p2 Farming matters p2 Fracking fantasy p3 Public transport p3 Green spaces p4 Green jobs

GREEN VOICEPublished by North West - Winter 2014 Residents of Lancaster Cohousing and Halton village celebrate work starting on their community hydro scheme. Founded with support from Green Party For Sale: Your NHS councillors, it will generate cheaper, greener electricity for homes and businesses, plus income for the parish to invest in environmental, recreational The NHS in the North West Backdoor contracts worth and conservation projects. has surrendered £700 million £7billion have already been worth of contracts to the handed to companies such as private sector over the last Virgin, Serco, and Care UK. A two years. further £20billion “bonanza” for private firms is predicted “The NHS was founded to by corporate finance advisor, prevent disease and protect Catalyst. us when we’re sick. Now we need to protect our NHS” Our NHS is being broken up said Green Party Health and sold off but North West spokeswoman . Greens are fighting back. The Labour Party began the “We were out in force at privatisation process and the mass demonstration Tory-Lib Dem government in Manchester to show the health reforms have ramped government what we think of up the sell-off. their reforms” said Euro MEP candidate Laura Bannister. The NHS was “And we’ll keep up the “ pressure to save our NHS.” founded to prevent disease and protect us Green Party MP Caroline when we’re sick. Now Lucas is working hard in The energy crisis - parliament to salvage the NHS we need to protect our and Green MEPs are busy NHS” said Green Party campaigning in Brussels for Green solutions Health spokeswoman better tax rules to ensure that countries have enough in their by Mark Rotherham Gina Dowding. budgets to pay for decent health services. workshops, offices, studios trade unions, consumer ” The Greenkeepournhspublic.com Party opposes any and shared outdoor space. groups, and businesses One in five households can’t committed to warm homes sell-off of the NHS – you can afford to heat their homes. “Forward thinking Greens are and lower bills for all. too at Within just a few years it’s Manchester: Green Party members on the frontline of the fight already solving the energy against NHS cuts and privatisation. expected that one in three crisis,” said Peter Cranie. “And Along with energy saving households will be plunged we want low cost heating measures funded by a carbon into fuel poverty. made available for every tax on big companies, the household.” Green Party has been calling “The need for clean energy is for a cap on energy prices for urgent,” said Green Euro MEP Greens are also backing the the last two years. candidate Peter Cranie. “Solar Energy Bill Revolution - a panels and super-insulation public alliance of charities, In contrast the Government would rescue nine out of 10 The need for clean has guaranteed French homes from fuel poverty, “energy is urgent,” said nuclear company EDF nearly quadruple carbon savings, Green MEP candidate twice the current market and create up to 200,000 price for its electricity. And jobs.” Peter Cranie. “Solar the ongoing cost for dealing panels and super- with toxic waste from their Two former Green insulation would reactors will be passed to the Party councillors have rescue nine out of taxpayer. already helped pioneer 10 homes from fuel the largest low carbon “The government should housing development in poverty, quadruple back real solutions not Britain. Shortlisted for carbon savings, and vested interests,” said Peter a national award, the create up to 200,000 Cranie. “On cost and safety, Halton development near jobs. renewable energy is a win- Lancaster consists of 41 win for people and the energy efficient homes and environment.” includes community facilities, ” by Julia Willis News in Brief.... Support England (CPRE). “We need stronger rules, The report calls on properly enforced, to ensure Calling Cumbria farmers Supermarkets should be supermarkets to localise that farmers get a fair Green Party EU stocking more local produce supply chains to guard price”, says West Cumbrian candidate Peter Cranie to give the region’s farmers against the volatility of businesswoman and Green and small and shoppers a better deal. global food prices. NW Party Euro MEP candidate Jill will be speaking in That’s the view of Green Greens agree it’s time to Perry. “We also need changes Ulverston on Thursday businesses Party campaigners tackle the power of the to the tax system to make life 20th February, big supermarkets, easier for small businesses.” say in the North West and provide more Coronation Hall, 7pm. who say that the support to small Green Party members across Why not make it a date, government must business and food the region are actively act on a new involved in supporting local and come along and Greens schemes that report by the promote local food projects. Find your local find out about our Green Campaign to produce. Green Party at northwest. Protect Rural Cumbrian Green greenparty.org.ukParty Euro vision for Cumbria and MEP candidate Jill Perry the European Union?

Big business first, local communities last European Greens cap bankers’ bonuses Local councils in the by Mark Rotherham North West, including Salford and Trafford, only talked about,” said lend more money to small cap when finance ministers are investing taxpayers’ Europe’s Green MEPs joined Green MEP candidate Peter businesses. met in Brussels. money in the fracking forces to help introduce a Cranie. “The Bonus Cap will Green MEP Jean Lambert new law to limit bankers’ discourage bankers from said, “The EU is doing “If elected, I’ll strive to get industry – despite their gambling with investors more to address people’s the banking system working supposedly ‘impartial’ bonuses. The cap means that from this year bonuses money to try and win big concerns about the banking for ordinary people” said roles as planning can exceed salaries only payouts for themselves.” system than the current Peter Cranie, “and be a authorities. to a specified limit – and UK Government. It’s no strong voice for the Robin Under these new laws banks wonder so many right-wing Hood tax – a tax for the only with shareholders’ must set aside more money permission. politicians want us to leave people that will help fund Party leader’s New to avert the risk of a future the EU!” our NHS and our schools, credit crunch, and they must Year Message “The Greens in Europe have UK Chancellor George and fight poverty at home done what others have disclose their profits and and abroad.” taxes paid. They must also Osborne tried to block the Green Party leader Green Comment wants more support in 2014 for the people who need it most. Listen to her Fracking fantasy - a nightmare for the North-west message in full at http:// Fracking, the controversial method Hundreds of lorries making and important habitat and wildlife goo.gl/GYs911 or scan of drilling and extracting gas from thousands of journeys will be the areas, should not be underestimated. the QR code below. underground rock, could be coming scourge of local communities – where Some local farmers already fear they to your community. very few local jobs will be created. would lose their livelihoods if water becomes contaminated. From Blackpool to Bowland, St And just as it has in the USA and Helens to Salford, the industry is Canada, fracking will pose a threat Fracking is little more than a exploring all corners of our desperate and dangerous region - and government attempt to mop up the last bribes are now on the table fossil fuels available – a to persuade local councils short-term dash for gas to put pounds before with potentially catastrophic people. It’s seen by some long-term consequences. – corporations, politicians We say efforts ought to be and others who will focused on meeting climate never have to live near a change targets, generating fracking site – as a cheap Bedroom Tax our energy from renewable replacement for dwindling sources and creating Wigan-based Green North Sea oil supplies. thousands of green jobs Party member Michael And a big pay day for them instead. all. Moulding has helped That’s why the Green Party win a partial government That’s why the government is in the frontline against climb down on the ignores the evidence fracking, why our Euro controversial ‘bedroom about risks associated with election candidate Laura fracking, and listens only to Bannister and veteran tax’. People with industry propaganda and to health and the environment, which campaigner Anne Power have played disabilities who have fantasy figures. is why the has a prominent role in protests at Barton lived in the same home So let’s be absolutely clear. called for tougher regulation and an Moss near Salford, and why we will and received housing Fracking will not reduce energy bills. outright ban on fracking in sensitive continue to resist this dirty, dangerous benefit continually since Even the government’s own advisers areas. and desperate activity. You can too by reckon our continued reliance on voting Green in 2014 1996 have now been gas will push up bills by hundreds of The North West is undoubtedly a sensitive area. Agricultural land told they are exempt. pounds more than if there was a shift Could you be fracked? Find out at towards low carbon alternatives. covers 80 percent of the region, so the threat to our rural economy, foe.co.uk/frackingmap Better public transport for all News in Brief.... Green Vision by Julia Willis Fighting for Liverpool’s • A strong North West Next generation HS2 – going nowhere fast bus lanes with the best regional faces climate Greens believe that authorities transport system. catastrophe in the North West should oppose the proposals and lobby Green councillors in Liverpool Climate scientists are The NW Green Party is instead for investment in decent • The £43billion warning that unless are working to save the city’s allocated to HS2 spent calling for the wasteful high- public transport here and now. bus lanes after the Mayor emissions of greenhouse speed rail project HS2 to be on improving local announced plans to scrap them. gases are cut now, our scrapped. Costs are spiralling Improving rail links between transport links and planet will heat up by at out of control and the final bill the north’s business Almost half of Liverpool creating real jobs. could top £80 billion – that’s communities, towns and families (46%) do not own a least 4ºC by the end of a staggering £3,000 for every villages is a far more effective the century. An increase car or van. This means that • To make public household in the North West. way of boosting the region’s reliable bus services are vital of 2ºC is already economy. transport more “The government is gambling for large numbers of people affordable including considered ‘dangerous’. needing to get to work on time with taxpayers’ money to build creating a North West a fast train for fat cats” said Instead of subsidising private or access local amenities and Green Party Lancashire County train companies the Green leisure activities. Increased travelcard similar Green Party National Councillor Gina Dowding. Party wants to return the traffic congestion and delays are to London’s Oyster Conference “Hard-pressed people in the railways to public ownership. already being felt in the city and scheme. This would save £1 billion Liverpool’s iconic North West should not have air quality is also likely to suffer St George’s Hall a year while offering better as a result of the lane closures. to fork out a fortune just so a Safer Streets • Safe cycle and will host the Green private train company can help services and lower fares. pedestrian routes and Party’s national executives shave a few minutes better road safety for off their journey time.” spring conference Green Party Lancashire County everyone. from 28 February to 3 councillors helped persuade the March. Visitors, and Council to introduce a 20mph • The rail network run limit in residential streets for the benefit of members old and new across the county, making our passengers and not are very welcome – streets safer for children to walk for profit. more information at and play and improving the greenparty.org.uk/ quality of life for everyone. conference

Greens act Alternative education of your whole child: to save open head, hands & heart spaces Lancaster Steiner School has vacancies for 3-11 year olds (nursery vouchers accepted in Kindergarten). For more information visit lancastersteiner.org.uk/ or phone 01524 841351. The School is also seeking new trustees with experience of financial management, HR, curriculum, legal A case for nature issues etc to support free school funding by Mark Rotherham North West Greens are application. leading the fight against the urban green spaces are worth loss of much loved green at least £30bn a year in saved This is despite the report spaces. Cash-strapped Live a better life A major report – the health and welfare costs. finding that more than half of Liverpool City Council UK National Ecosystem Britain’s wildlife species are It’s 100% vegan, totally Yet the government presents wants to sell off Sefton Assessment – has shown that in decline. Bees, wildflowers, Park Meadows, one of the healthy, completely economic prosperity and those who are committed to Butterflies and songbirds ethical – and it’s coming protecting nature as enemies jewels in the city’s crown. environmental protection are are disappearing. So too are But the local Green Party to Liverpool on Saturday two sides of the same coin. of economic growth. red squirrels, harbour seals, hedgehogs, starlings and many and others, including the 12 April. For more details Chancellor George Osborne Party’s national leader “The economic case for nature said that laws to protect rare more. about the ‘Live a Better is crystal clear,” said Cheshire- Natalie Bennett (pictured species are a “ridiculous above), are determined to Life’ fair at the city’s St based Green Euro MEP burden on business.” “Greens are working hard to George’s Hall, visit candidate John Knight, who Environment secretary Owen reverse this alarming decline,” stop the bulldozers and a was shocked at Tory attempts Paterson backs GM foods and said John Knight. “Our wildlife record number of objections www.labl.org.uk to sell-off Delamere Forest. the pesticides industry, and trusts, the RSPB and other against the sell off have “The benefits we get from thinks that ancient forests conservation groups are now been lodged. Find out rivers, wetlands, forests and should be bulldozed for new also doing vital work to help more and add your voice at nature’s recovery and deserve wildlife are worth billions of housing. Education secretary liverpoolgreenparty.org.uk pounds to the economy.” Michael Gove has even tried all the support we can to downgrade environmental give them.” The report also found that education. News in Brief.... Green jobs for Bury ‘not for shale’ region’s youth Greens in Bury are campaigning to have their borough declared a by Richard Frost ‘Frack Free Zone’. The move comes as drilling Government policies have companies Cuadrilla, dumped young workers on Millions of pounds destined the dole and government IGas and Dart scan the for the banks should be North West for sites to ‘remedies’ have been a redirected to the North West disaster. drill. Could your home to create sustainable jobs in be fracked? public services, renewable The Youth Contract, a Find out at energy and housing flagship scheme announced Peter Cranie insulation. wrongmove.org with some fanfare by Nick Clegg two years ago aimed 288,000 people are currently to create 160,000 jobs over Power to the people? out of work in the North three years - about 53,000 West, an unemployment a year - but in its first year 350,000 jobs. “Just think Greens in Oxford and St Helens Green Party rate of 8.3%. In the 18 to 24 the scheme helped fewer what that would mean for Kirklees, Yorkshire, have is fighting Labour Party age group the rate is nearly than 4,700 young people into our young people facing a already pioneered a similar proposals to include the 20%. “That is a scandalous work. future of unemployment and job creation plan with great betrayal of our young unpayable debt,” said Peter success. borough in a so-called people,” said Green Euro Liverpool City Region In 2012 the German Cranie. “Green jobs would be MEP candidate Peter Cranie. renewables industry created local, skilled and plentiful.” ‘combined authority’. Greens say power should be closer to the people of St Helens – Why I Vote Green not further away. Green Voice asked with this end in mind. everyone’s needs. After the government I also read in my local A greener Lancaster resident Angie Jones why she votes restricted civil rights in the newspaper what Green Birkenhead? 1990’s, I lost hope in politics Party councillors are Green... and considered not voting actually doing, and this Wirral Green Party has at all. started to whittle away at published its Greenprint my cynicism. for Birkenhead – a Eventually, I decided to find The short story is that I out what various parties For me, the Green Party visionary plan to restore “found Green policies make said they were going to has been a revelation. the town’s status and a lot of sense. do (even if I didn’t believe Greens have the best create a place to be them). policies and they fights for I started young, trying to the common good. And I proud of. change the world (or at The Green Party stood out Find out more at www. now know it is not a single least my part of it) and from the rest, proposing an issue party, but an all issues wirralgreenparty.org.uk worked with different equal, fair and sustainable party. That was the clincher movements and voted for economy that works with and why I’m voting Green Invest in the North particular political leaders the natural world and meets in May. West ”

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If you share our values we hope you’ll support us. DONATE Any help you give will make a real difference. We rely on donations from individuals like you – Halton Lune Community Together we can create a fairer future for everyone. Hydro is aims to raise unlike other political parties we are not bank-rolled by millionaires, big corporations or trade unions. almost £1million from ELECT MORE GREENS North West residents to Visit greenparty.org.uk/get-involved In the 2009 European elections we missed out by just or call 020 7549 0310 if you can help. complete its ambitious 0.3% of the vote, and instead Nick Griffin of the British 200kW hydro by the end National Party became a Member of the HELP US SPREAD THE WORD of 2014. European Parliament. Anyone can become a Help us stop this happening again. VISIT greenparty.org.uk & northwest.greenparty.org.uk member from just £250, Vote Green Party in May 2014. receive a 5% pa return ‘LIKE’ our Facebook page - Northwest Green Party on their investment – JOIN THE GREEN PARTY and have a say in how You can join us from as little as £5 a year. FOLLOW @NWGreenParty on Twitter the hydro is run. Visit greenparty.org.uk or call 020 7549 0310. More information at haltonlunehydro.org or phone 01524 220010 Printed by FinePrint (Stockport) Ltd, Unit 6F, Lowick Close, Hazel Grove, Stockport SK7 5ED. Promoted by David Jones on behalf of the North West Green Party, both at 12 Kenneth Square, Salford M7 4UP