Young Greens.

I have always been a strong supporter of the Young Greens – they are the future, after all. I am delighted to have the endorsement of two of the ‘leading lights’ of London Young Greens in the GLA selection contest.

Jonathan Buckner has been the best ever London Youth & Student Officer in my memory (maybe apart from the incomparable Chris Cotton).

I have watched Zain Sirdar, from my local party, grow in stature over the last few years. He has done trojan work connecting us to the local trade unions and is now Youth Officer of the Barnet Trades Council.

Both Zain and Jonathan were deeply involved in recent student protests and were kettled in one for nine hours! Zain presented the anti-kettling petition at the most recent meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority.

Here is what they have to say:

“Noel Lynch is an excellent candidate for the London Assembly. He is extremely approachable, knowledgeable and good listener who really cares about the thoughts of ordinary people. Far from the career minded modern politician, Noel is one of those rare lovable characters who, at a time of great austerity, displays genuine empathy with those who feel let down by society. His unwavering support for young people and his attitude to youth issues cements his position as a guiding light within the Green Party.”
Zain Sardar (Youth officer, Barnet trades Council)

'Noel is an excellent candidate. He is friendly and approachable and has been a strong supporter of young members for as long as I have known him. I feel confident that if selected he will continue to stand side-by-side with students and young members both during and after the election campaign.'
'In addition, Noel also sports a fine beard, and if this doesn't convince you, nothing will!'
Jonathan Buckner, London Fed Youth & Student Officer.

Local Coordinators for Noel

Our local parties are the backbone of the Green Party, so I'm particularly thrilled to have the support of so many local chairs and coordinators in the London Assembly List contest.

Here are some:

"Noel has demonstrated his commitment to the Green Party over many years, and has a good rapport with the membership as a whole. In a world where politics is increasingly dominated by people who have never had a professional life outside politics, Noel's varied and lengthy life experience will prove invaluable to the GLA and to forwarding truly radical Green policies."
Roy Vickery
Coordinator Wandsworth GP.

"I’m happy to endorse Noel Lynch’s candidature. Experienced, respected and well-connected, he has unswerving commitment to public service, particularly those who are disadvantaged. Always generous of his time, nobody in London has done more to promote the values and principles of the Green party".
Bob Steel.
Chair Sutton Green Party.

'Noel is one of the most important figures for the Greens in London. He is a great motivator and his commitment to green causes is really exceptional. He has been a fantastic Assembly Member once, and with our support he'll be a fantastic Assembly Member again.'
George Graham, Co-Convenor of Lambeth Green Party.

'As the Chair of a recently reorganised local Group, we have drawn on Noel Lynch's experience, which has proved invaluable. He has attended our local meetings regularly, giving freely of his time and knowledge, which has been incredibly helpful. It is clear that Noel knows the Green Party inside out, and has extraordinary commitment to it.'
Alistair Polson. Chair Tower Hamlets Green Party.

'Noel has worked tirelessly for the Green Party, providing invaluable support to individual members and local parties across London. He was a great Assembly member and fully deserves to represent us again'
Nick Robins, Chair, Merton GP.


"Noel has worked tirelessly for the Green Party for more than 20 years. Whilst the London Party is fortunate in having many hard-working members, Noel is one of that rare breed who can always be contacted and he is one of the very few I know whose phone is almost always answered, even at 10.00 pm.

Noel has campaigned relentlessly and has given unstinting support to local parties and grassroot members. Noel was a dedicated London Assembly member and, with our help, will be again in 2012.
Mel Collins, Coordinator, Barking, Dagenham and Havering Green Party.


"Noel is an experienced, tireless and devoted activist for the Green Party. He has always been there to offer invaluable support and advice to our local party in Croydon."
Shasha Khan, Croydon Green Party Coordinator.

"I am very pleased to have the opportunity to endorse Noel Lynch's application to be selected for the list of London Assembly members. During the years I have known him he has always been most diligent and enthusiastic in his support for local parties and grassroot members. He has worked consistently for the past two decades for the benefit of the Green Party plus having previously been an Assembly Member I have no doubt that he will repeat his tireless work if he is again elected."
Madeleine Lauder-Atkins. Harrow Green Party.

'I'm happy to endorse Noel Lynch as a candidate for the Assembly. He's been an active coordinator of London Fed, and has always been great at dealing with local parties and the grassroots. Noel has a track record as an Assembly member in the past, and as a campaigner for the disadvantaged and social justice. Vote Noel!'
Alex Warleigh-Lack, Chair, Ealing Green Party.

"I support your candidacy for the very reason, that you work tirelessly at a grass roots level to build the Green Party and to make sure that we get green issues onto the agenda in every part of London. Whenever we have looked to you for help and support you have been there for us."
Jane Lithgow, Coordinator, Newham Green Party.

"Noel would be a pain in the arse"

Endorsements piling in for the Green Party London Assembly selection:

From: Jules Lyle
Co-ordinator West Central London Green Party:

"The marvelous thing about Noel is that he says it how it is. I am in no doubt that he would do a fine job if elected again to the London Assembly and I believe wholeheartedly that he would continue to work tirelessly for the greater good of The Green Party and London. Once elected, I bet he wouldn't let any opportunity pass to be a pain in the arse to those making shortsighted, damaging and unethical decisions for London. I can see the Mayor walking up six flights of stairs rather than get into the same lift as Noel for an ear-bashing !"




Noel, Hattie and Jules at the launch of Kurds for Greens



And from Poppy:

"Noel has earned every vote through dedication, experience and good judgement. No one more deserving."
AM Poppy. London GRRC rep

And another from the Hip Hop artist Relentless MC

"My name is Henry Young I am a North London resident and have been all my life, i am also a Hip Hop artist who has been lucky enough to make friends with Noel Lynch in both a professional as well as a personal capacity through my younger brother, and have since known Noel for a good number of years now....

I immediately found Noel to be refreshingly honest, approachable and professional.... also, he has single handily re-affirmed my faith in British politics, after some time knowing Noel and after numerous conversations I'm left thinking why aren't there more people like Noel in government, and how good it is that he represents the Green Party.

Noël’s astute attitude forward thinking and ability to relate has a real appeal and I love the way he can easily engage you in points and views that stimulate the worldly views within us all.
. Definitely a people person, funny and easily approachable,its easy to see Noel`s potential if given a chance to produce on a bigger scale, and I for one would want and be happy to give him my support as well as my vote."
.................
I'm a great admirer of Henry's music. You can see him here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-ClMSojzhM performing "Live 'n' let rhyme" on the Tube. He was the first licenced Hip Hop tube busker.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

More endorsements tomorrow. It will take a few weeks to get them all published.

"NOEL LYNCH: MAN OF THE PEOPLE"

Endorsements are piling in. Here are a few:

NOEL LYNCH: MAN OF THE PEOPLE FOR THE GREEN PARTY IN CITY HALL
• Compassionate listener, using own personal experience of life to connect more empathically with others
• Spokesperson to inspire and inform in writing and oratory
• Facilitator and negotiator who used first tour of duty as London Assembly Member to help promote amenities such as public loos as requirement for social equality
• Auctioneer devoted not to selling off public assets, but to helping bring out the treasure in each person to enrich society.
At a time when ConDem national policies would throw more Londoners out on the street, help vote this former homeless person into City Hall as a Green revolutionary.
(ALAN WHEATLEY, LONDON GREEN PARTY DISABILITY SPOKESPERSON)
.........................

I have huge respect for Alan, so I am delighted to have his support.
===================================

And another:
"I’ve known Noel since he joined the Green Party in 1846 (or some time like that) and that his constant energy, dedication and judgement gives confidence in his candidacy."
Dave Burns, for many years, the backbone of Haringey Green Party and now Barnet Green Party.
=====================================
And another:
I strongly endorse the selection of Noel Lynch for the GLA. Noel has a tremendous record in promoting green issues. He would be a real asset in fighting for a host of causes for the people of London.
Nitin Mehta MBE
(Chair, Young Indian Vegetarians)

More endorsements tomorrow and for the next few weeks.

Vote No. 1 Noel Lynch

This is a very exciting time to be involved in Green politics. The election of Caroline as our first MP has given the party a relevance and sense of purpose that I haven’t seen since I joined over 20 years ago.

As London Coordinator my job has been to channel this energy to advance the Green party across the capital. Our membership has hit record levels and our activist base has been reinvigorated. It has been particularly gratifying to see so many young people join.

Now it is crucial to elect Green candidates. The Assembly elections present an opportunity to elect Green Assembly members but also a platform to re-establish our presence on councils across London.

I believe I have the skills, determination and vision to advance Green policies from the Assembly.


Noel with Caroline at the Finchley Conference.

- Dedication

I have worked tirelessly for the Green party in a large number of roles locally, regionally and nationally.
When I served on the London Assembly I had a 100% attendance record. Activists know that I am always at the end of the phone when they need support.

- Experience

Having served on the Assembly previously I will be able to hit the ground running in terms of using the committee structure and Question Time to hold the Mayor to account and get Green policies implemented.

I am also keen to exploit the facilities open to elected members by hosting conferences, such as those on GM foods and animal welfare, which I was able to organise previously. I would re-establish links with health, disability, trade union, ethnic minority and elderly groups by hosting meetings at the Assembly
with them again.

- Media

It is vital that our Assembly members can get our message across through the media. I have been interviewed on radio and TV on countless occasions. I have worked hard to keep a high media profile since leaving the Assembly with coverage on LBC radio, BBC London, the Guardian, the Independent and numerous local papers in just the last few months alone.

- Serving local parties

Our Assembly members should be at the disposal of our local parties. My door is always open and will continue to be. I have visited every local party from Bromley to Brent and Barking to Richmond and even helped found parties such as Newham and West Central. I am proud to have been nominated to stand for the Assembly by eleven coordinators (8 women/3men) of London’s local parties. If returned to the Assembly I’d visit every party every year. This would serve the dual purpose of keeping all members informed of the work of their elected representatives as well as helping local parties in their crucial campaigns to make breakthroughs on local councils.

If returned to the Assembly I would use the position to promote Green politics, implement Green policies and grow the Green party across London. I hope you agree with my vision and can give me your No. 1 vote.

I am happy to answer any questions, e-mail

noellynch@lineone.net

I am proud to have the support of activists from all across London. I will be posting endorsements here, each day, over the next few weeks. If you would like to lend your support please send to the e-mail above.

An Update on Guys' minor injury unit

Following the information we obtained on the drop in attendances at Guys minor injury unit due to restrictions to its opening hours, the Trust running the hospital has anounced that the unit will be closed and replaced by a GP-led facility. The SE1 website and newsletter contacted us about the announcement and all the details, as well as a quote from me, are in their report on it:

http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/5117

Activists halt Japanese whaling

Well done to Sea Shepherd. A particular thanks to Green Party activists Steve Roest and Mark-Sanders-Barwick.

Japan has temporarily suspended its Antarctic whaling operations after repeated disruptions by a conservation group, a government official said.
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/229406/Activists-halt-Japanese-whaling/Activists-halt-Japanese-whaling

The 100 Club saved.

Today, finally, after months of negotiations CONVERSE, the shoe manufacturers have been announced as the sponsors of the 100 Club.
The campaign team would like to thank you all for your support during the last few months.
There is no details of the deal but we are more than happy that Converse has given the boot to the clubs financial trouble, pun intended.
The club will stay independant and there will be no change of name.
Here is the statement from Converse.
"We at Converse are very excited about our new partnership with the legendary 100 Club in London. Converse¡¦s commitment to being a catalyst for creativity is at the heart of the brand and we are dedicated to championing and supporting arti...sts, fans, the music scene, venues and the experience. Converse and the 100 Club both share a love for music and this partnership is a great opportunity to reunite the 100 Club with a generation who experienced history inside its walls, as well as introduce it to a new generation with a vow to bring the best in music to its legendary stage."

Thanks again.
POWER TO THE PEOPLE
Jim

GM

Blog by Caroline yesterday in Guardian, calling for labelling of GM-free-feed meat
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2011/feb/10/labelling-gm-meat

Exposing health cuts

The Freedom of Information Act remains a favourite campaigning tool of mine. At a meeting some weeks ago a Southwark Green party activist complained about “temporary” restrictions to the opening hours at the Minor Injury Unit at Guy’s in the north of that borough.

With the activist’s help I submitted a Freedom of Information request to see what impact the restrictions were having on local people. The Trust had to admit to a huge reduction in numbers of people being treated at the facility. From seeing 18,000 people per annum before the cuts the number had dropped to less than 15,000 afterwards. This means thousands of people were going untreated or having to clog up other vital parts of the NHS.

Local media are very concerned about issues like this and followed up the information we uncovered:

http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/5097

Hopefully the information and coverage can give a good platform for local activists to challenge the Trust’s decisions.

Tory finance

With a cabinet made up nearly entirely of millionaires and huge donations from the City, is it any wonder that this ConDem government are whacking the poor, and will continue to do so.

More than half of donations to the Conservative Party last year came from the City of London, according to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. Firms and individuals donated £11.4m in 2010, the bureau said, bringing the total from the City since David Cameron became leader to more than £42m.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12401049
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/feb/08/tory-funds-half-city-banks-financial-sector

Young Greens petition against kettling

See Zain Sardar presenting the Young Green petition against kettling at the recent meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4Y2kHEOpvU

What shocked me was the blandness of the Assembly Members response. No passion against this injustice!

FOLK AGAINST FASCISM

On a day when a bunch of bigots called the English Defence League are marching in Luton, and our Prime Minister is making what appears to be yet another ill-judged speech about Muslims, extremism and multiculturalism, we should take heart from the group Folk Against Fascism.

Finding their music being sold by the BNP, various folk acts got together to make the excellent collection Folk Against Fascism - a 2 CD box set which is well worth getting:

Further info at www.folkagainstfascism.com

TheUranium Weapons Network – campaigning to ban depleted uranium weapons -
yesterday launched a short (6mins 40secs) animated film called “When the dust settles”, and it’s proving to be very popular!

http://www.youtube.com/user/ICBUW

Caroline on The Political Slot

18:25 THE POLITICAL SLOT 5 MINS

Saturday 5 February, Channel 4, [S]

Britain's first Green MP Caroline Lucas and some of her local councillor colleagues talk about the policies Greens are fighting for in parliament and town halls around the country.

CUTS

I attended a very interesting joint meeting of Southwark and Lambeth Green parties last night. On the agenda was a debate on public sector cuts and how they are being implemented by Southwark and Lambeth councils.

In fact there was not so much debate as everyone agreed that the cuts being forced on local councils by the Conservative / Liberal Democrat national Government were damaging and illogical. However I found the discussion very useful and informative.

There was broad recognition that local councils' hands are somewhat tied when it comes to setting their budget (indeed a common theme from members was the need for proper local democracy in the UK with local council's given more power to make decisions that we expect them to be accountable for). However everyone agreed that, even given the constraints their local councils were working within, there were many decisions that the local Green parties would strongly oppose.

An important issue raised by some contributors was the opaqueness of the budget documentation released by the councils. Southwark's apparently had to be re-written in plain English because its first attempt was so poor. This is very serious because it makes it difficult to hold the Council to account properly. If we can’t tell what money is actually being spent on or what policy announcements will mean in practice how can we assess them against alternatives?

There were plenty of interesting and useful insights into hidden cuts (increases to fees for weddings, sleight of hand cuts to payments to carers) and areas that Greens would consider wasteful (cctv operations, energy inefficient buildings, top executive pay, elements of expenses).

You won’t be surprised to learn that we did not solve the cuts crisis in south London last night. The meeting did give me confidence that Southwark and Lambeth Green parties are well placed to argue coherently and forcefully against the upcoming cuts though.

Selling off England's public forests could cost the nation more than it would save

Selling off England's public forests could cost the nation more than it would save, according to an official government document that emerged last night. According to the Defra report, the proposal to transfer heritage forests – including the New Forest in Hampshire and the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire – to a conservation charity would cost £507.9m but yield benefits of only £495.9m. Although the value of these woodlands on the open market is estimated at £220m, the report describes them as "unsellable at a political and practical level" and says the option is therefore "unviable". Selling or leasing the large-scale commercial woodlands would cost between £579.1m and £748.7m but yield benefits of between £573.1m and £737.8m, the document says. Selling the other "community woodlands", valued at £50m, would involve costs of £234.1m and bring in benefits amounting to only £231.9m.
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/official-englands-forest-selloff-will-cost-more-than-it-saves-2201501.html#