Autumn 2008

The green newspaper for the South constituency Green New Deal to Tackle Credit Crunch he global economy is facing role of dealing prudently with a ‘triple crunch’ – the people’s savings and providing for Tcombination of a credit-fuelled sustainable investments. financial crisis, accelerating climate • Minimise corporate tax evasion by change and insecure energy supplies. clamping down on tax havens and The Green Party has joined the UK’s corporate reporting. This would leading green economists to propose provide a much needed source of a bold new vision – a ‘Green New Deal’ public finance. Finance, and the – to help tackle the root causes of the economy as a whole, would work triple crisis. The proposals would for people rather than distant create jobs, boost local economies and corporations. dramatically cut carbon emissions. • Levy a ‘windfall tax’ on the energy The Green New Deal report was companies making huge profits co-authored by a group of nine from rising fuel costs. The tax leaders in green economics, including would contribute to a raft of The Green New Deal offers positive solutions to the current crisis current and former directors of the measures to maximise energy New Economics Foundation, Friends efficiency in households across the Adrian Ramsay, Green Party Deputy You can read the of the Earth, Finance for the Future, country. Just three companies – BP, Leader, said: “With the huge challenges Green New Deal Report at SolarCentury and the Jubilee Debt Centrica and Shell – together made that face us, it’s clear we need some www.norwichgreenparty.org Campaign, as well as the Guardian’s £1000 profit every second over the fundamental action to put things right. To order a paper copy Economics Editor, Larry Elliott, and first six months of this year! It’s no use bailing out failing banks now please write to: Office of Green Party Leader . • Create thousands of new jobs in if we don’t also put strong rules in place Dr Caroline Lucas MEP, The Green New Deal calls for the green sector through a scheme to make our savings and mortgages Suite 58, The Hop Exchange, government action to: to insulate every home in the safe from irresponsible stock market 24 Southwark Street, • Re-regulate the financial system to country and produce clean gambling in the future. The Green New London, SE1 1TY. ensure economic stability and renewable energy in every local Deal offers joined-up, practical solutions A copy will be sent to you when separate high street banking from community. This would create to the challenges we face today.” the document has been reprinted. high-risk financial speculation. much needed jobs while reducing Banking would be returned to its fuel bills and carbon emissions. Norwich South Vote 2008 Votes cast Launch of Transition Norwich across your 33% n 1st October, more than reduce reliance on fossil fuels. General 400 people packed into St Chris Hull, a Green Party County Election 24% Andrew’s Hall for the launch 21% 21% O Councillor and founder member of constituency of Transition Norwich – a community Transition Norwich, said: “Transition in the May initiative to help Norwich cut carbon Norwich is about developing 2008 local emissions and reduce oil dependency. positive ways of reducing fossil fuel Liberal Democrat Conservative Labour elections Green Within the next few years extraction use. It has a similar vision and set of aims at a local level to the Green A similar voting pattern at the next General Election would see of oil around the world will begin to Adrian Ramsay replace Charles Clarke as your MP for Norwich South. decline. This inevitably means New Deal at a national level. We need both to succeed.” Everyone receiving this newspaper will be in the Norwich South significant rises in fuel prices. Transition constituency at the next General Election. The Mousehold Street area Town groups are forming around the For more information please visit: is being moved from Norwich North to Norwich South. country to put together local plans to www.transitionnorwich.org

Edited and produced by Stephen Little, NearByDesign.co.uk www.norwichgreenparty.org Printed by Cambridge Newspapers Limited, Winship Road, Milton, Cambridge, CB24 6PP. Promoted by Tom Dylan on behalf of Norwich Green Party, both c/o 27 Clarendon Road, Norwich, NR2 2PN. GreenView Profile Greens Propose Living Wage orwich City Council has voted Council will adopt it as a minimum experience hardship through low to put issues around decent level of pay for all workers in council wages, difficulties claiming benefits Nwork at the core of its agenda. services and then promote it for the and pressure from doorstep lenders On 30th September councillors city as a whole. charging up to 1000% interest. agreed a motion proposed by Green The London Living Wage Unit, set “While failing bankers and Councillor Samir Jeraj saying that the up thanks to Green Party Assembly company directors are moved on issue of decent work, and in particular Members, has lifted many people out with ‘golden handshakes’, many the creation of a Living Wage, should of poverty wages, and has been households are struggling to keep be a priority for the Council. credited with improving productivity, up with rising living costs. It’s time to get our priorities right and A Living Wage is a rate of pay based reducing sickness and boosting the introduce a Living Wage.” on what people need to meet actual local economy. living costs. As previously reported in Councillor Samir Jeraj said: To find out more please visit: GreenView, millions of pensioners are "Low pay is a particular problem in www.greenparty.org.uk/ anet Bearman has been a living in poverty because state Norwich. Many working people policies/living-wage.html Green Party City Councillor pensions are too low, but Jfor Town Close ward many younger families are since May 2006. also struggling to meet rising living costs. News in Brief When and why did you join the Green Party? Campaigners for a Living In July, the County Council Wage argue that the published plans for the future of I joined in 2001. I was becoming minimum wage is a Special Educational Needs increasingly concerned about the provision in Norfolk. This followed society people my son’s age poverty wage in most parts of the UK. Almost a study that considered the would inherit. I decided to get options on where schools could be involved in politics to help push four million children are living in poverty, of which located in the future. Green Party local and national government Councillors have worked with policies in the right direction. 57% have one or both parents in work, but their anxious parents in scrutinising the What has most surprised you wages are too low to plans and pressing for the high about working as a councillor? support their families. standard of Special Educational Since I was elected in 2006 Needs provision in Norwich to be In London, the first part there has been a definite increase maintained. Andrew Boswell, of the UK to introduce a in awareness of green issues in Green Party County Councillor for Living Wage policy, the Norwich. I also find an increasing Nelson ward, said: “We helped in rate is £7.45 per hour – number of the residents I meet on the campaign to prevent the more than £1.50 higher the doorstep want to talk about closure of the highly rated than the minimum wage. our national policies as well as Parkside School in the west of the When a Living Wage level local concerns. But it can be city. I have repeatedly called for has been set for Norwich, difficult as a local councillor when special needs education to be Greens are hoping the City Green Councillor Samir Jeraj outside City Hall residents on a street are divided properly funded and expanded over the best way forward on a as Norwich grows. We will particular local issue. continue to monitor the Council’s strategy as it unfolds.” Has the fact that the Green Party is now the largest Domestic Violence Norwich City Council has opposition group on the council adopted a new Environmental changed things? Strategy that focuses on reducing carbon emissions from the More is expected of us now Centre Under Threat Council’s buildings and services. and because we have more n October, the NSPCC announced searching for the support they need The Council first agreed to a committee seats we have more the possible closure of its to escape from violence. target of reducing its carbon influence in certain areas. But Norwich-based centre for victims emissions by 6% per year we are still two seats behind I Adrian Ramsay, Green Party following a Green Party motion to Labour so the other parties can of domestic violence. The centre Parliamentary Candidate for Norwich Council last year. The plans for a still vote down our proposals. We provides a lifeline for Norfolk’s most South, said: “The NSPCC centre provides reduction in energy consumption need a Green majority on the vulnerable children and families. vital support for children and families. should significantly reduce the council to get a comprehensive Two women are killed in domestic Its loss would be a major setback. Council’s fuel bills as well as its approach to green issues. violence incidents every week, while “The Government should be tackling carbon emissions. Under the one in nine is severely beaten every this issue head-on, not relying on What work do you do outside strategy, the Council has also charities to pay for crucial support the Green Party? year, and in 50% of cases children are agreed to: improve maintenance also abused. Despite the scale of the services. The NSPCC has a vital role to I am retired but am still of green spaces, promote walking, play in delivering services, but the involved with Norfolk Organic problem, the Government is failing to cycling and public transport and Government should provide core Group and help on its stand at provide much needed funds. One continue to enhance recycling funding for a comprehensive network events when I can. I'm also a third of local authorities have no facilities in the city. The Council of centres across the country.” keen gardener and when it all domestic violence services and there will also seek high levels of energy gets too much I spend time in has been a tide of closures across the For more information about efficiency and on-site renewable our garden doing therapeutic country. The charity Refuge highlights domestic violence and the work energy generation in new weeding and pruning! that this lack of services is one of the being done to tackle it please developments in the city. greatest obstacles to women visit: www.refuge.org.uk Adrian Ramsay Elected Summed Up as Deputy Leader 250,000 • Number of jobs in At the next General Election, Adrian “The Greens, the second largest UK building industry will be contesting the Norwich South party on Norwich City Council, constituency, where the Green Party is recently signalled their intention predicted to be lost already in first place on local election to battle hard in the [Norwich due to credit crunch vote share. If this voting pattern is South] constituency after unveiling repeated at the General Election, Adrian Ramsay as their Deputy Adrian Ramsay will replace Charles Leader – part of a process to raise • Number of jobs in Clarke as your local MP and the his national profile and help him the renewable residents of Norwich will make history win a Westminster seat.” energy sector in by electing a Green to Westminster. Eastern Daily Press, Germany – ten times In his first conference speech as 29th September 2008. Adrian Ramsay delivers his speech Deputy Leader, Adrian launched an the UK number to Green Party conference attack on Government policies for increasing privatisation in the NHS, “It is believed to be the first time someone from Norfolk has held a • Barrels of oil spilled orwich Councillor Adrian including proposed new polyclinics which private companies can bid to leadership position in a national by the Exxon-Valdez Ramsay made history in run and which could threaten small political party.” September when he was oil tanker – and N local GP surgeries. Adrian also Norwich Evening News, declared the first elected Deputy Leader number of birds responded to proposals from current 6th September 2008. of the Green Party. As reported in the Norwich South MP Charles Clarke for killed by the disaster Norwich Evening News, it is believed more charges for patients in the NHS. “A system of more user charging to be the first time that someone from would mean poorer people could not • Windfall bonus (in Norfolk has held a leadership position Councillor Ramsay said: "In July, afford the health care and education in a national political party. The Green Clarke called for more user-charging £s) shared by three in the health service and education they need. Public services should be Party’s new Leader is Caroline Lucas, a system. He claims it would be for what free at the point of delivery. We can British Gas bosses Member of the European Parliament. he calls non-core services – but I don't afford much better public services if we after announcing a Adrian was first elected as a City regard nursery schools, education for stop wasting money on unnecessary 35% hike in gas bills Councillor in 2003. Since May this year over 16s or out of hours GP visits as and expensive ventures like ID cards, he has been Leader of the Opposition optional or unimportant. And I nuclear weapons and illegal wars.” on Norwich City Council where the challenge Charles Clarke to tell any To watch Adrian’s speech to Greens are the second largest party parent in Norwich South that childcare Green Party conference please visit: (just two seats behind Labour). and healthcare are not core services. www.norwichgreenparty.org £9 billion

• Annual cost to the Afghanistan: Seven Years On UK economy of even years ago the United could be restored through military congestion, road States launched an attack on assaults proved to be wrong, yet it accidents and SAfghanistan, claiming it would remains a central part of US strategy. pollution arising oust the Taliban regime and restore It’s time for a fundamental re-think of democracy. Today, the country is no strategy in Afghanistan. We can’t turn from excessive closer to peace or democracy. More back the clock, but we can change transportation than a hundred British soldiers have direction when we’re on the wrong of food lost their lives and thousands of path. We need to help Afghanistan Afghan civilians are killed each year. rebuild itself but we can only do this by investing in economic • UK Government This October, a leaked report reconstruction, training and good revealed that US intelligence annual subsidy to governance – not endless warfare. agencies believe the Afghan war is in the aviation “We must end the senseless loss a ‘downward spiral’. The security industry through situation has deteriorated rapidly in of life and restore hope to this Afghans need investment, not war the past three years, despite the war-torn nation. The continued tax exemptions deployment of more US and UK troops. presence of foreign troops is Richards, is said to have warned that undermining efforts to stabilise the This summer, representatives from • Record amount NATO is making ‘the best of a bad job’ country. We need the United Nations the war-torn Helmand Province came – responding to a difficult situation – not the US army – to take the lead British people are to London to voice concerns that the with heavy firepower and causing in supporting the Afghan people to now investing in military presence is fuelling violence civilian casualties and further anger restore democracy and end the and hindering progress. Such green and ethical from the Afghan people. downward spiral of violence.” concerns are echoed by many who savings accounts understand the situation on the Adrian Ramsay, Green Party Deputy For more information please ground. The British General, David Leader, said: “The idea that democracy visit: www.stopwar.org.uk Unwrapping the Packaging Issue Packaging waste has risen For the past four years, the Green way this system has been introduced twenty-fold in the past fifty years Party has been campaigning for in some areas but it has already and now makes up almost one third Norfolk to follow the lead of California resulted in significant increases in of household waste. The impacts on and build a Resource Recovery Park, recycling levels in the first parts of the the environment are well known but to which people could take a wide city to be brought onto the scheme. the costs to local taxpayers in rising range of items for repair, re-use and Crucially, in addition to recycling landfill charges are rarely mentioned. recycling. We’re also pressing the City facilities, we also need measures to The best way to tackle this Council to provide composting reduce waste. The County Council has Adrian Ramsay writes… mounting problem is to legally facilities for food waste and increase refused to implement our Resource oblige manufacturers to reduce the range of items collected from the Recovery Park proposals but we will or all of us who make an packaging and switch to recyclable doorstep, to include batteries and continue pressing for more action to effort to reduce our waste, or biodegradable materials. We tetrapaks for example. The Council is tackle waste at source. Fthe greatest obstacle is the also need to re-introduce refill currently introducing a new waste For ideas and information on excessive packaging used for schemes and provide re-use and collection system to help increase how to reduce waste please wrapping everyday goods. repair facilities. recycling. I am concerned about the visit: www.wrap.org.uk Nuclear Not the Answer New Threat to Elephants he Green Party has warned his summer, while colourful that the Government’s plans elephants brightened up the Tfor a new generation of Tstreets of Norwich, a group of nuclear power stations could be international officials met in Geneva very expensive for the taxpayer. to discuss the ivory trade. There they made a decision that threatens the In 2003 an investigation by the future of endangered wild elephants. European Commission, conducted The ivory trade was banned in 1989, following calls from Green but governments – including ours – Members of the European recently voted to allow China to import Parliament, found that the UK 108 tonnes of ivory. Conservation Adrian Ramsay with one of the Government had subsidised British European Election Candidate groups predict that the cruel and illegal Norwich elephants on the day Energy to the tune of £4.3 billion. Rupert Read with Green Party slaughter of elephants will rise they were auctioned for charity Councillor Rupert Read, Leader Caroline Lucas MEP dramatically following this decision. Eastern Region Green Party Lead Adrian Ramsay said: “It is appalling Candidate for the 2009 European problem: energy efficiency that the UK Government voted to calling for an outright ban on the ivory trade. The people of Norwich Elections, said: “We know about measures and development of weaken the ivory ban. The Go have shown their support for these the dangers of nuclear waste and renewable energy sources such as Elephants! auction in Norwich raised magnificent creatures – it’s time the that new nuclear power stations wind, wave and solar power. over £200,000 for charity. Around half Government did the same.” could be a target for terrorists but “A study by Green MEPs has of this sum will go to the Born Free the huge cost of nuclear power shown that investment in Foundation which, as part of its work For more information please visit: www.bornfree.org.uk receives much less attention. renewable energy would create far to protect animals in the wild, is Furthermore, building a new more jobs than equivalent generation of nuclear power investment in nuclear power. In Can you help Norwich Green Party gain an MP and stations would divert money and Germany there are ten times as more councillors to tackle the issues raised in this attention away from what is many jobs in renewable energy as really needed to solve the energy in the UK. We need to catch up!” newspaper? Your help can make a difference! Yes, I will help by: Voting for Adrian Ramsay at the next General Election to elect a Green MP for Norwich South Contacting the Green Party Voting Green at the June 2009 European Election City Councillors: Displaying a window poster at election time Please phone 01603 212969 EDP Displaying a garden poster board at election time Food with any questions, suggestions Awards or problems for the Green Delivering some leaflets in my area 2007 City Councillors to investigate. Doing some paperwork, such as folding letters Finalist for “Best Contacting Norwich Coming to a Green social event (tick to request details) of Norfolk” Green Party: Making a donation (cheques payable to ‘Norwich Green Party’) Winner of Joining the Green Party (tick for details) “Best Farmers’ Market” Phone: 01603 611909 Farmers’ Market: second Name:...... Sunday of every month E-mail: Earlham House Shops, [email protected] Address: ...... Earlham Road, Norwich Post: ...... Telephone: ...... 01603 250000 27 Clarendon Road, thegreengrocers.co.uk Norwich, NR2 2PN. E-mail: ...... Please return to: Norwich Green Party, 27 Clarendon Road, Norwich, NR2 2PN. The Green Party will contact you using the details you have supplied. If you do not wish to receive information from the Green Party please tick this box: Recycled Printed by Cambridge Newspapers Limited, Winship Road, Milton, Cambridge, CB24 6PP. Promoted by Tom Dylan on behalf of Norwich Green Party, paper both c/o 27 Clarendon Road, Norwich, NR2 2PN.