Green Mayoral candidate Jenny Jones today unveiled the party’s manifesto for the 2012 London elections.

Joined by fellow Assembly Member Darren Johnson and other top candidates from the Party’s London-wide list, Jones set out their vision for a Green London that acts as a model for the world in addressing climate change; a city more equal, healthy and affordable for everyone.

Jones said: “A Green London will be a model for the world in addressing climate change, a city more equal, healthy and affordable for everyone.

“London needs a strong Green voice. We must cut our carbon emissions and be more responsible global citizens. We must protect green spaces, create jobs and look for creative solutions to the massive shortage of affordable housing.

“By voting to elect more Green Assembly Members under the proportional system, Londoners can really make the difference this year.”

The manifesto includes five key promises:

1.      Cutting fares and reducing traffic—ensuring public transport is always cheaper than driving and cleaning up London’s polluted air.

2.      Improving green spares and the environment—giving everyone access to nature and generating clean energy from waste.

3.      Making housing more affordable—refurbishing a million homes and stabilising rent levels.

4.      Reducing the gap between rich and poor—offering a job or apprenticeship to all young Londoners and creating a Fair Pay Mark for companies who reduce pay inequality

5.      Rebuilding trust in policing—put more officers on the beat and stopping the cuts to back office staff.

Greater protection for tenants, more affordable homes and renovation of empty properties are among the many ideas put forward by the Green Party this week, as housing policy became the focus of campaigning in the upcoming Mayor of London and London Assembly elections.

Recent statistics show that Greenwich has the highest percentage of empty properties of any London borough, and the largest number of empty privately-owned homes. 

"You can sum up our housing priorities for London in one word: affordability," said Roger Sedgley, Green Assembly candidate for the Greenwich & Lewisham constituency.

"It's obvious to everyone that London needs to build more affordable homes, that rents need to be affordable, and that homes need to be more affordable to run. Housing policies at borough council level need a complete overhaul, and fresh ideas from the Greens will inject some much-needed new thinking into how to solve London's housing problems."

The scandal of empty properties has recently been highlighted by campaigners in Lewisham, with occupations of neglected council properties. Greens would create a clearing house system to make publicly owned empty homes available to be brought back into use by self-help co-operatives, and encourage private owners to list their properties on the system.

Roger said:

"It's shocking to see properties lying empty while thousands of families are on waiting lists. Nearly 3000 homes in Greenwich alone are unoccupied. Leaving houses empty not only deprives people of a decent roof over their heads but it ends up costing more money in the longer term to bring empty houses back into use.

"Properties are left unoccupied for many reasons, but more often than not this is for long-term economic gain. Landlords and owners  should be encouraged to keep residential properties in use."

The Greens' target for building affordable homes is 15,000 per year, with 40% of these to be family-sized. On the issue of rents, the Greens have taken inspiration from the growing success of the campaign for a London Living Wage, and proposed an officially-recognised London Affordable Rent, based on average earnings and household size. And to make homes more affordable to run, there will be more help for Londoners to insulate their homes and drive down fuel bills.

Roger Sedgley

Green Party London Assembly candidate for Greenwich & Lewisham constituency

Roger Sedgeley

Greenwich & Lewisham Green Party Candidate

You can contact Roger via email rogerp.sedgley(a)gmail.com   

Speaking from a rally at Hove Town Hall today, Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas said:

"Despite the Government's divisive anti union rhetoric and relentless attempts to undermine public servants, people here in Brighton and across the country have responded positively to today's strike action - and are coming together to fight for a fairer deal for our teachers, nurses and other public servants who contribute so much to society. Those who care for us when we are sick, who educate our children, who pick up our rubbish, who keep us safe, deserve a better deal."

Jenny Jones, the Greens' London Mayoral candidate and member of the Greater London Assembly, and fellow Assembly member Darren Johnson, joined thousands of civil servants, school teachers and lecturers on a march through London against Coalition plans.

Jenny said:

"The government cuts are cutting into the pensions of people who have worked and saved and thought they could be safe in old age. This is not pension reform, it is simply a pay cut on top of a pay freeze. It's bad economics, and forcing more people into poverty damages the whole of society. The strike has my full support."

Darren Johnson added:

"It was really great to see such a strong turn out here today. This attack on public sector pensions affects hundreds of thousands of low-paid workers, and needs to be seen in the context of the wider cuts programme. The lowest paid will be worst affected by having to work longer hours for less pay. This decision is unfair, unnecessary and morally reprehensible, especially when you consider that billions of money is being lost every year through corporate tax evasion and bank bailouts."

Jean Lambert, the Green MEP for London, and Adrian Ross of Greenwich Green Party, have visited the Greenwich Meantime Brewing Company, one of the capital's largest independent breweries, to highlight the importance of local green businesses to a sustainable society.

The visit is a continuation of Jean's ‘What is a Green Job?' campaign, launched in February with the premiere screening of the ‘What is a Green Job?' film at the Arcola Theatre, Dalston. The short film looks at how three London enterprises from across the city are using their successful businesses to contribute to a fairer society and a greener environment for all [1].

Jean, a member of the European Parliament Committee on Employment and Social Affairs and a Vice-President of the Westminster Beer Club's EP Branch, has taken the campaign to Brussels to encourage the European Union to support green jobs and help to create a low carbon economy for future generations.

A true example of an ethical, green business, Meantime sources its raw materials from local suppliers in order to minimize the food miles associated with its products and seeks to recycle much of the by-products of its beer and brewing production by sending its spent grain and hops to local farms for animal feed [2]. Committed to outreach work with the local community, Meantime also provides a number of brewery training courses, investing in the training and skills of the people of Greenwich.

Speaking during the visit, Jean said: "The change towards a sustainable economy is not only an ecological necessity but an important step towards securing fair employment and training opportunities for all. Meantime is living proof that it is possible for a thriving business to be commercially successful whilst simultaneously seeking to minimise its impact on the environment and contribute to the local community. It also produces very good beer!

"But this example of best practice cannot be expected to be the sole driving force for change. We need investment at the national and EU level to support and facilitate the transition to a sustainable society, so that every job can be worthwhile, every job a green job."

Notes to Editors
1 - ‘What is a Green Job?' can be viewed on the Green Party YouTube Channel at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGSsAvSSQ14
2 - For more information on Meantime's ethical policy, please visit: http://www.meantimebrewing.com/corporate-pages/ethical-policies

London Assembly Member Jenny Jones has been selected as the party's London Mayoral candidate, after a ballot of party members in the capital showed she had won a comfortable 67% of the vote.

For her campaign website, please see: www.jennyforlondon.org

Jenny Jones said:

"At this time of savage cuts to essential services, London needs a Mayor who will create a fairer city and reduce the gap between rich and poor. These are hard times for people who care about quality services, local businesses, and protecting the most vulnerable members of our communities. I promise to make fighting cuts to housing benefit, the NHS and youth services a key part of my campaign to be Mayor.

"I want to thank Shahrar Ali and Farid Bahkt for making the selection of the Green Party's mayoral candidate a genuine contest, which I feel fortunate to have won."

Jenny Jones was first elected to the London Assembly in May 2000 and has served as Deputy Mayor and as Chair of the Assembly's Planning and Housing Committee. This is the first time that she has stood for Mayor.

Jenny added: "Green Assembly Members have made a real impact in London over the past decade. Unlike elections for parliament or local councils, the elections for the London Assembly are held under proportional representation. That means every vote counts. I'll be urging Londoners to use their vote to elect more Green Assembly Members next year."

Greenwich Green Party candidates, including Dave Sharman, Arthur Hayles, Marek Powley and Adrian Ross, today called  for a "yes" vote to AV to reduce the unfairness of the current and out-dated first-past-the-post system.

Dave Sharman said, "It is high time that the winds of change blew through British politics. If, like us, you think that our political system is broken, then we hope you will vote YES to fairer votes on May 5."

Marek Powley continued, "If you think that your MP should have a majority of the voters in their constituency behind them, then you should vote YES. Under our current system, most people have an MP that they didn't vote for. More than 2/3 of MPs were elected with fewer than 50% of the vote."

Arthur Hayles added, "There are many reasons for voting 'Yes' on 5th May. One reason is that AV doesn't confine voters to putting one cross against one name. With AV, voters gain the power to express their views on all the candidates by numbering them in order of preference. Also, AV allows us to vote freely for the person we really want to represent us, rather than having to vote tactically to keep out the person we don't want." 

"Too many MPs think that they have a job for life.", said Adrian Ross.  "Half of all seats have been in the same party's control since 1970. This can breed arrogance and complacency. When MPs take their constituents for granted, abuses of the system are more likely."

AV gives more power to individual voters. And it's as easy as 1,2,3.

This is our chance for electoral and political reform, so please vote 'Yes' on May 5th.

Darren and the Greens join the cross-party campaign for a Yes Vote 

As London Assembly Members from every group we have come together to urge Londoners to vote Yes in the referendum to change the voting system. On May 5th you will have the opportunity to replace the outdated way we elect our MPs with a new and fairer system which would give the public a greater voice- the Alternative Vote (AV).

This would mean, rather than putting an "X" on your ballot paper, you could number the candidates in order of preference. Under this system, even if your favourite candidate was unable to win you could still have a say in who becomes your MP.

Under AV MPs will need to secure at least 50% of the vote to be certain of winning. This will mean that they'll have to work harder to keep your support. A fairer voting system will force MPs to sit up and listen, reaching out to the communities they seek to represent

AV is not complicated. In fact, Londoners use a very similar system to elect the Mayor of London. London is one of the few places without local elections in May so turn out could be low. Londoners must not let this decision be made for them. We urge you to vote Yes to fairer votes on May 5th.

John Biggs AM (Labour)
Andrew Boff AM (Conservative)
Dee Doocey (Liberal Democrat)
Len Duval AM (Leader, Labour Group)
Nicky Gavron (Labour)
Darren Johnson AM (Green)
Jenny Jones AM (Green)
Caroline Pidgeon AM (Liberal Democrat)
Murad Qureshi (Labour)
Val Shawcross (Labour)
Mike Tuffrey (Leader, Liberal Democrat Group)

A council scheme to create a gyratory system in west Greenwich would ruin the benefits of creating a car-free zone in the town centre, Greens have warned.

Greenwich Council's plans involve closing College Approach and part of King William Walk to traffic, creating a new public space between the market and Cutty Sark Gardens.

But it also involves creating a new traffic gyratory using Norman Road and Creek Road, creating unnecessary disruption for cyclists and bus users. Local residents also fear drivers will divert onto side roads to avoid the enlarged one-way system.

"The council should have chosen options which wouldn't force cyclists and bus passengers to travel an extra half-mile," Greenwich Green Party’s Dave Sharman said.

“This should be a chance to really change Greenwich for the better and make it more people-friendly. We’d love a car-free town centre. But the council seems determined to force this botched scheme on local people.”

“Pedestrianising Greenwich should be a step forward - but this gyratory will be two steps back."

It's a story of big ambitions, high expectations, and broken promises - and it's resulted in a big hole where the Heart of East Greenwich should be.

For the past four years, the old Greenwich Hospital site has sat empty awaiting redevelopment with its original developer being kicked off the job earlier this year.

While both Labour and Conservative politicians have prevaricated on the project, Greenwich Green Party's Dave Sharman says it should be used as a temporary allotment until its future is clear.

"We want to see vegetables planted on the space - the government can issue a 'meanwhile licence' so local groups can grow food on empty land, or create parks and gardens," he says.

"There's a shortage of allotment space in this borough - remember Greenwich Park was one big allotment site during the second world war!"

Local people need to make their voices heard about the new cruise liner terminal planned for east Greenwich at Enderby Wharf.

A developer hopes to have it open for the Olympics, with along with 750 new homes and a 250-bedroom hotel. While the development could bring jobs to the area, and local businesses are hoping for increased custom, Greenwich Green Party's Arthur Hayles says it must not add more congestion to local streets or to deny riverside access.

He also called on the council and developers to ensure there is easy pedestrian access to North Greenwich underground station.

"We think this should be, as far as possible, a car-free development," Arthur said. "Neighbouring Lovell's Wharf has already added hundreds of cars to the area and has been allowed to block the riverside walk for years on end during construction.

"We need to make sure this scheme works for local people, not just for the profits of the developers."

Ultimately, we were unsuccessful in our attempts to get Greenwich's first Green councillors elected, with the general election causing a London-wide surge in the Labour vote.

However, we were pleased to see our vote held up in Peninsula ward, and we'd particularly like to thank those that helped with our campaign and put posters in their windows.

We're also delighted to see we picked up strong votes in Blackheath Westcombe and Charlton wards. It was the first time we had stood candidates across the borough, and we're proud so many people took the opportunity to endorse us.

Our disappointment at the local results, however, is tempered by the historic news of Caroline Lucas's election as the UK's first Green MP.

Greenwich Green Party wishes the elected councillors and MPs well - and we will be watching their future performance over the months and years to come.

Greenwich Council election

Peninsula ward
Darryl Chamberlain, 1,066 votes
Dave Sharman, 900 votes
Marek Powley, 791 votes

Greenwich West ward
Adrian Ross, 625 votes
Darren Ball, 585 votes
Robin Stott, 512 votes

Abbey Wood: Gerard Briody, 465 votes
Blackheath Westcombe: Trevor Allman, 1,036 votes
Charlton: Jack Stride, 822 votes
Coldharbour & New Eltham: Philip Connolly, 611 votes
Eltham North: David Turner, 625 votes
Eltham South: Jan King, 391 votes
Eltham West: Carl Holdway, 307 votes
Glyndon: Andy Hewett, 602 votes
Kidbrooke with Hornfair: Arthur Hayles, 491 votes
Middle Park & Sutcliffe: Robert Elias, 416 votes
Plumstead: David Whitney, 465 votes
Shooters Hill: Phillip Becker, 659 votes
Thamesmead Moorings: Susan Haroutunian, 306 votes
Woolwich Common: Robert Evans, 475 votes
Woolwich Riverside: Elizabeth Angas, 670 votes

General election

Eltham: Arthur Hayles, 419 votes
Erith & Thamesmead: Marek Powley, 322 votes
Greenwich & Woolwich: Andy Hewett, 1,054 votes

Our Green Party parliamentary candidate for Eltham, Arthur Hayles, would like to thank the people of the Eltham constituency who voted for him in the general election on 6th May.

Arthur also thanks those in Kidbrooke with Hornfair who voted for him in the local election.

After words of appreciation for the dedicated Greenwich electoral staff, who worked so hard to deliver the election results in extremely cold conditions, Arthur said in his speech when the Eltham result was declared: "This is the first time that the Green Party has stood in Eltham but it will not be the last. If there is to be a future, it will need to be a green one."

Greens in Greenwich's Peninsula ward have laughed off a "desperate" last-minute Labour leaflet which claims the party's three candidates "can't win" in the area.

The leaflet, distributed to voters across east Greenwich, the Millennium Village and Charlton over the bank holiday weekend, claims a non-Labour vote would "let the Tories in".

It features a graph purporting to show the Greens in fourth place, with the Conservatives in a strong second - adding that the Greens "can't win here".

However, the Greens were the second-placed party in 2006's council election in Peninsula, coming just 248 votes behind Labour leader Chris Roberts - who has since fled Peninsula to fight a less vulnerable seat elsewhere.

While the leaflet tries to scare voters with the prospect of "letting the Tories in", the Conservatives, who are traditionally weak in the area, have not won a council seat in east Greenwich or Charlton since 1968, and finished fourth in 2006's poll.

Meanwhile, the Greens have been picking up support across Peninsula ward in the run-up to Thursday's poll, as disillusioned Labour supporters pledge to switch their vote to endorse candidates who will stand up for their neighbourhood instead of deferring to the council leadership.

Green candidate Darryl Chamberlain said: "Greenwich Labour is more interested in clinging onto power than in listening to the needs and concerns of residents.

"They're obviously panicking, and indulging in a final act of deception. We hope the three Labour candidates will have the honesty to disown this nonsense."

It is understood Greenwich Labour claims the graph is based on selected results from 2008's mayoral election, which was largely a battle between Labour and the Conservatives.

However, the source of the graph is not actually mentioned in the leaflet.

Fellow Green candidate Dave Sharman said: "People in Greenwich and Charlton have a choice on Thursday. They can vote for a tired party which has taken them for granted for years, which treats them as if they are stupid.

"Or they can back the Greens, who are a growing force in London, offering a fresh perspective putting the real concerns of local people at the heart of what they do."

notes

1. The 2006 Greenwich borough election results can be found on the council's website. The Greens stood one candidate in Peninsula in 2006, and are standing three now - Darryl Chamberlain, Marek Powley and Dave Sharman.

2. Conservatives last won council seats in the area in 1968, in the old Marsh and Charlton wards. The last Conservative MP for Greenwich was elected in 1935.

Plans are being drawn up to shut down Performing Arts and Modern Language courses, teaching and support staff jobs could be lost along with the creche which is threatened with closure.

GCC is the only establishment in the borough providing performing arts courses and the only college in south London which offers teaching in modern languages. Cuts in vital student support services will have a devastating effect on the opportunity for many people to access education.

Members of the UCU teaching union have backed a ballot for strike action on Wednesday to protest against cuts in further education across the capital.

Andy, the party's Greenwich & Woolwich candidate, has pledged the Greens' support for the campaign against the cuts, and is urging local people to do the same.

"It is a disgrace that these cuts are being proposed," he said.

"I fully support the staff and students who are standing up to defend the provision of high quality education for the community of Greenwich.

"When the other parties say public sector cuts are necessary in order to bail out the banks for their financial mismanagement, we in the Green Party say that the poorest in our society should not have to pay.

"When they say that cuts are necessary and working class people have to tighten their belts, we question why it is that bankers are still pocketing massive bonuses whilst the number of people out of work is rising by the month. They say the money is not there and spending should be cut, yet the Green Party has a fully-costed manifesto pledging investment in public services.

"I will be supporting UCU on their picket line next Wednesday and I urge the community to support them too.

"We must send a clear message out that we will not accept these cuts and that when placing their vote on May 6th the people of Greenwich have a clear choice. They can vote for parties who will cut public services, or they can elect representatives who will pledge investment in education and the public sector. The Greens will continue to fight for our public services and show that a real alternative is available."

Developers should be made to ensure local people have access to the Thames Path after the closure of a long stretch in east Greenwich, one of the Green candidates for Peninsula ward has said.

Both tourists and locals have enjoyed walking and cycling along east Greenwich's industrial riverside for many years, but the stretch from Ballast Quay to the Millennium Dome has now been closed because of redevelopment work in the area.

With the first phase of the Lovell's Wharf development on Pelton Road approaching completion, many people were hoping to be able to return to the riverside path last week.

But they were horrified to find the old footway had been destroyed by the developers - and its replacement only stretched as far as the developers' sales office, even though signs outside indicated the walk was open again.

Other development work, including the demolition of the old Tunnel Refineries silos at Morden Wharf and problems with a river wall at Delta Wharf have led the council to close the whole path on the west side of the peninsula - but without any signs to tell walkers where to go.

"The Lovell's development was not popular with local people, and re-routing the riverside path into their sales office feels like the developers' idea of a joke," said Green candidate Darryl Chamberlain.

"Clearly there are issues with access to the river while there are building works going on, but why are there no diversion signs? The council are taking us for granted again.

"Greenwich Council should be putting pressure on developers to reinstate the path as soon as possible. Retaining access to the river must be a condition of any future planning approvals.

"The riverside walk is as important to local people as Greenwich Park is - it provides a place for people to exercise, relax, and learn about our history.

"Somehow, a Sunday stroll up Blackwall Lane isn't as appealling."

Darryl said the council needed to be more open with people about what is planned for the east Greenwich riverfront.

"Few people know what's planned for Delta Wharf and much of the recent demolition there has taken people by surprise," he said.

"If elected, I will work to keep local people up to date with what is happening along our riverfront. How are Greenwich people supposed to play a part in the future of their neighbourhood if they're not kept informed?"

Three candidates are standing in each of the two wards covering Greenwich itself - Peninsula and Greenwich West, while the Greens are on the ballot paper in the borough's other 15 wards.

Journalist Darryl Chamberlain, Young Greens activist Marek Powley and semi-retired consultant Dave Sharman are contesting Peninsula, where the party came just 248 votes behind Labour in the 2006 election.

Greenwich West will see Adrian Ross, Robin Stott and Darren Ball represent the party in an area which already has Green councillors for neighbours - in Lewisham borough's Brockley ward.

"Greenwich is a wonderful place, but its residents have to put up with congestion, pollution, and a Labour council which does not listen," said Dave Sharman, who is also co-ordinator of Greenwich Green Party.

"Lewisham's six Green councillors have shown just what our fresh approach can do for local communities," said Dave Sharman, who is also co-ordinator of Greenwich Green Party.

"They have defended social care services from cuts, spoken up for local shops and services and worked on making streets safer.

"Imagine what a positive difference Green councillors in Greenwich could make."

The Green Party is also standing in all three parliamentary constituencies in the same day's general election. 

Have you had your polling card yet? If not, you may not be on the electoral register. Contact Greenwich Council's electoral registration office for more details.

Full list of candidates:

Peninsula: Darryl Chamberlain, Marek Powley, Dave Sharman

Greenwich West: Darren Ball, Adrian Ross, Robin Stott

Abbey Wood: Gerard Briody

Blackheath Westcombe: Trevor Allman

Charlton: Jack Stride

Coldharbour & New Eltham: Philip Connolly

Eltham North: David Turner

Eltham South: Jan King

Eltham West: Carl Holdway

Glyndon: Andy Hewett

Kidbrooke with Hornfair: Arthur Hayles

Middle Park & Sutcliffe: Robert Elias

Plumstead: David Whitney

Shooters Hill: Phillip Becker

Thamesmead Moorings: Susan Haroutunian

Woolwich Common: Robert Evans

Woolwich Riverside: Elizabeth Angas

Greenwich Council's weekly newspaper needs urgent reform after becoming a "dismal propaganda sheet", Peninsula ward candidate Darryl Chamberlain said.

Greenwich Time stifles debate, misleads local people and is putting established local newspapers at risk, added Darryl, a former BBC journalist who has recently started working as a freelance.

"All you'll ever see in Greenwich Time is what the council's Labour leadership thinks - it's just a vehicle to promote themselves and their views," he said.

"How many times does the leader of the council think we need his photograph shoved through our letterbox?"

Darryl, who has covered council meetings for community website greenwich.co.uk since leaving the BBC, added: "It's might sound odd for a Green Party candidate to say you should be hearing more from Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, but Greenwich Time should be covering our views, their views, and opinions from across the borough. There's some lively exchanges about what goes on in our neighbourhoods which we just don't hear about.

"Instead, it's just a dismal propaganda sheet to promote a select few Labour councillors at the expense of everyone else.

"I accept real local papers should be covering more news about the council, but instead Greenwich Time is trying to put them out of business by carrying TV listings and football reports. I don't need the council to tell me what time EastEnders is on."

Darryl suggests an independent editorial board should govern the paper and make sure it isn't abused by council leaderships in the future, and it should be compelled to offer training for local people wanting to get into the media.

"Council newspapers are routinely abused by both Labour and Conservative councils across London - it just happens that Greenwich is one of the worst offenders," he explains.

"If the council wants to publish a newspaper to get its message across, then it should allocate space for different opinions - and help local people get a start in the media as well."

Recent reports in the press have highlighted the crisis in our NHS, with services in Greenwich under particular threat.

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich has a PFI debt of £65 million, which will last for at least a generation. The cost of the PFI is well above what the building would have cost if it publicly funded. Whilst the debt mounts, private finance companies are reaping the profits yet clinical services across London are under threat.

The A&E at QEH is already under pressure, yet reductions in services at Queen Mary’s in Sidcup for example are making the problem worse as the QEH takes up the slack. Incredibly, plans are afoot across London to close more hospital beds and A&E departments.

Green candidate for Greenwich & Woolwich, Andy Hewett, commented: “The PFI scheme is only the tip of the privatisation iceberg and has been exposed as an abject failure. Private companies are being lined up to take over more vital areas of health care from the NHS, putting private profit before quality of care.

“The local Labour MP talks of only being interested in ‘value for money healthcare’. Labour, Lib Dems and Tories all talk about how they value the NHS, but they all have a privatisation agenda and are committed to cuts.

“It is a disgrace that billions were spent bailing out the banks, and billions are being spent on the war and Trident, when that money should be spent instead on our NHS and our public services. The Green Party is committed to keeping the NHS public and is opposed to public sector cuts, and we will fight for this all the way."