Leading trade unionists back Caroline Lucas

[Big Daz]

http://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/05-05 ... oline.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Leading trade unionists back Caroline Lucas

05 May 2010

A group of leading trade unionists in Brighton have announced that they are switching from Labour to support Caroline Lucas in her bid to become the country's first Green MP in Brighton Pavilion. The trade unionists, including reps from Unison, UCU, Unite and the NUJ say: "None of us are members of the Green Party. In the past, most of us have worked to get Labour candidates elected. Today, however, we believe that we have no choice but to oppose Labour in Brighton Pavilion.

"Labour's 13 years have given us the illegal war in Iraq, attacks on public services, the NHS, social welfare provision and pensions in order to pay for the bankers' crisis; an assault on civil liberties and no action against speculators or bankers bonuses.

"It has been 13 years that have brought us more privatisation of public services, more council homes sold off, and a stricter use of the anti-union laws than in the previous years of Tory rule.
"Over the last 30 years of Tory and Labour governments, we have had appalling financial and ecological disasters created by the crazy celebration of market greed and the erosion of the values of solidarity, sociability and planning. All three main parties also say that it is we who must make sacrifices to stop climate change, instead of creating green jobs in public transport, in building carbon-neutral social housing, providing effective home insulation, and in green energy production.

"None of us want to see a Tory Government. Voting Green in Brighton Pavilion will not let the Tories in. We believe that the election of Caroline Lucas will do more for working people and trade unionists than a Labour MP whipped into line to keep Brown in office, or who pretends a social conscience while in opposition.
"Caroline has an excellent record of standing alongside those who are resisting cuts in jobs, services and pay, as well as in opposing war, racism and climate change. Labour, the Tories and the Liberal Democrats promise us more cuts in jobs and services, more attacks on pay and pensions, and ineffectual measures to deal with climate change. In Brighton Pavillion, we have a chance to elect an MP who will give a voice to all of us who aren't prepared to pay for their crisis."

Caroline Lucas said: "I'm naturally pleased and encouraged by this support from our local trade unionists. This is clearly a sign that Labour has betrayed its core supporters, and now the Green Party is recognised as the party of social justice and fairness."

The statement has been signed (in their personal capacity) by Dave Jones, rep for Brighton and Hove Unison; Andy Richards, chair of Brighton & Hove Unison; Tom Hickey, Chair of Brighton University UCU and NEC member; Steve Guy, Branch Committee member for Unite SE 397 branch (Gatwick Airport workers); Dave Fellows,East Sussex Unison steward, convenor for school support staff; Holly Smith, GMB steward, Hollingbury bin depot; Steve McLean, Senior Steward,Unison, Sussex community and mental health branch; David Chivers CWU youth committee South Downs; and Phil Mellows, Treasurer of Brighton NUJ.

In addition six trade unionists who are already Green Party members have pledged their support. These are Nigel Tart, Liz Wakefield, and Rob Jarrett, all of the NUT; Tammie Cook of the RCN; and Sven Rufus and Phelim MacCafferty of the GMB.

[DirtyHarry]

I'm voting Green tomorrow. I couldn't, wouldn't, vote Hard Labour again, they've mocked my support of them once too bloody often.

[Big Daz]

The manifesto has and i quote

• Uphold the right to join or form a trade union, to obtain union representation and to take industrial action, and repeal anti-trade union laws.

[DirtyHarry]

The Green party got my vote today. Somebody has to stand up for Britain's workers, and I mean, Britain's REAL workers, manual workers like us, not some overpaid jackass sitting all day in front of a computer, or criminals like Crozier, and the Green Party fits the bill nicely. Shame "Hard" Labour don't.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

The Green party got my vote today. Somebody has to stand up for Britain's workers, and I mean, Britain's REAL workers, manual workers like us, not some overpaid jackass sitting all day in front of a computer, or criminals like Crozier, and the Green Party fits the bill nicely. Shame "Hard" Labour don't.

What is scary is how far to the right the Labour Party appears on this "Political Compass" Website http://www.politicalcompass.org/ukparties2010" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Parties compass.jpg

[k979aaa]

The Green party got my vote today. Somebody has to stand up for Britain's workers, and I mean, Britain's REAL workers, manual workers like us, not some overpaid jackass sitting all day in front of a computer, or criminals like Crozier, and the Green Party fits the bill nicely. Shame "Hard" Labour don't.

What is scary is how far to the right the Labour Party appears on this "Political Compass" Website http://www.politicalcompass.org/ukparties2010" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Parties compass.jpg

What is even more scary is NEW LABOUR is neck and neck with the Tories and UKIP!.

[DirtyHarry]

The Green party got my vote today. Somebody has to stand up for Britain's workers, and I mean, Britain's REAL workers, manual workers like us, not some overpaid jackass sitting all day in front of a computer, or criminals like Crozier, and the Green Party fits the bill nicely. Shame "Hard" Labour don't.

What is scary is how far to the right the Labour Party appears on this "Political Compass" Website http://www.politicalcompass.org/ukparties2010" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Parties compass.jpg

It's an absolute disgrace, TBT. Just what this country, and it's millions of ordinary, hard-working people, didn't want, another Tory party in the making.

[Tman]

Green Party? May as well vote for the idiot in the yellow sombrero or the bloke dressed as a giant marigold

[Big Daz]

http://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/2010- ... -wins.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Caroline Lucas wins!

Greens all over the UK were celebrating this morning as the news was announced that party leader Caroline Lucas had won the Brighton Pavilion seat.

The election of the first ever Green to Parliament represents a truly historic moment. Hundreds of thousands of Green voters across the country now have, for the first time, a voice in Parliament, and genuinely progressive views on issues such as the economy, health, and the environment will now be heard.

After the result was declared, Caroline Lucas said: “The emphatic support of voters in Brighton Pavilion show that they do want to support a party whose values represent fairness, social justice and environmental well-being. They have shown that they are prepared to put their trust in the Greens, despite the overwhelming national media focus on the three largest parties and a voting system that is fundamentally undemocratic. I feel humbled by their trust in me, and I am excited by this vote of confidence and I'm looking forward to the challenging task of fully representing the voters of Brighton.

“This victory is no accident: it is the result of the hard work and commitment of thousands of Green Party members and supporters not only in Brighton but from right across the country over the past months and years. It is their work and support that has helped deliver this win, and the victory is as much theirs as it is mine.

“Thanks to the confidence that the voters of Brighton Pavilion have shown, Green principles and policies will now have a voice in Parliament. Policies such as responding to climate change with a million new ‘green’ jobs in low-carbon industries, fair pensions and care for older people, and stronger regulation of the banks will be heard in the House of Commons. I will also use my influence as an MP in the city of Brighton & Hove to push for affordable housing for the city, a new secondary school for the city, and greater backing for the city's creative industries.

“Finally, as this election shows, the first-past-the post voting system used for general elections is utterly discredited. I will be strongly backing calls for a referendum to replace it with a form of proportional representation that properly reflects the needs and views of 21st century voters. If a form of proportional representation is introduced, the Green Party is confident that its true level of support nationally can be represented properly.”

[TrueBlueTerrier]

[DGP1]

Reminds me of some of those websites

[DirtyHarry]

Green Party? May as well vote for the idiot in the yellow sombrero or the bloke dressed as a giant marigold

Christ almighty!!!!!!
Is that what Cameron and Osbourne were wearing?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Green Party? May as well vote for the idiot in the yellow sombrero or the bloke dressed as a giant marigold

Dont think they can help get the voting system changed Caroline Lucas MP - might help as she agrees with the Lib Dems on this issue (although not the method of voting).