Anti-fracking UK to 2011 - Jan 2015

Unknown unknowns ahead...

Here goes then... 2015 is certainly not starting off in any recognisable way - as I find myself here, running against George Osborne forTatton with the Green Party.

Realise this doesn't sit well with all and I understand the reluctance of activists to engage with the very system at the heart of the troubles we face and until very recently - felt the same. BUT... after the past 4 years as an activist, witnessing incredible determination, commitment, honour, bravery and sacrifice from so many I've encountered - I concluded that as well as aiming to create the alternatives - some of us need to be active beyond our campaigns and each other - get to the root of the problem and infest it with some of our passionate determination for better. I found the Green Party policies to be virtually in synch with all that I hope for and very similar to our Occupy Democracy demands; I also have huge respect for Natalie, so found it very easy to be Green 

Although politics is an ugly beast and I do not do this with pleasure - I do have immense curiosity and a desire to get some way into the dark mess and at least know more about the processes.

Below is a plea for help with funding - horrid to ask for money but politics isn't a cheap thing (don't we know it!) - aside from the initial 500 required to even get on the ballot paper - we need to counter the propaganda of the others - so newsletters, factsheets, events etc. need to be paid for and the Green Party has a wonderful policy of NOT accepting BIG corporate donors who will want favours later - so I've set up a Crowdfunder.co.uk account in order to raise the money and if you can help - thank you  If you can't then too xxx

THIS is the appeal on Crowdfunder:

The changes we need in our system of government can start happening now; raising campaign funds through individuals via crowdfunding, rather than being obliged to powerful financial backers. The Green Party is not like other parties and the 2015 election promises to be something unique.

I’m Tina Louise Rothery, the Green Party candidate for Tatton, Cheshire and this crowdfunder is in place to raise the money needed to cover the costs of campaigning. The current MP for Tatton is Chancellor George Osborne (he doesn't need to crowdfund but he will be indebted to his party's big backers). 

Time and again we see the same types of people taking office and wielding power. We are not so naïve as to believe any more that the political decisions that gift us dangerous industries in our back yards, the privatisation of our NHS,  seemingly forgiven banking scandals, bank bailouts and austerity, war, torture and trade agreements granting near omnipotence to corporates  – are in our best interests.

I do not believe our current system of government is at all reflective of the people we truly are and it will take the input of people more-like-us, to make it so; I am running in order to be the change I wish to see. Your kindness in giving, makes the difference in so many ways and although the 'Rewards' appear just a trifle - my thanks are genuine and heartfelt.

After 4 years of campaigning to halt plans for unconventional energy techniques like fracking and Coal Bed Methane and standing as an activist with so many others across the world calling for change with the Occupy movement, I believe bridging politics and activism to be an important step towards better. I have longed to hear politicians speak about the things that really matter and to have a reason to believe they are acting with good intent -  I find these things easily amongst activists. This 2015, I hope more campaigners and activists take their good intent and 'occupy politics'. 

I’m appealing for £900 to cover the cost of entering the election (£500) and for the publicity materials, travel and other costs along the way. The Green Party is determined to be on as many ballot papers as possible this time round and I want to make sure the people within the Tatton constituency are aware that there IS a choice in 2015...

...it doesn't have to be business-as-usual any more.

Every pound you can give will make a difference and help to democratise political fund raising, thank you so much.

With sincere thanks,

Tina Louise Rothery 

**Please ensure you are on the electoral register - this is a requirement of donating to a political party. And you'll need to be on it to vote next year - register here if you're not.**

PRESS RELEASE: Green candidate to contest Tatton

The Green Party will put forward its first-ever parliamentary candidate for Tatton in 2015, challenging sitting Conservative Chancellor George Osborne.

The ‘Green Surge’ has seen a 100% rise in Green Party membership in England and Wales since the start of the year and the party is putting forward more candidates than ever before.

Tina-Louise Rothery - a prominent campaigner in the North West anti-fracking movement - joined the Green Party two years ago.

She says: “The problems with our current situation appear less to do with the economy and far more to do with the way that economy is managed and whom it does - and doesn’t - benefit.

“Corporate interests have an unhealthy influence on decisions made in Westminster.  Look at the planned spending on huge projects like HS2 (due to end Wilmslow’s direct London service) instead of improvements to existing rail - including the Mid-Cheshire line - that would bring greater benefit to the local population; or the way they insist on pursuing short-term, risky energy solutions that will bring no benefits on prices or security for UK residents.

“Time and again the UK electorate watches the predictable cycle of political activity in the run up to an election; promises being made that we know will be broken. Each election leaves us disappointed and for too long, the choice on the ballot paper has been limited to a very similar line-up.

“The priorities, concerns and challenges in our everyday lives are not reflected in the policies of the current government and haven’t been for as long as I can remember. Looking at the grey suits and behaviour in the House of Commons is like looking back in time to a fossilised place that just isn’t part of the ‘real world’ anymore.”

Tina-Louise Rothery joined the Green Party “because unlike other parties, it is not funded by big business and is not influenced, swayed, encouraged or bullied by corporate interests and because we are focused on the issues that matter; the preservation of our NHS, the integrity of our education, clean affordable energy, getting the railways back into public ownership, fair taxation, action to tackle air pollution and refusing the advance of dangerous industries.”

“Unlike the vast majority of those in politics who claim to represent the residents of the UK, I do not come from a background that has groomed me for the government we know today – and I believe this to be a distinct advantage.”

www.tinarothery.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/TinaForTatton
https://twitter.com/TinaForTatton

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Tina-Louise on TV:

Keiser Report (RT, 12/7/2014): Tina Rothery on Fracking: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-HNDqBMwRY

C4 News (28/7/2014): James Rees-Mogg v Tina Rothery on Fracking in the UK:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKysDy8xpxQ

Published & promoted by the Green Party Tatton Campaign Team, 3 Shuldham Close, High Legh, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6UE, on behalf of Tina-Louise Rothery.

Petition · Keep Fracking away from our College! · Change.org

Petition · Keep Fracking away from our College! · Change.org

Fracking Students

Sharing this OPEN LETTER from Lisa Bower who was at the helm of Blackpool & Fylde College - Students' Union until this year - in response to announcement today regarding new status as FRACKING COLLEGE:
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Last year at Blackpool & the Fylde College SU, our focus was to create a Students’ Union that was relevant to our local area; addressing student concerns and promoting involvement within the community. We had a very successful year doing this through environmental and sustainable activities as well as charity work. Throughout the year, we also questioned the college about any involvement with Cuadrilla, the position taken on fracking and if any funds were received. The Students’ Union would not take a stance until it felt that the student body had all relevant information - a stance that left me open to a witch hunt for a short while.

We were assured that no stance for, or against fracking had been taken at that point. It was clearly a topical issue and it was expressed that the student body did not really understand all of the issues on either side and that many were fearful to express an opinion at all.

A fracking debate was then to be held at the college, arranged by the 14-19 Directorate, for students to attend. As I understand it, Cuadrilla refused to enter into the debate if Tina Rothery (local anti-fracking campaigner) was present. This was disconcerting, as Tina has represented the movement as an expert activist in the House of Lords and would therefore, along with relevant industry experts, have been ideal opposite Cuadrilla’s own industry experts. She agreed to stay away from the debate in order that it at least proceed. In the end, the debate never took place.

It is with this in mind, the news of B&FC becoming a “national fracking college” has disturbed me deeply and I feel the flux of emails that have already started to reach the Students’ Union is only the beginning. It beggars belief that whilst Fylde Council voted against Cuadrilla planning proposals for sites and Lancashire postponed decisions, requiring more information the College would not. The Councils are listening to the community outcries and responding, albeit slowly. To then transform the focus of a main educational establishment to a process that may hold risk for the local environment, without consulting communities or even the students and staff who have real future investment locally, is disgusting when you consider that the College is publicly funded and should firstly answer to the local public and not to the gilt purse strings waved in its direction.

The energy industry is important, and having a wide range of engineering skills that can support traditional fossil fuel processes as well as the development of renewable sources is central to that industry. But fracking is a questionable process at best - surely the fact that it threatens our most basic need, water, should be enough to pause any commitment to this industry while proper discussion takes place.

The College promotes partnership, an agreement between the institution and its students and because the new HE President isn’t currently in post, I feel the need to speak up. I want to ask B&FC a favour in the spirit of critical partnership and friendship: I feel I have the right after working voluntarily last year to ensure a genuine partnership was being established. I am begging the College to not forget its end of the deal. To not pursue this route any further until information has been freely shared and students and the local community have been able to participate in a dialogue. Please don't forget the reason you exist - it is to educate students to make positive contributions once they leave education. How positive will that contribution be if that education results in the poisoning of the local area, in illness caused by contamination of our water supplies and the degradation of our local geological infrastructures.

Lisa Kelly

Former B&FC Students' Union Higher Education President, 2013/14

Murmurings...and changes

Life is about to undergo some pretty hefty changes... leave the job at the hotel at the end of November and headed towards 'hustings' to see if I might run as an MP for the Green Party. It's all a bit like free-falling as there are no clear signposts at this stage.. still, not like I haven't been here before (staying still is rare) so not overly vexed.

The other aspect of my life (activism) stays stable as long as the situation we live in, doesn't - so the seeking to prevent fracking and claw back democracy will remain the priority regardless.

Thinking I'll get back into the world of communications and hoping I can craft it to be freelance enough to feed me whilst providing enough flexibility and free time to fit in the activism and (perhaps) politics.

This week I was told a poem I had written had come second in the Pendle War Poetry 2014 competition and would be included in an Anthology - which is lovely, I get so little time for writing it at the moment. The entry was called Not in my Name and is at the end of this post. Which brings me to this that resulted from the competition...

 This link ...is to Murmurings - a little collection of poems I've written since 2004 that is available as a PDF download - although I have offered the opportunity for purchase (nourishing my dwindling income) - I am more than happy to provide it free. I bypassed go-between sites for publishing and selling and stubbornly found the ingredients to attach the thing to my Blog - which made me aware that I could do with some technical and graphics skills - it all took so long!! Expect imperfection and you won't be disappointed.

click here to order

NOT IN MY NAME...
Threats never uttered are whispered verbatim,
creating fear of a hypothetical invasion,
as media strings play methodical hype,
orchestrating the public, to conform to type.

Spoon fed with fear on news laden,
heaped with visual connotations,
of danger lurking at our doors,
of certain death for those who ignore,
the hypothesis laid down as fact,
the incessant chitter, incessant chat,
gets us addicted to leader's projection,
junkies now for his brand of protection.

Dependent and needy,
craving, hungry, greedy.
Surrounded by blue teeth grinning barbarity,
sneering, seething images of vulgarity.

So our boys are pushed up to the wire,
shot with propoganda so they will not tire,
of protecting their families at home,
from evil doers looking to dethrone,
the powers that watch over us…
…the nervous dependent populous.

We must be saved from the supposed threat.
We must invade the terrorist nest.
We must kill the alien foe.
We must,
we must,
we must overthrow.

But first we must trust the source of the truths,
before we feed the war, any more youths.
Before the troops, lose one more brave soul.
Before the powers, reach any more goals.
Before Libya and Syria,
Iran and North Korea,
fall foul of our leaders' dictates of behaviour -
refuse to appreciate us as their savior.

Before we beat them into submission,
maybe we could establish just whose permission,
was granted before we shed so much blood,
before a trickle was blasted into a flood.

Before the next purple-tipped finger is crushed,
we must realise that "we the people" have been hushed,
for too long now, kept in our place,
as fellow humans are easily erased,
by bold leaders brandishing our names,
claiming we desired all of this shame.

Not in my name, not in my name, not in my name.

Press Release FROM: Occupy Democracy

The following is a press release put out today by Occupy Democracy - Parliament Square:

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Email:  occupylsx@gmail.com

Twitter: #occupydemocracy / @occupydemocracy / @occupylondon

Web: www.occupydemocracy.org.uk

NB. Photographs, videos and film available

#occupydemocracy New Movement for Real Democracy Discusses Solutions and Strategy as 9-day Occupation of Parliament Square Enters Final Weekend

• Peaceful pro-democracy campaign continues to build despite over-policing and arrests

• Great photo opportunities in front of the Houses of Parliament

• Great speakers available for interview

The 9-day occupation of Parliament Square by peaceful pro-democracy protesters enters its final weekend with a packed two-day programme of speakers and discussions. The aim of the debates is to agree specific objectives and a strategy for escalating the campaign.

Numbers have grown over the course of the occupation despite up to 40 arrests and a massively disproportionate - and at times unnecessarily violent - policing operation for what, after all, is a peaceful pro-democracy protest.

Speakers this weekend include:

• Michael Meacher MP (Labour Party) on "The State We Need"

• Donnachadh McCarthy (whistle-blowing Liberal Democrat and author of newly published The Prostitute State) on "Why We Need A 21st Century Reform Act"

• Sarah Allan (constitutional convention campaigner) on "Why we Need a People's Constitutional Convention" and 

• Jolyon Rubinstein (presenter of BBC3's "The Revolution Will Be Televised") on "Why We Need a Magna Carter 2.0"

Occupier John Sinha said: "This weekend is dedicated to an open democratic process where we will decide what we want and how we move forward with our movement for real democracy. Our central message - that the authorities have tried to crush - is that our democracy is not working for the 99% and is in need of urgent radical reform."

The debates this week have attracted celebrities like Russell Brand, Ken Loach and Vivienne Westwood as well as speakers from many supporting civil society groups including Friends of the Earth, UK Uncut, World Development Movement, War on Want, Fuel Poverty Action, Disabled People Against the Cuts, Defend the Right to Protest, Stop the War, Left Unity, OurNHS, Stroud Against the Cuts, New Economics Foundation, Robin Hood Tax, Green New Deal Group, Save Lewisham Hospital and One Million Climate Jobs.

Occupier George Barda said:

"There are clear messages that unite this movement. First we need a Real Democracy, rather than the sham politics of powerful undemocratic economic interests that fund all the major parties. Second, there is an alternative. We need a massive ecological investment programme that revitalises local economies and restores vibrant communities. This will only happen if more of us remember our power as citizens, and organise to transform the national conversation, so we can elect real representatives that could offer real alternatives to the gush-up of money and political power, and an unstable unsustainable economy built on bubbles. Join us."

Quotes from speakers throughout the week:

Natalie Bennett (Green Party) noted that we haven't seen any improvement in democracy for 100 years:

"The last real reform was in 1918, which was women getting the vote. What we're calling for is a People's Constitutional Convention where people from across Britain draw up a new constitution for Britain."

John McDonnell MP (Labour Party) said: 

"People are waking up to the fact that we are not living in a democracy but a kleptocracy. Corporations and rich individuals use their power, their influence and the state to steal from us. Since 2008 people who are rich and the corporations have used the crisis not just to ensure that ordinary people pay for it, but also to shift wealth and power back into their own hands."

Caroline Lucas MP (Green Party) said that the attitude of MPs when it came to serious issues was sometimes "childish, ridiculous and irresponsible":

"We have a crisis in our democracy. The fact that serious issues like the climate crisis or alternatives to austerity aren't being debated over there [in Parliament] I think is a shame on the whole political system. We have an electoral system that is precisely designed to keep out alternative voices and to make sure that essentially the big parties have a cartel and a monopoly over poltical debate. We need a fairer voting system and a genuine system of recall for MPs."

Asad Rehman (Friends of the Earth) noted how David Cameron was representing the interests of corporations' interests rather than the public interest in the negotiations over the EU climate and energy package this week:

"They force people with disablilities to go through humiliating tests to decide if they can get benefits yet they have no problem handing out millions to big oil and fracking companies."

Melanie Strickland (Occupy Law) outlined how our legal system routinely gives more rights to corporations than to citizens: 

"Corporate interests are so embedded into the structure of law that private property interests routinely override fundamental rights, like the right to a healthy environment. The law  legitimises the exploitation of our planet and communities, and permits corporations to pollute our bodies. We cannot say no to fracking, no to GM food, no to the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, no to NHS privatisation, or to other abuses. The State has no legitimate authority to permit others to carry out such abuses, nor itself to trade away our fundamental rights as citizens."

John Hilary (Executive Director, War on Want) argued that we must replace unrestrained capitalism with popular sovereignty, common ownership and social production:

"Popular sovereignty means reclaiming and restoring democracy at its roots. You can look to the examples of countries like Iceland or Tunisia or Equador or Bolivia, which have completely re-written constitutions in order to be able to give the people’s aspirations top billing. You can also see it in countries like Venezuala where they have local municipal committees, workplace committees, bringing people in to the democratic space and building from the grassroots. You can see it in the economic policies of restoring power to cooperatives and other collective engagements of people, so that they take control of the economic space as well as the political space."