Caroline Allen for a Green London

How a Robin Hood Tax could benefit Islington

2012-03-04T18:24:00.000Z

How the Mayor's vanity project is actually delaying the fight against air pollution

2012-03-01T23:45:00.000Z

This bus could be a hybrid,
but thanks to Boris it probably wont be.

As I work on Essex Road I have seen the sleek new no. 38 ' Boris' bus driving by from time to time when I get a break from consulting/ operating.
It looks nice enough but knowing the facts I cant but help view it cynically, as a vanity project of our media loving Mayor.
Greens in City Hall have discovered that the money spent on this new bus is delaying the wider fight against life threatening levels of air pollution on our streets.

While TfL claim the new the bus has some good green credentials, they have not released all the test results and there are still questions to be asked as to why this bus is considered such a great improvement. These 8 buses are costing 9.6million and at the same time Boris has quietly dropped his pledge that that all new buses from 2012 onwards would be hybrids, which produce much less air pollution

This year TFL plan to introduce 800 buses, but only 52 will be hybrids, less than last year. If the money hadn't been spent on the new bus we could have a total of 148 hybrids.

I dont think residents of Islington and Hackney will be impressed to hear that their health is being sacrificed for an expensive publicity stunt for the Mayoral campaign. Thanks to research carried out by Islington Greens and Mapping for change we know that people are suffering from respiratory and cardiac diseases in Islington due to levels of air pollution exceeding EU limits and that children are disproportionately affected.
More hybrid buses are a simple step the Mayor can take.

Air pollution is a silent killer: across London more than 4000 people are dying per year, this is a shocking figure and the same as during the 'pea-souper' fogs. Yet we have an incumbant Mayor and his predecessor, Ken Livingstone, who prefer to engage in publicity stunts than to address a devastating health issue.

Yet another example of why London needs more elected Greens, to take principled decisions in the best interests of residents.

MAKE ARCHWAY LIVEABLE - DITCH THE ROUNDABOUT!

2012-03-01T22:49:00.001Z

Tonight I joined Better Archway Forum, Islington Living Streets and Islington Cyclists Action Group, along with many Archway residents, calling for the Archway roundabout to be ditched.

With Caroline Russell and Sarah Cope

The demonstration was well attended, with several hundred people walking on the road around the roundabout calling for the return of the traditional two-way flow, with 20 mph limits, making the area safe for journeys on foot and by bike not just by car.

Archway is dominated by lanes of vehicles, which is adversely affecting local people and businesses who suffer from noise, air pollution and danger from the heavy traffic.

Working nearby on Hornsey Road and regularly walking down to do my visit at Cat's Protection on Junction road I know the area well and always try to avoid the roundabout itself.

I understand that there is already funding allocated for routine maintenance of signals and road surfaces which would cover much of the cost of removing the roundabout.
So there is no excuse.

With thanks to Jim Jepps of Big Smoke for the photos.

Jenny Jones on Mayoral Campaign

2012-02-27T20:48:00.000Z

Dont let it be curtains for this vital crossing

2012-02-15T19:20:00.001Z

This evening I joined Hackney Living Streets, Transport for All and Disability BackUp in protesting against Transport for London’s plans to remove a vital crossing in Hackney.
TfL plan to remove a signalised pedestrian crossing in Curtain Road; they argue that there are adequate gaps in the traffic for people to cross. My experience there tonight showed no such thing. The road is busy and the traffic far too fast.

It was a well attended protest with many local residents and workers coming along to join in and express their support. Everyone agreed this removal is dangerous, ill thought out and an outrageous waste of money; apparently it costs £80K to remove a crossing.

The removal is part of a wider programme of pedestrian crossing removals to ‘smooth traffic flow’ and increase ‘journey time predictability’.

It is clear the Mayor prioritises car drivers being able to shave a few minutes off their journeys over the safety of the most vulnerable users of our streets. The crossing is used by people walking on a direct route to nearby Moorfields Eye Hospital, many of whom are visually impaired, blind or deafblind.

A 'consultation' with local groups showed that no-one favoured removal of the crossing and yet unbelievably it is going ahead.

It is time for a Mayor and Assembly who recognise that our streets are for everyone, that we need a safe street environment to live, work and shop. The prioritisation of cars must stop, for the good of all London residents.

Clissold House: A massive missed opportunity for Hackney

2012-02-15T13:18:00.002Z

This weekend I visited the new cafe at Clissold House for the first time following its refurbishment. The house was restored and upgraded as part of a £8.9million pound project jointed funded by the Council and Heritage Lottery Fund.

I was there with friend and fellow Green Party activist Emma Dixon, who has been heavily involved in the discussions around the new cafe through her blog piece, Toast of Hackney and Jim Jepps, of online magazine Big Smoke who has written about our meeting here http://www.bigsmoke.org.uk/?p=39951

Our concerns are not so much about how the cafe looks, it is lovely and light, or what the service is like, very hit and miss at the moment as it happens, but that we feel this cafe is the wrong choice for the house.

At the time the contract for the cafe was tendered Hackney Green Party expressed their concern that only allowing companies with a turnover in excess of £1 million pounds would exclude most small, local businesses who might want to run the cafe. As it was a Hampstead based company got the contract. But more than that we believe a project funded by the Lottery and the Council should be bringing in amenities for all of Hackney’s residents and this cafe does not achieve those aims.

We are concerned that the council has failed in its requirement to do a proper equalities assessment when awarding this contract; because on the basis of my visit it is clear that the cafe is catering to only a small segment of the community, those who are already well provided for in the cafes on Church Street.

Hackney has high levels of poverty; as recently reported child poverty is the 4th highest in the country. Food poverty is likely to also be at very high levels. Yet Hackney also has some very good examples of community food growing initiatives. One of which, Growing Communities, even has a small plot in Clissold Park.

What a missed opportunity Clissold House is; we could have had a real community cafe, using local produce, providing cooking classes, even getting kids involved in growing and cooking.

In awarding this contract the Council has I’m afraid shown once again that while it says it is on the side of the more disadvantaged in our community, this is not always matched by what it does. Clissold House is an important local amenity and this decision has led to the exclusion of large parts of the community. The Council must admit its mistake and endeavour to improve its tendering process and equalities assessments.

Fuel Poverty Action- please sign

2012-02-12T13:03:00.002Z

Please everyone, sign up to this new campaign to help tackle the serious issue of fuel poverty.

The ‘Winter Warm Up’ campaign, which last month saw me and supporters protesting on the steps of Hackney Town Hall, identified that the behaviour of the big 6 energy companies is a major contributing factor to fuel poverty. Now a new campaign ‘End the Big 6 Energy Fix’ is calling on the government to act with 3 clear demands:

1) Impose a levy on the Big Six, with funds raised ring-fenced to help people with their energy costs, prioritizing those living in fuel poverty, by making homes more energy efficient.

2) Give the regulator new powers to cap prices and eliminate excess profit.

3) Launch an independent public inquiry into the Big Six so that everyone knows the measures needed to create an energy market that serves the people before profit.

6.3 million homes are in fuel poverty in the UK, and it is estimated that around 2,700 people died last winter as a direct result of being ‘fuel poor’, this is a shocking figure.

The new campaign is supported by Green Party Leader, Caroline Lucas, who said: "It is completely outrageous that the Big Six are able to rake in eye-watering profits as people up and down the country are forced to choose between heating their homes and feeding their families.

"These companies are delivering a crucial public service, and it is now the Government's responsibility to hold them to account for failing to provide anything close to a fair deal for consumers. We need to see Ofgem taking a far stronger role in regulating this out-of-control industry."

There are other measures that government and Councils could be taking to tackle this issue. It is a scandal is that we have failed to properly insulate so many properties; people’s money is literally disappearing out of their windows and roofs. Housing in the UK is some of the most poorly insulated in Europe: 25-35% of the total energy used in a typical family home in the UK is wasted and at least 27% of the UK’s carbon emissions come from homes. Green councillors have shown that insulation schemes save money and create local jobs.

You can sign the petition online here: http://action.compassonline.org.uk/page/s/end-the-big-six-energy-fix

London's Animal Issues

2012-02-12T00:32:00.000Z

See me being interviewed by Jim Jepps of the excellent Big Smoke online magazine.
We discuss a number of the important animal related issues affecting Londoners and London's animal population.

http://www.bigsmoke.org.uk/?p=37689

Do have a look and while you're at it do read about the infamous Camden 'Robocop'!

20mph pledge in Hackney- Green success

2012-02-02T22:07:00.000Z

In reply to a question posed to Hackney Council by the Green Party's Anna Hughes, Labour

have finally stated that it is their intention to introduce 20mph on all residential roads in Hackney.

Another great example of positive Green ideas and pressure bringing benefits to residents.
Here is the link to Jenny Jones and I campaigning on this issue in December:
http://www.jennyforlondon.org/take-20s-plenty-to-city-hall-says-north-east-candidate/

Safer streets, better for pedestrian and cyclists, with less air pollution and less congestion/ smoother traffic flow- a great result. Now we need to make sure Labout honours this pledge and extends it to the borough main roads too.

Here's the Gazettes report on our success:

http://www.hackneygazette.co.uk/news/hackney_residential_roads_to_have_20mph_speed_limit_by_april_1_1191608

Look at the difference a Robin Hood Tax could make to North East London

2012-01-31T19:53:00.000Z

Boris Johnson’s opposition to a ‘Robin Hood Tax’ is depriving local people in the North East constituency of money that could pay for hundreds of new police officers, revitalise local transport, build new schools or fund thousands of apprenticeships, according to figures released by the Green Party today.

The analysis shows that Hackney would receive £35m a year if a Financial Transaction Tax was introduced. That sum could:
- Pay for 651 new police officers
- Fund 6,568 apprenticeships
- Launch 118 new Hybrid buses
- Build a new school
- Or reverse all local authority cuts and cut council tax.

The analysis shows that Islington would receive £31m a year if a Financial Transaction Tax was introduced. That sum could:
- Pay for 576 new police officers
- Fund 5,816 apprenticeships
- Launch 105 new Hybrid buses
- Build a new school
- Or reverse all local authority cuts and cut council tax.

The analysis shows that Waltham Forest would receive £36m a year if a Financial Transaction Tax was introduced. That sum could:
- Pay for 674 new police officers
- Fund 6,805 apprenticeships
- Launch 122 new Hybrid buses
- Build a new school
- Or reverse all local authority cuts and cut council tax.

North East London has been hit hard by the cuts, its young people and those on low incomes are being affected the most. Its astonishing to see that this simple measure could allow us to offer thousands of apprenticeships to unemployed young people, an investment in the future.

The tax - which would raise £10 billion a year nationally with a mere 0.05% tax on financial transactions - is expected to be introduced in other EU-countries (except Sweden) by the end of this year.

French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, announced this week plans to introduce a tax on financial transactions in France. The 0.1% - double the Green parties proposed 0.05% - tax will be introduced in August regardless of whether other EU countries agree to do the same.

Boris Johnson has consistently expressed his opposition to the tax, choosing instead to defend the interests of the City. During his time in office he has met with bankers three times as often as police. More than half the funding for his last election campaign came from hedge funds. Hedge funds, financiers and private equity make up 27% of Conservative Party funding as a whole.

There are many areas across North East London where schools and GPs are stretched, investment is needed and yet we're told there is no money. There is only no money because the richest aren't paying their way.

With child poverty figures in Islington the 2nd highest in the country, Hackney 4th and Waltham Forest at 31% surely no one living in these boroughs can object to the very richest corporations paying towards better housing, schooling and transport.

Green Party Mayoral candidate Jenny Jones said: “Inequality in London is growing with the economic crisis being used as a poor excuse.

“The Robin Hood Tax is a simple measure that would help ensure our city’s richest institutions make a more equitable contribution towards the recovery without scratching the surface of their massive profits.

“The Mayor of London has played a very prominent role in trying to prevent a Robin Hood Tax being implemented. However the tide is turning in this debate and I believe Londoners want a Mayor who is aiming to spread the wealth generated by the financial sector, rather than keeping it all in the hands of a tiny minority in the capital.”

Fighting Fuel Poverty

2012-01-30T20:26:00.001Z

Yesterday I joined people from across the country who are holding ‘Winter Warm Ups’ to highlight the serious and growing problem of fuel poverty and the real reasons behind it. http://fuelpovertyaction.wordpress.com/

6.3 million homes are in fuel poverty in the UK, and it is estimated that around 2,700 people died last winter as a direct result of being ‘fuel poor’, this is a shocking figure.

Since privatisation the Big Six energy companies have made billions of pounds of profit and now the government is cutting its Winter Fuel Allowance. Protesters are accusing the government and energy companies of a “deadly obsession with making money.

What makes me even more angry is that these companies are making hundreds of millions of pounds of profit and paying their executives millions, while at the same time trying to push the blame for price rises onto much needed investment in Green energy.

Fossil fuels are not going to last forever; already we are resorting to ever more dangerous and dirty ways to get fuel, such as fracking and tar sands. If we don’t invest now in clean alternatives prices are going to rise much more in the future.

Another scandal is that we have failed to properly insulate so many properties; people’s money is literally disappearing out of their windows and roofs. Housing in the UK is some of the most poorly insulated in Europe: 25-35% of the total energy used in a typical family home in the UK is wasted and at least 27% of the UK’s carbon emissions come from homes.

Local councils like ours should be calling for an investment programme, this would create much needed jobs and save people money. As we slip back into recession it is time for the government to accept that the economy needs a boost and that investment in insulation and energy efficiency must be a priority; not large vanity projects such as high speed trains and new nuclear power stations, which will never pay for themselves.

We also must call for an end to the undemocratic reign of the Big Six energy companies, which is forcing people to freeze in their homes so that they can make more money.

It’s not just people in the UK who are dying because of the energy companies selfish obsession with profits – people around the world are dying from climate change resulting from the government and energy companies refusing to make the change to renewable energy

We need chance to discuss where we get our energy from and how much it costs, not just have it dictated to us by big energy companies.

My letter in the Tribune- response to child poverty coverage

2012-01-20T22:33:00.002Z

http://www.islingtontribune.com/letters/2012/jan/why-it-has-become-harder-ever-find-way-out-poverty

The response of our MPs to Islington’s shocking child poverty figures was predictable but completely inadequate (Scandal of kids living in poverty, January 13). I would have thought that ashamed would have been a more appropriate response than angry.

Yes, coalition policies on the education maintenance allowance, youth employment and housing benefits are making things worse but this is not a problem that magically appeared in the last 18 months.
Jeremy Corbyn quite rightly blamed high housing costs as a major issue, but the massive house price inflation seen here mostly happened under a Labour government and it celebrated this; home-owners felt richer.
Never mind the rapidly developing divide between the haves and the have-nots.

What we need is more real social housing, not the fake ‘affordable’ housing we’ve been palmed off with.
We need new ideas such as housing cooperatives, we need more family homes and for the council to stand up to developers and push for the housing we need, not more and more luxury student blocks.

The Green Party commends Islington Council for taking up our policies on the London Living Wage and one-in-10 pay ratio.

We need to ensure these policies are spread to as many companies as possible.

Sixty years ago my family managed to start gradually moving out of severe poverty in Islington due to provision of decent social housing and free education.

Unfortunately, I believe it is now harder to get out of poverty than it has been at any time in recent history. We need fresh ideas and also a realisation of where things went wrong during the last government. Labour can’t or won’t see this; Greens do.

CAROLINE ALLEN

Green Party London Assembly candidate for Islington

Supporting small businesses, not big banks.

2012-01-19T22:39:00.007Z

http://www.hackneygazette.co.uk/news/hackney_green_party_hands_out_fake_boris_johnson_banknotes

My response to shocking child poverty statistics

2012-01-13T00:41:00.001Z

This week child poverty figures were released which showed levels of child poverty at 43% in Islington, 39% in Hackney and 31% in Waltham Forest. That the North East London constituency has two of the boroughs in the top four for child poverty levels is shocking, but sadly is not a surprise.
I believe it is now harder to get out of poverty than it has been at any time in recent history. These figures are surely conclusive evidence that the idea of wealth dripping down to the capital’s poorest is a damaging and nonsensical idea.
Successive government's policies have just made the rich richer and entrenched poverty.
Islington is known by many for its restaurants and cafe culture and of course as the home of Tony Blair and New Labour. However, there has always been another side to Islington and what we have seen here is inequality spiralling out of control under a Labour government followed now by coalition cuts that are affecting those on low incomes much more severely.
Loss of the EMA, job losses, changes to housing benefits, to name just a few will surely only makes these figures worse next year across London, unless of course those affected are forced out of the City, with all the stress and disruption that brings to families and children.
There are things that can be done, Greens on London were instrumental in bringing about the London Living Wage and promoting 1 in 10 pay ratios to improve equality, these policies must be spread more widely. Cuts arent going to solve this, in fact it is likely it will end up costing us more to clear up the mess, with the human cost left unaccounted for. Greens support a financial transaction tax and changes to ensure tax cannot be avoided. Those who can most afford it are simply not paying their way in our society.

The figures can be found here: http://endchildpoverty.org.uk/why-end-child-poverty/poverty-in-your-area#london

Protecting Animals, Protecting People.

2012-01-05T15:31:00.000Z

The problem of anti-social behaviour with dogs in London and beyond is serious one, the tragic death of Barbara Williams, killed by a Mastiff kept in completely inadequate conditions, is just one example of the very high human cost of this issue:
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-24025181-cruel-owner-of-dog-that-savaged-woman-to-death-walks-free.do

In London alone 450 people were treated in hospital for dogs bites in a 10month period in 2010-2011. Unfortunately there are many dogs suffering in London because they are not being cared for properly, either through ignorance or deliberate mistreatment, including being used for fighting. The financial cost is very high, the Met Police spent 2million pounds on kennelling dangerous dogs in 2010. Add to that the costs on charities and local authorities and it is clear we are looking at a very expensive problem.

Unfortunately the ill thought out legislation, the Dangerous Dogs Act, has been a complete failure and while there have been small scale projects which have demonstrated some success, such as Brent’s BARK project, there is no cross- London plan and no leadership from the London Mayor on this issue.

Legislation is slowly passing through parliament that will hopefully replace the dangerous Dog Act with a Dog Control Bill, which would go some way towards improving the situation. However, there is more than can be done at a London level, the Green Party have produced an ‘Action Plan for Animals’ which lays out our policies in this area, sharing best practice across boroughs, expanding education programmes and microchipping of dogs (which we believe should be compulsory) and working with housing providers to ensure that irresponsible pet ownership and breeding is dealt with. These are just some steps which would surely pay dividends in reducing the financial and welfare cost of this growing problem.

http://www.jennyforlondon.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Action_plan_for_animals.pdf

Politics vs Activism -a debate at the Arcola Theatre

2011-12-17T16:42:00.021Z

Last Sunday I spoke at the wonderful Arcola Theatre in Dalston at their Green Sunday event. The film 'Just Do It' about environmental activists was shown and I took part in a panal debate : “Direct action or political conventions – which is most effective for creating environmental change?” http://www.arcolaenergy.com/contribute/green-sundays/
This is what I said:
Obviously as a representative of the Green party and a candidate for this years GLA elections I feel politics can be effective, its a way in which I feel I can 'do something'.
Whether we like it or not key decisions are made by politicians; where the money goes, which organisations get funding and support, which environments get protected. The problem we have at the moment is the politicians who make up those institutions.
We'd earlier heard representatives of UK Youth Climate Coalition bemoaning how 'old men in suits were making decisions about us without us' and we heard about a lack of ambition. As a friend of mine said about Durban 'what we have is a deal to stop not very far after the edge of the cliff'.
But just because our politicians are disappointing it doesnt mean politics cant be an effective force for change.
Thats not to say that public activism isnt important, far from it, myself and many Green Party members class themselves as activists. Activism is vital in highlighting issues, bringing them onto the agenda and keeping them there; it is very effective at making it difficult for individuals and businessess to get away with dodgy practices. Effective activism builds support and demonstrates a strength of feeling that it is the job of politicians to respond to.
Unfortunately most of our politicians are not capable of creating an adequate response, they dont 'get' sustainability and green issues, they reflect the status quo; corporate interests, big business and large institutions resistant to change. Green is seen as a 'nice to have', an add on, comething that can be dropped when times are hard.
What we need are politicians that see that Green and sustainable has to be at the centre of things and from there flows the solutions to wider problems, not just the many environmental problems we face but problems of social justice and economics.
Its no surprise that Caroline Lucas, our 1st Green MP, has just be named as the most influential MP of 2011 by the Political Studies Association. True Green thinking is so lacking in our parliament that one person with a deep understanding of the issues we face does make a real difference.

So my conclusion: its not a case of politics vs activism; we need both, but in particular we need the right politicians and actually activists could be those politicians, and probably should.
If you dont want politics dictated to by big business and corporations then individuals need to get involved. I'm not talking about us all being MPs making top down legislation, but getting involved locally.
I find it strange if I'm called a politician, I dont see myself this way, I'm a vet, a Londoner, a women, just an individual. Its not a term with positive connotations at the moment, I believe its time to reclaim the term, for it not to be about self interest but about people like us engaged in the community, working together to make a positive change.

A lively debate followed; there was a wider discussion about whether our political system was fit for purpose and how much activism could make changes without using the political system at all, something that is certainly possible, but probably requiring much more engagement from the population in my opinion. We discussed how this might be achieved, particularly in the current economic climate. How the anti-capitalism movement ties in was also a very interesting issue.
Thanks to Green Sundays for the invitation, it was a very interesting day and I would strongly recommend their events.

The 'silent killer' in London- Islington Greens give residents a voice

2011-12-04T00:53:00.001Z

Last Monday, the 21st I was honoured to chair an amazing panal of air quality campaigners at an event organised jointly by Islington Green Party and Mapping for Change.The event was held at Highbury Grove schools to report on the findings of an air pollution monitoring project carried out in Highbury by these two organisations. There was a great turn out of concerned local residents.

The Tribune has reported the event here: http://bit.ly/rTcGhS 'Boris fails to act while 'silent killer' stalks our streets'

The results of the research were shocking, with levels of nitrogen dioxide on our main Highbury roads exceeeding EU safe limits. But knowledge is power and having measures of this invisible killer means we can challenge the Council, Mayor and local people to do something about it.

Caroline Russell of Islington Green Party and Louise Francis of Mapping for Change told us about the project design and presented the results.

Simon Birkett of Clean Air in London gave us the wider picture on air quality in London. Over 4000 people are dying per year, more than though obesity and alcohol. I strongly urge you to take a look at the Clean Air in London website, http://www.cleanairinlondon.org/blog where there is a wealth of information on this issue.
Green Party Assembly member and 2012 Mayoral candidate Jenny Jones gave a damning report on Boris's failure to tackle this problem, beyond taking short -cut measures to try and avoid £300 million EU fines.

The next stage is working with the community to draw up solutions to present to the council, I'll be reporting back on that very soon, watch this space....

Greens Launch Action Plan for Animals

2011-12-02T11:16:00.004Z

This Sunday, the 4th at 3pm, I'll be launching the Green Party's ‘Action Plan for Animals’ at the Animal Aid Christmas Fair:
http://www.jennyforlondon.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Action_plan_for_animals.pdf

The fair is taking place on at Kensington Town Hall, Hornton Street, London, W8 from 10am until 5pm.

As a vet I know animal welfare is a big concern for many Londoners and that there is much to be done to improve the lives of animals in the city and beyond. Animals can give a lot of pleasure, whether through watching wildlife in our parks and green spaces, or caring for a family pet. But there are also problems; many animals have miserable lives, whether in a factory farm, laboratory or puppy farm. In London itself a lot of people are concerned about growing anti-social behaviour with dogs and our rescue centres are full of unwanted dogs. Irresponsible breeding is totally out of hand in areas of the capital and we need coordinated action to tackle it. Sadly I see the effects of this almost daily.

The Green Party’s plan shows how action at the level of the Mayor and Assembly can make a real difference to the lives of many animals. Through policy, education and procurement decisions London could really take the lead in this area and set a great example to other cities.

Noel Lynch, Green Party London Coordinator and fellow GLA candidate will be joining me at the fair. He told me ‘In the past 11 years Green members of the London Assembly persuaded the Mayor to pioneer a London Food Strategy and establish the London Food Board, with a strong emphasis on animal welfare. They have exposed factory farmed chicken that will be served at the Olympics, and secured funding to enhance and connect up the largest network of wildlife habitats through ten boroughs in east London.'

I always enjoy the Animal Aid Christmas Fair, its a great opportunity to stock up on cruelty free gifts, especially the cosmetics, which I can be sure haven’t been tested on animals. I'm really looking forward to launching our plan there and demonstrating that the Greens are committed to improving the situation for animals in London and across the country.

And while we're on the subject...

2011-12-01T00:10:00.003Z

The Olympics are just around the corner and in my last post I noticed how its ethical standards seem to be being rapidly forgotten.
What about the legacy- more children getting into sport? Well, the former Sport's Minister Richard Caborn has already said that the said the participation drive to get more people was in danger of "failing completely".
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/sep/20/richard-caborn-olympics-legacy-failing
It would be great to see more people across London participating in sport, but particularly in the Olympic boroughs which include Hackney and Waltham Forest.
It is well recognised that there are barriers that limit the participation of women and girls in sport when compared to men and boys. The Women's Sports and Fitness Foundation's research (http://www.wsff.org.uk/) has shown than 80% of women and girls aren't getting enough exercise. They site the following factors:
· Women lead busy lives and exercise isn’t a priority for most
· PE at school puts up to a quarter of girls off sport for life
· Women’s sport is short-changed in its profile, investment and leadership (my emphasis)
· A lot of facilities miss the mark for women
· Today’s agenda is to be thin not healthy.

So what do the BBC do to encourage girls into sport- in the same week as they report women in the UK are the fattest in Europe- they announce not a single women is worthy to be shortlisted for the Sports Personality of the Year! And worse still we find that those bastians of equality and healthy images of women 'Zoo' and 'Nuts' magazines were invited to submit nominations.
What were they thinking.
This is indicative of endemic sexism, men's mags know about sport, women's do not.

Its not enough for the BBC to say they will look into next year. There are loads of women more than eligible for this award, Rebecca Adlington, Keri-Anne Payne, Victoria Pendleton, Nicola Adams, Beth Tweddle to name a very few.
The BBC must draw up a new short list with a proper balance of contributors and female representation.
If they do not I hope to not see a single women in the audience on the night itself.

I will never win Sports Personality of the Year, in fact I would hardly say I'm sporty, but here I actually look like I might be enjoying myself!

So much for Olympic Ideals

2011-11-30T20:42:00.000Z

Disappointment as Dow Chemicals become a major sponsor of the Olympic Games

Hackney Green Party today expressed its support for the campaign against having Dow Chemicals as a major sponsor of the Olympic Games.

Green Assembly member, Darren Johnson, previously raised the issue at Mayor’s question time with this question:

‘Are you concerned that LOCOG’s decision to appoint Dow Chemicals to provide the wrap for the Olympic Stadium is incompatible with the Olympic spirit and sustainability standards, and that by providing the company with 336 large advertising panels on the iconic building it may damage the reputation of the London 2012 Games?

A wholly owned subsidiary of Dow is in the US courts over contamination of land and a groundwater aquifer in Bhopal, India, a matter separate to the better known 1984 gas disaster.

Dow Chemicals was also fined by the US Securities and Exchange Commission in 2007, and another subsidiary was blacklisted by the Indian Government last year over charges of bribery. Will you therefore press LOCOG in your capacity on the Olympic Board to review this decision?’

As usual the response from Boris Johnson was both inadequate and incomplete and the Olympic stadium will end up with a wrap provided by Dow and massive advertising opportunities for them.

Caroline Allen, Green Party candidate for next year’s London Assembly elections said, ‘This is another case of depressingly low standards when it comes to sponsors of the games: so much for Olympic ideals. We have fast food companies such as Macdonalds with appalling records over the health standards of their food and animal welfare dominating the food supply, and now this’.

Green Party Mayoral candidate Jenny Jones has long been pressing for better food standards at the Olympics and highlighting the mismatch between the positive messages about sport and fitness associated with the Olympics and the type of food available. The Green Party believe that there must be high levels of healthy, organic and local food, as well as opportunities made available for local businesses, not just multinationals.

http://www.greenparty.org.uk/localsites/hackney/news/dow-danger.html

Air Quality in the Tribune

2011-11-27T17:24:00.000Z

The Air Quality Summit I blogged about below gets front page on the Tribune.
Glad to see that my Roamer question has caused a stir!
http://www.islingtontribune.com/news/2011/nov/air-crisis-no-politicians

Supporting the National Fur Demonstrations

2011-11-27T00:05:00.000Z

On Saturday 26th November, Waltham Forest & Redbridge Green Party joined the annual National Anti-Fur demonstration in London, marking the conclusion of this year's Anti-Fur Week.

The British Government has banned fur farming, but still allows fur to be sold in high street shops. Although it has been illegal to breed and kill animals for fur in this country for over a decade, it is still legal for shops to import and sell fur from other countries, yet if they were to produce those very same fur items in this country they could be arrested and brought before the courts for animal cruelty.

London in particular remains a major centre of the fur trade, with hundreds of shops throughout the capital selling fur. On Saturday 26th November, a series of demos were held outside the shops and businesses concerned, including some of the most famous names in fashion and retail, which continue to profit from the cruel fur trade.

I am appalled that fur is still on sale in London and considered by some people to be an acceptable, even fashionable, thing to wear. Fur production is unbelievably cruel, with animals confined to tiny filthy cages, unable to perform normal behaviours and they are often killed in horrific ways, such as electrocution. It’s not possible to tell where fur has come from, or even from which animal, but you can be sure the animal has lived a miserable life. Surely the time has come for London's stores to show that they have concern for animals and ban this unnecessary cruelty.

Through my work as a vet I know that the vast majority of Londoners are real animal lovers and I am sure they would be very happy to see stores in London take a stand against this cruel and brutal trade. Unfortunately my work meant I couldnt join the demonstration, but I was certainly there in spirit.

Unemployment and missed opportunities...

2011-11-24T00:17:00.001Z

Recently released figures show that Waltham Forest has one of worst levels of unemployment in the UK and one of the highest rates of increase of youth unemployment. Unemployment is terrible for the people concerned and made worse by the bleak economic outlook. Whilst there are outside factors like the eurozone crisis the effects of these should not be over estimated, one of the main causes of the continual rise in unemployment is the Government’s disastrous economic policy.

The Government’s policy of drastic cuts in public spending in the middle of a recession can only lead to a reduction in economic activity and increased unemployment. And reduced economic activity and increased unemployment lead to the Government receiving less taxation and paying more benefits which adds to the deficit.

The way to tackle unemployment is to invest in projects like the Green New Deal which will create thousands of new jobs in industries like energy conservation and renewable energy generation. Not only will this lead to less unemployment but will stimulate the economy and cut the deficit as the Government’s taxation revenue increases and payment on benefits is reduced. And crucially it will help tackle climate change, the biggest crisis facing us at the moment.

As winter approaches fuel poverty is going to be a real issue for many residents of Waltham Forest, had successive Govenments and London Mayors listened to the Greens we could already have well insulated homes, massively reduced fuel bills and many more jobs in the insulation industry. Green councillors in Kirklees showed how it should be done. Although budgets are now tight this would still be a win win; surely its better late than never."

Air Pollution- have Islington Council got 'Better Things to Do'

2011-11-23T21:18:00.000Z

On Monday I attended the excellent Air Pollution Summit at Camden Town Hall, a joint intiative between Camden and Islington Councils. The presentations were extremely interesting and more than a little scary- the numbers of death from this invisible killer is shocking, more than 4000 per year in London. Photos of white blood cells in children's lungs trying and failing to clean diesel particles was a real call to action.

My fellow Islington Green and brilliant campaigner for safer streets, Caroline Russell, has blogged more about the evening here, so I wont repeat her wise words- do go and have a look:
http://highburyonfoot.blogspot.com/
Or if you're especially keen you can see the whole event here: http://t.co/oLz6YYTi

I'm really pleased that this event took place but have yet to be convinced that Islington council is really on board. Catherine West, Leader of the Council was out the door less than a third of the way through and didnt mention anything about traffic reduction in her speech. Perhaps not surprising given the council introduced the Roamer parking scheme just 6months ago, which ENCOURAGES short trips by car around Islington.

I am sorry Catherine wasnt able to answer my question about this at the end. As a asthmatic living just off one of the very streets she said she wanted to encourage more cars to go to (“With our four-hour ‘roamer' scheme people can enjoy Islington’s wonderful café and restaurant culture http://bit.ly/eg5Gz0), you can understand I was upset by this dangerous policy. This according to her Deputy, Paul Smith, made me a saddo with nothing better to do.

This was in the Tribune at the time from the charming Mr Smith http://bit.ly/ghnM1x

“I would suggest that those people... should do something constructive like campaigning against the cuts. In three months time most people will turn around and say: ‘What the hell was that all about? I’ve got more important things in my life’.”

Enough said I think.

Why I Joined the Fawcett March

2011-11-21T23:58:00.000Z

Last Saturday I joined other Green Party women on the Fawsett Society's 'Dont turn back time' march. Thats me second from the right in an attempt at a 50's style hat and coat!

The facts are clear, the number of women out of work across the country is at a 23-year high of 1.09 million and there is still a 15.5% gap in full time pay between men and women. So women were paid up until the begining of November, men doing the same job will be paid until Christmas.
The cuts are making things worse and worse.
The Fawcett Society is concerned about ‘triple jeopardy’; that women are being hit in three key ways as a result of the deficit-reduction measures.

1. Women will be hit hardest by job cuts in the public sector
2. Women will be hit hardest as the services and benefits they use more are cut
3. Women will be left ‘filling the gaps’ as state services are withdrawn

However there were also more personal reasons for my marching. My Mum tells me how she wasn't given any careers advice at school- she was expected to take a clerical job until she got married and had children. She's proud of my education and career, when I was at school I really felt that being female was not a barrier to my career choices, but I'm worried things are going backwards. The media portrayal of women, the cuts to higher education and the massive fees, the entrenchment of opportunity to the top few %. Would I feel the same if I were 16 years old now, I dont think I would. And that is why I marched on Saturday.

SUCCESS 20mph on Islington's Main Roads

2011-11-19T00:41:00.000Z

Labour are finally listening to Greens and have agreed to put a 20mph limit on the Borough's main roads!
This will mean safer more pleasant streets for pedestrians and cyclists, better traffic flow and less pollution.
Thanks to everyone who signed our Green Party petition and to the excellent work done by Living Streets, Islington Cyclist Action Group and many other residents.
Next step- an end to Roamer parking promoting short trips around Islington? Maybe- watch this space...

http://www.islingtontribune.com/news/2011/nov/that%E2%80%99s-your-speed-limit-20mph-all-areas

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-24011408-islington-becomes-first-entire-20mph-zone-but-police-wont-enforce-it.do

Air Pollution Emergency in Islington

2011-11-06T21:55:00.000Z

Front page of the Tribune this week:

http://www.islingtontribune.com/news/2011/nov/air-pollution-%E2%80%98emergency%E2%80%99

Islington Green Party working with Mapping for Change have measured very high levels of pollution at many spots in Islington. Even more worrying the research has shown that the levels are even higher at child height. I'm shown here with concerned local Mums and Dads, Caroline Russell who lead the research in Islington and Jenny Jones, our Mayoral Candidate.
Sadly our current Mayor completely fails to understand the problem or come up with any sensible solutions. His pro-car policies are having a significant detrimental impact on our health. These pollutants may not be visible but they will be playing a role in Islington's high levels of asthma, respiratory and cardiovascular disease.
The Green Party will be holding a public meeting on these findings and launching an Action Plan to attck this hidden killer. More details to follow.

Loving Dalston pick up on our biodiversity response

2011-10-29T15:02:00.003+01:00

http://bit.ly/tK7A2j

Credit where its due...

2011-10-24T23:01:00.000+01:00

A letter I've just written off to our local papers. A good result in Islington, Labour Council pick up on one of our key Green Party policies.

Islington Green Party was very pleased to see the council adopt one of the Green Party's policies: a 1 in 10 ratio between the lowest and highest paid staff in the council. We really welcome this move towards more equal pay, which is setting an example that all councils and businesses in London should follow. Evidence shows that more equal societies are generally happier and healthier with less violent crime. The council must now work to encourage its contractors and suppliers to adopt this policy. As with the London Living Wage it is vital these positive messages spread beyond the Town Hall to have maximum impact. The Living Wage Unit was set up at City Hall following a budget amendment by the Green Party's Assembly members, another example of how having Green representatives in London really improves the lives of Londoners in a concrete way.

Hackney Green Party demands action on “silent killer”

2011-10-22T20:26:00.003+01:00

Hackney Green Party demanded action on air quality today, claiming that high levels of road traffic near local schools could be increasing child asthma and even leading to more deaths.

Gathering at Lea Bridge Roundabout, Hackney Greens—including Caroline Allen, the party’s candidate for Hackney and the North East London Constituency in the forthcoming elections—launched their campaign to improve air quality and residents’ health in the area.

Recent research has shown that 18 (15 Primary and 3 Secondary) Hackney schools are now within 150m of roads carrying 10,000 or more vehicles a day, causing up to 30% of new cases of asthma in local children.

At the demo, Caroline Allen said she hopes the party’s demonstration will lead to the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, and Hackney Council doing more to tackle this “silent killer.”

“Boris Johnson and our Labour council have failed to tackle air pollution. Both have only taken backwards steps,” Allen said.
“Unbelievably, the Mayor is trying to avoid hundreds of millions of pounds of EU fines for our dangerously high pollution levels by attempting to stick the pollution to the pavements around monitoring stations, rather than taking real action to protect people’s health”.

“There are many initiatives that can be taken across London to reduce pollution. The Green Party is calling for a raft of measures to reduce traffic and improve conditions for pedestrians and cyclists”.
“In particular we would like to see Hackney follow the example of Islington by introducing 20mph on all residential streets and go further to include the borough’s main roads”.
“In addition the council should ensure its vehicles and those of its contractors are as clean as possible and that vehicle journeys are minimised. They should review planning policy to ensure that only air quality-neutral developments are encouraged”

Across London buses should be replaced so the entire fleet meets high “Euro 5” air quality standards by 2016 at the latest. A tougher “Very Low Emission Zone” should be introduced in central London, and a scrappage scheme should be set up to take dirty vans and taxis off the roads. Traffic should be reduced by lowering fares and by investing in walking and cycling

Jenny Jones questions Mayor of London on air poll

2011-10-22T00:05:00.000+01:00

My response to the Hackney Biodiversity Plan

2011-10-21T16:13:00.001+01:00

I've just submitted my comments on the Hackney Biodiversity Plan and welcome the Councils recognition of the importance of biodiversity, not just for its innate value but also the many other benefits it provides to the Borough and its Residents, including important health benefits.
The document is a comprehensive one and the authors must be congratulated on their work. However it is clear that some of the recommendations will require a real change in emphasis for the council and we must ensure that they deliver.
On the built environment the call for new developments to ensure they provide of green space within new developments (private gardensand public/shared green space), contain ecological landscaping and habitat creation with living roofs and walls, artificial nesting and roosting sites is very important. It is also an area where the council has a bad track record, meaning we have many new developments with very poor ecological standards. We must see an immediate improvement in this area. Recent developments along the canal are of particular concern. Also we do not believe that living roofs and walls are an adequate replacement for loss of ground level green space, which must be preserved.
Sustainable urban drainage systems have been recognised as vitally important by councils to reduce flooding risk. In response to a Green Party campaign Islington council has introduced a rule for no net loss of sustainable drainage in all developments, Hackney Council should follow suit.

In addition I am concerned that there is no mention of working alongside neighbouring boroughs and organisations within those boroughs. Wildlife corridors do not stop at the borough boundaries and failing to link up with our neighbours will mean a much less effective strategy.

http://www.hackney.gov.uk/biodiversity.htm

What have the Greens ever done for London? Answer: Lots!

2011-10-15T15:53:00.000+01:00

But besides roads, civil partnerships, climate change, economic equality and protecting small business, what have the Greens ever done for London?
Since the London mayor and Assembly were first elected in 2000, there have been two or three Green Party Assembly Members (AMs). These are just some of the things that they have achieved:

2000 Civil Partnerships
At the first ever Mayor’s Question Time assembly member Darren Johnson called on the Mayor to introduce a registration scheme for same-sex partners.
What happened next? A successful scheme was introduced, paving the way for civil partnerships legislation at national level.

2001 Thames Gateway Bridge
Greens began campaigning against Ken Livingstone’s plans for a new six-lane road bridge. As a price for supporting the Mayor’s 2005 budget the Greens called for the mayor to fund the objectors in order that the environmental case could be properly presented at the public inquiry.
What happened next? The public inquiry failed to give the go ahead for the bridge and the new Mayor Boris Johnson then abandoned it altogether.

2003 Climate change budget
Greens criticized Mayor Ken Livingstone’s budget for devoting just £300,000 per year to making London’s homes and buildings greener.
What happened next? In a series of budget deals with the then Mayor, Green AMs got the climate change budget at the London Development Agency increased to £8 million per year.

2004 Living Wage
As part of a budget deal Greens called on the Mayor to establish a Living Wage unit to tackle poverty pay in the capital.
What happened next? The GLA and a growing number of public and private sector bodies now pay the London Living Wage as a minimum.

2005 Leaking water mains
An investigation led by Darren highlighted the fact that a third of London’s drinking water was lost through leaking mains pipes.
What happened next? Following pressure from the Assembly Thames Water began a major mains replacement programme.

2006 Cycling budget
Green AM Jenny Jones commissioned a report which led to the setting of a target to increase cycling by 400% through the introduction of cycle hire, cycling superhighways and cycling hubs in outer London.
What happened next? The Green AMs secured budget commitments from Ken Livingstone which led to a tripling of the budget for cycling and walking.

2008 Opposing Heathrow expansion
Darren Johnson led the Environment Committee investigation into Heathrow expansion. The report showed that the economic benefits were exaggerated and the environmental impacts understated.
What happened next? In 2010 the new Government abandoned Heathrow expansion, the Assembly’s all-party report playing an important role in establishing a broad political consensus.

2009 Road safety
Green AM Jenny Jones fought the closure of the Metropolitan Police Commercial Vehicle Education Unit, which instructs HGV drivers on road sharing and awareness of vulnerable road users.
What happened next? This unit has now been reinstated within the traffic police section.

2010 Protecting small shops
For the Assembly’s Planning and Housing Committee, Green AM Jenny Jones led an investigation looking at what could be done to protect London’s small shops.
What happened next? Mayor Boris Johnson agreed to put policies for the protection of small shops in his new London Plan, the overall planning document for London.

Imagine what a few more Green

Islington Green Party Letter in the Tribune this week.

2011-10-14T16:05:00.001+01:00

Health: we need action
Published: 14 October, 2011

• BY Labour councillor Andy Hull’s own admission, the council’s proposed measures on reducing health inequalities are “woolly” (New measures to cut the gap between rich and poor, October 7).

Last week, Islington Green Party’s London Assembly constituency candidate Caroline Allen delivered a petition asking the council to work with Transport for London to introduce 20mph speed limits on main roads.

Addressing transport issues not only helps reduce health inequality it also minimises collisions and makes streets into sociable places where people enjoy living and working.

It is about time that the council turned rhetoric into action.

Islington Green Party has supported the council in its work on the Fairness Commission, but simply producing such a report is not sufficient cause for the self-congratulation seen at council meetings.

It is the action that follows on which the council will be judged.

CAROLINE RUSSELL
Islington Green Party

20mph for Islington

2011-10-09T00:09:00.006+01:00

My campaign as the candidate for the London Assembly launched this week in Islington when I handed in our petition for 20mph on Islington's main roads to full council.
Over 400 people signed up to ask that the council work with TfL to extend the 20mph limit on residential roads -which was introduced thanks to Islington Greens in 2010- onto our main roads too. Those who live, work and shop on the main roads want to share the benefits

The initial reaction from the Labour coucil in the chamber was sadly predictable- party political baracking and the Deputy Leader trying to shout over me! I do hope that they can rise above such behaviour, listen to the residents and act on this issue that will improve our living environment in many ways.

Thanks to St Peter's Residents

2011-08-19T22:37:00.001+01:00

My letter published in this weeks Tribune:

I would like to thank St Peter’s residents who voted for me in last week’s by-election.

Also, many thanks to those who have signed our petition for a 20mph limit in New North Road and Essex Road.

We have collected many hundreds of signatures to add to those collected already.

It is clear that the people of St Peter’s want our busy shopping streets to be safer for everyone and welcome positive proposals to make Islington better.

It is disappointing that the winning and second-place candidates did not even attend the two hustings events to meet residents and that there was so much negative campaigning.

The next few years will hold plenty of challenges for the council and residents and we need councillors who put residents first and who do not resort to the playground politics I’ve seen all too often in our council chamber.

In response to Gordon McIntosh’s letter, my suggestion was not for a barbecue ban but rather for there to be certain areas for barbecues but also barbecue-free areas.

In fact, I even suggested the council could provide permanent barbecue facilities in some areas to minimise the fire risk of disposable barbecues.

Unfortunately, politicians in Islington do not have a good record of looking for a compromise position. So perhaps it is not altogether surprising that the letter writer jumped to this conclusion.

CAROLINE ALLEN
Green Party candidate,
St Peter’s

http://www.islingtontribune.com/letters/2011/aug/scorched-earth-policy

Islington Gazette coverage of our 20mph campaign.

2011-08-15T22:53:00.003+01:00

A would-be councillor has launched a campaign to bring the speed limit down to 20mph on the borough’s main roads.

Caroline Allen, who was Islington Green Party’s candidate in Thursday’s St Peter’s ward by-election, is calling for a reduction from 30mph on thoroughfares such as Essex Road and New North Road in Islington and Blackstock Road and Highbury Grove in Highbury.

She says the move would lower the risk of accidents and reduce air and noise pollution.

Ms Allen, who has launched a petition urging Islington Council to act, said: “There are still people being killed on our roads and that’s completely unacceptable. If someone gets hit at 20mph there’s a 97 per cent chance they will survive, but that figure reduces dramatically as the speed rises.”

A 20mph limit was brought in on Islington’s minor roads last year, but Ms Allen wants the measure extended to all council-controlled streets and eventually major thoroughfares run by Transport for London such as Holloway Road and Upper Street.

John Ackers, of Islington Cyclists Action Group, said: “A 20mph limit is a lot less dangerous for cyclists and would mean serious accidents are much less likely.”

But black cab driver Joe Cartwright, of Blundell Street, Holloway, said: “It would be very frustrating. I like to get my passengers to where they’re going as quickly as possible, so I would not like a 20mph limit. If they can prove that certain areas are accident hotspots, then they should just introduce the measure for those sections of roads. I would like to see facts and figures.”

Cllr Paul Smith, the council’s executive member for the environment, said: “We’re currently reviewing the 20mph policy on side roads, which is a great initiative. If residents want to see it extended they can lobby their councillors and we will listen to what they say.”

http://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/news/call_for_20mph_speed_limit_on_islington_s_main_roads_1_993102

The Canal in St Peter's

2011-07-29T19:51:00.000+01:00

Below is a letter sent to both Islington's local papers.
Unfortunately neither have seen fit to publish it while publishing blatant electioneering by the other parties.

As a regular user of the Regents Canal as it passes through Islington I am well aware of problems over how this resource is shared between the different users; as well as threats to the canal from new developments. These are issues that London Assembly member and Green mayoral candidate Jenny Jones commented on during her recent visit to the Regent's Canal in Islington. "The towpaths are a wonderful recreational asset, but everyone has a right to use them".

I believe that there are no easy solutions to sharing a narrow towpath that is a pleasant escape from traffic filled streets, but it is clearly unconconstructive to pit cyclists against pedestrians when the real issue is courteous versus discourteous behaviour, something that surely filters down from our roads.

If elected as a councillor, I would ensure that any planning application must guarantee full and free access to the canal for walkers, cyclists and traditional transport uses. The canal network is currently underused as a transport resource in London and it would be wrong for canalside development to impede this important aspect of the canal's role in our city. In addition such planning applications should recognise the urgent housing needs of the borough rather than solely the commercial interests of property developers.

Caroline Allen
Green Party by-election candidate for St Peter's

Shoreditch Bark Dog Show

2011-07-24T19:08:00.003+01:00

Canonbury Vets, where I work as Clinical Director, were proud to sponsor the Shoreditch Bark Dog Show.

We were there promoting preventative health care and responsible pet ownership.

The show was very well attended and we actually had to expand the size of the categories to prevent disappointment for all those who wanted to enter their dog.

It was a lot of fun and great to meet more of Islington and Hackney's lovely dogs and their owners.

Best Looking Boy, Best Looking Girl and Dog with the Waggiest Tail were the most popular categories and we heard some heart warming tails in the 'Best Rescue' category.

All dogs that took part took home a doggy bag provided by Canonbury Vets and prizes included a years supply of parasite treatment, a years supply of joint support treatment for 'best old-timer' and pamper packs. Owners also received gifts of champagne, chocolates (although of course not to be shared with the dogs as chocolate is toxic to them!) and a meal for two at the Waterhouse Restaurant.

Unfortunately anti-social behaviour involving dogs is on the increase but events like this demonstrate how owning a dog can be a really positive experience and also helps promote responsible pet ownership.

The damage done by Labour's short sighted transport policies

2011-07-17T23:00:00.001+01:00

FIGURES from the recently released Aphekon project show that 25 schools in Islington are near roads carrying 10,000 or more vehicles a day, a level leading European scientists to claim it could be responsible for up to 30 per cent of all new cases of asthma in children.

I hope this will spur the council to do something about the number of car journeys within the borough but I have my doubts, especially given comments directed at myself and others by Councillor Paul Smith as being people with “nothing better to do” when part of the campaign against the ludicrous Roamer parking scheme, which was designed to encourage increased car use. As an asthmatic I can imagine how scary it must be for a child to be struggling for breath, never mind the long-term potential for debilitation and even death.

Trying to reduce the level of car use in Islington and therefore the cases of asthma, respiratory and heart disease is a very worthwhile use of my time. I hope Cllr Smith will study this report carefully and belatedly come to the same opinion.
Caroline Allen
Islington Green Party

St Peter's by-election

2011-07-13T22:50:00.002+01:00

I'm very pleased to have been selected as the Green Party candidate for the by-election in St Peter's ward in Islington on 11th August. I work in the ward and know the area very well.
My family are from Islington and I have lived here for some years, it is definitely home for me and I love the place, although of course I recognise its problems.
I know that as a Green councillor I would really make a difference. I'm inspired by what Katie Dawson achieved as a lone Green councillor in Islington. In just brief four years, from 2006-2010. Katie achieved an amazing amount to make the borough both greener and fairer – including:

• 20mph speed limit on all residential streets
• free sport for young people
• apprenticeship scheme for school leavers
• council-run repair service for everyday household goods
• funding for new allotments and new tree planting
• first Local Authority to have a policy for no net loss of permeable land – to reduce flood risk
• including plastics in doorstep recycling
• saving the Sobell Centre
• extra funding for home insulation and renewable energy installations

I'm inspired to continue this work and demonstrate that a Green councillor in the Town Hall really makes a difference.

The other parties will try and discount us, but we know we can win in Islington and elsewhere. The Green Party is growing very fast.
Think the Greens never win? Well:

130 local councillors nationally
Two London Assembly members
Two MEPs
Our MP, Caroline Lucas
Islington voters, who elected a Green councillor in 2006
And the people of Brighton, who elected a Green council this year
Beg to differ!

Every Green vote is a vote for a positive alternative. I won't descend to the politics of blame that paralyses our council all to often, that doesn't help the residents of St Peter's or the wider Islington.

Protecting Wildlife

2011-07-02T00:40:00.001+01:00

Today I was honoured to speak at the League Against Cruel Sport's Symposium on Wildlife Protection.
http://www.league.org.uk/
It is clear from the mnay fascinating presentations that the legislation in this area is far too complicated, making it easy to find loopholes and there are also significant problems with enforcement; more resources are required.

I spoke on the subject of valuing wildlife; should we try and place a monetary value on wildlife as the
UK National Ecosystem Assessment has attempted to do, or does this approach lead to the commidification of wildlife and nature. In the Green Party we believe in the intrinsic value of nature and I explained why I think the idea of giving it a monetary value is a very dangerous one.
As a vet I know that there is a well proven link between people who are abusive to animals and people who are abusive to humans and this was a theme picked up by others during the day. In the Green Party we believe that valuing wildlife for its own intrinsic value is a sign of a compassionate and empathetic individual and society. We reject the commodification of our natural world and also recognise that if we are to tackle the issues such as habitat loss and climate change that seriously threaten wildlife we need to go further and reject our culture of rampant consumerism, where we are valued for what we buy rather than our own intrinsic value. This planet's natural resources are not limitless and they are not there for our use alone.

Clearly there will be many challenges in this field in the coming days and months, the decision on a badger cull grumbles on, hunting with hounds may well be back on the agenda and biodiversity and habitat lost are happening at a worrying rate. I look forward to working with the League and the other charities represented today to do everything we can to protect wildlife.

Support for Food Growing

2011-07-01T22:39:00.000+01:00

Leave space to grow
Published in Islington Tribune : 1 July, 2011

• I WAS really pleased to see the children of Highbury Grove and Canonbury schools enjoying the opportunity to grow food at school.

By encouraging them to try new foods, especially fruit and vegetables, food growing provides physical activity and has a positive effect on mental health, helping children develop confidence.

While there are lots of good examples of food-growing projects in Islington’s schools I would be interested to know how the Islington Food Strategy Action Plan 2010-2013 is coming along, with its targets of creating more food-growing space.

I would think that all the new developments springing up would be a perfect place to be asking for food-growing space and other green initiatives.

Sadly, this does not seem to be the case. I hope it is something the council would consider inserting into planning briefs.

CAROLINE ALLEN
Islington Green Party

Important vote on Circus Animals

2011-06-22T23:50:00.000+01:00

Tomorrow MPs have the opportunity to force the government into taking action on this issue.
The Green Party would ban all animals from circuses, this is at least a step in the right direction.

http://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/green-party-calls-for-mps-to-listen-to-public-opinion-on-wild-animals-in-circuses.html

Imaginative use of roofs needed in our crowded borough

2011-06-03T22:45:00.001+01:00

Room for much more than solar panels on our roofs
Published Islington Tribune: 3 June, 2011

• I WAS extremely pleased to read that Islington Council is supporting a large scale roll-out of solar panels across council-owned properties (Sun shines on more jobs and lower fuel bills, May 27).

As your article suggests, such initiatives have multiple benefits, including creation of local employment, reductions in the carbon emissions which contribute to global warming and, just as importantly, free electricity for residents struggling with rising fuel bills.

Your article, however, highlights the value of assets owned by the council, and particularly the scope for creative use of existing roof space in dense urban areas. While pitched roofs can be ideal for solar panels, flat ones can, for example, be turned into community gardens, play or food-growing spaces or even, as in one local case, providing the foundations for new dwellings. The possibilities are huge.

So, while applauding the council’s new proposal, we hope it represents just the start of a more creative approach to maximising community benefit from council-owned buildings.

CAROLINE ALLEN
Islington Green Party

A small museum everyone should see

2011-05-22T22:53:00.002+01:00

Today I visited a small museum in Tower Hamlets, its called 19 Princelet Street and is based in one of the Huguenot House in Spitalsfield.

http://www.19princeletstreet.org.uk/

Sadly due to its poor state of repair its only open a few days a year but I would strongly advise a visit. Not only is it a fascinating building but the story of the different waves of immigrants who have come through this particular house and to this part of London is well presented and timely. Local children have made thought provoking exhibits about the experiences of immigrants.
At this time they are trying to raise 3 million pounds to save this fascinating building and to set up
'Britain's first museum celebrating our history as a country of immigration and settlement'. A very worthwhile cause.

My response to the Fairness Commission in Islington

2011-05-06T22:50:00.001+01:00

Islington Green Party welcomes the draft report of the Fairness Commission and congratulates the Labour council on commissioning it and all the work that has gone into its production.

Its findings are certainly stark; how sad that we should find ourselves in this situation after so long under a Labour government. Now under this coalition it’s going to be even harder to get us back on the right track of equality and a fair chance for everyone in Islington.

However, we are pleased to see some real positive proposals, such as the London Living Wage, something Green London Assembly members and councillors have been promoting for years.

The Green Party has long been promoting positive proposals to tackle inequality and recognises the complex relationships between issues such as housing, transport, green space and mental and physical health.

With its decisions on issues such as Roamer parking and the NCH development, the Labour council has yet to convince us that it really ‘gets it’, but we hope to see some improvement following this report.

We will continue to campaign to ensure the issues covered in this report are addressed and, like Andy Hull, we don’t want to see this important piece of work as “just another report that gathers dust on the shelf”.

CAROLINE ALLEN
Islington Green Party

My campaign priorities: GLA 2012

2011-05-01T22:11:00.003+01:00

As the Green Party Constituency candidate for Islington, Hackney and Waltham Forest and a list candidate for the GLA elections next year I am excited about the opportunity to promote a positive Green vision for London.
I know we have the policies to really make a difference in London and I am looking forward to the release of our manifesto, something we are working on at the moment.
My personal campaigning priorities are:

Tackling inequality and social exclusion; living in Islington I see the effects of this daily (see previous blog post)
Making clear arguments against the cuts, in particular cuts to frontline services; they are deeply unfair, unjust and unnecessary.
Explaining the alternatives to the cuts, there is another way to tackle the deficit.
Affordable public transport. Improved cycling and walking provision.
Quality education for all. Scraping EMA and introducing tuition fees will have a devastating effect on social mobility.
Tackling food poverty and sustainability issues and related health issues.
Improved housing, dealing with empty housing and landlords who allow properties to fall into disrepair. Free insulation to tackle rising fuel bills and climate change.
The 'Big Society' con. Its just a way to force people, often women, out of work to take on the responsibilities that should be shared by us all through state provision- caring for the vulnerable, the unwell, the old. Volunteering should be a positive choice, not something we are forced to do.
Supporting the local economy and small businesses.
Campaigning against privitisation and the 'corporatisation' of our lives. The economy should work for us, not the other way around.
Any animal issues, including responsible pet ownership, status dogs, pet shops.

Clissold Park Deer

2011-03-06T16:24:00.003Z

Another campaign I've become involved in. A very sad situation in Hackney. While I recognise that many Hackney residents are very attached to the deer in Clissold Park the council has accepted that it is failing in its duty of care to the animals of the 'zoo'. There has been significant unnecessary suffering caused and the council simply cannot give the guarantees of safety and security for the animals. There is no funding for CCTV and regular patrols and experience suggests that if the animals remain they will sadly be in danger. It is time to move the animals to a more suitable environment.

http://www.hackneycitizen.co.uk/2011/03/04/vet-slams-hackney-council-over-clissold-park-deer-deaths/

Great feedback on our new science policy

2011-03-02T21:01:00.001Z

And if you were at Conference you might have some idea of the hours of work that went into getting us to this point, much of it done by myself with great input from the policy list and other Policy Committee colleagues.
http://rsrch.co/gIXIZe

Conference

2011-02-28T00:28:00.000Z

Its been a very busy three days at Conference in Cardiff; first proper opportunity to sit down and blog. I have been tweeting though on green_caroline.

As always there have been some excellent panals and fringes.Ann Pettifor of NEF and Green MSP Patrick Harvie gave us an inspriring fringe on why now is the best time in history for people to hear our Green policies and especially the economic case for sustainability, and how carrying on with 'business as usual' simply isnt an option.
I'm going to try to rise to the challenge set down by Ann Pettifor. We, especially women, have to increase our understanding of the financial sector- knowledge is power. Time to dust off that Green Economics book.
http://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/financial-system-control.html

I chaired a well attended fringe on the Agicultural Policy review-who would believe you could get so caught up in discussing the Common Agricultural Policy the session would overrun! Looks as though its time to propose a change in policy so we can push for radical reform of CAP along the lines of the European Food Declaration http://www.europeanfooddeclaration.org/declaration/en

Animal leaflet has been very well received with all 600 we bought to conference gone by Sat lunchtime and a big list requesting more. Animal fringe tomorrow to talk about developing our companion animal policy and policy on animals in sport.

Most of my time however has been taken up with policy work. The full review of the Science and Technology chapter of PSS (Policies for a Sustainable Society), for which I proposed most of the amendments, has been a fairly mammoth piece of work and after getting through 30 amendments we only have 5 to go. As long as we can get through those I believe we will have a concise, readable, radical set of policies to support exactly the sort of science we need to build a new green world.

Our New Animal Policy Leaflet

2011-02-23T12:44:00.002Z

Do have a look at the page I've just added. Its the new GP animal policy leaflet that will be available at conference, on request to local parties, and should soon be on the resources section of the members website to be downloaded.

I wrote this leaflet along with Tim Turner and with much helpful input from members of the animal policy list.

I hope you find it useful/informative.

Islington Campaigns

2011-02-06T21:34:00.006Z

I've lived in Islington for five years (with a year just one road across the border in Hackney). Although it has a reputation for New Labour dinner parties, coffee bars and restaurants the reality for many people is rather different.

I've been heavily involved in Green Party campaigns, meetings, marches, leafleting, stalls and council meetings in Islington since I moved here. I've been a local election candidate gaining 716 votes in St Mary's ward in 2010.

Sadly, we lost our brilliant Green councillor in the squeeze of the 2010 General Election
www.islingtontribune.com/letters/2010/sep/what-katie-did-best
but campaigning in Islington is as busy as ever.
We have to hold the Labour administration to account as they cut with little consultation, build over valuable green space- Islington is the borough with the least greenspace in the Uk and probably Europe-
www.islingtontribune.com/letters/2010/oct/gem-lost-forever
and now plan to clog up roads with even more traffic
http://www.islingtontribune.com/letters/2011/feb/%E2%80%98roamer%E2%80%99-parking-will-damage-our-quality-life.
The Whittington Hospital gained a temporary reprieve before the last election (see photo) but it remains vulnerable and our Post Offices
http://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/islington-life/letters/post_office_must_not_be_allowed_to_close_1_675124
and community centres seem to be under threat of closure on a rota
http://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/islington-life/letters/roundhouse_closure_a_blow_for_community_1_680150

My family are originally from Islington. 60 years ago it was an area of London with an unenviable reputation, my Grandparents rented a rundown attic flat in Lonsdale Square, my Gran had to walk down four flights of stairs to access running water to wash my Dad's nappies. Through the provision of social housing they were able to eventually move out to Mile End and on to Essex. In the meantime parts of Islington, including Lonsdale Square, went through a process some commentors have described as 'super gentrification', while many were left behind.

This report provides a disturbing and important insight into the current situation in Islington with regard to poverty and inequality:
http://www.cripplegate.org/wp-content/uploads/Invisible-Islington-Nov08.pdf

Living and working in Islington it is very clear to me the very damaging effects of this inequality. When Kate Pickett, the author of the Spirit Level, spoke at Green Party Conference and said that only Caroline Lucas and the Greens 'got it', I agreed wholeheatedly.

Labour are now running a Fairness Commission in Islington, I support the sentiment but with Islington so divided after 13 years of Labour government that orginated right here, its no surprise I'm cynical.
As a Green I will continue to campaign in Islington and across London for true equality, while maing it clear that protection and improvement of the environment must be integral to our plans for a better Islington.

My campaigns: Euro election 2009

2011-02-06T19:35:00.005Z

I was a candidate in the 2009 European
Parliamentary elections.

I was very pleased that our efforts paid off when we got our excellent MEP, Jean Lambert re-elected in a higher position then the previous election. Given that the numbers of MEPs elected from London had been reduced this was by no means a foregone conclusion.

I campaigned in Hackney and Islington on street stalls and attended events and hustings, including the NFU (National Farmers Union) hustings in Whitehall, along with Keith Taylor, now MEP. While many of the NFU attendees were not our natural target audience, several came up to us afterwards and confided that they believed our focus on local food production, reducing food miles and reliance on imported food and pesticides was surely going to prove the correct approach in the future as peak oil and climate change changed the face of farming.
I am currently coordinating the re-write of our agricultural policy, building on this approach to produce a comprehensive, evidence based policy to take us forwards into what is likely to be a critical period for global agriculture and food supplies.
While agriculture and food issues may seem a bit distant to Londoners the reality is anything but, with significant levels of food poverty across London, soaring levels of obesity and diet related ill health and the related strain on the NHS, getting this policy right is vital.

My campaigns: General Election 2010

2011-02-06T19:15:00.004Z

In the General Election 2010 I was the first ever Green Party candidate for Ilford North. Its an area I know well, from visiting my Grandparents when I was growing up, they lived just down the A12 on the Harold Hill estate. I then lived just across the Green Man roundabout for four years when I first moved to London in 2001.

I enjoyed the campaign and received many positive responses on the campaign trail; people were pleased to have the opportunity to vote Green for the first time. For me the key to this campaign was presenting the Green Party as a credible and positive choice to people who had mostly never had any interaction with us before. I was also able to inform voters about our whole range of policies, something they were not necessarily aware of beyond the core 'green issues'.

I took part in several local hustings and was invited on London Turkish Radio to answer listeners questions. The Islam Channel televised a hustings fascilitated by the Guardian journalist, Jonathon Steele. .

In addition I attended a hustings for the charity Barnados, whose main offices are in the Borough. The Green Party's strong policies on carers, children and youth services, inequality and social justice made the hustings a relatively easy job for me.

Why would a vet be any good as a politician?

2011-02-06T17:56:00.006Z

In these days of 'professional politicians' its common to meet candidates from the other parties who have never had a 'normal job' outside of politics. They go from University to unpaid Intern (how they can afford to do this is anyones guess), to a Thinktank or similar and then, they hope, into an elected position.
I find this a worrying trend.
It can be hard to hold down a demanding job and contribute as much as I would like to the Green Party, but I think I can offer much more as a candidate and politician because of my work and life experience.

I spend all day every day speaking to people, from all walks of life. I build relationships with my clients and having worked in London now for ten years thats a lot of little insights. People will often confide in me and unfortunately I do have to give people bad news and help them deal with painful situations. The key to success in my job is to do the best clinical job possible while being ethical, caring and compassionate. I think thats partly why being in the Green Party comes naturally to me.
Of course there are many other skills and benefits I have gained through my training and experience: communication and interpersonal skills, problem solving skills, ability to work as a team, understanding of small business, finance and marketing, experience in recruiting, training and mentoring. All important skills if you are going to be involved in running a city.

In addition to my small animal work I campaign on a wide range of animal issues. I have an additional qualification in animal welfare. I have used my expertise in the party to contribute to press releases (most recent below) and policy work.
http://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/2010-12-22-greens-oppose-nocton-dairy.html

Since I joined my current practice, first as Head Vet then as Clinical Director, the practice has expanded and doubled in size, in spite of the recession. I believe that is because people can see that we care and take an ethical, community orientated approach. Preventative health and responsible pet ownership is our key message. Something that fits very well with the Green approach.

Welcome to my blog: more about me.

2011-02-05T19:41:00.006Z

Thanks for visiting my blog.
I'm the Green Party candidate for the GLA Constituency of Islington, Hackney and Walktham Forest, three areas of London I know very well.

I currently live and work in Islington, which is where my family originate from. Born in Essex I've lived in London for more than 10 years, returning to my family's roots in Islington, North London five years ago. I moved to Hackney for 18months in 2008-2009 but am now back living and working in Islington. I lived just across the Green Man Roundabout in Wanstead for four years from 2000-2004.
I love London but living in Islington, the 8th most deprived borough in the country, I am only too aware of the problems and challenges so many people face in this city. I believe the Green Party is the only party with a coherent plan to tackle the pressing social and environmental problems we face.

Outside of the Green Party I work as the Clinical Director for a small group of veterinary practices in North London, caring for peoples pets. I manage all aspects of the client and patient care and have a reputation for providing the highest quality care with compassion and a passion for preventative health care. My work requires hard work, very strong communications and interpersonal skills, time management and organisation, and an understanding of small businesses, marketing and budgets. All vital skills when involved in running a city.

I've been a candidate in the Euro elections 2009 and the General Election and Local elections in 2010 and am an experienced local campaigner. You can find more information about these campaigns on the blog.

In this blog I'll try and give you some more information on some of these actvities, if you'd like to know more then do ask; caroline.greenparty@gmail.com