by Liz O'Neill
On Thursday evening I secured my place in history by telling a woman in Brighton where her polling station was.
Okay, it’s a pretty small place in history, but she was one of the 237 potential Green voters that my husband and I telephoned during the evening of Thursday 6 May 2010 to remind them that they had the chance to vote in the UK’s first Green Member of Parliament. Many of them had already voted and others were heading out to do the same. But a few really welcomed the reminder and that one particular voter had mislaid her polling card and wasn’t sure what to do. If I hadn’t called her, she wouldn’t have gone to vote.
Green Party members across the UK came together over recent weeks to make our biggest dream come true. In true collaborative, green style we shared the task of returning Caroline Lucas MP (Brighton Pavilion), with each person taking the role that best suited their skills and circumstances. At least five other Trafford Greens took part in the “tele-knocking up” that allowed me to play a valuable role. Others donated their time to ongoing policy development, or money to the vast cost of staging a winning campaign. Yet more Greens around the country help sustain the movement that supports and inspires us all.
We’re not forming the new government. We’re not expecting a call from Cameron or Brown, but we have secured a place at the table. The (almost certainly) outgoing Prime Minister has finally gotten the point about proportional representation but we didn’t wait for the promised electoral reform to make our mark. The Green Party pulled together and beat the big boys on their own terms. We all know that hard times lie ahead but I say bring it on – the Green Party has arrived in Westminster and we’re going to make a difference.
Showing posts with label caroline lucas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label caroline lucas. Show all posts
Saturday, 8 May 2010
Friday, 7 May 2010
Britain Elects First Green MP
by Christine McLaughlin
Caroline Lucas has made history by winning Brighton Pavillion for the Green Party. The future of our country looks brighter today.
Caroline Lucas has made history by winning Brighton Pavillion for the Green Party. The future of our country looks brighter today.
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
I Wanted to Go Out and Change the World but I Couldn't Find a Babysitter
by Christine McLaughlin
I've just got back from some election hustings at Acre Hall Primary School in Flixton. The hustings are going on till 9.30 but I had to leave after an hour because my three year-old was creating a fuss. It made me wonder whether the problem of finding evening childcare is the reason why fewer women than men are involved in politics. I say fewer are involved but I suppose I mean fewer are visible or elected. Following the Leader's Debate last week, so many of my friends remarked on their overwhelming impression of politics as a man's game. Depressingly, the most high profile women in the current General Election campaign are the wives of politicians.
What is the solution? For a start, I'd love the chance to go to a child-friendly hustings event. If anyone wants to organise one, please get in touch and I'll be there, whenever it is. All you need is a large room, a weekend afternoon, and a space at the back for toys, crafts and other activities to occupy tomorrow's voters.
My immediate solution is to just turn up everywhere I need to go with my child in tow. I must admit I thought twice about attending tonight's hustings. Then I decided to go because parents with young children should be able to engage with the democratic process and if there aren't any facilities for that then we should all just keep turning up at these things until people expect that and accomodate us.
Trafford Greens have organised some events with parents in mind, including a Baby Disco this coming Sunday. More information can be found here. It gives parents with young children the opportunity to find out more about the Green Party and how they can get involved without having to undertake the difficult task of finding a babysitter.
I'm so glad to have the opportunity to vote for a party that includes women on an equal footing (it feels odd to type that sentence in 2010, but we women are still a long way from full representation in our elected bodies). Our brilliant leader Caroline Lucas is an inspirational politician who has a real chance of securing a first seat for the Green Party in Brighton and Hove.
Another female politician, Labour candidate Kate Green, reminded me of how lucky I am to be able to vote for my chosen party. Due to what I assume is some sort of administrative incompetence on the part of Labour's election agent, there won't be a Labour candidate in Kate's ward so she can't vote for her own party. I did wonder whether Green might vote Green, but she explained she would be spoiling her ballot paper (i.e. writing on it that she would like to vote Labour but would not be able to).
This reminded me that I used to spoil my ballot paper in the days before the Green Party was able to field candidates in my local ward or constituency. The choice then was between Labour and Conservative. I'm so pleased now to have the chance to vote for a real alternative to endless airport expansion, illegal wars and ever increasing defence budgets.
Trafford Greens' candidate Margaret Westbrook is a candidate who cares about the local community and will fight for the future of our planet. Give her a chance, and your vote on 6th May and she won't let you down.
I've just got back from some election hustings at Acre Hall Primary School in Flixton. The hustings are going on till 9.30 but I had to leave after an hour because my three year-old was creating a fuss. It made me wonder whether the problem of finding evening childcare is the reason why fewer women than men are involved in politics. I say fewer are involved but I suppose I mean fewer are visible or elected. Following the Leader's Debate last week, so many of my friends remarked on their overwhelming impression of politics as a man's game. Depressingly, the most high profile women in the current General Election campaign are the wives of politicians.
What is the solution? For a start, I'd love the chance to go to a child-friendly hustings event. If anyone wants to organise one, please get in touch and I'll be there, whenever it is. All you need is a large room, a weekend afternoon, and a space at the back for toys, crafts and other activities to occupy tomorrow's voters.
My immediate solution is to just turn up everywhere I need to go with my child in tow. I must admit I thought twice about attending tonight's hustings. Then I decided to go because parents with young children should be able to engage with the democratic process and if there aren't any facilities for that then we should all just keep turning up at these things until people expect that and accomodate us.
Trafford Greens have organised some events with parents in mind, including a Baby Disco this coming Sunday. More information can be found here. It gives parents with young children the opportunity to find out more about the Green Party and how they can get involved without having to undertake the difficult task of finding a babysitter.
I'm so glad to have the opportunity to vote for a party that includes women on an equal footing (it feels odd to type that sentence in 2010, but we women are still a long way from full representation in our elected bodies). Our brilliant leader Caroline Lucas is an inspirational politician who has a real chance of securing a first seat for the Green Party in Brighton and Hove.
Another female politician, Labour candidate Kate Green, reminded me of how lucky I am to be able to vote for my chosen party. Due to what I assume is some sort of administrative incompetence on the part of Labour's election agent, there won't be a Labour candidate in Kate's ward so she can't vote for her own party. I did wonder whether Green might vote Green, but she explained she would be spoiling her ballot paper (i.e. writing on it that she would like to vote Labour but would not be able to).
This reminded me that I used to spoil my ballot paper in the days before the Green Party was able to field candidates in my local ward or constituency. The choice then was between Labour and Conservative. I'm so pleased now to have the chance to vote for a real alternative to endless airport expansion, illegal wars and ever increasing defence budgets.
Trafford Greens' candidate Margaret Westbrook is a candidate who cares about the local community and will fight for the future of our planet. Give her a chance, and your vote on 6th May and she won't let you down.
Friday, 16 April 2010
Vote Green on 6th May 2010
by Christine McLaughlin
Caroline Lucas has launched the Green Party manifesto for 6th May 2010 (and beyond). You can dowload the whole manifesto from here and read what the BBC has to say about it here. You can find out more about Trafford Green Party's policies here.
Have you met our Margaret Westbrook out and about in Trafford? Along with other Trafford Greens she's been out and about, meeting the voters and passing the message on that there is an alternative to more of the same. Margaret has also attended a question and answer session in Flixton and will be attending another one on Wednesday 22nd April at Acre Hall Primary School. Margaret is standing in Stretford and Urmston as the General Election candidate and in Longford Ward in the local elections. You can find out more about all Trafford Green candidates here.
As well as stalls and door step canvassing, we have organised Green Drinks and for people with young children, a Baby Disco. You can find out more by visiting the events page of our website here.
Finally, you only have until Monday 20th April to register to vote so if you're in any doubt about whether you will be able to vote, please visit About My Vote and when you've done that, use your vote wisely: vote Green on 6th May 2010.
Caroline Lucas has launched the Green Party manifesto for 6th May 2010 (and beyond). You can dowload the whole manifesto from here and read what the BBC has to say about it here. You can find out more about Trafford Green Party's policies here.
Have you met our Margaret Westbrook out and about in Trafford? Along with other Trafford Greens she's been out and about, meeting the voters and passing the message on that there is an alternative to more of the same. Margaret has also attended a question and answer session in Flixton and will be attending another one on Wednesday 22nd April at Acre Hall Primary School. Margaret is standing in Stretford and Urmston as the General Election candidate and in Longford Ward in the local elections. You can find out more about all Trafford Green candidates here.
As well as stalls and door step canvassing, we have organised Green Drinks and for people with young children, a Baby Disco. You can find out more by visiting the events page of our website here.
Finally, you only have until Monday 20th April to register to vote so if you're in any doubt about whether you will be able to vote, please visit About My Vote and when you've done that, use your vote wisely: vote Green on 6th May 2010.
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