York Green Party statement on Gaza

Greens say: Gaza bombing must stop

Also, a protest arranged by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign will take place on Saturday January 3rd at 1pm in St Sampson's Square.

Greens have called for an immediate and unconditional stop to Israel's bombing of the Gaza strip, which has so far killed well over 300 people, around 10% of whom are believed to be children.

This is in response to rocket attacks on Israeli territory launched from the Gaza strip that have killed 4 people since the recent ceasefire broke down and 23 people in the last eight years.

Andy Chase, Green Parliamentary Candidate for York Central, said: "Rocket attacks from Gaza must cease, though the situation is complicated because many are carried out by militants who are not under the effective control of the Palestinian authorities. However, the Israeli offensive has killed over ten times as many people as all of these attacks in a matter of days. The international community must tell Israel that this is not acceptable. Policies of 'collective punishment' are the best way of creating more hatred and extremism."

He continued: "Israel imposed a blockade on the Gaza strip in 2007, since when there have been terrifying increases in poverty in the territory. In recent months, this has become more severe as even essential supplies of food and medicine have experienced difficulties in getting through. Unemployment is at 45% and there are serious concerns about proper nutrition and food security for many people. The way to stop rocket attacks is by giving people in Gaza a viable economic and political future and ending the blockade forthwith."

Green Party leader and Member of the European Parliament, Caroline Lucas, said, "The Israeli action is clearly counterproductive to the prospects for peace. The population of Gaza is already suffering from the Israeli blockade, which has accelerated their decline into even greater hunger and poverty. Casualties among the civilian population only serve to make people more angry and sow the seeds for further violence."

Where do the contents of your ready meal come from?

Farming Today had an interesting story today. It is apparently legal for ready meal producers to label their product as British if it has been produced in Britain but the meat has been sourced elsewhere.

They looked at the case of a Chicken Tikka Masala produced by a famous supermarket chain. After some enquiries it became evident that the chicken was sourced from Thailand.

I imagine many of my readers on Green Feed are vegetarians, but for those of us who eat meat it is disturbing. Although there are valid concerns about the treatment of poultry in this country it is still of a higher standard than elsewhere in the world, which is why many people look for the British label when purchasing meat.

Out of interest I would appreciate people filling in the poll on my blog as I would be interested in how many of you are vegetarian/vegan.

Elvington Airfield

I today spoke at the Elvington Airfield Inquiry representing Heslington Parish Council. Here is what I said:

When Heslington Parish Council received the application for hangars on Elvington Airfield there was no supporting information relating to estimated flight and traffic movements or the environmental effect of such an application. We still remain opposed to the application for the erection of hangars for the following reasons.

Under Heslington's Village Design Statement we call for:

1. No further significant development of Elvington airfield should be consented to by the City Council, or even considered, without there first being in place a Masterplan or design
statement for the development of the airfield. This should set the airfield in its wider context and identify its longterm objectives so that it can be subjected to a public consultation
process.
2. This Masterplan should identify and anticipate all future development of the infrastructure of the site, together with anticipated growth of commercial, leisure and freight traffic over, say, the next 15 to 20 years, and provide full supporting economic, transport and environmental impact assessments.
3. It should undergo a full series of public consultations in accordance with Government policy guidance, which would include formal consultation with all impacted surrounding communities likely to be affected by the noise footprint and traffic growth, including Heslington.

These conditions have not been met. We do not have a clear idea what the intentions of Elvington Park are for future development of the airfield and what the environmental consequences of approval would mean.

We do not believe the road network on the east of York can cope with an increase in traffic which will no doubt be a result of extra traffic travelling to and from Elvington. We are already expecting extra demands on the road network from the University, Derwenthorpe and Germany Beck developments.

Elvington Park have proved to be an inconsiderate neighbour since taking over the site, which was backed up in court this June when they were ordered by York Crown Court to cease Formula One testing after years over excessive noise and an unwillingness to conform to the reasonable conditions set down by York City Council, showing total disregard for local residents concerns. We believe any expansion of air activities on the site will once again cause unreasonable disturbance to local residents in Heslington.

There is no evidence that refusal of the application will affect the commercial interests of the city. With airports already located in Humberside, Doncaster, Newcastle, Leeds/Bradford and Manchester the region is already more than amply served. This has been proved by the failure of Sheffield Airport, which despite being a much larger city than York could not continue as a going concern. York also already has a flying school at Rufforth.

In conclusion we do not feel there are any special circumstances which could justify the proposed development on Greenbelt land. A development which would inevitably have an intolerable effect on local life for the surrounding villages. And furthermore, due to the lack of information available at the time of application we feel the development has not faced adequate public scrutiny.

York Green Party also sent out the following press release:

York Greens have condemned the proposal to expand Elvington Airfield to accommodate up to 10,000 flights a year.

The Green Party's Heslington Spokesperson Andrew Collingwood will be among those people attending the public inquiry. He was quoted as saying:

"This expansion could be the thin end of the wedge leading to hugely increased air traffic in and out of the airport.

It will be an environmental disaster for York. It will pour traffic onto the road network in and around the South East of York, which is already unable to cope with all of the new developments at Germany Beck, Derwenthorpe and the University.

It seems incredible that with the possibility of the Arctic Ocean being ice-free during the summer within ten years, people can seriously contemplate a development that would drive a coach and horses through local carbon reduction targets. It's like sailing around in a ship trying to find an iceberg to crash into.

It will also be an economic disaster. The proposal will create a relatively small number of jobs that will be vulnerable every time there is another spike in oil prices. This is at the expense of noise pollution and traffic chaos that will blight the south east corner of the city and deter firms from locating there.

What we need are innovative, environmentally aware local businesses that will bring long-term jobs and prosperity to the city, not useless facilities that will be obsolete within twenty years."

No to Elvington Airport

A public inquiry has started today into a proposed development which will allow an old RAF airfield which is currently used for a around 800 flights a year the right to accept up to 10,000 flights a year. In other words turning it into a small airport.

If the proposed development gets the go ahead it will be disastrous for the environment and local residents. We do not need any more airports, we already have 3 in Yorkshire alone.

Neighboring parish councils Elvington and Heslington oppose the development, as do the city council. It is on Greenbelt land, which will require the owners to prove special circumstances to get permission. We can only hope that the inquiry rules that there are no special circumstances.

I'll keep you posted on the developments as they happen.

The curse of Blair still haunts us

Newsnight tonight dug out a classic gem from the Blair archive:

"Something is seriously awry when … the Financial Services Authority that was established to provide clear guidelines and rules for the financial services sector and to protect the consumer against the fraudulent, is seen as hugely inhibiting of efficient business by perfectly respectable companies - that have never defrauded anyone."

This is New Labour all over, and Brown is no better when it comes to cosying up to business. The FSA has been seen is lacking over the past few years, and it is clear Labour were not willing to give them teeth when it comes to financial regulation.

The full article can be found at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2918368/What-Blair-really-thinks-about-the-FSA.html

Also, we now find out that Blair may have misled parliament over the F1 tobacco advertising debacle http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7668112.stm

The working class who voted for Labour have been let down. They are Tory Light and it is clear they are only interested in maintaining the status quo with a sprinkling of neo liberal policies.

One benefit of the financial crisis

There was a lot of speculation on tonight's Newsnight about what government departments would suffer as a result of the financial salvage package. As Brown has promised to maintain the current level of funding on Health and Education it is likely that the defence budget will suffer.

The result of this is that we may see an early withdrawal from Iraq, and along with the US a reluctance to get involved in other military adventures.

Newsnight did suggest that Russia, China and Iran may get emboldened and take risks they would not usually contemplate. I personally feel this is doubtful as Russia and China are also affected by the financial crisis.

The country is in economic crisis, but at least it will clip the wings of our imperialist leaders.

The crisis explained

This excellent sketch by John Bird and John Fortune explains why we have arrived at the current crisis.

Unfortunately I doubt the current economic crisis will change the system, governments will just keep throwing tax payers money at the problem to defend capitalism.

Rothko

Got to see the Rothko exhibition at the weekend. It really is worth a visit, as he is one of those artists you cannot really appreciate unless you are looking at the original, as the work relies so much on textures and colours which are lost on prints of his works.

It did however remind me of this clip from L.A.Story

LA Story - emotionally erect

Capitalism is up the creek

I am rather a novice when it comes to economics and I'm sure plenty of my colleagues in the Green Party have a far more insightful view on the current problems than myself. But anyhoo, here are my views...

Banks should be at the back of the queue when it comes to nationalisation. The rail network and energy companies would be a good start considering we currently subsidise the rail network while paying shareholders and allow energy companies to rip their customers off to guarantee profits to their shareholders.

So, the banks. I don't have all the answers, but my suggestion is for the future that banks and other financial institutions should pay into a government scheme to protect customer's savings. Then, at the end of the day if they get into trouble it is tough, they may act a bit more cautiously in future. If it wasn't for all the buy to let mortgages it is likely property prices would be lower than the current insane levels they are at.

There is however a major concern for trade unionists. Pension schemes are at real risk due to the current state of the market. We should never have got into the position where we are so reliant on work based pensions, but we are here now and a major fall in share prices will result in schemes closing down or requiring employees to pay a lot more in. More than ever, we need a reliable state pension which gives pensioners a living income so it does not have to be supplemented by work based pensions.

Press release from York Green Party

York Green Party has reacted with great dismay to the announcement that the Remploy factory in York has been recently sold on the day that the GMB union announced at the Labour Party conference that it would campaign to re-open the factory.

Of the 54 workers who lost their jobs when the York factory closed down around half have been unable to find alternative employment.

Green Party Trades Union Spokesperson Andrew Collingwood stated, "Remploy workers from York and across the country have been seriously let down by the Labour government. They have been forced into menial jobs well below their skill levels or, even worse, unemployment. We call for an immediate and independent review of the factory closures and for the government to support those Remploy workers who have been unable to find employment after 6 months."

The Green Party's candidate for York Central, Andy Chase, added,"We should stop mumbling platitudes about 'mainstream employment' and instead sit down and listen to the Remploy workers themselves."

Labour lets down Remploy workers

It is with great dismay that I must report the announcement that the Remploy factory in York has been recently sold on the day that the GMB announced at Labour party conference that they would campaign to re-open the factory.

Of the 54 workers who lost their job when the York factory closed down half have failed to find alternative employment.

The government has seriously let down Remploy workers across the country through its series of factory closures.

Stephen Fry's Podgrams

I'm currently suffering from a bout of illness. While lying in bed I have found the delights of the Stephen Fry Podgram, which I have been downloading through ITunes. This following excerpt about his views on dancing made me laugh out loud:

At a pinch I would welcome that over the continued existence of endless long ballroom routines in which you have to be taught the steps of quadrilles, cotillions, gavottes, waltzes and so forth. I suppose the descendant of that ghastly form of entertainment is the vile terror known as Line Dancing, a proceeding so fatuous and horrible as to defy language. I have twice been caught with nowhere to run in one of those events. It was like being on the gymnastics mat at school, or in the infant Music and Movement room. The sweaty, ghastliness of it all and the silly hats and embarrassing clapping. Oh god, I’ve given myself hives just thinking of it.

And hell, that reminds me of childhood Scottish dancing lessons, hopping over swords. Or more recent holidays with friends with Highland Reels promised as an after dinner treat. ‘In this life,’ Sir Arnold Bax is reputed to have said, ‘you should try everything once, except incest and folk dancing.’ Eightsome reels. Stripping the Willow. The Roger de Coverley, whoever the arse he was. Morris Dancing, which is fashionable to loathe, I really don’t mind at all. In fact I quite like it, because there is never the faintest chance of being invited to join in. Organised dancing and disorganised dancing in which one is supposed to participate. Both of them fill me with dread and disgust. Yes, probably self-disgust more than any other kind.

Maybe it all springs from having to sing at school the Worst Song Ever Written — Lord of the Dance. ‘Dance then, wherever you may be, for I am the Lord of the Dance said he. I’ll dance with you if you dance with me, for I am the lord of the dance said he.’ And so bloody on. If ever a song were guaranteed to create a generation of atheists and non-dancers it is that one. ‘I danced for the sun and I danced for the moon. I danced at night and I danced at noon.’ I mean, come on. Seriously shut up. Shut so up and go so dreadfully and entirely away.

http://stephenfry.com/blog/?paged=2#more-41

We're all f**ked is this woman gets elected

And with John McCain being close to his sell by date she may even become president. Barack Obama my not be the panacea to American's ailments but he has to be a better choice than the McCain/Palin ticket.

Meh

I've come away from my first GP conference feeling rather apathetic and not very motivated to campaign for the party nationally. (However, I still strongly support York Central's candidate Andy Chase, who does motivate me to get out there and campaign).

I was particularly disappointed that the original maximum/minimum wage motion was not passed with an amendment changing this:

C. For maximum income limit of 10 times the National Minimum Wage, through the establishment of a 100% rate of income tax on taxable personal income above that level.

to this:

(c) a new top rate of income tax to be levied on incomes over 10 times the National Minimum Wage

There was a lot of talk about how having a 100% tax rate would alienate some of our potential voters. I seriously doubt it. Under the current motion it would mean workers would not be able to earn over £81,700. The vast majority of the UK populace earns under this level, we would be talking about a policy which would affect under 1% of workers, people who most probably would never consider voting for us in the first place, as many of our other policies would not be in their interest. It is only with radical policies that we will really catch the attention of voters, not by putting out watered down policies for fear of upsetting a few Tory voters. There is real potential for the Green Party to attract disillusioned trade unionists who can no longer stomach New Labour and we will not do it by tinkering around the status quo.

I was also surprised by the amount of suits wandering round conference. It appears this number has grown year on year, and the suits seemed to be the those who did not support the good motions put through on maximum wage and right to rent.

The conference venue was also very dreary. No communal area for socialising (or networking if you prefer) was available until the evening. Thankfully the Malborough Arms proved a good venue for Green Left to meet in :-)

Oh well, let's see what this year brings with a new leader and GPEx. To quote this Simpsons:

The leader is good,
the leader is great.
We surrender our will,
as of this day.

Back to gloomy York

I'm now back in gloomy York after a wonderful sunny week in the Alps. It is great to finally have some colour and stop looking like a pasty northerner.

Returning back to normality after a week away emphasises just how much time you spend during the week dealing with emails. On return I had over 300 non-work emails, over 100 of which were GP related. Work a bit quiter with only about 100 emails over 4 days, it would have probably been triple that if I went a couple of months later.

Anyhow, off to the York Green Festival today and hoping for sun.