News story: New Farming Rules for Water
New rules will be introduced which will save farmers money whilst also better protecting the water environment. read more
Author Archives: GovWorldMag
Green deputy leader to visit Ryedale fracking site
30 November 2017
Green Party deputy leader Amelia Womack will visit the Kirby Misperton fracking site in Ryedale on Friday afternoon (December 1) to meet local demonstrators and visit the protection camp.
Womack’s visit is part of a series called ‘Green Friday’ where Green Party politicians spend a day at the site [1].
Earlier this month Green Party co-leader Jonathan Bartley was dragged across the road by police while giving a speech to protesters at the site [2].
Womack said:
“I’m looking forward to meeting protesters who are putting their bodies on the line every day to stand up for their communities, particularly after appalling treatment of Jonathan by police only a few weeks ago. I’m so inspired by how dedicated the Ryedale community is in its stand against fracking.
“Fracking is dirty, dangerous and unnecessary. It will jeopardise our climate commitments and prolong our dependency on fossil fuel for years to come. The Government should be leaving fossil fuels where they belong – in the ground – and investing in modern, clean energy for the future.”
Notes:
Green Co-Leader to call on other parties to “rally behind free movement” at debate
30 November 2017
The Green Party Co-Leader Jonathan Bartley will use a panel debate on migration later today to urge other parties to “rally behind free movement”.
Bartley will argue that the leadership of other parties are not making the positive case for immigration and that that is dividing communities.
He will say that “to lose the gift of freedom of movement would be like losing a part of our identity as humans beings.” Bartley will also say that other parties must “abandon their fixation with treating migrants as economic statistics” and talk instead about their worth as human beings.
Mr Bartley will be speaking at a debate on the future of migration policy in Britain hosted by the consultancy PwC [1]. Also on the panel will be Anna Soubry MP and Labour peer Lord McConnell.
Mr Bartley is expected to say:
“We have to stop thinking of migrants as economic numbers that will either benefit or hurt our economy. This fixation has to end. We need a new language for migration, one that focuses on migrants as people, fathers, mothers, daughters, sons, and friends.
“To move is to be human, it’s to be free but the Both Conservatives and Labour are surrendering that freedom. To lose the gift of freedom of movement would be like losing a part of our identity as humans beings. As of this day I want to see all progressives in all parties coming together to defend freedom of movement and to launch a wholesale defence of our right and the rights of others to travel.”
Notes
[1] 14:30pm – 17:30 Migration Still Matters: Toward a new national consensus on migration. Embankment Place, London WC2N 6RH
read more
EU must impose an arms embargo on Saudi Arabia
30 November 2017
The Greens/EFA group is calling on the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, to launch an initiative in the Foreign Affairs Council to impose an arms embargo against Saudi Arabia. The European Parliament will hold a debate this afternoon on the situation in Yemen, with a vote on a motion for a resolution tomorrow.
Bodil Valero was rapporteur for the European Parliament’s report on Arms Exports, which previously called on High Representative Mogherini to launch an embargo (1). She comments:
“It is a scandal that EU member states continue to provide arms and expertise to Saudi Arabia in the war against Yemen. High Representative Mogherini should urgently launch an initiative to impose an EU arms embargo against Saudi Arabia. As chairwomen of the Foreign Affairs Council, we urge Mogherini to formally put the item of an embargo on the agenda of their next meeting. EU countries cannot continue to be party to the horrible suffering being caused in Yemen.
“Saudi Arabia should immediately stop the sea, land and air blockade of Yemen and allow full access for humanitarian aid to all parts of Yemen.”
The UK is one of the EU countries still exporting high volumes of arms to Saudi Arabia, where Prime Minister Theresa May is currently visiting (2). British MEP Molly Scott Cato adds:
“While Theresa May will no doubt pay lip service to the tragedy facing the people of Yemen during her trip to Saudi Arabia, these words will mean nothing so long as the UK continues to sell billions of euros worth of weapons to Saudi Arabia each year.
“There are signs that war crimes are being committed in Yemen on a grave scale. We support the collection of evidence for the criminal prosecution of those committing such crimes and UN sanctions against individuals obstructing delivery of humanitarian assistance.”
Notes
(1) See our press release from 12 September for more information: https://www.greens-efa.eu/en/article/press/keine-waffen-nach-saudi-arabien/
(2) According to figures obtained by The Guardian, UK military sales to Saudi Arabia were over £1.1bn in the first half of 2017: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/24/uk-sales-of-arms-and-military-equipment-to-saudi-arabia-2017
read moreLabour to work with coastal communities to revive jobs and industry
Labour today launches a major initiative to work with people and businesses in our seaside towns on a plan to revive jobs, industry and local economies.
Leader Jeremy Corbyn will join Shadow Minister for Coastal Communities Holly Lynch at the first of a series of visits across Britain’s coastal communities.
They will meet civic and business leaders to discuss how best to support coastal industries and services post-Brexit. Other Shadow Cabinet members will hold similar events around the country in the coming months, each focusing on a key theme, such as healthcare, transport, jobs and industry.
Labour is today also launching an online consultation ahead of the Government’s Fisheries Bill, to gather views and evidence from industry experts, consumers and environmental experts.
Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn, said:
“Seaside towns hold a special place in our country’s history but they have been left behind by the Conservatives. Instead of being neglected and starved of investment, our coastal communities have enormous potential as centres for creative, digital and offshore industries.
“Labour will invest in all communities around the thousand of miles of our coastline and will work with them as we transform our economy so it serves the interests of the many, not the few.”
Holly Lynch MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Coastal Communities, said:
“Well-managed fisheries and sustainable fishing practices mean more fish, more jobs, and a greater contribution to the UK economy in the long term. There is a unique opportunity as we leave the EU to transform the way we manage our fisheries to drive economic prosperity, tourism and environmental benefits to our beautiful and unique British coast.
“Labour believes the unique position of coastal communities should not be confined to the past, but should be part of an innovative, thriving and sustainable future.”
read more