money and conflicts of interest

As an ordinary mortal who struggles to fit all my work commitments into the time available, I find it hard to understand how Mr Osborne can possibly do justice to representing his constituency with all those other roles competing for his time. Even if the other roles only take up a small proportion of his time, surely editing a daily newspaper cannot just be fitted into his spare time.

Last week the Economist reported that since being ejected from the treasury in July, Mr Osborne has taken part in just 6 debates in Parliament and has yet to submit a written question.[2]

As MP for Tatton, Mr Osborne represents 85,000 people. As chairman of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, he is meant to be promoting the development and interests of the North of England. In contrast, as editor of a London newspaper, he will have a powerful voice in the capital. It is hard to see how this will not cause any conflict of interest. When called on to vote on parliamentary debates will he vote according to his paper’s position, in the interests of the northern powerhouse, to represent his constituents, following his party’s whip, or will he vote primarily in his own interests?

Which brings us to the sickening greed of someone who can accept remuneration of £12,500 per day as an advisor, or charge an average £53,000 for an after-dinner speech. For the year ending 5 April 2015, median gross earnings for full-time employees in the UK were £27,600. While I support MPs receiving appropriate remuneration for the work they do, and I don’t have a problem with them taking on extra roles if they can manage them without compromising their primary role, I do have concerns about the validity of someone representing their constituency, while earning, in one after-dinner speech, nearly twice what their average constituent will earn in a year.

Seeking integrity: the Green Party’s candidate for West Midlands’ mayor

Reeling from the sickening reality of such obscene payments, it came as a breath of fresh air to read the pledges of the Green Party’s candidate for West Midlands’ mayor, James Burn.

In May this year, the West Midlands will elect its first ever mayor.

James Burn, currently leader of the opposition on Solihull council, and the Green party candidate has pledged, if he is elected, to refuse the majority of the proposed £100,000 salary, accepting instead the average wage of the West Midlands, of £29,000. The remainder he has pledged to donate to charity and local start-ups.

As a local councillor, James has been consistent in standing up for social justice and ethical principles[3]:

He played a key role in Birmingham’s first Living Wage campaign;
He has continued to call for Solihull Council to pay a living wage instead of giving big pay rises to directors;
He is supporting investment in the least well off areas of the West Midlands;
He is an unpaid board member for the Advanced credit union, an ethical community bank covering Solihull and North East Birmingham;
He has served as a volunteer for a wide range of charities.

In addition to his personal pledge in relation to the mayoral salary, James has also pledged to set up a public forum with representatives from across the community to hold the mayor to account. Currently the arrangements include one small committee, chosen by the authority and meeting four times a year.

Integrity in Politics: going for Green not for greed

The contrast between these two politicians couldn’t be starker. And when it comes to our own democracy, whether in Parliament, or in our local combined authority, I would much rather be represented by someone who is clearly committed to social justice, to promoting well-being, to protecting our environment, and who isn’t afraid to live out their principles.

[1] https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/mar/17/george-osborne-named-new-evening-standard-editor-newspaper

[2] Economist, 23.3.17: http://www.economist.com/news/britain/21719523-thats-not-oddest-part-time-career-mp-others-have-worked-playboy-or

[3] http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/west-midlands-mayor-candidate-james-12568183

May 22, 2015

Going Green

Frustrated by the outcome of the general election, the apparent pervasiveness of what comes across as an inward-looking, focus on ‘what’s best for me’ in our society, and the gradual merging of the main political parties into a somewhat right-of-centre common ground, I decided this week to join the Green Party.

Having spent some time before the election reading through some of the Party manifestos, it seemed to me that the Green Party was the one party that is actually prepared to challenge the status quo of global capitalism and exploitation, to question whether protecting our economy really is the most important value for our society and government, and to dare to suggest that there could be alternatives. There is something about the principles on which the Party is founded that resonates with the values to which I aspire: a concern for justice for all; care for our planet; care for those in our global society who are most vulnerable; an emphasis on health in its fullest sense; and a commitment to non-violent approaches to tackling the problems we face.

Continue reading “Going Green”