July 2009

The green newspaper for Norwich - By-Election Special Green Party A Fresh Approach to Politics reen Party Candidate Rupert Read is offering residents a Green Leader Gfresh approach to politics in the Norwich North by-election. He is Visits Norwich arguing for democratic reform of reen Party Leader Caroline Parliament, for the creation of new Lucas visited Norwich on 30th jobs in green industries and against June to support Rupert Read’s excessive development in the G campaign in the Norwich North by- countryside. election. During her visit, Caroline Rupert said: “The election of one spoke to residents on the doorstep in more MP from one of the three old parts of Thorpe St. Andrew and had a establishment parties would make no tour of the Dussindale Walk-in Centre. difference to the overall composition of On the doorstep, several residents Parliament. But the election of the first Green Party Norwich North Candidate Rupert Read (left) with Party Leader said they were voting Green because of Green MP would send a very strong and Deputy Leader Adrian Ramsay at Thorpe River Green the need for a fresh approach to message that people want a fresh politics. Many said that Rupert Read fits approach to politics. It’s exciting that the bill of -minded across the constituency to hear the residents of Norwich North have Rupert’s figure needed to replace Ian Gibson people’s views. this opportunity to make an impact on Policies for and stand up for the residents of the national political scene.” Rupert added: “The recession is Norwich North. understandably high on the list of Rupert, a Norwich Councillor and UEA Norwich North Caroline Lucas said: "I was delighted people’s concerns. I’m arguing for the lecturer, has been visiting residents to support Rupert’s campaign and creation of new jobs in green industries enjoyed meeting residents in Norwich and a truly accountable and well- • Better and cheaper North. We have elected Greens making regulated banking system that will stop public transport a difference in local councils, the the credit crunch from happening again. • Stopping excessive and the Scottish “Residents are also saying that they development in the Parliament. We urgently need a fresh want a change from the three Norfolk countryside Green voice in Westminster fighting for establishment parties. In Norwich the democratic reform, protecting public Greens are best placed to provide that • More affordable housing services and the creation of new jobs in Will Giles’ Exotic Garden change. We are already a very credible green industries. Please vote for Rupert on brownfield sites force locally. In the most recent test of on 23rd July." Come along on Friday 31 July at 6.30pm public opinion on 4th June, the Green and enjoy wandering around Will’s • Free home insulation During her visit, Caroline Party won more County Council seats in marvellous tropical and arid gardens accompanied Rupert in meeting staff your constituency than Labour, the for every household • Live Music • Book Stall at the Dussindale Walk-in Centre, which LibDems and UKIP combined.” • Refreshments • Plants to Buy • Hundreds of new the Primary Care Trust intends to close. 126 Thorpe Road, just behind the For more information on The Green Party is supporting the Alan Boswell building Norfolk jobs in green Rupert’s campaign please campaign to keep this health centre Entrance £5, free for children industries visit www.rupertread.net open as a valued local facility.

Edited and produced by Stephen Little. Printed by Archant Print, St. Andrews Business Park, Northside, www.norwichgreenparty.org Thorpe St Andrew, Norwich, NR7 0HT. Promoted by Tom Dylan on behalf of Norwich Green Party, both c/o 27 Clarendon Road, Norwich, NR2 2PN, and on behalf of Rupert Read, 17 Merton Road, Norwich, NR2 3TT. "The [Green] Party is in buoyant Summed Up mood after the local and European Green Success in election result where they topped the poll in Norwich… they may be 16,000 in a position to snatch the seat Local Elections from Labour when the by-election is called." • Number of children Eastern Daily Press, dying every day 10th June 2009 around the world from hunger- Labour MP “warned related causes. that the Greens would be ‘a real threat’ in the by-election after showing their electoral strength in • Cost (in £s) of the city last week by coming first in feeding 250 the European election and winning African children 7 county council seats there.” Eastern Daily Press, for a whole year. 10th June 2009 • Amount (in £s) that "The Greens are unusually strong Labour MP and he Green Party won seven seats The seven Green Party County in Norwich, with 7 out of 13 of the ‘ on Norfolk County Council in last Councillors on the day they were elected city's seats on Norfolk County envoy’, Elliott Tmonth’s local elections. In your Council. They are the second constituency of Norwich North, the important social services and opposing biggest party on Norwich City Morley, claimed on Greens made a breakthrough into Mile Council, with 13 seats out of 39, to all plans for incineration of waste. a non-existent Cross and Sewell wards. The Green Labour's 15." Party now holds more County Council “Residents are giving us similar The Independent, 2nd July 2009 mortgage. seats in Norwich North than Labour, feedback ahead of the Norwich North the LibDems and UKIP combined. by-election. Rupert Read is best placed • Number of Andrew Boswell, Leader of the Green to provide the fresh approach that we The Greens "have been propelled mortgage Party County Councillors, said: “At the need in Westminster. He will stand up by winning two new north County Council election, hundreds of for the area by defending public Norwich seats, in Sewell and Mile applications being residents told us on the doorstep that services from privatisation, opposing Cross, in the County Council refused by UK they were looking for a fresh approach excessive development in the elections earlier this month." Norwich Evening News, banks every month. to politics. People said that they liked countryside and putting forward our proposals on improving public proposals for hundreds of new jobs in 17th June 2009 transport, defending funding for green industries.” Mark Thomas One in Five Swine Flu - Let’s Backs Green Party • Children leave primary school Tackle the Causes without basic pandemic is believed to have started in maths and English. intensive pig factories in Mexico, where tens of thousands of pigs are crammed • Parents won’t get together in filthy conditions. their first choice “We know that intensive factory- Mark Thomas with Rupert Read farming of animals creates conditions school for their where viruses thrive, spread and The Greens are the children. mutate into human variants. It’s time “only people who have to move away from intensive farming consistently called for • Students fear he Green Party is leading calls for of animals – it has huge costs in terms sensible measures insolvency the Government to investigate of human health, animal suffering and the causes of swine flu and to pollution.” ranging from work-life because of debts. T take action to prevent future pandemics. The Green Party is asking balance to taming the • Young people Rupert Read, Green Party Candidate Governments to take serious and swift power of corporations for Norwich North, said: "As well as action to improve the conditions in and making sure that experience a tackling the symptoms of swine flu, which animals are kept. Greens are democratic voices count. Governments must look closely at the also calling for international action to stress-related So please vote Green! mental illness. causes and take action to prevent eliminate the long haul transportation future outbreaks of animal-related of live animals, which leads to the rapid MARK THOMAS,” CAMPAIGNER AND viruses. The current swine flu spread of animal diseases. New Jobs to Build a Brighter Future GreenView Profile reen Party proposals for The Green Party’s plans would create a creating new jobs in green million new jobs in the UK in areas such Gindustries would reduce fuel as renewable energy production, home bills and help tackle climate change as insulation, improved public transport, well as addressing unemployment, local food supplies and repairing goods. says Norwich North by-election Rupert Read commented: “By candidate Rupert Read. investing in these areas, the Government would create lasting jobs, meet climate change commitments Keep the and make long-term economic savings. “ has promised to invest £1 billion in creating 150,000 Royal Mail new jobs, but he hasn’t specified what these jobs should be. This is an ideal Green Party plans would create Public opportunity to invest in much-needed thousands of new UK jobs in the solar green jobs that would improve lives, energy sector and other green industries upert Read, 43, is a Green cut bills and bring future savings. The Party Councillor in Norwich. Green Party has been calling for this He also teaches at the many people are employed in the solar R since the economic crisis began, but University of East Anglia. Rupert industry in Germany as in the UK. Gordon Brown hasn’t made the links. lives in the city with his wife We need joined-up thinking in “Green economic proposals such as Juliette. He is your Green Party Government or we’ll just keep investment in free home insulation Candidate for the Norwich North throwing good money after bad.” schemes would tackle several problems by-election on 23rd July. at once: they would help people pay Adrian Ramsay, Green Party Deputy What do you like about fuel bills, reduce carbon emissions and living in Norwich? Leader and Parliamentary Candidate create skilled new jobs.” he Government has hit for Norwich South, added: “The UK is I like the fact that Norwich is a more stumbling blocks with lagging far behind other EU countries More information about Green city built on a human scale. The Tits plans to sell off one-third in terms of renewable energy and Party proposals for job creation is many independent small shops of the Royal Mail to a private green jobs. For example, ten times as available at www.greenparty.org.uk make it especially distinctive. Dutch company. The Green Party These things, and our city’s long is strongly opposed to the plans, and interesting history, always which could see cuts in vital public make it a pleasure to show guests services and many workers losing around. I also love the natural their jobs. Child Poverty – the beauty of our fine county. The Government was recently What would be your main forced to postpone the UK’s Hidden Shame priority if elected as MP for privatisation plans due to the Norwich North? recession and mounting protests Despite their promises, neither Solutions to the recession, such from its own back-bench MPs. Conservative nor Labour Governments as proposals for hundreds of new Peter Mandelson announced that have tackled this problem, but have jobs in green industries and a truly there is ‘no prospect’ of the plans allowed social inequalities to deepen accountable banking system to going ahead in the “current even in economic boom years. stop the credit crunch from situation”, but said he wants to “Children living in poverty have on happening again. push ahead with part-privatisation average lower life expectancy, poorer in the coming years. What difference will a job prospects, worse health and poorer Green MP make? Rupert Read, Green Party access to services. These children deserve Candidate for Norwich North, said: access to healthy food, a warm home One more MP for any of the “Part-privatising Royal Mail could n estimated 3 million children and a stimulating learning environment. other parties will not make any threaten the less profitable postal are living in poverty in the UK – difference to the overall make-up “Crucial steps towards eliminating activities, such as rural collections and Norfolk has one of the of Parliament. But electing the A child poverty include affordable and the commitment to daily highest rates of child poverty in the first Green MP would send a childcare, decent homes and free deliveries. It would also threaten country. The charity Save the Children, strong message from Norwich to school meals. Proposals for job creation the jobs of many postal workers. which usually works in the world’s Westminster that residents want a poorest countries, is now supporting in green industries also have an fresh approach to politics. It could “I’m glad Peter Mandelson has British families for the first time due important role to play.” kick-start political change across finally backed down and agreed to to the high levels of malnutrition On the County Council, former Green the country and shake up the put these plans on the back- in children. Councillor Chris Hull played a key role in complacent three old burner. I hope the Labour a working group looking at the causes establishment parties. As a Green Government and the Conservative In April, the City Council adopted a of child poverty in Norfolk. The group’s MP I would stand up to the opposition will have the sense to proposal from Green Councillor recommendations include providing Government on issues where the shelve the whole idea and support Stephen Little to sign up to the ‘Ending school meals over the summer and other parties remain silent. I our public services and the people Child Poverty’ manifesto and draw up offering financial help to parents who would challenge Government who rely on them.” an action plan for addressing child poverty in the city. are just getting back into work. proposals for more privatisation in For more information the NHS and education and for please visit: Stephen Little said: "The UK has You can read more at the large-scale development in the www.keepthepostpublic.org much higher levels of child poverty Child Poverty Action Group Norfolk countryside. than most other European countries. website: www.cpag.org.uk Proposals for Clean Politics t this election I am putting The Green Party is making the We also need political parties to Rupert forward proposals for following proposals on the expenses campaign in a positive way and have a Read Areforming Parliament and for system: debate based on the issues, not on writes… more positive political campaigning. • the rules should be set and personal attacks. Unfortunately, the The expenses scandal has undermined monitored by an independent LibDems got off to a bad start in this trust in politics. Furthermore, we commission, not by MPs themselves; by-election campaign by issuing urgently need reform of Parliament to • the commission should establish personal and negative attacks on me create a more healthy and accountable tight rules that prevent MPs from in which they gave out false and political system. over-claiming; distorted information about Green • it should be a criminal offence to Party policies. I have not responded knowingly over-claim; to this because I think this election should be about constructive • MPs needing to spend nights away Protecting the Unique debate on the issues and positive from home should be paid a nightly allowance that could be used for campaigning by all parties. Character of Norfolk hotel costs or rented accommodation For this reason I have produced a – but they should not be able to Clean Campaign Pledge, which I am upert Read has pledged to profit from buying or furnishing asking all the other candidates to sign challenge Government plans for second homes at taxpayers’ expense. up to. The pledge includes a 20,000 new homes to be built in R A more transparent expenses system commitment to campaign positively the Norwich area over the next 20 that cannot be abused is crucial. But and to not mislead residents about the years if he is elected as the new MP for we also need wider reforms of policies or prospects of other parties. Norwich North. The Green Party has Parliament to make it more been campaigning against these Citizens need to be able to rely on accountable. For example: Government housing growth targets, the information that political parties • there should be elections, not which would involve large-scale give them as being truthful and well- appointments, for the House of Lords; development in the Norfolk countryside. intentioned. Unfortunately this is not • the lobbying power of big business Rupert Read commented: “We always the case at the moment. I hope over MPs should be regulated and urgently need more affordable housing the Clean Campaign Pledge will Rupert Read by the Wensum Valley, contained; on brownfield sites in Norwich. change behaviour and start to bring which has been threatened by However, large-scale housing growth in • MPs should not be allowed to pursue back more trust in politics. development the countryside is not acceptable. The second careers outside politics. Being future of Norfolk should not be an MP is a serious full time job based To read the Clean Campaign Pledge determined by bureaucrats in medical facilities and public transport on public service. I would treat it that and information about who has deciding how much development our links are provided. way and press for rules to ensure signed up please visit others do the same. www.clean-campaign-pledge.net county should have. “If elected as MP for Norwich North “The Government is not even offering I will stand up for the protection of enough funding for the necessary the unique character of Norfolk. infrastructure to accompany the I will press for new housing of high Can you help the Green Party's campaign development. Too often housing environmental standards on growth takes place without national brownfield sites and I will oppose in the Norwich North by-election? and local government ensuring that the plans for excessive development Yes, I will help by: the necessary extra school places, in the Norfolk countryside.” Voting for Rupert Read on 23rd July Displaying a window poster Contacting Displaying a garden poster board Delivering some leaflets in my area Norwich Green Party: Doing some paperwork, such as folding letters Please get in touch if you Doing a shift in the Green Party campaign shop have any questions about Coming to a Green social event (tick to request details) Green Party policy, would like to raise a local issue or are Making a donation (cheques payable to ‘Norwich Green Party’) interested in helping. Joining the Green Party (tick for details) Phone: Name:...... Earlham House Shops, 01603 611909 Address: ...... Earlham Road, Norwich E-mail: 01603 250000 [email protected] ...... Telephone: ...... thegreengrocers.co.uk Post: E-mail: ...... Farmers’ Market: second 27 Clarendon Road, Please return to: Norwich Green Party, 27 Clarendon Road, Norwich, NR2 2PN. Norwich, NR2 2PN. Sunday of every month 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: Printed by Archant Print, St. Andrews Business Park, Northside, Thorpe St Andrew, Norwich, NR7 0HT. Promoted by Tom Dylan on behalf of Norwich Green Party, both Recycled c/o 27 Clarendon Road, Norwich, NR2 2PN, and on behalf of Rupert Read, paper 17 Merton Road, Norwich, NR2 3TT.