(Published in the Gazette on 10/02/11)

I was delighted by the response in the Gazette from Bridgend Conservative Association Chairman, Wayne Buffett Warlow, to my call for more constructive politics in Bridgend. Delyth Miller and I were also pleased to accept his invitation to the launch of their local Environment Action Day. It was, perhaps, a disappointingly low key affair, but it did give us the opportunity to sit down with colleagues from both parties (including WAG candidates from both parties) and convivially discuss issues of mutual concern. I think we were all pleased to find numerous areas of mutual interest and areas where we should be happy to support each other.

For example, the Conservative campaign is keen to see the promotion of a wider range of renewable energy sources, believing that there is too much emphasis on wind energy. We have been promoting this for a long time – and we were happy to share ideas on how this can be pursued. We all recognised the immense untapped potential for all sorts of renewable energy in South Wales.

I was also pleased to see a recognition of the reality that flooding is inevitably going to be an issue of growing concern. I was delighted to see the term ‘Blue Belt’ land on their literature. Similar to ‘Green Belt’, it means very tight planning constraints, but in this case on areas of high flood risk. This needs some further ‘joined up thinking’ as current national government policy, embodied in the Sustainable Communities Plan, actually encourages new development on flood plains – but hopefully we can ensure that this does not happen around Bridgend.

I hope this will be a start of ongoing constructive dialogue between all parties locally. We will always have ideological differences, but we all live in the same environment and have the same things at stake. As a minority party, we know we are a long way away from holding the reigns of power. We need constructive dialogue to help steer the powers that be, and I was pleased to hear positive comments from Conservatives about how much the Green Party has achieved in this respect. Our role is to support steps in the right direction and to hold the other parties to account for pledges that they make, not just in terms of environmental issues, but in all policy areas.

We have seen that broken promises are the biggest cause of problems in our politics (as the Lib Dems know with regards to tuition fees). Words and promises are cheap and ‘greenwashing’ as a publicity stunt is all too common with big companies and some politicians. The most encouraging thing from this meeting of Greens and Conservatives was the sentiment that it should all be about getting things done – before it is too late for all of us! Let it be.

Andy Chyba
Chair of Bridgend Green Party
Blog: https://bridgendgreens.wordpress.com/
Mobile: 078 1066 3241
Email: greens@chyba.go-plus.net

The Energy and Climate Change Committee issued a call for written evidence for its forthcoming inquiry into Shale Gas. Unfortunately the deadline for written evidence has passed already (Thursday 13 January 2011). I cannot find a date for the inquiry as yet.
http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/energy-and-climate-change-committee/inquiries/shale-gas/

“Shale gas is an unconventional fossil fuel, which means that additional procedures are required to extract it beyond regular drilling. Many such unconventional sources of oil and gas were formerly too difficult (or uneconomic) to extract until recent advances in drilling technology. A combination of directional drilling and a process called hydraulic fracturing have made accessible large amounts of natural gas locked up in the tight pores of shale formations at depths of 2km or more. Successes in the United States have driven prospecting across Europedrilling began earlier this year in Lancashire. It is estimated that the UK could be producing around 10% of its current gas needs from shale if it can be extracted at a commercial rate.

Respondents are free to comment on any issues they consider relevant, although the Committee particularly welcomes evidence addressing the following:

• What are the prospects for shale gas in the UK, and what are the risks of rapid depletion of shale gas resources?
• What are the implications of large discoveries of shale gas around the world for UK energy and climate change policy?
• What are the risks and hazards associated with drilling for shale gas?
• How does the carbon footprint of shale gas compare to other fossil fuels?”

However, when I clicked onto the Climate Week website, I started to get an uneasy feeling straight away.
http://www.climateweek.com/
A term that I have started to see more and more of is GREENWASHING – and it stinks:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenwashing

Big corporate sponsors smack you right between the eyes on the opening page of the Climate Week website:
Tesco, EDF Energy, Kellogg and RBS

Tesco’s green credentials have been examined by Friends of the Earth here:
http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/media_briefing/tesco_agm_2006.pdf

EDF’s green credentials are examined here:
http://www.powerbase.info/index.php?title=EDF_Energy

Kellogg’s green credentials are examined here:
http://www.theecologist.org/green_green_living/behind_the_label/269114/behind_the_label_kelloggs_nutrigrain_soft_bake_bars.html

RBS is infamous for its dirty investments:
http://www.wdm.org.uk/rbs-dirty-investments

So as much as it is great to see any initiatives that promote awareness of the dangers facing humanity from climate change, it is perhaps not surprising that greenwashing politicians are happy to collaborate with greenwashing companies.
http://www.climateweek.com/supporters/find-your-sector/fashion/ (Is this a Freudian slip – tagging this list as ‘fashion’)

At the end of the day, initiatives like Climate Week are merely tinkering around the edges of the problem. Not until we get a radical and fundamental restructuring of the way we live will we make significant enough inroads into the problems we face.

http://www.350resources.org.uk/2010/09/12/britain-must-adapt-to-inevitable-climate-change-warns-minister/

I quote: “Bridgend Conservative Association supports his call for more cross-party co-operation and is always seeking to encourage a more positive attitude to political debate in Bridgend and beyond” .

He goes on to promote a Welsh Conservatives initiative that they are calling Environment Action Day, on Saturday 29 January – this coming Saturday. Again I quote: “designed to focus attention on environmental issues and publicise our campaign to take party politics out of environmental policy and ensure sustainability is a key driver of the next Welsh assembly Government’s agenda”.

He goes on to invite me, and like-minded people (you?) to go along to their local launch of this campaign, at the Rose & Crown Hotel in Nottage, Porthcawl – Saturday 10.30am. Unfortunately, I know that myself, Neil and Tunney are otherwise engaged, but it would be great if someone could go along to have a closer look at what they are proposing. If anyone thinks they can make it, please ring me for a chat beforehand.

Andy (Mobile: 078 1066 3241)

We can’t let that happen. We need to stop these plans. National treasures like the The Forest of Dean, Sherwood Forest and The New Forest could be sold off. Once they are gone, they will be lost forever.

A huge petition will force the government to rethink its plans. If we can prove how strongly the public are against this, they will have to back down. Please sign the petition now.

http://www.38degrees.org.uk/page/s/save-our-forests#petition
Read what Caroline Lucas has to say on the issue here:

http://www.carolinelucas.com/cl/media/caroline-warns-of-growing-anger-as-reckless-woodland-sell-off-plans-published.html

Do more:

• Find out how you can do more at the Save Our Forests Action Centre

The petition comes after demonstrators were kettled by Metropolitan Police for up to 9 hours during a student protest against tuition fee rises on 24th November.

In advance of the presentation, Zain Sardar, national committee member of the Young Greens, said:

“We have had over 1900 people sign our petition, which calls for kettling to be banned when there is no threat of violence between conflicting groups of protesters.

“In recent tuition fee protests, we’ve seen indiscriminate kettling by police of peaceful protesters. People have been kettled for up to nine hours without food and without medical assistance for those who require it.

“We have seen how kettling can turn a peaceful protest into an event where those who attend are effectively imprisoned and punished. Containment should only be used a tactic of last resort, as kettling is an infringement of the fundamental right to peaceful protest.”

Jenny Jones, Green member of the London Assembly and the Metropolitan Police Authority, said:

“The Met have used kettling to illegally imprison peaceful campaigners and have shown they can’t be trusted with such a powerful tactic. The Met’s reputation sinks even further every time they abuse their powers and it’s time to stop this particular mistreatment.”

Caroline Lucas, Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, has also signed EDM 1257, which “believes kettling to be an infringement of the fundamental right to peaceful protest; and calls on the Government to take steps to stop this practice.”

It is coming to the Chapter Arts Centre cinema, Canton, Cardiff ( http://www.chapter.org/planvisit/index.HTML ) to coincide with the Cardiff Conference.
It is being screened from Friday 25th February to Thursday 3rd March. (Conference is Friday to Monday of this same week)

It is a MUST SEE film for all who want to understand why we should be so concerned about the proposed fracking in Bridgend County – everyone in Llangeinor, Lewistown, Ognore Vale, Blackmill, Bettws, and Bridgend itself should see this movie!!

And it has just been nominated for an OSCAR too! Yesterday it was announced that Gasland has been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. UK film critics have hailed Gasland as “Powerful, disturbing and important” (The Sunday Mirror) and “Essential viewing” (The Observer), to name but a few.

Bridgend Green Party members should therefore clear their diaries and get into Cardiff for a day at Conference ( http://www.greenparty.org.uk/conference.html ) followed by an evening at the cinema!! See you all there!

Andy,

Thanks for offering. The information on volunteering is below. I am now up to 26 volunteers so you may go on the reserve list and I don’t need any further appeals. However, I do need locals for Thursday afternoon so if you could ask Bridgend GP members if they can do 1500 to 1800 then that would be great.

The intention is always to use local members with their local knowledge but the appeals seem to have gone out late within Wales GP.

Thanks
Eamonn

Thank you for volunteering to help at the Spring Green Party conference at the Angel Hotel Cardiff from Friday 25 February to Monday 28 February. Anyone who volunteers to do a maximum 3 hour shift will get free entry into conference for that day. Training will be given as required. Help is needed as follows :

Front of house desk : You will be registering delegates on arrival and give information to delegates on all aspects of conference including local amenities. There will be very busy peaks at the start of each day and quiet points mainly in the afternoon. In the final shorter shift from 1755 to 2000 the main task will be to return badge deposits.

Stewards : You will help delegates find their way round the venue and answer their questions on all aspects of conference. You will also pass on knowledge of local amenities outside of the conference building.

Setting up and closing down : Help will be needed early Friday and mid afternoon Monday on a variety of tasks.

Conference preparation : We will need a team of 3 to 4 local volunteers to help stuff folders and do other preparatory tasks

If anyones looking for work experience, theres an exciting opportunity here in support of our Welsh Assembly campaign which includes free accommodation + £10 daily lunch allowance…

Please feel free to circulate. Thanks & best wishes Spencer

http://www.greenparty.org.uk/jobs.html

Media interns to support the Green Party’s Welsh Assembly election campaign

Expenses paid, free lodgings offered

Starting February, finishing after the May elections

Training in our London press office offered ahead of starting

Wales Green Party has a fantastic opportunity to elect its first Assembly Member in this May’s Assembly Elections. Our lead candidate Jake Griffiths is also Leader of the Green Party in Wales and has an increasingly high profile in the area.

Just 7% is needed to elect Jake to the Assembly under the proportional voting system. We secured 6.4% in the South Wales Central region in the 2009 Euro Elections, and the last 2 opinion polls have placed Wales Green Party on 9-10%, showing we’re building momentum ahead of May.

We’re looking for 2 volunteer media interns to be based in Cardiff, supporting the work of our Development Officer who is overseeing the campaign. The purpose of the role is to secure more coverage of the campaign in print, broadcast and online media within the region. The role of these interns could be a significant factor in helping achieve an historic breakthrough for the Greens.

The placement will begin before Green Party Conference, 25-28th Feb and will end in the first week of May.

Our message

This election offers us the chance to explain to voters how a vote for Labour on the 2nd regional ballot is wasted, and why progressives should back the Greens to provide alternatives to the cuts, tackling the increases in living costs from oil/food prices etc.

Main duties to include:

* Monitoring media for opportunities
* Drafting press releases, letters and other communications
* Handling telephone enquiries
* Communicating with journalists to secure coverage
* Research of policy issues
* Some work outside normal office hours

Expenses:

We can only provide an expenses budget for meals (£10 per day) and travel costs (if applicable). We can however offer free accommodation in Cardiff.

Please click here to download a questionnaire/skills sheet.

Please click here for a Volunteer Agreement.

Reply, with a completed press

National media team volunteers (unpaid, though local public transport and lunch allowance covered)

Exciting opportunities for 2011!

The Green Partys national media team require media interns who are able to commit three or more days a week for 3-6 months, based in either Brighton, Cardiff, London or Norwich.

· Those based in our Brighton office will play a crucial role in this year’s local elections in the city where last year Britain’s first Green MP was elected.

· Those based in Cardiff will help the Green Party’s bid for another historic breakthrough – the first Green Party member of the Welsh Assembly.

· Those based in Norwich will work with the party’s deputy leader, Adrian Ramsay, and the Norwich Green Party team for a vital local election campaign in the only British city where the Greens are the official opposition on the city council.

· Volunteers in the core national media team will work from our London press office, working direct to the party’s head of media relations Spencer Fitz-Gibbon, in support of Green Party leader Caroline Lucas MP, fighting for extra media exposure for the Green Party.

The successful applicants will be dynamic, intelligent, flexible and hard-working, with excellent verbal and written communications skills. Previous experience of media/communications work is ideal but not essential.

Some training will be given in writing for the media and in handling incoming requests from national, regional and local media outlets including print, broadcast and online. Duties will include news monitoring, writing and editing briefings and reports.

Please click here to download a questionnaire/skills sheet.

Please click here for a Volunteer Agreement.

Reply, with a completed press

Research

Spencer Fitz-Gibbon Head of Media Relations

The Green Party

020 7561 0282

07590 046505

http://www.greenparty.org.uk

Published and promoted by Spencer Fitz-Gibbon for the Green Party, both at 1a Waterlow Road, London N19 5NJ.

Corrective rape, the vicious practice of raping lesbians to cure their sexuality, is becoming a crisis in South Africa. But brave activists are calling on the world to help stop these heinous Hate Crimes — and finally the government is beginning to respond. Let’s support them. Sign the petition and send it to friends!

Millicent Gaika was bound, strangled, tortured and raped for five hours by a man who crowed that he was curing her of her lesbianism.

She barely survived, but she is not alone — this vicious crime is recurrent in South Africa, where lesbians live in terror of attack. But no one has ever been convicted of ‘corrective rape’.

Amazingly, from a tiny Cape Town safehouse a few brave activists are risking their lives to ensure that Millicents case sparks change. Their appeal to the Minister of Justice has exploded to over 140,000 signatures, forcing him to respond on national television. But the Minister has not yet answered their demands for action.

Let’s shine a light on this horror from all corners of the world — if enough of us join in to amplify and escalate this campaign, we can reach President Zuma, who is ultimately responsible to uphold constitutional rights. Lets call on Zuma and the Minister of Justice to publicly condemn corrective rape, criminalise hate crimes, and ensure immediate enforcement, public education and protection for survivors. Sign the petition now and share it with everyone