Saw my MP Kerry McCarthy put this question to Gordon Brown at Prime Minister's Question Time today and its been reported on the local newspaper's website,"Does he agree with me and the people of Bristol that green jobs and sustainable development are the way out of this economic downturn?"
The Prime Minister replied: "I look forward to visiting Bristol very soon. On the environment, she is absolutely right. I believe, coming out of this downturn, some of the triggers for further growth can be investment in the environment. We are going to invest in green jobs and environmental technologies."
I'd very much welcome a comprehensive and coherent plan to create a green economy. Growing numbers of economists eg the authors of the Green New Deal, and at the UN, are saying that investing heavily in efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable transport, reduction, reuse and recycling of waste, building stronger local economies and communities with local production for local needs, is by far the best way to direct our efforts. After all we currently have intimately entangled, mutually reinforcing economic and environmental crises.
However, there is no such plan available from Gordon Brown's Labour Govt.. Where is what should be top priority, a plan to insulate all homes free of charge for instance (its something that self-evidently pays for itself in saved energy and thus lowered bills)!?!?
The lack of a real green plan is surely no surprise to anyone given that Mr Brown spent over a decade as Chancellor before his period as PM and we're certainly no greener now than when he came to power!! By the Government's own figures carbon dioxide emissions are higher now than ten yrs ago for instance. Current Brown plans in favour of building more coal fired power stations, the expansion of airports, the building of hundreds of miles of new roads, more nuclear power stations cannot considered green (more here).
Looks like PM Gordon Brown's plans are pefectly consistent with his past actions as Chancellor doesn't it - definitely more Brown than green!
All too true. And the answer to the previous question was about giving money to the motor industry in Swindon. How Green is that?
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you … liked the way you have edited and penned down your article... but think big, educate others by commenting or adding your blog to big CSR and Green websites... currently i can suggest you one and i.e. http://www.justmeans.com ... if you are an learner or expert related to CSR, Green Jobs, Ethical Consumption, Clean Technology, Energy, Environment etc then please do share your thoughts, ideas and equally you can learn from other industry experts only at http://www.justmeans.com … JustMeans is a social media website with jobs, news and networks for people who create change. Companies and non-profits communicate their "green" initiatives, and people like me and you connect to businesses, organizations, influential bloggers and others interested in changing the world. JustMeans have big goals but not big egos.
ReplyDeleteSuffolk Labour Councillor resigns from party to join the Greens
ReplyDeleteHeathrow and Stansted decisions "too much to bear"
Cllr. Mark Ereira-Guyer, long standing St Edmundsbury councillor and current leader of the Labour Group, has resigned from the Labour Party in dismay at the Government decision to give the go-ahead to another runway at Heathrow, and has applied to join the Green Party.
Mark will become the 28th principal authority Green Party Councillor in Eastern Region and his clear and principled decision gives a further boost to the Green Party campaign to win a seat at the European Elections on June 4th.
Mark said
"The vast environmental changes wrought by humanity now threaten us in a most profound way, and the Government's decision to go-ahead with a third runway at Heathrow does nothing to protect us all from the catastrophic impact of climate change and environmental degradation. Alongside their support for expansion at Stansted this is just too much to bear. I am committed to working towards a better world and I want to see the UK Government provide firm global leadership in combating climate change.
Not doing so today has meant, with a heavy heart and great sadness and after 27 years of Labour Party membership, I have been compelled to hand in my Party membership. I believe that the Party has completely lost its connection with its membership and simply refuses to listen to those it should do.
I look forward to continuing to represent the interests of the local community I represent on St Edmundsbury Borough Council as an active and energetic exponent of environmental issues and social justice in Suffolk, the region and globally as a member of Suffolk's Green Party team. "
Cllr Ereira-Guyer served as a St Edmundsbury councillor from 1995 to 2003 and again since May 2007 as representative of the St Olave's ward. In the earlier period he held several prominent positions in the controlling Labour Group as Deputy Leader, Cabinet Member for Culture and Chair of the Transport & Public Works Committee. In 1997 and 2001 Mark contested Bury St Edmunds for Labour in the General Elections; running a close second to the Conservatives.
Mark has lived in Bury St Edmunds for 15 years, and as a businessman works as charity advisor and consultant; he has two children with his partner, Gaby. He is also a school governor at Howard Primary School and is a trustee, and active volunteer, for many local organisations.
Councillor John Matthissen, Suffolk Co-ordinator of the Green Party, said
"We very much welcome this long overdue recognition by Mark of his true political complexion. He is well known to many local greens for his work with Greenpeace and development charities, and his regular attendance at the Bury Green Fair. We now have representation on three of the seven councils in Suffolk, and are well-placed to move further ahead once decisions are made about the future shape of local government in the county."
From:
http://rupertsread.blogspot.com/2009/01/leader-of-labour-group-resigns-to-join.html