GreenLeaf • Newspaper of the Brighton & Hove Green Party • 32nd Edition, September/October 2007 • Page 1
Newspaper of the Brighton & Hove Green Party • Sept/Oct 2007 • 32nd Edition www.brightonandhovegreenparty.org.uk
Brighton, where 20 per cent of residents – more than twice the national average Fat Cat tax – are private sector tenants on low or Early general modest incomes with little hope of ever buying a home. ‘Furthermore, it is madness to sell to fund irreplaceable council homes at a time when families are waiting an average of election – “bring ten years to be housed by local authori- ties and housing associations.’ first time Under the Green Party proposals, there would be no repayments on loans for up to 15 years. A similar system helps about it on” say Greens 100,000 people a year into home ownership buyers in France where the average loan is £16,000 and the inflationary impact is limited. GREEN parliamentary candidate, Caro- First Rung Loans would be available line Lucas says government should set only to first time buyers and would never up a fund to provide interest-free loans exceed more than 10 per cent of the pur- for first-time buyers, by taxing City of chase price. They would not be available London fat cat bonuses. for buy to let properties. In high-cost Interest-free First Rung Loans of up housing areas like Brighton, the maxi- to £20,000, funded by an earmarked mum of £20,000 might be needed. In tax on City of London fat cat bonuses, other parts of the country, where house should be introduced to help all private prices have risen more slowly, the loans and public sector renters onto the home would be lower. ownership ladder, says Caroline Lucas, ‘Making 20,000 First Rung Loans a Green Party Parliamentary Candidate year, would cost £400 million. Greens for Brighton Pavilion. At the same, time, would fund this through an earmarked the sale of council homes to their tenants tax on City of London fat cat bonuses, should be scrapped. which topped £14 billion last year,’ said ‘The present situation where council Dr Lucas. ‘An extra annual tax that tenants are given huge discounts to buy raised 4 per cent of the value of the bo- their homes is unfair to people living in nuses would more than cover the loans.’ privately rented accommodation who receive no help unless they are key See page 2 inside for Green Party workers,’ said Dr Lucas. response to Brighton and Hove City ‘This unfairness is keenly felt in Council Housing Strategy.
Other stories inside: • Solidarity with • Call for overhaul postal workers of council housing SPECULATION that there will be an 1992 the Greens are the only party in • Fighting NHS cuts early general election has placed the the city to have seen a steady and con- Green Party on high alert in Brighton and tinuous growth in its support. We have Hove. moved from a little over two percent to Following the party’s success in the an unprecedented 22% achieved at the May local elections, when it secured 12 last General Election – the highest share seats on the city council, Greens moved secured by a Green candidate ever. quickly to select its parliamentary candi- “Having represented the city in Europe dates for the city’s three constituencies. since 1999 I have seen the same growth in Caroline Lucas, the Green’s MEP our share of the vote – in fact in 2004 my for the South East, won the contest to share of the vote in Pavilion was 30% too, represent the party in its best prospect “I strongly believe that it will work in seat, Brighton Pavilion. Councillors Ben the Green Party’s favour if Prime Minister Duncan and Ian Davey were selected to Gordon Brown decides to cut and run and stand in Brighton Kemp Town and Hove go for an early general election. The mo- respectively. mentum is clearly with the Green Party. Speaking about the prospect of an early Voters want to see change and we will general election, Caroline Lucas said: be working hard to ensure that Brighton “In the May local elections the 30% of Pavilion returns the country’s first Green the vote won by the Greens in Brighton Member of Parliament to Westminster. So Pavilion was a higher share than any I say, bring it on!” other party – so we are already in the lead. That great result was significantly Profiles of Caroline Lucas MEP and the up on the share of the vote we achieved in Green Party’s other parliamentary candi- the 2005 General. dates, Ben Duncan and Ian Davey can be “In fact in every general election since read on pages 4-5. Page 2 • GreenLeaf • Newspaper of the Brighton & Hove Green Party • 32nd Edition, September/October 2007 Fighting NHS Cuts Petition for Gay and Transexual Hate Crime Law
ABOVE: A&E Department at Royal Sussex Hospital
NHS health bosses have been consulting on proposals that could result in the reduction of the number of Accident and Emergency and maternity units in the region. The options in the ‘Fit for the Future’ proposals have prompted a group to set up the Fight for the Future campaign. Andy Power, one those behind the campaign, told Greenleaf, “The three options in the Fit for the Future proposals could see cuts to hospitals in Worthing, Chichester or Haywards Heath, with greater numbers being forced to travel to Brighton for maternity and emergency care. “Two out of the three existing A&E units could be replaced by minor injuries or urgent care units, leaving patients with no access to acute or surgical care. The strategy is to centralise facilities and then separate out services which can be offered to healthcare companies to run as busi- nesses. Brighton’s Urgent Care Centre was put out to tender earlier this year and it looks certain that a £250 million expansion to the Royal Sussex County Hospital looks set to be financed through a Private Finance Initia- tive mortgaging healthcare in the city for the next thirty years.” Speaking about the proposals Dr Hermione Roy, Green Councillor for Regency told Greenleaf: “For some it can certainly be more risky to travel long distances to the near- est A&E. “However, the prospect of further privatisation is also concerning. Tender- ing out services has a de-stabilising effect on the NHS. Independent providers are not inter- ested in treating those with chronic conditions or the long term mentally ill. They concentrate on the routine operations, such as cataracts and hip replace- ments, resulting in clini- cians – doctors and nurses PICTURED above: Peter Tatchell adds his signature to the anti hate crime petition – rarely getting to see these procedures as part of their routine training.” FORTY years after the decriminalisation of homo- mentary candidate for Oxford West Peter Tatchell For more info on sexuality Brighton and Hove Green Party is leading said: NHS restructuring: a campaign for the government to introduce specific “If there are going to be laws against inciting homophobia and transphobia hate crime legislation. hatred, they should prohibit all incitements to hatred Public meetings on the Fit for the Fu- Amy Kennedy, Green Party councillor for Preston - not just some. Under the current law, inciting racism ture proposals will Park, and activists Nigel Tart, the party’s national is a crime, but inciting homophobia and transphobia is be held on Wednes- spokesman for Lesbian, Gay and Transgender not a crime. Why the double standards? (LGBT) issues and Phelim Mac Cafferty, the party’s All incitements of hatred should be treated with the day 26th September (1-3pm) & Saturday local LGBT representative have posted a petition same zero tolerance. The encouragement of hatred is 29th (1-3pm) at the onto the Number 10 web site. It has already attracted the gateway to discrimination, harassment and vio- Pavilion Theatre and nearly 800 signatures. lence. It lays the psychological foundation for serious, Thursday 4th Octo- Commenting, Cllr Kennedy said: “Despite the de- harmful criminal acts. The current laws are clearly ber, 6.30-8.30 at Hove criminalisation, lives are continuing to be destroyed inadequate.” Town Hall. Those by homophobia. We believe that the law should be The deadline to sign the petition is 3 November 2007. re-written now to target incitement of hatred on the wishing to attend The link for those wishing to add their names: http:// need to book their grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. petitions.pm.gov.uk/LGBT-Hate-Crime/?showall=1 place by calling Gay campaigner and Green Prospective Parlia- 0800 013 0251. GreenLeaf • Newspaper of the Brighton & Hove Green Party • 32nd Edition, September/October 2007 • Page 3
Green call for overhaul of Big Lemon launch THE ‘Big Lemon’ is a low emissions bus company Saver’ ticket. Unaccompanied children travel half set up in in Brighton by local Green Party member price. However, if accompanied by a full fare-paying Tom Druitt. adult over 18, children will travel free (max 3 children council housing Druitt has set up a Community Interest Company per adult). Holders of Council-issued bus passes will and will be reinvesting at least 65% of its profits also travel free, at any time. Holders of Brighton and for the benefit of local people. Initially it will be Hove Buses Saver tickets and season tickets will travel running half hourly services between Falmer and half price. management Brighton Stations, but the company plans to intro- MEP and Westminster hopeful Caroline Lucas, duce more routes soon. pictured, officially launched the service in September GREENS have called for an overhaul of the council’s housing manage- A single fare is £1, and £2 for an all-day ‘Lemon this year. ment department, the establishment of a citywide tenants’ forum and the introduction of a loyalty card scheme to reward tenants who pay their rents on time. The measures have been put forward as part of the Green Party’s wide- ranging response to Brighton and Hove City Council’s housing strategy consultation. Greens have also called for the council to develop a coherent strategy to address the issue of student housing, which was ignored in the original consultation document. The need for more support for housing co- ops is also flagged up in the Green response. Commenting Cllr Bill Randall, Brighton and Hove Green Group of councillors’ housing spokesman said: “While we welcome the council’s proposals to take forward its work with homeless people and minority groups, we believe the draft strategy is weakened by a failure to address the poor performance of the Housing Department, which was highlighted by the last Audit Commission inspection. It urgently needs to be reor- ganised. Its poor service has a negative impact on the lives of more than 12,000 households in the city – many of them vulnerable and on low incomes.” Greens say that a loyalty card scheme should be introduced to help re- duce rent arrears. Similar schemes introduced by councils elsewhere have shown that they can dramatically reduce arrears and rewarded tenants for very little investment. “The housing needs of Brighton and Hove’s 33,000 student population have not been addressed in the consultation document,” continued Cllr Randall. “This is a serious omission. ‘Studentification’ is becoming in a serious problem in inner city wards where local people are beginning to regard the universities as cuckoos in the nest rather than an asset to the city. Any further expansion of the city’s universities must be informed by a strategic appraisal of housing and other infrastructure needs.” Greens are also critical of the way the Council has failed to give any commitment towards sustainability. “Housing accounts for 44% of the city’s CO2 emission and dealing with this effectively is one of the most serious challenges facing the city over the next five years. The lack of any strategy is truly disappointing,” said Cllr Randall. On homelessness the Greens urges the city council to introduce a 50% affordable homes policy and for greater use to be made of compulsory purchase and leasing powers to bring into use empty homes that have been VOTE GREEN empty for more than six months. Page 4 • GreenLeaf • Newspaper of the Brighton & Hove Green Party • 32nd Edition, September/October 2007 Three Green candidates for Brighton & Hove THE GREEN party parliamentary candidates for Brighton and Hove are profiled on this and the facing page
journalist has given me an What do you see as the proposed waste incinera- Ben excellent understanding of the main issues in the tor in the forthcoming public parliamentary practices and Kemptown area? inquiry. Duncan processes. Housing, schools and What are your hopes and How local are you? waste. Bad housing and aspirations for Kemptown? IS STANDING as Par- I have lived in Kemp- scandalously slow housing Given its demographics, liamentary Candidate town since I first moved repairs and maintenance are vote share, council represen- for Kemptown. He is to Brighton five years ago, massive problems in Kemp- tation, and local member- and have developed many town, a constituency with a ship, Brighton Kemptown married with a three community and social links, high level of council tenants will clearly be one of the year old son. especially with parents of and leaseholders. We need a first ‘wave’ of parliamentary What is your back- young children, in this time. new secondary school for the seats to go Green in the wake ground? I am committed to remaining east and central area of the of Pavilion – and I see this I have a Masters degree in the constituency, at least city – there is no community campaign as being about in Human Rights law, and until the end of my term rep- secondary school for the positioning us to be able to a post-graduate diploma resenting Queen’s Park ward Kemptown area - since the do just that. in newspaper journalism. I on the council, and until council’s debacle over the have worked as a journalist my son Sam leaves primary closure of COMART. And I for more than a decade, in school in 2014. am deeply opposed to plans a number of roles including to build a waste incinerator at Why are you standing for “I intend to as editor of a series of local Newhaven. newspapers in north London Parliament? I think it’s all to easy to Are you an active campaign for a and, for the last five years, as campaigner? media officer for the Green moan and mutter from the Very much so. I cam- new secondary Party’s Euro-MPs Caroline sidelines about how elected paigned for a ‘No’ vote in Lucas and Jean Lambert. politicians behave, and I the recent ‘stock transfer’ school ... and Since May I have rep- want to stand up and be ballot, and am a passionate resented Queen’s Park as counted, giving as loud as believer in defending council to reject the Green Party councillor and possible a voice to message housing – keeping it in full Brighton and Hove on the that the Green Party, and my- public ownership and well proposed Sussex Police Authority. I self, have the best approach resourced by direct Gov- am a member of the Green to represent the people of ernment grants. I intend to Newhaven Party’s national GPEx com- Kemptown. campaign heavily for a new mittee, responsible for the secondary school in the area waste day-to-day running of the and will campaign to reject party. My work for Caroline incinerator” Lucas MEP and as a political
Green party in Hove at the the political will to deliver electoral success from our next parliamentary election. Ian Davey them. growing Brighton heart- land into Hove. Our strong A FORMER ICT con- What makes you a good representative for Hove? showing in May’s council sultant, Iam Davey I have lived in Hove since elections demonstrates the is standing as Parlia- the early 90s and in Brighton potential strength of the mentary Candidate & Hove since the late 70s. I Green vote in Hove. Voters know this city and the chal- want an alternative to Labour “I chose the for Hove. lenges faced by the people and most don’t want to vote What got you first who live here. I have been Conservative. We must be Green Party involved in politics? active in the local commu- that alternative. My motivation for get- nity for many years through Why should people vote because they ting involved in politics was environmental campaigns, Green? borne out of my frustration my involvement in com- The Green Party are win- have the at the failure of mainstream munity groups and my work ning on Brighton & Hove politicians to tackle the very with Bike for Life, a cycling Council, we are winning in right policies real social and environmen- social enterprise based in Europe, and now it is time tal problems in the City. A Hove and operating through- for us to win at Westminster. on social, failure to take the city in out the city. If people are to vote for us a direction that meets the I am standing as the Green now and in the future we economic and aspirations of the people who Party candidate because I must convince them that we live here. The reason for that believe I have the personal are a credible political force, ecological failing I realised is one of qualities, skills and experi- able to represent their views political will, we hear many ence to help bring that suc- and act on their behalf. Ex- justice and the fine words but see very little cess about. cellent work was done by the action. What are your political Hove green team for the May political will to Why the Green Party? aspirations for Brighton & 2007 election, we must now I chose the Green Party be- Hove? build on that hard work and deliver them.” look forward to achieving cause I recognised that they If we are to become the pole position in the future. do have the right policies on leading political force and I would be honoured to social, economic and eco- protagonists of change in help lead that push to future logical justice and crucially this city we must extend victories by representing the GreenLeaf • Newspaper of the Brighton & Hove Green Party • 32nd Edition, September/October 2007 • Page 5 Three Green candidates for Brighton & Hove Caroline Lucas MEP CAROLINE LUCAS MEP project,” she told GreenLeaf) she “If we are going has punched far above her weight was selected as the local at the European Parliament. As Green Party’s candidate to prevent the well as co-ordinating the Greens to contest the Brighton worst impacts on the Parliament’s climate change Pavilion seat at the next committee, she sits on the bodies framing international trade and en- General Election. She of climate vironment policies. She plays a key talked to GreenLeaf about change and role in cross-party groups working her hopes and vision for on animal rights, peace issue and consumer protection: and this has the city. move towards delivered tangible results. As a European MP for the South- Caroline led efforts – success- East, Caroline Lucas has represent- a fairer world fully – to ban the import of seal fur ed Brighton and Hove for last eight into the EU, and to adopt a range of years, and in that time she’s come for everyone we measures to tackle flying’s ever- to know and love the city well. increasing contribution to climate She has been involved in a wide need to change change. She worked on laws to range of campaigns: from stand- ban the transport of livestock in ing up for better pay for Brighton the very way we crowded trucks for days, often workers, and for the release of a across international borders, and Brighton man held at Guantanamo do business... has campaigned at the parliament Bay, to cleaning up our sea-water and US embassy for the now-sup- without building new sewage treat- and measure posedly-imminent release of Sussex ment works at Peacehaven. She resident Omar Deghayes from has actively campaigned against progress” Guantanamo Bay. the sell-off of Shoreham Airport, Caroline’s vision for the future is against a planned Park and Ride at for a more peaceful world, in which way the global economy currently Braypool and a waste transfer sta- we live a little more lightly, use works – and I joined the party right tion just yards from a school near resources more efficiently, live in away. Hollingbury, as well as calling for warmer homes, in stronger commu- “I’ve come to realise that the greater restrictions on the siting of nities, with a cleaner environment, bigger the issue the more it reso- mobile ‘phone masts – and for an better health, and a fairer division nates at a local level, and the more end to discrimination against the of wealth and power between the important it becomes to empower city’s Lesbian and Gay community, haves and have-nots. to name just a few. communities to develop solutions themselves. Take the Transition And that translates exactly into So it’s little surprise that now Towns movement: it’s an excellent what she hopes for Brighton she wants to represent Brighton example of communities work- Pavilion. Pavilion as its MP after the next ing together outside the process of “The problems people face lo- election. Government to prepare for, in this cally are in many ways the same A Westminster seat would be case, a zero-carbon future. I am faced by people around the world. the natural next step in a career in delighted the Brighton and Hove We need to cut congestion and poor Green politics which saw her join Transition Town group is seeking to air quality, improve access to good the party 20 years ago, and rise gain Transition City status. local education and health facili- from serving as the party’s press “Brighton is especially good at ties, strengthen our communities officer in 1987 to becoming the seeking local solutions to national and improve the efficiency of our party’s first county councillor in or even global problems, that’s one homes. 1994 and one of its first two MEPs of the reasons it has always been “If we are going to prevent the in 1999. Since then her national such a ‘green’ place – and why I’m worst impacts of climate change profile has skyrocketed, being looking forward being able to focus and move towards a fairer world named the UK’s ‘Politician of the my efforts on getting to know its for everyone we need to change the Year’ 2007 at The Observer’s ‘Ethi- people and their concerns even bet- very way we do business, spend our cal Award Ceremony’. She’s no ter, than my current position as the leisure time – and even measure stranger to accolades and plaudits, city’s MEP allows.” progress. having being named a top ‘eco- These local solutions build into ‘Brighton is one of the most hero’ by the Environment Agency, bigger pictures though, and that’s inspiring places in the country, and a leading conservationist by BBC why Caroline has played a leading certainly something of an adopted Wildlife Magazine and a runner-up role in international peace, develop- home to me while I’ve been rep- in the most recent New Statesman ment, environmental and animal resenting the wider region. I think ‘Person of the Year’ poll, all in the rights campaigns. As well as being people realise the connections last year. a Vice-President of the RSPCA, she between local and global impact So what makes Caroline tick? is a member of the decision-making here, and that’s why we have such She believes in community poli- national council of the Campaign a strong Green presence on the tics, she told Greenleaf. “I became for Nuclear Disarmament, a direc- council. I’m looking forward to involved in Green politics as a tor of the International Forum on representing Brighton as the first student. I was active in the peace Globalisation and a ‘matron’ of the place in the country to elect a Green movement, the women’s move- Women’s Environmental Network. MP to Westminster – and seeing ment and environmental groups Though she has misgivings about just how much progress we can and looking for wider solutions. I the current direction of the EU make together.’ stumbled across a manifesto written (“there’s a real tension between its And with Brighton Pavilion the by Green guru and government efforts to become a world leader on Greenest place in the country, in advisor Jonathon Porritt, and I saw environment policy and its com- terms of both aspirations and vote the connections behind these issues mitment to being a huge free trade share, she might just get the chance. – poverty, war and environmental CAROLINE Lucas has, since 1999 been MEP for the South East and area destruction are all fuelled by the Contact Caroline by email: [email protected] which includes Brighton Pavillion Page 6 • GreenLeaf • Newspaper of the Brighton & Hove Green Party • 32nd Edition, September/October 2007 Green councillors: New kids on the block IN MAY the Green Group’s decision to review Park area, and across Bright- 5 years ago because of its which I hope will make a dif- never a dull moment. I have its application for the Hip- on and Hove generally. anti-war stance, and belief ference to the quality of life met with many local trad- Party, under the podrome. It’s an important that the people and the envi- in Brighton and Hove. ers and residents to hear and leadership of Coun- Q: What would you venue for the city, so it particularly like to see ronment come before profit. seek solutions to the very would be a benefit all round real problems they experi- cillor Keith Taylor, improved in the city? Q: What’s it being the if it could operate in line ence living and working in convenor of the youngest city councillor? with the wishes of local A: A better deal for non- the heart our city and that has Green Group, secured residents. car users incorporated into A: It’s certainly been been very satisfying. the council’s planning pro- challenging - the council is 12 seats on the city cedures. A lot of local shops a huge organization, and it Q: What are your hopes council. Among them and restaurants source their has taken some time to get and aspirations for is the youngest coun- food locally, but I would like my head around how’s it’s Brighton & Hove? cillor, a practicing cli- to see even more of this. structured and who’s face fits A:My vision is for this where. So far I’ve been get- city to become an exemplar nician, a well-known ting to grips with the roles of of 21st century sustainable local concert pianist the committees I sit on, and urban living, a city that takes and a rock and roller. learning how to speed read it place at the forefront of a through the massive agen- Dr Hermione Roy, There was also the new society. da’s. As I gain confidence I Regency ward (Ian Davey has been welcome return of am becoming steadily more selected as the Green Party’s the party’s very first proactive and working hard Q: Is being a councillor Prospective Parliamentary to realize our manifesto poli- what you expected? Candidate for Hove – see elected councillor. Rachel Fryer, Queen’s Park cies. A: Like everyone else I page 4 for a more detailed Once they had got their find being a councillor is in- profile). feet under table, Greenleaf Q: What areas are you Q: What main areas of credibly interesting as it wid- caught up with them to ask working on? interest do you bring into ens ones horizons in so many them for their first impres- your role as councillor? A: I am our youth spokes- ways. But it also has its sions, find out a little what A: As a long-standing lo- Ben Duncan, Queen’s Park person and am interested frustrations as I work within they bring to the job and cal activist, I am passionate in looking into how we can quite a rigid framework, so it ask about their hopes for the Q: What do you like most empower young and not so about local issues. I belong about being a councillor? can sometimes be difficult to future. to quite a few local commu- young people to take part in A: In the run-up to the lo- be flexible enough to attend nity groups, and am particu- their council. I’m also very cal election, I really enjoyed meetings during the day. larly active wit the Tarner keen that new developments contact with local voters, Q: How far does your work Youth Project. This gives and policies will be for the and found myself sharing me very useful insight for the benefit of all in the city - not as a child and adolescent their concerns. I was able to Children and Young People’s just those with money to psychiatrist influence this explain Green thinking on a Overview and Scrutiny Com- spend. role? lot of subjects and was often mittee. Q: What about work in the A: On a practical level, rewarded with warm words. not a great deal as the Health Pete West, St Peter’s Q: Is being a musician ward? Since the election, I’ve found Overview and Scrutiny Com- helpful in representing the the same is true – but on a A: I am active in the new North Laine Local Action Team meetings mittee that I sit on involves Greens? greater scale. making sure that health Q: You were the first A: I’m also a professional, for Hanover looking at such ever elected councillor Q: Since being elected have diverse issues as parking and services are delivered in the classically trained pianist, in Brighton, now you are you had time for other student noise. I have also right way, but doesn’t mean which means I can bring interests? I can influence health policy. back, but what drew you practical, hands-on knowl- attended an action planning A: Since being elected I But, the range of issues I to the Party in the first Cllr Amy Kennedy, edge and experience to the day with local residents at have been selected to serve come across as a councillor place? Arts Commission, on which I the Brighton General Hospi- Preston Park on the Sussex Police Author- tal site to discuss its future. give me a clearer understand- A: I first joined after being represent the Green Party. ing of medical services as Q: What is it like, being a ity. I am also a member of canvassed by our then coun- seen from the outside. councillor? the Green Party’s National cil election candidate for St A: I am still feeling the Executive Committee, re- Q: What are your main Peter’s ward, around 1990. newness of it. The first sponsible for co-ordinating concerns as a councillor? Iain Brodie, was campaign- thing’s the astonishing vari- local party support and am a A: I am passionately about ing at the time to oppose ety – from committees, ward press officer for Caroline Lu- promoting the welfare of Labour plans to allow car issues, and meeting constitu- cas, MEP for the South East, children and young people parking on the Level! ents. I really like the direct which includes Brighton in the broadest sense. For Q: What do you see as the and Hove. In my spare time people contact. example, tackling the qual- major issues facing this I help to bring up my small ity of air that they breathe Q: What areas of expertise son. city? and combating the causes A: Maintaining the large do you bring into the role? (Ben Duncan has been of childhood obesity. And, A: Primarily, my knowl- selected as the Green Party’s Downland estate in public when it comes to young ownership and subsequently edge of the built environ- Prospective Parliamentary people misbehaving, I would ment. It is very useful for Paul Steedman, Candidate for Brighton Kemp Sven Rufus, Regency campaigning for a national prefer to look at what activi- park have been major in- the Planning Applications Queen’s Park Town. See page 4 for more ward ties are available, rather than sub-committee and the Major about him). terests in my council life. I Q: What’s it like being a slapping an ASBO on them. Projects Committee that I sit Q: What do you think have also campaigned on councillor? on. Plus, I am a professional makes you a good behalf of travelers, and sup- A: Extremely interest- ported many road protests. musician, which gives me a councillor? local insight to my role on ing and a real challenge to I want to see sustainable A: I am passionate about balance this most interesting transport alternatives and the Culture, Recreation and the environment and how Tourism Committee. role with running a business, planning policies to reduce it affects all aspects of our looking after a young child, the need to travel. Q: What changes would lives. I’m a researcher for while put aside enough time you like to bring in to a local charity promoting Q: You sit on a number of for family and friends – all a local committees – what is Brighton & Hove? better food and farming. bit of a juggling act. The Green Party has long your main area of interest? I would like to see more Q: Do you have any green construction methods supported farming methods Culture, Recreation & particular area of expertise brought into the local frame- that enhance the environment Tourism and my key aim is work and the Merton Rule, rather than damage it, so this Vicky Wakefield- that enhances your role? to ensure that Brighton & which stipulates that 20% is a very obvious parallel. A: I am a professional Ian Davey, St Peter’s Hove becomes a major gate- Jarrett, Hanover and ecologist, which allows me way to the new South Downs of energy used in buildings A: What about your other Elm Grove and North Laine should come from renew- interests? to bring a different per- National Park. spective to debates on land able sources, adopted by the As a keen cyclist, I am Q: What drew you to the Q: How are you finding management, sustainable council. very concerned with the state Green Party? being a councillor? development and Planning, I welcome the Academy of transport in the Queen’s A: I joined the Green Party A: Varied, challenging and GreenLeaf • Newspaper of the Brighton & Hove Green Party • 32nd Edition, September/October 2007 • Page 7 Learn to cycle safely High street stores still selling murder music BRIGHTON AND Hove is WITH the recent signing of the ‘Reggae Compassionate Act’ undergoing a cycling revolu- between top reggae and dance hall artists, their record companies tion. More and more people and ‘Stop Murder Music’ campaigners led by Green Party parlia- mentary candidate Peter Tatchell, you might think that the music are taking to two wheels, here that incites the killing of women, lesbians and gay men and others, Bike for Life’s Ian Davey, who is a thing of the past. Not true, Greenleaf reveals. is also a Green Councillor and Although the Reggae Compassionate Act stops artists who signed the deal from producing and performing music which in- the party’s Prospective Parlia- cites hatred and murder against women, lesbians and gay men, the mentary Candidate for Hove Act does nothing to stop the sale and promotion of ‘murder music’ puts fellow Green Councillor tracks that have already been released for sale. Retailers such as HMV and Virgin have never been covered by the agreement and, Ben Duncan through his paces although the artists are unable to perform any murder music at on one of his regular training concerts, offending tracks released before the agreement are still courses. on sale in major record stores and can be downloaded from the Cycling is fun and cheap. It’s good stores’ websites. for us, our community and definitely In 2004 local Green councillors launched a campaign against good for the environment. But given the retailers in Brighton and Hove and some retailers agreed to stop amount of traffic, cycling on our roads selling murder music locally in the light of the large lesbian and can be daunting and, for some, down- gay community in the city. However, the big national record right terrifying. This is where profes- chains continue to sell murder music today. Both Virgin and sional cycle training can help. Bike for HMV’s websites still sell murder music albums for download. A Life specialise in turning: non-cyclists, 2005 album by dance hall artist Buju Banton called ‘Buju Banton: the petrified or just the wary into safe the Best of the Early Days’ includes his infamous 1990s track and confident urban cyclists. ‘Boom Bye Bye’ at an unlucky number 13 in the play order. The We offer National Standard Cycle lyrics in ‘Boom Bye Bye’ are in Jamaican patois and advocate Training, which has now been launched the hanging, shooting and burning of gay men. Both Virgin as Bikeability, Cycle Proficiency for Megastore and HMV’s on-line retail sites are still selling ‘Best of the 21st century. This training teaches the Early Years’ for electronic download and mail order. Buju, modern urban cycling techniques for whose Brighton concert was cancelled in 2006, after protests from the modern urban environment. It caters the lesbian and gay community, was one of the artists who signed for people of all ages and abilities from the Reggae Compassionate Act. complete beginners to those who cycle Councillor Bill Randall said: “It’s time that the big retailers such as part of their work such as the Police as HMV and Virgin cleaned up their corner and that includes their and other emergency services. Internet retail arms. If the artists who produced this music are Ben Duncan Green Party councillor now denouncing homophobic and misogynist lyrics, then the big for Queens Park and prospective parlia- record stores should take their offending back catalogue tracks off mentary candidate for Brighton Kemp- sale. It is quite wrong that responsible retailers in the UK should town, like many adults used to ride as a profit from murder music even if it was produced a long time child, but has rarely done so since and is ago.” somewhat wary of cycling in Brighton and Hove. Pulse goes on line “I turned to Bike for Life to find out if REGULAR Greenleaf advertiser Pulse organic whole food store COUNCILLOR Ian Davey, right, shows his pupil, councillor Ben Dun- it could help. My aim is to feel confident has just launched its new web site, www.pulse-organics.co.uk, of- can, the importance of taking up a dominant position at junctions when enough to be happy to get on my bike to fering deliveries throughout Brighton and Hove. cycling cycle around my ward, to council meet- Pulse, based in Brighton Open Market, has been operating for 3 ings or wherever I am going from my years has launched the online facility so that customers who can home in Kemp Town,” said Ben. not make it to the market during office hours can now shop any Training is at three levels; Level 1 ba- Bike for Life’s time. Pulse’s delivery van, which runs on bio-diesel makes sure sic bike control skills, Level 2 introduc- Top Tips for safe cycling: customers receive their orders the same day. tion to road riding and Level 3 advanced John Towhill, Pulse’s proprietor told Greenleaf: “We are at- road riding. tempting to trade in the most cost effective, least wasteful and environmentally friendly way that we can. This new service is Before going on the road we always Taking a prominent position is vital: make sure that the trainee has mastered being received very well by our customers.” basic bike control skills, these are start- • Try to keep a door width from parked vehicles. ing, stopping (very important), use of City Point Association formed • Generally keep a ‘margin for error’ of at least one metre on gears, looking behind and signalling. IAN Davey, Green Councillor for St Peter’s North Laine, has been your left hand side, preferably more. Once somebody has demonstrated working with residents of City Point in the New England Quarter competence with basic skills they are • Always look behind and signal well before a turn. to help them resolve waste collection and other problems that were being encountered on the site. then ready for their road riding training, Take a central position at a junction. Level 2. • An inaccessible and infrequently cleared secure waste collec- We teach an assertive road riding tech- • Stopping: try and cover brakes with a couple of fingers when tion point had been giving residents increasing cause for concern. nique which grounded in those sound cycling - use both brakes to stop Because of a bi-weekly rubbish collection cycle rubbish had been basic skills is the key to safe confident spilling over and presenting residents with health risks. Looking behind: make sure you are really looking – if it seems road cycling. We teach people to take • Davey, who is also the Green Party’s Prospective Parliamentary their place in the traffic not to cycle difficult think about twisting at the waste rather than just the candidate for Hove, engineered some high profile publicity, which submissively at the edge of the road in neck. quickly led to the introduction of weekly waste collections. the gutter. Underlying our teaching is the • Signalling: Make strong clear hand signals. If you feel uneasy Working with council officers Davey helped set up a residents’ principle of ‘See, Be seen and Commu- try first cycling one handed –just take you hand off the meeting which was attended by around 70 people. The City Point nicate’ handlebars for a second and build up from there. Residents’ Association was the outcome. Speaking to Greenleaf after his level 1 “We always felt that it was important that residents speak with and 2 training Ben said: “I now feel far • Gears: can be rather complicated (remember low numbers = one voice and the newly formed association will provide a plat- more confident and am ready to get on low gears = low speed. form to ensure that their views are heard. The new association will my bike to travel around the city” These simple steps are the foundation of safe confident cycling have its inaugural meeting in late September and I hope as many who are able will attend – they will certainly be welcome. Level 3 training takes in the more – take your place as part of the traffic not separate from it. advanced techniques necessary to deal “While many problems remain and others may emerge as more with the more challenging parts of our of the site comes on stream, I am sure that the newly formed city roads network such as Palace Pier To find out more about cycle training please see residents’ association will help ensure that the development truly roundabout, seven dials, the Vogue Gyra- www.bikeforlife.org.uk – phone 01273 729979 or see becomes the dream home that people hoped it would be.” tory and busy multi lane roads. We’ll www.bikeability.org.uk save that for another time. for details of the national standard and the Bikeability scheme. Page 8 • GreenLeaf • Newspaper of the Brighton & Hove Green Party • 32nd Edition, September/October 2007 Need for traveller sites in Brighton ‘grossly underestimated’ THE need for extra gypsy and travel- ler sites in Brighton and Hove and East Sussex has been grossly under-estimated, and an independent scrutiny of the way the figure of 80 pitches was calculated is needed before any firm decisions are taken, says Brighton and Hove Green Party Convenor Cllr Keith Taylor. An adequate supply of permanent and temporary sites based on realistic esti- mates should be provided, he adds, and the Government should fund site provi- sion and give councils a duty to pro- vide them. “Leaving aside decency and humanity, the business case for doing this GREEN Cllrs Georgia Wrighton and Sven Rufus, far left, on the postal workers picket line is overwhelming. Councils providing sites spend very little money moving gypsies and travellers around, unlike Brighton and Green solidarity with Hove and other Sussex authorities.” Gypsies and travellers and their repre- sentatives should be consulted before any decisions are taken about site provision, postal workers he warns. “Research suggests that some gypsies and travellers welcome the op- PICTURED above: Brighton and Hove BRIGHTON and Hove Green councillors and it’s newly formed Trade Union Group portunity to settle on permanent sites, Green Party Convenor Cllr Keith Taylor gave their support to the Communication Workers Union in their recent and ongoing in- which offer them and their families better dustrial dispute with Royal Mail. The strikes have been called to try to stop the restruc- health and education chances. Others same time gypsies and travellers should turing of Royal Mail, which unions believe will lead to a loss of services, a reduction in prefer to continue with their nomadic life, recognise the mess they often leave the Post Office network and a possible loss of 40,000 jobs. and should be offered temporary sites and behind them on informal sites damages Greens believe that it is vital to preserve the network of post offices, which, in many stopping places. their cause. ‘Green’ education campaigns areas, are a vital community resource. It is especially essential in rural areas and areas of “To overcome prejudice, gypsy and should be run in their communities to help deprivation, where there is often no other community facility. traveller awareness training should be overcome this problem. Where possible, As well as joining the CWU on the picket line, the Green Party also secured the offered to all local councillors and in local authorities should provide commu- backing of Brighton and Hove City Council in supporting their action, despite the Tory schools,” added Cllr Taylor. “At the nal bins on informal sites.” administration’s resistance. Mick Bowles, Branch Secretary for the CWU: “We’ve been taking action because we’re not prepared to see cuts in services. Royal Mail used to be a public service, but now it’s trying to cut corners wherever it can, and we simply won’t stand for it. “The CWU appreciates the support the Green Party has given us and is especially grateful for all the time you have spent with us on the picket line. It really does make us feel that we have friends who believe in ours and the public sector causes.” At the time of writing, strikes have been suspended while talks with Royal Mail resume. Cllr Sven Rufus said ‘We are delighted that Royal Mail has come back to the Bonetts_new.qxpnegotiating table.09/09/2007 We really hope14:56 that Pagethe talks 1 are successful, and that there is a secure future for our post office network, and the vital services they provide. We also call on the Government to do more to prevent the gradual erosion of the network, and to protect all public services.’
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