Kent Green Party Letters

ANIMAL AID IS RIGHT ON MEDICAL EXPERIMENTS

2011-07-22T02:07:00.000-07:00

ANIMAL AID IS RIGHT

To: The Editor, letters page, Kent on Saturday - From: Hazel Dawe, campaigns officer, Tonbridge and Malling Green Party 27 Audley Avenue, Tonbridge Kent Tn9 1XF Tel: 01732 355185, Mobile 079444 71083

Dear Sir or Madam, Dr David Scott of Cancer Research overstates the case for animal testing in medical research. There is no need to torture and kill animals in laboratories to carry out relevant and effective research into cancer treatment. Unfortunately the “rigorous government guidelines.” are not always applied rigorously. For example, opponents protest that “the Home Office is too quick to approve an experiment and … grants project licenses without adequate scrutiny “ Critics of animal testing have complained that “researchers who are presenting their case may perform the cost-benefit assessments [themselves] rather than the Home Office “ Hardly a rigorous procedure. 1)

The relevance of animal testing for human biology is questionable. The Safer Medicine Campaign states that “the effectiveness of animal tests has never been measured against a panel of state-of-the-art techniques based on human biology.” Why not? The Campaign has established that “92% of new drugs successful in animal studies go on to fail in clinical trials” 2)

FRAME, the Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments aims to completely eliminate the use of animals in medical experiments. There are alternatives: human tissue and cells which have been donated can be used to model reactions and, as soon as it is safe, trials are needed on human volunteers anyway.

Tonbridge and Malling Green Party would urge people to support the Animal Aid campaign and halt donations to Cancer Research UK, the British Heart Foundation, Parkinson’s UK and the Alzheimer Society until these charities agree to minimise and, eventually phase out, the use of animal testing in their research.

Hazel Dawe, Campaigns officer, Tonbridge and Malling Green Party

1) http://www.aboutanimaltesting.co.uk/local-laws-animal-testing.html

2) http://www.safermedicines.org/

MORE ON THE CLIMATE OF IGNORANCE

2011-07-22T02:05:00.000-07:00

MORE ON THE CLIMATE OF IGNORANCE

TO: editor, letters pages, Courier - FROM: Steve Dawe, Tonbridge and Malling Green Party 16th July 2011 27 Audley Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1XF - 01732 355185 - 07747 036192

Dear Editor, Colin Bullen needs to be corrected (letters, 15.7.2011).

First, there is no energy crisis, only failures by successive Governments. The UK has no national energy efficiency strategy. Our generally energy-inefficient buildings are poorly insulated and lack solar water heating or solar panels. We could cut 20% of our energy use quite easily, according to the Association for the Conservation of Energy, and figures as high as 50% have been suggested.

Recent research shows UK wind turbines are more efficient than in Denmark and Germany. We should bear in mind that the first industrial revolution started here in the UK powered by about 12,000 wind mills. And the wind did not blow all the time then either. Nuclear power, when uranium mining and storage of waste for thousands of years are taken into account, is the most expensive energy technology available. It should not be contemplated, and the two Zero Carbon Britain reports (available online) show how we can meet future needs.

Climate change as a result of human action is a matter of scientific consensus, supported by the scientific academies of the 13 major countries in the world, including our own Royal Society.

I certainly agree that the privatization of energy companies, like that of our railways, has proved an expensive disaster, raising prices but not dealing with fuel poverty, energy efficiency or the need for safe, renewable energy technologies.

Yours sincerely, Steve Dawe, TONBRIDGE AND MALLING GREEN PARTY

LORRY PARK PROBLEMS

2011-07-22T02:04:00.000-07:00

REVIVING THE LORRY PARK IDEA – KCC IN ACTION TO WASTE PUBLIC FUNDS

TO: editor, letters pages, Kentish Express - FROM: Steve Dawe, Press Officer, KENT GREEN PARTY

12th July 2011

Dear Editor, News that Kent County Council is to promote another attempt to create a lorry park is surprising, given public opposition. However, there are good reasons why KCC should be ultra-cautious about such an initiative. First, the Government has committed itself to a charging scheme for foreign lorries which will result in comparatively low charges, well below what is permissible in EU law. Charging the maximum amount allowed would help to reduce foreign lorries moving through Kent.

Secondly, the recent increase in UK greenhouse gas emissions by 2.8% in 2010 when compared to 2009 means the Government will have to consider new measures to reduce transport sector emissions. In particular, it will have to re-examine the idea of national congestion charge scheme to maximise the movement of freight by rail and sea. It does not do so, it will not be able to meet its own targets.

Thirdly, the Government is also considering permitting articulated trucks 2 metres longer than the current maximum of 15.65 metres. This would make for problems in what would at present quickly become an over-used lorry park. It remains to be seen how well such mammoth vehicles would get through junctions in many parts of Kent too.

Reducing long-distance freight movements by lorry would prevent spending on a lorry park. It is time KCC told the Government this.

Yours sincerely Steve Dawe PRESS OFFICER - Kent Green Party

Note: Material for this letter was obtained from from the newsletter of the European Federation for Transport and Environment, Private Eye and my thesis 'Business and Environmental Groups and the Trans-European Transport Networks.'

BIG SOCIETY? BIG ALIBI FOR CUTS?

2011-03-04T02:35:00.001-08:00

TO: editor, letters pages, Courier

FROM: Steve Dawe, Tonbridge and Malling Green Party

4th March 2011

Dear Editor,

The 'Big Society' idea is open to question (article/editorial 4th March).

First, voluntary organisations estimate a loss of £4.6 billion over 4 years as a likely impact of Government cuts. This is because cash-starved local councils are being forced to cut grants to charities, and national Government resources to charities will also be cut. This £4.6 billion loss compares with about £600-700 million devoted to the 'BIg Society' by the Government including recent additions to compensate charities for imminent losses of income. Since volunteers need to be coordinated by trained, paid workers, the whole voluntary sector faces a rapid loss of resources which will undermine its capacity to support volunteers.

This problem, as the Green Party has noted, is coupled with severe cuts to already under-funded local government here in Kent. This means services we take for granted will diminish as will jobs in local councils over the next four years. Road and pavement repair, services for young and elderly people and above all access to social housing will all be declining. There is no realistic prospect of the voluntary sector taking on the work involved. Why? Because although donations to charities have kept up quite well in the recession so far, research shows that the average number of donors each year is declining and the average age of donors is rising.

Joined-up Government would mean increasing the share of public spending which goes to local councils like Tonbridge and Malling, to allow them to fulfill their statutory duties and support key activities of the voluntary sector for the benefit of our area. Perhaps the Chancellor will improve his Coalition Government's appalling record on tax collection, and step up action against all forms of tax avoidance and tax evasion to help support front-line services?

Yours sincerely
Steve Dawe
TONBRIDGE AND MALLING GREEN PARTY

The problems with Kent's academy schools

2011-01-03T00:43:00.001-08:00

Letter to the Kent on Sunday in response to their front page story yesterday:

Dear Sir,

So more evidence on the problems of taking education away from local government and privatising it in the form of academies in last week's KoS. Just like Labour before it, the Tory - Lib Dem coalition seem to think that the private sector have all the answers. At a very basic level we all know the real reason that some schools were struggling - a lack of investment in them by sucessive governments.

Labour's plan to turn failing schools into academies was the thin end of the wedge for privatising our education system and it is hardly a surprise that the Conservatives and Lib Dems, who are ideologically in love with the free market, want to complete the job.

Taking schools out of the state system is not just more expensive in the long run and not just damaging to those left under government contol, it fails the democratic test. Accountability for education must remain with elected representatives - it is too important to hand to private companies.

Yours faithfully

Stuart Jeffery

A CAR FREE LIFE

2011-01-01T05:04:00.000-08:00

To: Courier, Letters page - From: Steve Dawe, TONBRIDGE AND MALLING GREEN PARTY, 27 Audley Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1XF Tel: 01732 355185 – 1st January 2011

Dear Editor,
Re: My week of adventures minus a car (Courier, 31/12): All credit to your reporter for taking the decision to live without a car for a week. I have been living without a car all my life. I note that for some short journeys i.e. the journey to work from her home walking, even on icy pavements, was faster than car travel. But people are discouraged from using other forms of transport by price: whilst the cost of motoring went down 14% 1997-2009, rail fares rose 13% and bus and coach tickets by 24%. This does not take into account the recent massively increased rail fares.

I agree with your reporter that rural bus services are inadequate. Yet, I have spoken to older people who used to live in one village, Ightham Mote, without a car. They can recall when the frequent buses. Consequently, living there without a car was feasible. Research I have done for the Green Party shows our rural bus fares are about 50% more expensive than the average on the Continent.

Your reporter is too kind to our rail services: although they are frequent and, usually, quite dependable, they are far too expensive. We have the highest rail fares in the world: approximately 40% higher than the rest of Europe. Green Party policy is to reduce fares by 20% in the short term and bring them down to the European average in the longer term. This would make rail use more affordable and attractive.

Yours faithfully, Steve Dawe, Tonbridge and Malling Green Party

Letter on Kent's Railways to KoS

2010-11-28T10:51:00.001-08:00

Letter to: Kent on Sunday
Dear Sir,

You could almost be forgiven for thinking that the Conservatives were the champions of Kent's rail users following their Fares Fair campaign in the run up to this year's general election and with last week's threats to Southeastern by Roger Gale MP (Kent on Sunday, 28th November).

However, those of us with a slightly longer memory will recall that the Tory campaign to curb the rail fare rises placed the blame squarely on the government rather than the franchise holder. Perhaps someone ought to remind Mr Gale who is in government now.

And of course we must not forget that the real reasons that rail fares are the highest in Europe are due to the Tory privatisation of rail, the massive closures in the 1960's and of course the lack of investment by successive governments.

Public transport should be a public service run by the government. Investing in clean public transport while taxing more polluting forms is how government should support our rail service. Perhaps someone remind Mr Gale of this?

Stuart Jeffery
Kent Green Party

A21 WIDENING OR MORE MONEY FOR THE NHS IN WEST KENT?

2010-11-20T04:06:00.000-08:00

TO: letters page, the Courier

FROM: Steve Dawe, Press Officer, KENT GREEN PARTY 12th November 2010

Dear Editor, Responsibility for traffic congestion in our area is a matter for those who contribute to it (letters, 12th November 2010). The County Council is the primary cause, as it has consistently failed to give proper priority to measures which would reduce traffic. These include supporting more teleworking; supporting comprehensive green travel plans for schools; ensuring bus fares are cheaper; building good quality walking and cycling networks.

Since Kent’s population continues to grow, and with it the number of vehicles, no road widening or road building project or programmes will reduce traffic congestion. In the case of the A21 widening, relief of congestion may not occur after widening for a period of more than about 4 years, before rising congestion returns traffic on the A21 to congested levels. In consequence, traffic-reducing measures are needed.
The suggestion of ambulances being stuck in traffic on the A21 gives the impression that the public are suddenly going to stop moving their vehicles out of the way when the emergency services require space.

A more realistic worry is that the Pembury Hospital is not large enough to meet local needs. Also, the reduction in the budget for nurses in West Kent by 17% over the next five years (Courier, 21st May 2010) suggests diminishing services when local needs are rising due to increasing numbers of people and an ageing population. Should we spend £125 million on widening the A21, or £125 million ensuring that NHS funding in our area is adequate?

Yours sincerely,
Steve Dawe
PRESS OFFICER, KENT GREEN PARTY
27 Audley Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1XF – 01732 355185 or 07747 036192

ENERGY POLICY LESSONS FOR MR FARAGE

2010-10-14T03:41:00.001-07:00

THIS IS A SERIES OF LETTERS CONCERNING NIGEL FARAGE MEP's statements on energy topics:

ONE

TO: various Your town editions, KOS Media

FROM: Steve Dawe, Press Officer, KENT GREEN PARTY

14th October 2010

Dear Editors,

When I said that the UK has the best offshore wind resources of any country in Europe and that there was no reason why these should not be exploited, in a TV debate with Nigel Farage (letters, 13th October 2010), he had no answer. Since a leaked Government report indicates Dungeness is being dropped from the Government's preferred list of nuclear sites, Mr Farage's promotion of a Dungeness C station has already failed.

But there is a more serious problem in the claims made in his letter. Wind farms obtain money from Government when they are operating, not before. The major energy companies have told the Government they want it to pay for new nuclear power stations: the Government has refused. So even if the Dungeness site were selected for a new nuclear power station, apparently no one wishes to pay for it to be built.

Wind Farms like the new one off Thanet and the proposed London Array will create jobs, but the efficiency of the technology means there will be very few of them. However, if we had a national programme of improving insulation for all buildings and installing microgeneration technologies (solar water heating/solar PV panels) on homes and buildings this would generate employment in every district in Kent and indeed in the UK as a whole. If Mr Farage is serious about obtaining more employment in the energy sector, then why has he failed to advocate energy effiency and safe, renewable energy technologies - preferring instead the polluting, costly and problematic coal and nuclear options. And nuclear is more expensive than any other energy technology because nuclear waste has to be stored for up to 250,000 years.

Yours sincerely,
Steve Dawe
PRESS OFFICER, Kent Green Party
27 Audley Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1XF
01732 355185 or 07747 036192

TWO

TO: letters pages - Kent on Sunday/Saturday

FROM: Steve Dawe, Press Officer, KENT GREEN PARTY

3rd October 2010

Dear Editor,
Nigel Farage is hopelessly uninformed about energy policy (opinion piece, 3rd October).

First, he ignores energy efficiency measures which could reduce our overall UK energy demand by 20% quite quickly and by up to 50% over time. Secondly, he ignores microgeneration which can make our built environment a source of energy with solar water heating and solar photovoltaic panels. Thirdly, he assumes static prices for different types of energy in the future. He seems to be unaware that our Government is refusing Freedom of Information requests concerning its research and meetings about the global peak supplies of oil and gas, despite evidence that the peak for cheap recoverable supplies of these types is very soon.

Worse, he does not seem aware than part of a renewable energy strategy is biomass - making use of fast growing species to fuel power stations. In addition, tidal, marine and estuarine barrages can add to our energy mix. So back up for wind power is within our grasp.

If nuclear is so easy to build, why is the private sector refusing to build it without Government funds? And the Government is refusing to supply such funds at present. And the supply of uranium is so limited that a recent Swiss research report suggested supplies would peak by 2013 and then decline: long before any new nuclear power station could be built in the UK. And coal is not going to save us either, since profligate use of coal by developing countries has brought forward the likely peak supply date for coal to about 2030.

So Mr Farage cannot keep looking to the past to meet our energy needs. We need a Green industrial revolution beginning in the energy sector in which both private and public sector funding will play roles.

Yours sincerely
Steve Dawe PRESS OFFICER - KENT GREEN PARTY
01732 355185 - 07747 036192
27 Audley Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1XF

THREE

NIGEL FARAGE – WIND POWER FREE ZONE?

TO: letters page, Your Thanet , FROM: Steve Dawe, Press Officer, KENT GREEN PARTY 27 Audley Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1XF – 01732 355185 – 07747 036192

Dear Editor, Nigel Farage is, as usual, misguided and misinformed about the growing Wind Farm industry(front page, 29th September). He actually believes electricity generated from wind power at night is wasted! In fact, it adds to UK electricity supplies for all night time uses. Apart from welcoming Thanet’s new role as a hub of the offshore wind industry, he should know that windpower generated about 10% of UK electricity used on 6th September 2010 – a new UK record (1). And, despite serious under-investment by our Governments in recent years, we now have 5 gigawatts of installed wind capacity. Land offshore currently allocated to wind farms will be able to produce electricity to power 4 million homes, and this is just the beginning.

Mr Farage’s opposition to wind power reflects badly on him and his Party.

More renewable energy of all types, with increased energy efficiency such as better glazing and insulation, is needed to cut greenhouse gas emissions which add to Climate Change. The scientific academies of 11 major countries, including those of the UK, India, China, Russia and the USA issued a joint statement back in 2005 indicating that Climate Change was a major threat to life on Earth and required immediate action (4). Mr Farage, like his Party, denies that human-induced climate change exists. However, one of the key UK responses to both Climate Change and our energy needs is indeed ‘blowing in the wind.’ The failure of both coal and nuclear proposals to add to UK energy capacity in recent years, despite Government support, tells us we cannot look to the past for solutions to today’s challenges.

Yours sincerely, Steve Dawe – Press Officer, KENT GREEN PARTY

Farage on nuclear

2010-10-03T09:08:00.001-07:00

Letter to: Kent on Sunday

Dear Editor,

Nigel Farage is right to point out the coming energy crisis and that government should be working to close the energy gap but he is way off the mark with his solutions.

As a well publicised climate denier, Farage is content to dismiss the overwhelming evidence of scientists on climate change prefering to cite well known capitalists with vested interests instead. Rather than trusting the people who have brought us the current economic crisis, I would rather put my faith in what almost all the climate scientist are agreed on and look for energy solutions that are not going to worsen climate change.

Nigel Farage's pet solution, Dungeness C, is particularly strange. Ignoring the fact that it would be sited on an area most at risk from sea level rises, ignoring the fact that there is no long term solution to nuclear waste and ignoring the fact that nuclear power puts us into even more dependency on imported fuel, nuclear power cannot a long term solution as it relies on finite resources.

The amount of nuclear fuel is constrained in a similar way to oil, gas and coal, there is only a limited amount that can be dug up. The impact of continuing to use up these resources, especially with their impact on the climate, will be staggering. It is surely immoral to use up these finite resources when renewal energy is available.

If Mr Farage hates wind power so much there are other alternatives such as concentrated solar power, geothermal, tidal and wave power - all of which can combine to make power dependable. If we cut down on our energy use as well, we can have safe and affordable power now and power that our grandchildren can enjoy too.

Stuart Jeffery

Clone Town Survey - Maidstone

2010-09-19T08:12:00.001-07:00

Letter to: Kent Messenger

Dear Editor,

It is hardly surprising that Maidstone has once again been labeled a Clone Town by the New Economics Foundation. While there are a good selection of independents away from Week St and Fremlin Walk, these two main shopping areas are simply overflowing with the chain stores that are the staples of many large towns.

There is a real problem with this. While the large corporate stores do attract shoppers to the town they also damage local businesses and the local economy. Money spent in any chain store quickly leaves the local economy whereas buying from independent shops ensures that more money is circulated locally supporting other local businesses and people.

Out of town, the damage is even worse. Opening an average out of town supermarket causes a net loss of 276 jobs and we have all seen the devastation to our local post offices in the past few years.

Maidstone needs more independent shops in its main shopping areas. Getting the balance right is essential. Rather than the filling these areas with mobile phone shops and carbon copy clothes shops, some variety would give real charm to the town. I have to ask how many Next stores or Waterstones does a town really need?

Bringing more independent stores to the main shopping areas would prove to be a real asset to Maidstone. The character and tone of the town would be drastically improved and the benefit to the people and Maidstone based businesses would be huge.

Stuart Jeffery
Maidstone Green Party

KIG rejected

2010-08-08T11:54:00.001-07:00

Letter to Kent on Sunday: Dear Editor,

While it was kind of KoS to describe Kent Green Party as being 'heavily involved' in the battle to stop the Kent International Gateway in last week's edition, I would suggest that more credit for defeating the plan should be given to StopKIG, the joint parishes, Maidstone Borough Council and Protect Kent.

In particular, the local campaign group, StopKIG, provided tireless opposition and ran one of the best campaigns that I have seen! They deserve true thanks for their excellent work.

The defeat of KIG was a team effort with united opposition from many groups. It was an honour to play our part in such a successful campaign.

Stuart Jeffery

LibDems call for PR has failed

2010-05-16T22:58:00.000-07:00

Letter to: Kent on Sunday

Dear Editor,

While I completely agree with Peter Carroll's call for proportional representation rather than the archaic and undemocratic system that we currently suffer under (KOS 16 May), it was a real shame that the LibDems agreed to have a national referendum on a new voting system that is not proportional. Sadly the Lib Dems seem to have thrown out their key policy of proportional representation for the chance of power.

The Con-Dem coalition is one that many Lib Dem voters, especially those in Maidstone who voted for Mr Carroll to simply stop the Conservatives, will find hard to accept. Of course, when you scratch the surface of Lib Dem economic policy you find just how close it is to Conservative economic policy so it is perhaps of little surprise that they got together so easily.

Fortunately there is a growing force in politics, one that is principled, truly green and committed to social justice. The Green Party now has its first MP and has established its place as a real alternative to business as usual politics.

Stuart Jeffery

Candidates demand apology

2010-03-21T01:49:00.001-07:00

Letter to: The Courier

Dear Editor,

In one swift move, Helen Grant's team has managed to move the election in Maidstone and the Weald from one focussed on policy and issues into one of insults and a slanging match (Courier 19th Mar). So much for her pledge of a clean campaign!

The patronising claims levied at us are both wrong and pathetic. We are more than happy to debate and discuss issues in public without Ms Grant and it certainly is not the case that "the others wouldn't have turned up if the main candidate was not there". There is no main candidate in the election and Ms Grant should remember that she is not above other candidates or above the people that she may or (hopefully) may not represent in a couple of months.

Furthermore, we were all party to the excellent communications and organisation by Ben Carpenter, the sixth former who arranged the debate in Cranbrook. The negotiation and discussion on dates was clear and unambiguous. It is disappointing that Ms Grant seemed unable to engage with the process, but to insult Ben after his hard work is dreadful. Ms Grant should be ashamed of herself and Ben deserves an apology.

Yours faithfully

Peter Carroll (Lib Dem)
Stuart Jeffery (Green)
Rav Seerthrun (Labour)
Parliamentary candidates for Maidstone and the Weald

Save the V Team

2010-03-14T13:03:00.001-07:00

Letter to: Kent Messenger

Dear Editor,

Like many of your readers I have been shocked to hear that the V Team will end for the want of such a small amount of money. Local councils have a duty to improve the well being of the people and they can surely find £20,000 to keep this essential service going. The V Team provide such an innovative service across Maidstone, supporting people with a range of problems by enabling them to become volunteers and therefore to help even more people. This fantastic service must not be allowed to close.

Kent County Council and Maidstone Borough Council need to consider the impact on the volunteers if they allow this service to close. With such a small amount of money needed to keep it going, I have written to both organisations to urge them to ensure the continued sucess of the V Team by providing the extra cash and I urge others across Maidstone to write too.

In the meantime, perhaps the KM could lead the campaign to raise the funds to keep the V Team going? With the KM's wide readership, £20,000 would not be hard to raise - after all it is only about 50p per reader. This is a great charity and should be supported - if our councils won't do it, then we must.

Stuart Jeffery
Green Party parliamentary candidate for Maidstone and the Weald

OPERATION SLACK?

2010-03-09T04:22:00.001-08:00

OPERATION STACK

Operation Slack? MEP Catherine Bearder is correct to identify Operation Stack as a problem, but we already knew. In both reports last week, she identifies attendant problems, the prominent one seeming to be money, but offers little in the way of solutions. Nothing, in fact. Chris Took, Lib Dem PPC for Ashford, did actually offer a solution, albeit short term, a few weeks ago, including using existing lorry parks and service stations, during times of channel crossing frustration. But a longer term, and more permanent solution is required and the Green Party proposes, as we have for some time now, getting cars and lorries off the roads.

The noise and pollution from the M20 even during quiet periods is enough to justify moving freight movement to the railways and improving rail services for domestic tourism whilst reducing fares, and to achieve this we further propose bringing the rail service back into public ownership. Like the NHS it should be a service, not a business, something the Lib-Lab-Con club no longer seem to recognise.

Steven Campkin PPC Ashford Green Party 37 Beecholme Drive Kennington Ashford Kent TN24 9AA
01233 634 246 http://stevencampkin.blogspot.com ...Thinking Allowed?

CHALLENGING EVIDENCE-FREE APPROACHES TO ENERGY, TRANSPORT AND CLIMATE CHANGE

2010-03-09T04:17:00.000-08:00

To: Kent on Sunday – letters pages
From: Steve Dawe, Press Officer – Kent Green Party

21st February 2010

Dear Editor,

Ian Taylor, (letters 21st February) is as usual, wrong.

When the Dartford Tunnel was being promoted, it was to relieve traffic congestion; when the Dartford Crossing was being imagined, it too was to relieve congestion. And now Kent County Council wants to spend £1 billion on a highly polluting additional crossing. If steps had been taken to improve public transport in the past, this immense waste of money would never have occurred. New road building does generate more traffic and longer journeys, as the Government’s Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment has shown.

The Zero Carbon Britain report, available online, demonstrates that a combination of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy technologies can deal with the UK’s energy demand. Since this report was produced, supporters of old and polluting technologies have not been able to fault its conclusions.

Contrary to Mr Taylor’s belief, local planning authorities have no role in making planning decisions about solar water heating units or solar panels on any roof. So long as they are below the roof line, there is no planning issue to address. And prices for these units are dropping steadily.

And, once again, the scientific consensus remains that human-induced climate change is a serious threat to the Planet. Thirteen of the scientific academies of major countries have indicated this, including our own Royal Society. Opinion cannot refute this, only alternative scientific evidence that is hardly likely to be accepted by scientific bodies – like the UK Met Office – which have made their concerns about Climate Change abundantly clear.

Yours sincerely
Steve Dawe
PRESS OFFICER – KENT GREEN PARTY
01732 355185 – 07747 036192 – 27 Audley Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1XF

COUNCIL RIDING ROUGHSHOD OVER ITS CITIZENS

2010-02-28T03:12:00.000-08:00

23rd February 2010 “Gorewell” Selling Road Old Wives Lees Canterbury, CT4 8BD
The Editor Kentish Gazette
Dear Sir, From reading last week’s Gazette it is glaringly obvious that there is huge public disquiet over the manner in which local and national governments are treating its citizens. So the museums are threatened with closure, new or expanded Park & Rides are planned for Harbledown and the Dover Road, a gypsy encampment that will put paid to the largest brownfield site in the District is planned for Hersden, Polo Farm wishes to greatly expand and 4,000 homes are proposed for south Canterbury.
Some of this disquiet arises from a Labour government which uses baffling and ludicrous planning laws to impose housing developments via their unelected quango (the South East England Regional Assembly), but most of the blame lies with the Tory-controlled City Council and its officers who completely fail to open up a discussion before they have made up their minds. So, although the Council has produced a “Statement of Community Involvement”, where are the surveys, questionnaires, discussion forums, information stalls, leaflets, public exhibitions, etc, on any of the above? There is lots of evidence that the Council will discuss and indeed encourage planning applications with developers so that they can get their applications sewn up, but almost no evidence of prior discussion with the residents who will be affected.
Can I remind local citizens that there are national elections within three months, and local elections next year. When you stand in front of the ballot box, think again whether you really want to carry on with the tired old parties.
Sincerely Geoff Meaden Green Party Parliamentary Candidate.

PRAISE FOR NEPALIS CLEANING UP THE WARREN, ASHFORD

2010-02-28T03:10:00.000-08:00

LETTER TO Your Ashford:

CLEANING UP THE WARREN IN ASHFORD
I would like to applaud the efforts of the Sagarmatha Gurkha Nepalese community in Ashford in cleaning up the Warren. Only the week before I was telling a friend of mine (Jade, 4) that the little people were watching us to make sure we weren't the bad people who drop rubbish in the forest, and that the little people have to clean up the mess after the bad people were gone, with every intention of doing it myself. It would seem I was pre-empted by these wonderful, magical people, with their amazing sense of community, their religion of peace and environmental responsibility, and I fully intend to join them should they wish to do this again, though I wish we didn't need to.
There have been concerned mumblings recently concerning a Nepali invasion, but if this is what they get up to in their spare time they are more than welcome to our formerly green and pleasant land. I would also like to take this opportunity to oppose the Park & Ride scheme planned for the field adjacent to the Warren. Previous schemes in places such as Canterbury have proven to be more trouble than they are worth, and the building and use of a Park & Ride would have a detrimental effect on the Warren itself. CPRE's Election Manifesto, which I support, calls for protection of our green spaces and tighter laws on littering and fly-tipping. Green Party policy states that we shall "...retain and rigorously strengthen Green Belt legislation..." (CY561) and I intend to uphold both.
Once again, a huge 'Dan Ya Bad' to the Nepalese community, and I hope to join them next time,
Steve Campkin - PPC Ashford Green Party 37 Beecholme Drive Kennington Ashford TN24 9AA - http://stevencampkin.blogspot.com

BATTLE OVER THE BURKA

2010-02-28T03:07:00.002-08:00

Letter to Medway Messenger:
I cannot be the only person appalled at Bob Oakleys recent letter in this paper where he reveals perhaps a bit more of his own paranoia by suggesting the UK follow the French governments decision to ban the burka. Please, sir, don't speak on my behalf by referring to "our ways" as an excuse for your own personal narrow attitude. The only thing that should be up for debate regarding the way anyone of us dresses is whether it is through choice or pressure. I do not have the cultural background to comment on the burka but I would suggest that if this was ever passed as law then perhaps we must consider banning beards, long hair, and peruvian hats for fear of....actually I am not sure exactly what banning the burka would achieve except play into the hands of the small minority of people who will use any excuse to stir up racial hatred. Hate crimes against ethnic minority groups have increased in recent years, we don't want that in the tolerant, multi-cultural place that is Medway. We should celebrate diversity and encourage difference, something the Green Party believe enriches us all, if UKIP are against that then be honest and don't hide behind some other country's decisions.

Trish Marchant - Green Party PPC for Gillingham and Rainham 23 Canadian Ave Gillingham
01634 313482

SAINSBURYS? Not for Faversham

2010-02-28T03:07:00.001-08:00

Letter for publication in Faversham News Re Sainsbury's development

Swale councillors from all of the three major parties supported development of an out-of-town supermarket at Faversham on the grounds that it will improve the vitality of the town. This view defies national planning guidance, all of the available evidence and Conservative Party policy.

Government research, placed before all members of the planning committee, shows that out-of-town supermarkets reduce the vitality of market towns. The net impact on employment is negative. National planning guidance makes a presumption against development of out-of-town supermarkets. Even Sainsbury acknowledges that the development will have a negative impact on the vitality of the town centre shops. Conservative Party policy is to ‘save our local shops’ by making it more difficult for out-of-town supermarkets to be given planning permission.

Every project of a certain type and size must be screened in law to see whether an environmental impact assessment is necessary. Without doubt, the Sainsbury's site is a project which must be screened. Swale Borough Council did not obtain a suitable screening opinion and therefore the Council’s decision is unlawful. It is in everybody’s interest for our elected representatives to make decisions that are lawful, and preferably based on evidence. As the Green Party parliamentary candidate for Faversham & Mid Kent, I am proud to support the 'Keep Faversham Special' campaign. Revisiting this decision provides an opportunity for local residents and traders to hold their councillors to account before it is too late.

Tim Valentine
Green Party Parliamentary Candidate for Faversham & Mid Kent - 8 Selling Court Selling Faversham
Kent ME13 9RJ 01227 752802 t.valentine@gold.ac.uk

Letter to KM on CPRE manifesto

2010-02-21T13:29:00.001-08:00

Letter to: Kent Messenger

Dear Editor,

It was great to read in last week's KM that the Campaign to Protect Rural England is calling candidates to back its own election manifesto. Their four policies, putting democracy back into planning, developing brownfield site rather than greenfield ones, supporting alternatives to car travel, and supporting communities and local services, are all policies close to my heart.

Green politics has finally gone mainstream with the ideas that we have been pushing for many years now becoming widely accepted by campaign groups and the public in general. With the other parties lagging far behind public opinion on green issues due to their allegance to big business and their business as usual approach to life, the Greens are set to make significant progress in May by electing our first MPs to Westminster.

Yours sincerely

Stuart Jeffery
Green Party parliamentary candidate for Maidstone and the Weald

Response to Ian Taylor

2010-02-21T11:52:00.000-08:00

Letter to: Kent on Sunday

Dear Editor,

In last week's Kent on Sunday, Ian Taylor kindly points out a key difference between the Greens and all the other major parties, i.e. we don't think that building even more roads through our beautiful, but increasingly tarmaced county is the way to deal with congestion. It is quite clear that voters will have an easy choice on this issue in the General Election: new roads that will encourage even more car travel or smarter policies to encourage people to travel less by car.

Mr Taylor then goes on to talk about climate change, suggesting that there are lots of reports challenging climate change which haven't been published by peer reviewed journals. However he suggests that this is due to a world wide conspiracy that even the oil companies can't overcome. I would suggest that the reason they haven't been published is because the science in them is seriously flawed and the peer review process has worked in weeding them out.

There is an overwhelming weight of evidence supporting the fact that burning fossil fuels is having a massive impact on our climate. It is our duty to future generations to tackle the causes of climate change. We must not let them suffer climate change's dire consequences such as those that the people of Darfur and Bangladesh are already experiencing.

Yours sincerely

Stuart Jeffery
Green Party parliamentary candidate for Maidstone and the Weald

A21 DUALLING WILL NOT STOP CONGESTION

2010-02-12T06:21:00.000-08:00

To: LETTERS, the Courier

From: Hazel and Steve Dawe, respectively Green Party candidates for Tunbridge Wells & Tonbridge and Malling

8th February 2010

Dear Editor,

A21 WILL NOT STOP CONGESTION

Concerning letters last week (5th February, 2010), sober reflection on the history of adding transport infrastructure in Kent is needed.

Did the Dartford Tunnel bring traffic congestion in north-west Kent to an end? Did the Dartford Crossing achieve that objective? Did the M25 relieve congestion or did it earn the label of the ‘..largest moving car park in the world?’ Did the Newbury by-pass relieve congestion, or did traffic levels in Newbury return to their pre-bypass levels within three years of that very destructive bypass being built?

As Kent Green Party has long argued, building new roads and adding capacity to existing ones does not relieve congestion, it accommodates it. Within a few years, more road building is demanded as congestion returns. Even the Highways Agency predicts future rises in traffic levels on a dualled A21 and roads nearby. Since the Highways Agency is notorious for under-estimating future traffic levels and Kent’s population is growing far faster than the national average, a dualled A21 will cost £125 million for perhaps as little as 2-3 years of congestion reduction. This is not cost-effective and neither is the County Council’s preference for an additional £1 billion Thames Crossing.

If we are serious about stopping congestion rather than accommodating to it, we have to introduce traffic reduction measures which ‘intercept’ sections of the existing traffic. This was demonstrated to be highly effective by the current Government’s Sustainable Travel Towns programme. In the case of the A21, £125 million would be better spent on:

• Improved bus services
• Introducing charging for foreign lorries using Kent’s roads
• Ensuring a larger number of journeys to and from school are made using public transport, by working with schools to encourage this change
• A campaign to increase teleworking from home
• Enhancing walking and cycling routes to reduce short car journeys
• Resisting any new warehousing developments on greenfield sites, to push long-distance freight on to rail

Yours sincerely
Hazel and Steve Dawe, Green Party candidates for Tunbridge & Tonbridge and Malling – respectively
01732 355185
27 Audley Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1XF

VISIONLESS RAILWAYS?

2010-02-07T03:10:00.001-08:00

VISIONLESS RAILWAYS?
To: Isle of Thanet Gazette

Dear Sir or Madam, Your correspondent highlights the inconsistency in the penalty fares policy of South-eastern trains.(Flagship at half-mast, Feb 5th) He points out the impossibility of purchasing an on-train ticket from a conductor who is limited to only half of the train and cannot access the other half. Unfortunately things are about to get even worse. South Eastern Trains is currently consulting on completely stopping the practice of issuing on train tickets. In future they intend to fine anyone who has boarded a train without a valid ticket for the journey they are on. Therefore anyone who, like your correspondent, has to travel early before the ticket office is open and finds it impossible to get the relevant ticket from the automatic machine will find themselves fined a penalty fare whatever the particular circumstances.

The consultation lasts till end of February. Please do write to South Eastern protesting at the imposition of such an unfair system. How are people to be encouraged to use public transport when they are faced with such unreasonable and unnecessary obstacles to the use of trains?

Hazel Dawe, Chair
Kent Green Party

LIB DEMS AND CONSISTENCY

2010-02-07T02:52:00.000-08:00

TO: kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk
FROM: Steve Campkin, Ashford Green Party - 7th February 2010

LETTERS PAGES

Dear Editor,

I note that the Liberal Democrats have launched their general election campaign with much emphasis on fairness and greener policies. So far so good, but:

Isn’t this the Party that wants us to join the Euro? Apart from being a deeply unpopular idea, this currency and poor management of it is currently threatening the Eurozone with a return to recession. And the UK is threatened by economic problems amongst our trading partners in the Eurozone. This illustrates the key problem of sharing a currency that cannot be managed by the actions of individual Governments according to the circumstances in their countries. The results will be deeply unfair, as cuts in public spending in Europe – just like such cuts here – often penalise those who are in no way responsible for the recession, and particularly the poorest groups with regard to declining public services.

And just where does the claimed ‘greenery’ of the Lib Dems stand as far as new road building is concerned? The Green Party opposes any new trunk road building, road widening or capacity improvements of junctions or motorway slip roads anywhere in Kent. The expense, environmental damage and accommodation of extra traffic cannot be justified. The best way to fight congestion is to take measures to reduce traffic such as charging foreign heavy goods vehicles, improving public transport and enhancing walking and cycling routes. The Lib Dems stood on a County manifesto including road repair, but it was silent on the road schemes they would support. And while we do know that the Lib Dems are opposed to the expansion of Lydd Airport, their silence on Manston expansion is intriguing.

Fairness and greener policies? I doubt it…………
Yours sincerely
Steve Campkin, Green Party candidate for ASHFORD

CLIMATE OF MISINFORMATION

2010-02-06T04:32:00.000-08:00

To: letters page, Sevenoaks Chronicle
From: Steve Dawe, Press Officer – KENT GREEN PARTY
6th February 2010

Dear Editor,
Martin Coath offers little to support his views about global warming (letters, 4th February). The website he refers to does not appear to audit its signatories so there is no evidence that 32,000 scientists have signed a petition about global warming. And 32,000 out of 6.72 billion of us on the planet is not much.

It is much more significant that our own Met Office, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and NASA have presented substantial evidence about human-created global warming. It is also very important to note that the scientific academies of 13 countries including our own have issued a common statement that Climate Change is a real and existing threat(1).

Denial is easy. But energy efficiency, expanding the use of renewable energy and changing our transport technologies will be a Green Industrial Revolution offering a wide range of new employment both public and private. Let’s get on with it!

Yours sincerely
Steve Dawe
PRESS OFFICER – KENT GREEN PARTY
27 Audley Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1XF – 01732 355185
1. SEE: http://www.nationalacademies.org/includes/G8+5energy-climate09.pdf

KCC's vision

2010-01-31T11:03:00.001-08:00

Letter to: Kent on Sunday

Dear Editor,

Kent County Council's 'ambitious vision' for Kent, revealed in the Kent on Sunday (31st Jan), shows once again the Conservative's passion for concreting our countryside with roads. Their new plans will push more cars onto the roads, more planes into the air and ensure that Kent increases its carbon footprint to way beyond its already ridiculously high level.

It also seems that the Tories simply don't understand that when you build more roads to 'ease' gridlock, the roads simply fill up with cars again. It should be obvious to anyone that the only long term solution to gridlock on the roads is to get people traveling by other means and to leave their cars at home. A third Thames crossing will do nothing but devastate the land it crosses while encouraging more traffic.

Equally, their support for expansion of Manston airport demonstrates their complete lack of care about the environment. Air traffic is the fastest growing source of CO2 emissions and climate change is set to devastate our Kent coastline unless serious action is taken. The Conservatives are never going to do this while increasing air and road traffic.

--
Stuart Jeffery
Green Party parliamentary candidate for Maidstone and the Weald

CLIMATE CHANGE IS REAL, NO FUTURE FOR NUCLEAR OR COAL

2010-01-31T05:16:00.000-08:00

To: editorial@kosmedia.co.uk

From: Dr Hazel Dawe, Chair, Kent Green Party

31st January 2010

Dear Editor,

Iain Tiltman is quite wrong (letters 30-31st January).

He thinks the future is nuclear. Not in Kent, where Dungeness C will not be built because the site is unsuitable and subject to rising sea levels due to climate change. Not easily in the UK at all, since the energy industry wants the Government to pay for new nuclear power stations and the Government says it won’t (1).

He thinks the future will involve coal use. Not in Kent, where the indefinite delay to a new Kingsnorth coal-fired power station is in part because of requirements that it capture at least a quarter of its carbon emissions. Since the technology for large-scale carbon capture and storage does not exist yet, and 100% capture of emissions is necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, this power station may well never be built.

However, both the present and the future include the wind farms on Romney Marsh and Kentish Flats (already built), the Thanet Offshore Wind Farm and the massive London Array wind farm in the Thames Estuary. Our future includes greater energy efficiency in Kent’s buildings to cut energy bills. The solar water heating units and solar panels for electricity steadily appearing on buildings will quickly become as common as satellite dishes.

Mr Tiltman dismisses human-induced climate change - without evidence The consensus opinions of our own Met Office, the United Nations Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change, NASA, and the scientific academies of 13 countries including our own are that Climate Change is a real and existing threat.(2) The evidence is compelling.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Hazel Dawe, Chair – KENT GREEN PARTY
27 Audley Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1XF – 01732 355185
Published and promoted on behalf of Kent Green Party by H. Dawe at 27 Audley Avenue, Tonbridge TN9 1XF.

Notes:
1. SEE: . Telegraph 22nd Jan 2010 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/7046958/National-Audit-Office-raise-prospect-of- public-subsidies-for-nuclear.html ADVFN 21st Jan 2010 http://www.advfn.com/news_UK-Auditor-British-Energy-Sale-No-Guarantee-Of-Nuclear-Build_41212578.html ITN 21st Jan 2010 http://itn.co.uk/6f9d6f04d4193fadbfbba71f8b865380.html AND Energy Collective 22nd Jan 2010 http://theenergycollective.com/TheEnergyCollective/57202 Government spending watchdog says it is still not convinced new nuclear power stations will be built without public subsidies. Ecologist 22nd Jan 2010 http://www.theecologist.org/News/news_round_up/402780/nuclear_power_may_still_need_taxpayer_help_says_watchdog.html Energy Business Review 22nd Jan 2010 http://nuclear.energy-business-Review.com/news/british_government_may_have_to_subsidise_nuclear_power_plants_national_audit_office_100122/

2. SEE: http://www.nationalacademies.org/includes/G8+5energy-climate09.pdf

TARMAC TORIES

2010-01-24T04:38:00.000-08:00

Letter to:Kent on Sunday West Kent edition

FROM: Dr Hazel Dawe, Chair – KENT GREEN PARTY
& Green Party Candidate for Tunbridge Wells

24th January 2010

Letters pages

Dear Editor,
Concerning the A21, MPs Greg Clark and Sir John Stanley are quite wrong to assume widening the A21 will lead to lasting benefits. Apart from the loss of agricultural land and ancient woodland about which they appear unconcerned, even the Highways Agency’s own figures suggest future traffic increases on the new road and nearby. In short, rising traffic levels will quickly slow down a widened A21 and restore the traffic congestion it already has. This is exactly what happened with the M25. A more effective use of £125 million would be to ensure the County Council, currently consulting on its Kent-wide transport strategy, used all available measures to seek traffic reductions instead of using our money to accommodate them. Kent is more than just a place to drive a car. Measures could include congestion charging, charging foreign lorries for using our roads, prioritizing walking, cycling and the use of the new Bus Quality Contracts, changing weight limits on some routes to reduce access for heavy goods vehicles etc.

The Standing Committee on Trunk Road Assessment, reporting back in 1994, noted that new roads caused more journeys of greater length. With increasing population, any relief of congestion on the A21 and the A26 will be temporary due to increasing numbers of vehicles on the road. In the case of the much contested Newbury by-pass, traffic levels in Newbury were back to pre-by pass levels just 3 years after the by-pass was built.

Supporting any new trunk road building is inappropriate on environmental grounds. But it is also a highly inappropriate priority given the size of the Public Sector Deficit. The ‘old thinking’ of our local MPs also means that neither of them are actually concerned about climate change – to which vehicles contribute. So much for a ‘greener’ conservatism: it seems to be giving way to ‘tarmac Tories’ who value roads above Kent’s environment.

Yours sincerely
Dr Hazel Dawe, Chair, Kent Green Party
27 Audley Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1XF
01732 355185

Top and bottom of league tables for Maidstone

2010-01-18T12:06:00.000-08:00

Letter to: Kent Messenger

Dear Editor,

While congratualtions are due to Invicta Grammar School, Maidstone's achievment of both top and bottom slots on the education league tables is simply a function of our outdated, unnecessary and unfair selective education. Selection benefits the few at the expense of the many. It wastes huge amounts of money and divides families and communities.

Kent's overall GCSE results were only slightly higher than the national average, but so were comprehensive areas such as Sussex, Lambeth and Hackney.

At A Level, Kent is well below the national average - no surprise when three quarters of children are told at 10 yrs old they are not suitable for higher levels of education. So much potential is being wasted by the 11+ system.

With a third of all grammars losing value for their students (having a contextual vallue added score less than 1000), it is high time that Kent rethought its archaic and unfair approach to education.

Stuart Jeffery
Green Party parliamentary candidate for Maidstone and the Weald

NO NEW HOUSES ON SCHOOL LAND

2010-01-17T13:12:00.000-08:00

Letter to:Kentish Express

Dear Editor,
NO NEW HOUSES ON SCHOOL LAND
Ashford Green Party is utterly opposed to the plans for 25 new houses on the current site of the North School Farm in Essella Road. The farm itself is a valuable resource for young people to learn
self-sufficiency, organic farming and animal welfare, valuable skills with Climate Change and Peak Oil looming. I myself learned a lot from that farm while I was at The North School. It could also provide a valuable source of income at local farmers markets in these cash-strapped times where education is underfunded in favour of an illegal war.

The traffic problem has also not been addressed properly, with the danger at the junction of three roads and a petrol station brushed off by Kent Highway Services. Furthermore, one has to question the wisdom of building yet more houses when we have around 400 empty properties in and around Ashford, and with so many people on the streets or in inadequate accommodation one also has to ask if all these houses the Government wants to build are going to be 'affordable'?

Steven Campkin, Green Party Parliamentary Candidate - ASHFORD
stevencampkin.blogspot.com/

37 Beecholme Drive Kennington Ashford TN24 9AA 07964 867 589

GREEN INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

2010-01-17T05:41:00.000-08:00

To: Kent on Saturday/Kent on Sunday
From: Dr Hazel Dawe, Chair, Kent Green Party

17th January 2010

Dear Editor,

Terry Mullard (letters 16-17th January 2010) is out of touch and out of time.

First, if he thinks any Green wants to return to the past he is mistaken. Modern wind turbines, with contemporary gearing and aerodynamic design were certainly not available in the 17th century. Nor were the solar water heating units that can cut household gas bills, or the solar panels that can reduce electricity bills. If every home, school and hospital had these, our long-term energy bills would be much lower.

Clearly, any new investment in renewable, safe and clean energy technologies will cost money. So does insulating homes to stop the appalling loss of life to the cold in the UK each winter: 36,700 deaths in the winter of 2008-2009. The public paid for – and are still paying for – all of the coal and nuclear power stations that we have. But nuclear is not a clean option. Radioactive nuclear waste needs storage for up to 250,000 years, making this by far the most expensive energy option on offer. A careful study of available evidence by one newspaper (1) showed the real cost of cleaning up after the nuclear industry had risen to £160 billion by 2006. New nuclear power stations would just add to this.

We need a Green industrial revolution. We cannot return to the past. And what’s wrong with more people growing their own food – after all, a lot more people are choosing to do this in the UK every year?

Yours sincerely,
Dr Hazel Dawe, Chair – KENT GREEN PARTY
27 Audley Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1XF
01732 355185

Notes:
1. The Independent, 2nd April 2006.