What a great article in this weeks Newbury Weekly News - the headline in their elections 2010 section is 'Disillusioned Lib Dem voters told the future isn't orange, it's green'.
Also from today's media round up, you can see that Richard Benyon secures a minor position in government.
Finally, Brightwalton fete appeared on page 6 of the Newbury Weekly News with a great picture of the maypole dancers.
Wednesday, May 12. 2010
Calling all Liberal Democrat members and voters in Newbury
Article from the Green Party web site:
Yesterday evening's announcement of a deal between the Tories and the Lib Dems should be a wake-up call to Lib Dem supporters, said Britain's Greens this morning - and the Greens issued a "big, open, and comprehensive offer" to Liberal Democrat members and voters to come and join the Greens and campaign for real democratic change, real action to tackle poverty, and real action on climate change.
The offer was made jointly by the Green Party of England and Wales and the Scottish Green Party.
Caroline Lucas MP, leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, said:
"The Lib Dems have shown themselves to be not so much a party of change as a party of changing its mind.
"The Lib Dems have made themselves known as a party of dirty tricks in election campaigns. But now, Nick Clegg has carried out the biggest Lib Dem dirty trick so far, betraying all those people who voted Lib Dem because they honestly thought it would bring about electoral reform."
Patrick Harvie MSP said:
"This is an extraordinary decision by the Lib Dem leadership, and thousands of their activists and voters will feel heavily betrayed today.
"Many explicitly campaigned as the best way to keep the Tories out of power, as a party of radical change and a party of principle, and they have now been completely let down by Nick Clegg and his top team. These members and supporters did not work hard over the last weeks and months to see their party become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Tories.
"We would therefore like to make a big, open and comprehensive offer to Lib Dem supporters to come now and talk to the Greens instead. Many former Lib Dem members have already found a long-term home with the Greens, including former Lib Dem councillors. Thousands of Lib Dems will be unable to stomach this decision to put David Cameron's Tories into power, and it's time for them to consider coming home to the Greens.
Harvie continued: "On several crucial points, we have significant common ground, ground that the Tories will never concede through this Westminster stitch-up. We back true constitutional reform, not only proportional representation but also fixed-term Parliaments, a written constitution, votes at 16, limits on corporate donations to political parties, and a whole host of other measures dear to Lib Dem activists' hearts. We support a fairer taxation system too, where those on the highest incomes start to pay their fair share, something the Tories' donors will never permit them to consider. On the environment, we've stood up against a litany of climate-wrecking projects, including those which were approved by Lib Dem ministers in Scotland to the dismay of their members. We're the only political party offering an economic policy which is consistent with environmental politics.
"With the election of Caroline Lucas as the UK's first Green MP, we've shown that radical Green politics can also win popular support at all levels. We are also a truly democratic party, our members set policy in public at conference, and we can be relied on not to sell out. Above all we would never deliver power to the Tories, a party still alien and unacceptable to most Scots. This Lib Dem/Tory deal is the final confirmation that those wanting change will always be shut out by the three big parties at Westminster, and today's decision will be the death-knell for the Lib Dems here in Scotland."
ends.
Adrian Hollister added, "Local news have been following the story that David Rendel is strongly opposed to the pact between the Lib Dems and Tories. I can understand why. In Newbury the Liberal Democrat vote has always been a 'protest against the Tory' vote. This has been betrayed and by linking two parties with such fundamentally different views I can't help thinking that the Lib Dems will have lost the trust of the majority of voters."
You can follow the David Rendel anti-pact story here: http://www.newburysound.co.uk/rendel-on-coalition-i-5863.php
Yesterday evening's announcement of a deal between the Tories and the Lib Dems should be a wake-up call to Lib Dem supporters, said Britain's Greens this morning - and the Greens issued a "big, open, and comprehensive offer" to Liberal Democrat members and voters to come and join the Greens and campaign for real democratic change, real action to tackle poverty, and real action on climate change.
The offer was made jointly by the Green Party of England and Wales and the Scottish Green Party.
Caroline Lucas MP, leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, said:
"The Lib Dems have shown themselves to be not so much a party of change as a party of changing its mind.
"The Lib Dems have made themselves known as a party of dirty tricks in election campaigns. But now, Nick Clegg has carried out the biggest Lib Dem dirty trick so far, betraying all those people who voted Lib Dem because they honestly thought it would bring about electoral reform."
Patrick Harvie MSP said:
"This is an extraordinary decision by the Lib Dem leadership, and thousands of their activists and voters will feel heavily betrayed today.
"Many explicitly campaigned as the best way to keep the Tories out of power, as a party of radical change and a party of principle, and they have now been completely let down by Nick Clegg and his top team. These members and supporters did not work hard over the last weeks and months to see their party become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Tories.
"We would therefore like to make a big, open and comprehensive offer to Lib Dem supporters to come now and talk to the Greens instead. Many former Lib Dem members have already found a long-term home with the Greens, including former Lib Dem councillors. Thousands of Lib Dems will be unable to stomach this decision to put David Cameron's Tories into power, and it's time for them to consider coming home to the Greens.
Harvie continued: "On several crucial points, we have significant common ground, ground that the Tories will never concede through this Westminster stitch-up. We back true constitutional reform, not only proportional representation but also fixed-term Parliaments, a written constitution, votes at 16, limits on corporate donations to political parties, and a whole host of other measures dear to Lib Dem activists' hearts. We support a fairer taxation system too, where those on the highest incomes start to pay their fair share, something the Tories' donors will never permit them to consider. On the environment, we've stood up against a litany of climate-wrecking projects, including those which were approved by Lib Dem ministers in Scotland to the dismay of their members. We're the only political party offering an economic policy which is consistent with environmental politics.
"With the election of Caroline Lucas as the UK's first Green MP, we've shown that radical Green politics can also win popular support at all levels. We are also a truly democratic party, our members set policy in public at conference, and we can be relied on not to sell out. Above all we would never deliver power to the Tories, a party still alien and unacceptable to most Scots. This Lib Dem/Tory deal is the final confirmation that those wanting change will always be shut out by the three big parties at Westminster, and today's decision will be the death-knell for the Lib Dems here in Scotland."
ends.
Adrian Hollister added, "Local news have been following the story that David Rendel is strongly opposed to the pact between the Lib Dems and Tories. I can understand why. In Newbury the Liberal Democrat vote has always been a 'protest against the Tory' vote. This has been betrayed and by linking two parties with such fundamentally different views I can't help thinking that the Lib Dems will have lost the trust of the majority of voters."
You can follow the David Rendel anti-pact story here: http://www.newburysound.co.uk/rendel-on-coalition-i-5863.php
Tuesday, May 11. 2010
Can't Win Here - conned by the Liberal Democrats (again)
"Can't Win Here" - words that Lib Dem's have been saying and publishing here in West Berkshire for quite some time. They are of course referencing New Labour and the rest (including us Greens). "Your vote will be wasted" - how many times have I heard that - there are, of course, only two political parties in Newbury (according to the Lib Dems) ... Tory old boys or Lib Dems. Both in opposition to each other, both with different morals, both with different ethics.
What irony now that the Lib Dem's are sleeping with the devil.
All those protest votes against the Tories that went to the Lib Dems 'because no one else could win' have been waisted. You have been lied to by the Liberal Democrats - a vote for them is a vote for the Tories - don't be conned by the Liberal Democrats any longer - they don't care about people, communities, our society, and our futures. They are only in it for power.
So, don't waste your vote again on the unpredictable, unreliable and unethical Liberal Democrats - they will sell their souls for a moment of glory.
Move to better and co-operative politics, with ethics, community and our environment at it's centre - move to the Green Party.
What irony now that the Lib Dem's are sleeping with the devil.
All those protest votes against the Tories that went to the Lib Dems 'because no one else could win' have been waisted. You have been lied to by the Liberal Democrats - a vote for them is a vote for the Tories - don't be conned by the Liberal Democrats any longer - they don't care about people, communities, our society, and our futures. They are only in it for power.
So, don't waste your vote again on the unpredictable, unreliable and unethical Liberal Democrats - they will sell their souls for a moment of glory.
Move to better and co-operative politics, with ethics, community and our environment at it's centre - move to the Green Party.
Two party Newbury
Well in Newbury Adrian Hollister won just under 500 votes in a system that promotes and encourages a two party system. We did this with no budget but a whole bunch of enthusiasm. Thanks to my election agent Pam Cooper who did so much work it amazes me she manages to fit in her family and keep smiling!
I doubt that the votes cast are a true representation of the views of the public at large in Newbury - they were told over and over again that only the Tory's or Lib Dems could win in Newbury - and the votes reflected that. If a real PR system were to be introduced I am sure that the voting pattern would be much more realistic (something that the Greens have seen through out the rest of Europe).
This makes Caroline Lucas' win in Brighton Pavilion much more impressive. Against all the odds and against the expectations of the national media, Caroline pulled a stunning win out of the bag. This will help to show that there are more than just three political parties out there; demonstrate that the Green Party is more than tree's and human rights; and show that Green politics are about people, communities and quality of life.
In Newbury, the Lib Dems were clearly damaged by their anti-democratic / negative campaigning - the 'no one else can win here but con/lib dem' may even prove to be right if the Lib Dems make a deal with the Tory old boys tonight. I wonder how many Lib Dem voters will be disheartened that their protest vote against the Tories will be wasted in a Tory/Lib Dem pact.
So, thanks again to Pam Cooper and all of my supporters out there! It's been really good hearing all your words of support. Thanks also to the other candidates for standing up for what they think is right.
Adrian Hollister
I doubt that the votes cast are a true representation of the views of the public at large in Newbury - they were told over and over again that only the Tory's or Lib Dems could win in Newbury - and the votes reflected that. If a real PR system were to be introduced I am sure that the voting pattern would be much more realistic (something that the Greens have seen through out the rest of Europe).
This makes Caroline Lucas' win in Brighton Pavilion much more impressive. Against all the odds and against the expectations of the national media, Caroline pulled a stunning win out of the bag. This will help to show that there are more than just three political parties out there; demonstrate that the Green Party is more than tree's and human rights; and show that Green politics are about people, communities and quality of life.
In Newbury, the Lib Dems were clearly damaged by their anti-democratic / negative campaigning - the 'no one else can win here but con/lib dem' may even prove to be right if the Lib Dems make a deal with the Tory old boys tonight. I wonder how many Lib Dem voters will be disheartened that their protest vote against the Tories will be wasted in a Tory/Lib Dem pact.
So, thanks again to Pam Cooper and all of my supporters out there! It's been really good hearing all your words of support. Thanks also to the other candidates for standing up for what they think is right.
Adrian Hollister
Monday, May 3. 2010
Crafty Craft charity event disrupted by Tory Lib Dem's begging for votes
What a great Crafty Craft event today. Loads of people, I enjoyed some fresh doughnuts, some tea from the Stone Building, chatting to all the stalls, and of course the boats. The weather on the whole was fine, but there was a chilly wind and I didn't envy the people on the boats - cold and wet.
Only spoiler was the desperate Lib Dem's and Tory's begging for the last few votes. Not sure a charity event was the best way of pushing a political point and most people looked completely fed up with the canvassing hoards from both parties.
Still, it was a brilliantly run event and a credit to West Berkshire and, of course, it was a great example of how re-use of items can be put to great effect.
I look forward to the next one!
Adrian Hollister
Only spoiler was the desperate Lib Dem's and Tory's begging for the last few votes. Not sure a charity event was the best way of pushing a political point and most people looked completely fed up with the canvassing hoards from both parties.
Still, it was a brilliantly run event and a credit to West Berkshire and, of course, it was a great example of how re-use of items can be put to great effect.
I look forward to the next one!
Adrian Hollister
Facepainting again at Brightwalton Fete
Yet another excellent Brightwalton Fete. I did some face painting again this year. You can find out a bit more about the event here... http://www.westberks.org/GroupHomepage.asp?GroupID=55417 .
