Weekend Green Notes

I know it's Tuesday, not the weekend, but I've spent most the last two days in bed feeling sorry for myself (two activities I usually enjoy, but combine them and they lose their appeal somewhat).


1. The Independent had an interesting list of the top 100 environmentalists in the UK on Sunday.

I've spotted six Green Party members. I have Jonathon Porritt (11), Tony Juniper (12), Robin Harper (22), Caroline Lucas (29), Andrew Cooper (59), and Sian Berry (82). Among the others there are some very sound individuals and a swath of Tory politicians, bankers, pop stars and chief executives. Oh ho!

I'm not saying that's wrong, per se, but when you have more Tories on the list than Green Party members it is slightly worrying. I can't say I'm overwhelmed with confidence in their research as some of the descriptions of the individuals are clearly wrong but the message is clear - we must try harder!


2. Kentish Town By-election 30th October.

I spent most of Saturday campaigning in Kentish Town for Victoria Green. I've come away with a very clear impression that we have a good chance of winning this by-election - but that the Lib Dems are fighting this hard and whilst we are clearly in the lead in some areas there are other parts of the ward that we need to make renewed efforts in.

I'd hate for us to come second by a handful of votes, particularly when these specific circumstances are so good for us. If you can make it down to Kentish Town, Camden, in the next couple of weeks you could be making the difference between a good second place and a new Green councillor.


3. As some readers will know I'm the convenor of the Green Party's SOC (Standing Orders Committee). We had our first face to face meeting this Sunday and very good it was too. We'd arranged to have specific training to help us get our heads round the roles (conducted by the ever effervescent Dean Walton) and that really paid off. It's a good principle to start any new role with good training - it helps bond the group and get them onto the same page I think.

I remember Bernadette Devlin talking about her part of the civil rights movement launching a "faceless committee" of individuals that would set aside egos and agendas and just get on with the work. That really felt the way this SOC was operating. No matter what differences of opinion there were (although there was surprising consensus on our decisions) there was a great feeling of open minded discussion and changing your mind felt very easy without entrenched positions to defend or attack.

I'm optimistic about how this year is going to go and that you're probably not going to be hearing too much from us in terms of controversy or scandals... it's early days though!


4. One last point. The European Greens had their get together in Paris this weekend and passed a motion to "put capitalism on a green leash". Interesting. We'll be storming Parliament next!