Since the start of the economic crisis, the Green Party has joined with leading economic thinkers in calling for a fresh way forward. The Green New Deal is a bold set of actions that would place the UK at the leading edge of green industry, while reducing fuel bills, creating a million much-needed jobs, and cutting carbon emissions.

The proposals would create a million new jobs in the UK in areas such as renewable energy production, home insulation, improved public transport, community banks and credit unions, local food supplies, and re-use and repair of goods. Thousands of jobs could be created in Worcester alone.

Louis Stephen, General Election Candidate for Worcester, said: "As a country we could create lasting jobs and make long-term savings by investing in green jobs and industries here in the UK. These are the kind of jobs that our country urgently needs to secure a healthy and stable future. Green jobs would not only cut carbon emissions, they would improve people's quality of life, cut fuel bills for everyone, reduce waste, and create energy sources that are clean,secure, and not dependent on diminishing supplies of foreign oil.

"These proposals are common sense, but the Government is failing to take action. The UK is lagging far behind other European countries in terms of renewable energy and green jobs. For example, ten times as many people are employed in the solar industry in Germany as in the UK. With Green MPs in Parliament we could hold the Government accountable for their failure to act, and press for real action to forge a fair and prosperous future."

The decision to complete a ring of tarmac should not be taken lightly. We believe this is a single element which could be incorporated within a much larger transport review that is urgently needed for Worcester, the West Midlands and the nation as a whole.

This strategic transport review should consider such things as future employment and housing areas, and the amount of goods being carried on road, rail and air. A regional plan should plan for people to have the option to live reasonably close to where they work rather than creating dormitory towns where people have to commute large distances to work. The plan would consider modernising and increasing the capacity on the existing rail network. A key measure would be to create a new station on the main line at Norton. Buses and trams would also need to be part of that review.

We need to reduce the amount of noise and pollution present within the centre of our city by improving cycling and walking facilities. We need to reduce the amount of traffic passing through our city. Less through traffic would enable more pedestrianisation of the city centre, making our city centre quieter, safer, with less air pollution and a better place to shop. Building another road without looking at the deeper causes of transport problems is not the answer.

Creating more road capacity often gives a short term improvement but after a few years the capacity is quickly filled. And of course, the new road would cost hundreds of millions of pounds. In the current financial climate our money is better spent on defending the NHS and extending education and training.

In brief - Worcester Green Party cannot support the proposed North West Ring Road as a stand-alone project. However, we would be sympathetic to a new road if it improved the quality of the environment for the people of Worcester and was part of an ambitious strategic plan to reduce the need for high levels of commuting and improved train, bus, tram, cycling and walking provision in the region.

"Workers in both public and private sector are having to pay for a crisis not of our making," said Paul Hunt, the Unison steward for Coventry. "They are looking to attack the working class rather than the banks to get the money back."

In a time of financial difficulty when the public sector is most needed we should be defending jobs and services.

It is clear that irrespective of who wins the coming General Election both Labour and the Conservatives are planning to make deep cuts in the countries budgets. Louis Stephen challenged everyone present at the meeting to use the General Election to raise the profile of the Defend Jobs and Services campaign. The Green Party achieved 17% of Worcester's vote in last years local elections, is the largest progressive party in Worcester and the only real alternative to Labour and the Conservatives.

Watch this space - more information will follow with Green Party head office press release.

From left to right: Louis Stephen, Farid Bakht (Green Party International Coordinator), Ch Asghar Ali Sardar (Pakistan Muslim League - political advisor to Ex Prime Minister of Pakistan), Jean Lambert (Green Party MEP for London and Chair of EU Delegation to SE Asia) and Dr Attique-Ur-Rehman (Pakistan Muslim League UK).

Louis Stephen and Asghar Ali Sardar.

The survey was carried out by knocking on every door in Hill Street, Stanley Road, Vincent Road and Cecil Road. Of those who took part in the survey 97% of people said they wanted a 20mph zone in their area with a sign, with 57% wanting speed bumps to be put in place.

Louis Stephen, the Green parliamentary candidate for Worcester, said: "The Green Party is gaining a reputation for dealing with issues that affect local people's lives. One person said that they have been waiting 15 years for something to be done about speeding cars on their road."

Mr Stephen urges Worcester residents to get in touch if they think their street should be a 20 mph zone and recommends that they visit the Worcester Green Party website (www.worcestergreenparty.org.uk) to see other places that could benefit from having 20mph zones.

Research has found that pedestrians hit by a vehicle at 20mph have a greater chance of survival. Only one in 40 dies at 20mph, compared with one in five at 30mph.[1] In 2006 there were 2,858 deaths and 26,066 serious injuries on roads in England and Wales.[2]

[1] http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/5176593/20mph-limit-to-cut-road-deaths.html

[2] http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/dec/11/20mph-london-speed-limit

To find out more about the Green Party's stance on 20mph zones please visit this link:

http://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/20-04-2009-20mph-zones.html 

"The car parking problems are not really caused by local residents themselves. Car parking is an issue because of the type of car dependent society we have created; the expansion of out of town shopping; supermarkets like Sainsburys closing in the town centre; our roads seem too unsafe to cycle; public transport is expensive and is fragmented."

Two complementary solutions:

1. Night Time Parking: Tallow Hill car park is very empty at night. Why not give every resident within the vicinity of Hill Street, Spring Lane, Spring Hill and Autumn Terrace a free night time parking permit?
2. Day Time Parking: To take pressure off the houses closest to Tallow Hill provide a notional “residents parking” scheme by providing day time parking within the existing Tallow Hill car park at a reasonable rate. I would suggest that the reasonable rate should be set at something like that for normal residents parking in other parts of Worcester like Britannia Square; ie around £30 per year.

"We await a response from the council - doing nothing is not an option."

Let us know if your street would benefit form a 20 MPH limit.  

Residents of Stanley Road are concerned that one day someone will get hurt, or worse, going to and from Stanley Road Primary School. Research has found that pedestrians hit by a vehicle at 20mph have a greater chance of survival. Only one in 40 dies at 20mph, compared with one in five at 30mph.[1] In 2006 there were 2,858 deaths and 26,066 serious injuries on roads in England and Wales.[2]

Louis Stephen, the Green parliamentary candidate for Worcester, has said: "There are already some 20 mph zones around the city, but Stanley Road really needs one too. The Green Party is calling for full-blown Safe Routes to School programmes everywhere, which involves a more comprehensive approach to keeping school children safe." He urges Worcester residents to get in touch if they think their street should be a 20 mph zone and recommends that they visit the Worcester Green Party website to see other places that could benefit from having 20mph zones.

[1] http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/5176593/20mph-limit-to-cut-road-deaths.html

[2] http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/dec/11/20mph-london-speed-limit

To find out more about the Green Party's stance on 20mph zones please visit this link: 

http://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/20-04-2009-20mph-zones.html

For more information about Worcester Green Party activities please contact Louis Stephen at louis.stephen@worcestergreenparty.org.uk or 01905 359 509

At Duckworth Environmental Centre on Saturday 21st November Worcester Green Party parliamentary candidate Louis Stephen spoke about the implications of a third runway at Heathrow airport. All parliamentary candidates for Worcester had been invited to speak. An orchard was be planted at Gheluvelt Park as part of the Greenpeace Airplot Campaign.

Louis Stephen agrees that ‘the government plans to go ahead with airport expansion across the country means we'll have no hope of meeting our climate emission targets. At full capacity, Heathrow would become the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions in the whole country. We can't let this happen if we are serious about tackling climate change.'

To find out more about the Greenpeace Airplot Campaign please visit http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/climate/airplot/about-airplot

Students studying on the University of Worcester's Political Journalism module were given the opportunity to interview a prospective MP.

Louis Stephen, the Green Party’s Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Worcester, faced questions from a group of second and third year students.

He said: "It was a good opportunity to expand on the range of policies on which the party will be campaigning in the coming General Election.

"Topics covered included student finance, the war in Afghanistan, and our hopes to get our first members of parliament elected in 2010."

Chris Frixou, 21, a final year Journalism and Sports Studies student, said: "Louis was extremely helpful and gave me a number of ideas for my University work."

"He was more than happy to answer our queries regarding his party"

In addition to Louis, the students heard a speech on climate change by Muyiwa Olufon, 19, a second year BSc Computing student.

Muyiwa is a member of the UK Climate Change Coalition and has been invited to the 2009 Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen.

Claire Wolfe, Subject leader in Journalism, said: "The visit provided the students studying political journalism an opportunity to ask questions in a 'press conference' style setting."

"Having the two speakers together provided a real insight into some of the environmental issues facing communities on a global scale"

"It was inspirational for the students to hear how young people, like Muyiwa, can become involved and actually help to bring about change."

Louis Stephen (Greens) and Robin Walker (Tories) met at 2pm on Saturday 24th October at the Guildhall to sign the pledge, which states that "We, the undersigned, pledge…To fight a clean, positive and honest campaign around the issues that concern the people of Worcester."

There are seven pledges in all, including ‘to publish online details of all of personal expenses’ and ‘to never claim for furniture or household goods’

Louis Stephen said: "The Greens started the pledge in Norwich, where they have a majority in the council. I thought that it would be a great idea to do it in Worcester, especially as local people are so angry about the dishonesty of the politicians currently in power. I am very pleased that Robin Walker has agreed to sign the Clean Campaign Pledge."

Michael Foster MP was also invited to sign the pledge but he declined, claiming it to be a "gimmick". 

This Saturday (3rd October) members of Worcester Green Party were out picking up litter at Fort Royal Park, Wyld's Lane and joining streets.

Worcester Green Party parliamentary candidate Louis Stephen says, “Worcester was judged to be one of the cleanest cities in the UK and gained an award at this year’s Clean Britain Awards. However, local people struggle to believe how the city won such an award when they look at the litter around them. The Green Party is committed to making real efforts to tidy up Worcester.”

Rich pickings!

Local residents in Spring Hill had been suffering from blocked and smelly drains and asked Louis Stephen, Worcester Green Party parliamentary candidate, for help to sort out the problem.  The city council drain cleaner had not been able to access the drains due to parked cars. Louis contacted the council to agree a plan to to "cone off" the road and remove parked cars for a day so the work could be carried out.

Louis Stephen said "Credit where it is due - I was really impressed with the Council Manager Malcolm Cox for organising the three parties of city and county council and police authority together for a speedy resolution."

In contrast to the main parties the Green Party is principally funded by its members and the generosity of ordinary people. Labour receives millions of pounds every year from the unions and both Labour and the Tories rely heavily on donations from big business. These sources of funding have a real effect on the ethos and policy of both the big parties.

Louis Stephen, leader of Worcester Green Party, says, “Politics seems a dirty word these days, as evidenced by the scandals over MPs’ expenses. We are a local party funded by local people. If elected we will work in the interests of local people, not big business.”

Chris arrived at the Herefordshire/Worcestershire border on Monday 31st August where he was met by members of the Worcester Green Party and the Worcester and Malvern Cycle Tourist Club (CTC). The group then cycled together the remaining 8 miles into Worcester City. On the way they made a brief stop at The Fold environmental centre at Bransford.  In Worcester the Caravan met with Mary Dhonau, coordinator of the National Flood Forum.

One of the aims of the Caravan is to raise awareness of the links between increased frequency of flooding in areas such as Worcester, accelerating climate change, continued building on flood plains and the extent to which we have built hard, water impervious surfaces in our urban environment.  Chris also wants to show that cycling is fun, as well as cheap and good for our health, and that reducing carbon pollution is possible with a lot of people working together and making small changes. He says, “With better facilities for cyclists, road congestion and CO2 emissions could be reduced and air quality improved in Worcester. I also find that cycling improves my physical fitness and well-being and helps fight the flab!"

After a night’s rest as a guest of Worcester Green Party, Chris peddled off to Birmingham en route for Copenhagen.

To find out more about the Zero Carbon Caravan go to http://www.zerocarboncaravan.net

To find out more about this article, or get involved in local activities, contact Louis Stephen (email), Neil Laurenson (email) or call 01905 359509.

In contrast the Green Party is principally funded by its members and the generosity of ordinary people. Does this source of small private donations from local people have an effect on our policies and priorities for Worcester - you bet but I would not have it any other way! In contrast to the source of funding the other parties have we are having a car boot sale in the coming weeks - any help (with items to sell) to keep our democracy alive is more than welcomed.

Louis Stephen, Green Party Parliamentary Candidate for Worcester

In the European elections, the Green Party's vote increased by about 50% (1) compared with 2004 - yet the Greens still returned only 2 MEPs.

But the party's results show considerable promise for the coming general election, with the Greens having defeated all comers in the parliamentary constituencies which will be contested by the party's leader and deputy leader.

Party leader Caroline Lucas was re-elected comfortably, with the South East Green Party vote up by half, from 8% to 12%, finishing ahead of Labour. Dr Lucas's bid for election to the Westminster Parliament received a huge boost from a vote of 33.7% in Brighton and Hove. The Greens came first in Brighton and Hove, almost 6,000 votes ahead of the Conservatives, and with more than double Labour's vote across three parliamentary constituencies. Caroline Lucas will be contesting the Brighton Pavilion seat in the general election.

Jean Lambert successfully defended her London seat, overtaking UKIP. In Lewisham, the Greens polled 22%, close behind Labour on 25%. This looks promising for the Lewisham Deptford target constituency in the general election, a seat to be contested by Darren Johnson AM, the current chair of the London Assembly.

In the South West region, the Green Party increased its vote for Ricky Knight by 2%, to 9% - coming fourth, ahead of Labour.

Rupert Read narrowly missed election in Eastern region, where the Green vote increased from 6% in 2004 to 9%. In Norwich, the Greens came a comfortable first throughout the city, on 25% - good news ahead of the general election, when Green Party deputy leader Adrian Ramsay will contest the Norwich South target seat.

In Yorkshire and the Humber, the Green vote went up from 6% to 9% - narrowly missing out to the first BNP MEP. Ironically, the BNP's new MEP lives in Harrogate, a borough where the BNP polled only 1,887 votes compared with the Green Party's 3,845.

The North West Greens very narrowly missed winning a seat where the BNP leader was elected. Highlights of the Green vote in the North West included Manchester, where the Greens finished in third place, on 13.6%, ahead of the Conservatives. Ironically, while the Green vote was up from 6% to 8%, the BNP vote actually fell numerically compared with 2004.

In the North East - the first result announced, as there are only three seats - the Greens polled 6%, 1% up on 2004, in the English region where the Green vote was always most likely to be squeezed. In East Midlands, the Green vote increased by 1% to 7% and in West Midlands up 1% to 6%.

In Wales, the Green Party vote increased by a third, from 4% to 6%.

The European Green Group looks set to be much stronger after this election. The French Greens, for example, have gained 8 seats, more than doubling their representation to 14 seats.

Note

1. Figures from the BBC, may be subject to rounding. Fuller figures will be available in due course.

The Buy Local campaign, launched by the Worcester News in mid April is gaining momentum. Supported by Worcestershire County, Malvern Hills District, Wychavon District, and Worcester City Councils the campaign continues to draw local support. Worcester’s Transition group, One Planet Worcester, and good food group Slow Food Worcestershire are both backing the campaign.

The Worcester News is giving away 5,000 natural carrier bags to promote the campaign. Aims of the campaign are simple: local independent businesses – shops, restaurants, farm shops, markets, traditional pubs and the like – are being severely affected by this recession. The best way to help them is to spend local money with them.

Buying local is good for the community and good for the environment. We need to encourage local resilience and reduce our dependence on the use of fossil fuels for transporting products and contributing to climate change.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is backing the drive to support independent businesses and promote local produce. Ken Wigfield, chairman of FSB Worcestershire, said to the Worcester News “You only need to look at your local high street to witness the slow death of the local community. The grocers, butchers and newsagents that contributed to the lifeblood of our towns have been replaced by empty facades, fast-food joints or charity shops.”

Mr Wigfield added: “For some years now, small shops in town centres and rural areas have come under pressure from poor local planning decisions, free out-of-town parking, unfavourable business rates and sharp practices by supermarkets. This matters for a number of reasons. Thriving small shops attract customers, which increases the footfall for surrounding businesses.”

“No local shops can mean no post office, no pub and fewer local services.”

Small retailers return more than 50 per cent of their profits back into the local community.

Worcester Green candidate, Louis Stephen, added “Worcester Greens fully endorse this campaign and encourage everyone to support it”.

Full details of the Buy Local campaign, including how you can receive your free shopping bag and download a printable campaign poster can be found on the Worcester News website

Sponsored by supporters in Worcester, Hereford, Malvern and Grimsby, the runners enjoyed glorious sunshine as they toiled to the summit. With helpers on hand wielding collection buckets, quite a bit of cash was collected from onlookers.

Sponsorship money for the event should either be sent:

as a cheque made out to West Midlands Green Party accompanied by a covering note including your name, address and telephone number to West Midlands Treasurer, 36 Rose Hill, Lickey, Birmingham, B45 8RR;or

via PayPal at  http://www.greenparty.org.uk/region/westmidlands/Donate.html and email pete@lickey.plus.com to say that you have done so.

Congratulations to Vicky, Malcolm and Andy – we hope the paint washes off, eventually.