I visited Harris Academy Crystal Palace a couple of weeks ago. I was invited by the Head of Social Sciences to meet and assist the Green Party candidates who are standing in the mock election at the school. I have to say I was impressed at the dedication shown by the pupils. They were bright and inquisitive. This picture was taken after 5pm. These girls (and their teacher) remained long after the final school bell had sounded to learn about the Green Party's policies, and to formulate a strategy to win. Each party has been given a budget of £30. I look forward to hearing the result.
Wouldn't it be great if all the parties in the actual general election were allocated a budget. State funded political parties is the way to go! -------------------------------------------------- Tags croydon, greenparty
It is very important that the local elections in Croydon on May 6th do not get overshadowed by the General Election on the same day. Presently, there is a fixation on the Westminister parties that are contesting the national elections, especially with regard to the TV leader debates. In actual fact, there is very little to choose between Tory, Labour and the Lib Dems, when one considers their social and economic leanings. Here in Croydon, the third party is not the Lib Dems but the Green Party. The Lib Dems are putting up 46 candidates in the borough. This compares to the 70 candidates the Green Party is standing for council – a full slate. This dramatic rise from 19 in 2006 reflects a growing support, confidence and interest in the Croydon Green Party. Voters are becoming more acutely aware that a principled party, fighting for a fairer Croydon is needed, because a council made up entirely of Tories and Labour is unhealthy for local democracy.
Candidates standing for the Green Party come from all backgrounds. For example, Esther Sutton, standing in Fairfield, is the award winning landlady of the Green Dragon pub; Andy Bebington, standing in Shirley, is the Chair of Croydon Citizens Advice Bureau; Elizabeth DeZoysa is Treasurer of Norbury Residents Association; and Esther Obiri-Darko, standing in Thornton Heath, is the partner of bio-truck explorer Andy Pag. All our candidates recognise that thriving communities within Croydon are dependent on principled politicians who choose: local independent shops above branded supermarkets; measures to ensure we build are a caring society - one that is fairer; and finally, a greener local economy that will withstand the pressures of a future of ever increasing energy prices.
Yours sincerely
Shasha Khan
Green Party candidate for Croydon North and Bensham Manor ward
Following local coverage regarding the theft of my bike, this story has now made its way into the national media - the News of The World, no less! I am on the same page as Sarah Jessica Parker!!!!!!!!!!!! -------------------------------------------------- Tags croydon, greenparty
So, I've just had a few jibes in my direction about the fact that I took money from an old lady! Having spoken to the kind lady, who wanted to remain anonymous, I was sure she could afford it. It is a wonderful gesture and I couldn't thank her enough. She recognised I was trying to do something positive and got stung. What's happened in this tale - now with a happy ending - is a crude form of income redistribution..... --------------------------------------------------Tags croydon, greenparty
Given that the Lib Dems have only 46 candidates standing and the Greens have 70, the Croydon Guardian rightfully see the local elections as threeway battle between the Tories, Labour and the Green Party.
The Green Party in Croydon has been advised that Veolia is engaged in illegal activity in OccupiedPalestinianTerritory.
Veolia has entered into contracts to provide bus and tramway transport to link the colonised settlements to the Israeli sector of Jerusalem and has undertaken additional services including refuse disposal to a site in the JordanValley. The success and profitability of the contracts is predicated on the illegal colonisation of Occupied Palestinian territory; and the Israeli plan to colonize East Jerusalem and environs is dependant upon the provision of services provided by Veolia. Bus services 109 and 110 serve Israeli settlements along Israeli-only route 443 and the planned ‘Jerusalem Tramway’ is to be built on Palestinian land to serve Israeli settlements, existing and planned, to provide Israeli-only transportation within the planned Israeli ‘Greater Jerusalem’. The Tovlan waste management site is on Palestinian land and is projected to handle the waste from the expanding and projected increasing illegal Israeli colonies of ‘Greater Jerusalem’.
Green Party candidate for Croydon Central Bernice Golberg said:
“Arguably, global security is significantly dependent on a peaceful and lasting solution between Palestine and Israel.Most recently, the focus has been on the Israeli settlements. In East Jerusalem Israeli authorities are increasingly inviting international condemnation by expelling Palestinians from areas in East Jerusalem and expanding the new Israeli city eastwards towards the Jordanian border.
Bernice continued
“If it has been established that Veolia is engaged in illegal activity, the Green Party finds it inappropriate that council taxpayers should be actively supporting a company actively engaged in the colonisation of the Occupied West Bank which even the United States now condemns for being an “obstacle to peace”.
Veolia currently have the waste disposal contract with Croydon council and are on the shortlist for the new South London Waste Incinerator.
Under Public Contract Regulations 2006, section 23 (4)(e), contractors found to have “committed an act of grave misconduct in the course of his business or profession” should be precluded from tendering for public contracts.”
Most of my doorknocking and leafleting stints have been done using my trusty steed, my Gary Fisher mountain bike. I cycle down to an area, lock the bike up and get to it. Today I was canvassing. As I had a shoulder bag full of leaflets, I chose - now to my regret - to take my lightweight lock. The rationale was that I would only be a few yards away from my bike. After locking my bike to a post I proceeded to knock on doors, at no time was I more than 20 yards away from the bike. After about 30 minutes, I finished talking to a resident and looked across at where my bike was supposed to be....only to find it wasn't there. My immediate emotion was massive bewilderment, followed by massive dejection. Then I began to wonder if I had locked it somewhere else, only to find the the busted lock lying on the floor. Absolutely gutted.
I rang the police and then my sister, who I knew was passing by. Whilst waiting for my sister, I spotted Labour candidate Donna Gray. She was peddling the latest Labour communication. This one had a piece about Labour opposing the incinerator. We exchanged pleasantries. She seems like a sweet person. I told her what happened about my bike - she expressed sympathy and carried on down the road delivering leaflets. As she went off I called her back, and asked, how was it that Labour could claim to be against the incinerator when Labour councils are forcing them through all over the country. I also mentioned that Malcolm Wicks, MP for Croydon North, had forced one through in Bexley in 2006 against massive local opposition. Her response, rather reaction, was to laugh, and playfully hit me on the arm with the aforementioned duplicitous leaflets and march off. She carried on laughing as she walked away.....
Yesterdays Croydon Trades Council local election hustings was an interesting affair. I was the only panelist that showed up! We all got this email reminder earlier in the day....
Final reminder for Local Elections Hustings meeting tonight;
The Green Party in Croydon has been advised that Veolia is engaged in illegal activity in Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Veolia has entered into contracts to provide bus and tramway transport to link the colonised settlements to the Israeli sector of Jerusalem and has undertaken additional services including refuse disposal to a site in the Jordan Valley. The success and profitability of the contracts is predicated on the illegal colonisation of Occupied Palestinian territory; and the Israeli plan to colonize East Jerusalem and environs is dependant upon the provision of services provided by Veolia. Bus services 109 and 110 serve Israeli settlements along Israeli-only route 443 and the planned ‘Jerusalem Tramway’ is to be built on Palestinian land to serve Israeli settlements, existing and planned, to provide Israeli-only transportation within the planned Israeli ‘Greater Jerusalem’. The Tovlan waste management site is on Palestinian land and is projected to handle the waste from the expanding and projected increasing illegal Israeli colonies of ‘Greater Jerusalem’.
Green Party candidate for Croydon Central Bernice Golberg said:
“Arguably, global security is significantly dependent on a peaceful and lasting solution between Palestine and Israel. Most recently, the focus has been on the Israeli settlements. In East Jerusalem Israeli authorities are increasingly inviting international condemnation by expelling Palestinians from areas in East Jerusalem and expanding the new Israeli city eastwards towards the Jordanian border.
Bernice continued
“If it has been established that Veolia is engaged in illegal activity, the Green Party finds it inappropriate that council taxpayers should be actively supporting a company actively engaged in the colonisation of the Occupied West Bank which even the United States now condemns for being an “obstacle to peace”.
Veolia currently have the waste disposal contract with Croydon council and are on the shortlist for the new South London Waste Incinerator.
Under Public Contract Regulations 2006, section 23 (4)(e), contractors found to have “committed an act of grave misconduct in the course of his business or profession” should be precluded from tendering for public contracts.”
I visited Harris Academy Crystal Palace a couple of weeks ago. I was invited by the Head of Social Sciences to meet and assist the Green Party candidates who are standing in the mock election at the school. I have to say I was impressed at the dedication shown by the pupils. They were bright and inquisitive. This picture was taken after 5pm. These girls (and their teacher) remained long after the final school bell had sounded to learn about the Green Party's policies, and to formulate a strategy to win. Each party has been given a budget of £30. I look forward to hearing the result.
