Local member Yogi Rajah passes away

........................ Yogi Rajah in Croydon Town Centre .......................................

Yesterday, the Sutton and Croydon Green Party were very sad to hear the news that local member Yogi Rajah, aged 73, had passed away peacefully in his sleep. His daughter Lyn telephoned us last night to advise us of his passing.

Yogi was a prolific canvasser and leafleter. He would talk to absolutely anyone about the virtues of a greener lifestyle and society. I will best remember him for his efforts in the 2004 GLA election. He single handedly canvassed most if not all of Upper Norwood! He certainly had a major hand in the 10 per cent the Green Party polled in Upper Norwood that year.

He would take a box load of leaflets and posters from my flat and then return with astonishing speed asking for more. What is even more astonishing, as I found out yesterday, was that he was 70 years old at the time!!! He will always be an inspiration to us all and will be greatly missed.

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Tags croydon, greenparty

Greens demonstrate outside Clocktower

Prees Release - Photo Opp:

Croydon Greens to demonstrate outside Clocktower

Croydon Green Party will be staging a demonstration outside Croydon Clocktower on Thursday 13th December from 7pm onwards. The protest will be directed towards Malcolm Wicks, Energy Minister and Croydon North MP, who is due to give a talk entitled 'Lessons from Antarctica'.

Mr Wicks visited Antarctica earlier this year. Commenting on this event, spokesperson for Croydon Green Party said,

"This evening's talk by Mr Wicks is a prime example of this government's approach to climate change - all talk and no action. Was it really necessary to fly all the way to Antarctica to find out about the effects of global warming? I think not - it's just a stunt!"

"The Prime Minsiter has said that climate change is the greatest challenge we face. Yet, Mr Wicks' department has slashed the grants for household renewable energy (1). Other countries such as Germany are way ahead of us in micro-generation."

Mr Khan continued, "It is clear that this government does not have the political will to tackle climate change."

Ends Notes:(1)
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Tags croydon, greenparty

Footage of Climate March with press release

10.12.07

Press Release:


Croydon Greens braved the wind, rain and freezing conditions to march with 6000 others at the National Climate March (1) on Saturday 8th December.

Protesters marched from House of Commons to the US Embassy. The organisers of the protest delivered a letter to Prime Minister Gordon Brown when marching past 10 Downing Street. The letter demanded the passing of strong Climate Bill.

Spokesperson for Croydon Green Party, Shasha Khan, said, “This is a crucial time because we are midway through the UN Climate Talks in Bali. We were told at the rally at the US Embassy that 50 countries had taken part in this global day of action, including Uganda, Bangladesh and Taiwan. All over the world people are calling for action to stop runaway climate change.”

Ends:
(1) http://www.campaigncc.org/
(2) Picture attached
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Tags croydon, greenparty

Letter on increased traffic printed

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Tags croydon, greenparty

Greens attend Green Strategy 2007

Jim Killock and I went along to a business strategy event late last month. It was held at the IET at Savoy Place. The conference covered everything from the relationship between the environment, science and commerce to creating sustainable operations. What I found most interesting was that businesses were keen for government to use regulation to address climate change.

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Tags croydon, greenparty

GP Leadership Result

The following communique was sent to all members:

Jim Jepps, Cambridge Green Party and Electoral Returning Officer, reports after the count on Friday, November 30:

“The leadership motion has been passed by more than the 2/3rd majority required.Votes against 963 (27%)Votes for 2,634 (73%)Eight spoilt papersThe turnout was 48.3% with 3,605 ballot papers cast.”

Green Party Principal Speaker Caroline Lucas said: "I'm delighted about this result. The party can now move forward together and onto the job in hand. We have an urgent green message to communicate and many votes to win.

"This is a fantastic day for the Green Party and will help ensure we have a party that is understandable, recognisable and effective. But we now need to demonstrate to all our members, regardless of which way they voted, that this is not about weakening our principles, it's about strengthening our effectiveness."

Green Party Principal Speaker Derek Wall said: "We need a Green Party which is effective and empowering, doing things differently from the top down traditional politics that turns voters off.

"The result of this referendum challenges the Party to create a leadership structure that is true to green ideals. It has put our future leaders on notice that the membership expects a more focussed, more effective party, with a leadership team that is truly accountable to the membership in a real and effective manner."

Richard Mallender, chair of the Green Party executive, said:

“I’m very pleased to see such a high turnout and that we have a clear result. I would like to thank everyone who took part in the ballot and also extend thanks to the ERO and the standing orders committee for the smooth conduct of the ballot. “The referendum was an excellent example of democracy in action.”

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Tags croydon, greenparty