Adrian Hollister - Political

Great Jumble Sale today add's more to the election campaign funds

nospam@example.com (Adrian Hollister) — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 18:07:00 +0100

What a great village hall in Speen. We had a small jumble sale today to raise funds for the Green Party - made a nice amount of money and met some really great people too. So from Adrian Hollister: Thanks to all those that donated items for the jumble sale, those that can along to help and those that turned up. Hope to do another one in a month or so and see you all again!

Heading for a Hung Parliament

nospam@example.com (Adrian Hollister) — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:26:34 +0100

As Tory policy starts to fall apart under scrutiny it's looking more and more like a hung parliament. It's easy to see why people are questioning the Conservative policies who's headlines seem to be to make the top 2% much richer and the rest of us have to pay the countries debt off. Not a great set of policies by any stretch of the imagination. I also can't help thinking if the latest Gordon personality bashing has been inspired by Tory spin doctors - doesn't sound like something New Labour would actually release at this time - their spin machine is just far too professional; but the reports of concessions the Conservatives have offered the Murdock news empire may explain their entry into print.

So now we just wait for the official release of an election date and see how things pan out. Adrian Hollister said "Let's hope it's possible to change the political system during the next parliament - from confrontational to co-operative; from unfair voting systems to a fair one."

Cameron's airbrush shows how the Tory con is working

nospam@example.com (Adrian Hollister) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:39:09 +0100

How the Tories have changed. They have embraced elements Blairism and decided marketing is better than real policy; sound bites are more important that real decisions; and honesty is allowed to be embellished to sell the Tory message. A lot of the Sunday rags and online web sites have made great fun mocking the Tory need to airbrush Cameron's picture to make him look - well who knows - perhaps more human? less like a dodgy car salesman? less like an Etonian toff?

My favourite site out there has to be 'Airbrushed for change' by http://mydavidcameron.com where there are a multitudes of mockup's of the latest Tory posters. Perhaps my favourite is entitled 'This is going to hurt. Don't worry your not going to feel a thing.' or 'My chums from school and I are going to absolutely, thoroughly, bloody-well sort the country out.'

Either way it's good for a laugh at the latest tory sham sales campaign - aimed to make you all think that it's in your interest to vote tory.

Full reverse again from the confused Tory party

nospam@example.com (Adrian Hollister) — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 22:50:00 +0100

What is going on in David Cameron's head? After deciding to cut services heavily to save money (whilst of course giving tax benefits to the top 3,000 estate owners etc) - he has now decided that because that sales message was not going down too well with real people he would back track and change his mind. The Tory sales campaign is just so transparently inept it yet again shows how sleezy and cheap british politics have become. It's time for a change in our electoral system and it's time to end the existing 'old boys club' and 'ya boo' politics that we are suffering from in this country. The country has grown up why can't the political system?

I like a comment left on the Guardian's web site from zinoviev: "Dave knows that you can't fool all the people all the time. He's not attempting that. He's just going to fool everyone until May."

Re-instate the old local snow ploughs please

nospam@example.com (Adrian Hollister) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:31:59 +0100

West Berkshire Council bought a number of snow plough attachments for tractors quite some time ago. They now lie rotting in farmers yards unused. Unused because the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats in the council decided not to pay or insure farmers to clear their local roads. Walking through the villages of Chaddleworth, Britghtwalton and Lekhampstead today not one single road has been cleared - either salted or snow ploughed. Why don't the council re-instate the use of these local snow ploughs and help share out the work with our local gritters?

Adrian Hollister
Green Party Parliamentary Candidate for West Berkshire

Great salting out there but perhaps a winter driving test would help?

nospam@example.com (Adrian Hollister) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 11:09:00 +0100

I've been out and about walking the dogs all over the place during this cold snap and up here on Berkshire's north downs the Ridgeway and other ancient tracks offer great walks. The salting of the roads have been excellent even up here where our single track roads are often missed leaving some of our community with a much more difficult journey. There were a few notable exceptions with some roads deep in a very skiddy snow and ice combination. The locals avoided these roads and used the ones salted, but others (and I've seen some rather daft speeding delivery drivers skidding into the bank and a few of the 'beemer' set thinking they are invulnerable) have been crashing into banks, cars, walls etc.

It does seem that because of this other set of drivers that we consume so much salt. In order to attempt to stop the looney drivers from crashing we have to liberally salt every road. This consumes a lot of salt - not the most environmentally friendly product out there; a lot of our cash buying and spreading it; and diverts salt from path ways and cycle paths - where it could be better used.

With the continued cold snap and likely requirement for more and more salt to keep our roads open and free - I can't help wondering if we have enough salt stored and available to us. I also wonder if simulated cold weather and skid driving should be part of the driving test - and perhaps even a mandatory top up test for professional drivers and optional education for the rest of us (with insurance discounts?).

West Berkshire went to the wave

nospam@example.com (Adrian Hollister) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 02:33:00 +0100

It was good to see support for The Wave event in London by both the Green Party and Lib Dems in West Berkshire. Amazingly absent were the tories and labour (as usual). The march was great fun with a thankfully discrete police presence. I only saw one point of aggravation in front of the US embassy, but it's amazing how a simple smile with a word of advise from a police officer diffused the situation. My only complaint from the day is perhaps the commercialisation of the event - it was clearly a co-op branded event. I don't mind the sponsorship or the company in question, but to see heaps and heaps of their banners was just a bit ott.

I can only hope that this march will help demonstrate the support for action on environmental issues.

Royal Mail strikes - they should be allowed to compete

nospam@example.com (Adrian Hollister) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 02:49:41 +0200

I can empathise with the frustration demonstrated by the striking Royal Mail postal workers. For too long the Conservatives and now New Labour have tried to introduce business competition to our national assets as an excuse to improve efficiency or introduce innovation. Royal Mail was caught up in this and had stifling competition rules imposed upon it. These rules were designed to disable Royal Mail's ability to fairly compete and have forced the business to contract.

I struggle to find an example where this competitive business model has actually benefited us directly. In many cases it is clear to see that the lining of shareholders pockets or directors bonus' takes precedence over the citizens of this country. The water companies have demonstrated this over and over again by skimping on investment. Banks have also demonstrated that the concept of competition in a market place can easily lead to corrupting and destabilising greed and inefficiency.

It is time the government recognised that the selling off of our national services to introduce competition is flawed and unworkable. It is time for the government to remove the competitive disadvantages imposed on Royal Mail. With these shackles off and with a positive Royal Mail management, there would be no need for our postal workers to be in dispute - for their jobs would be safe and their compensation and conditions could reflect those of any healthy business.

So I wish the postal workers the best. They are part of a great public service that could so easily be an exemplar for the rest of government.

Commercial Renewable on Council Land

nospam@example.com (Adrian Hollister) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 09:56:14 +0200

I would like to think that there is a bit of a race going on here. A race to see who can be the greenest, the most efficient and the ones with the most vision. Councils, towns and authorities are included. Who will be the first to host a commercial renewable energy system to compliment to supplement a good deal of local power consumption. Oxford City spoke about this a while ago now, but I've not seen any progress to date (early days); and at the beginning of the year Bristol City also announced their intention to do something.

All of this is being championed by Friends of the Earth with their Get Serious About CO2 campaign.

There are all quite large scale systems with large budgets and large expectations. I wonder if there are a number of much smaller opportunities that should be explored first - several smaller microgeneration systems would help local people and businesses understand how it could be achieved. Sustainable Newbury discussed some excellent ideas about using the weirs in Newbury to add less than 10KW to the grid each. Not much you may think, but it's local generation (and not subject to the 40% or so loss experienced across the national grid) and would be an excellent exemplar not just for the local area but to much of the south.

Great day at Thatcham's Discovery Centre.

nospam@example.com (Adrian Hollister) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 22:43:00 +0200

What a great day at the think green act green day at Thatchams Discovery Centre. Great bacon butties too - thanks to Catherine at Royal Berkshire pork. We took over 100 new signatures for our support renewable campaign and gave out over 200 wind mills to kids. Met some great like minded people there too.

Trident Replacement Referendum

nospam@example.com (Adrian Hollister) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:46:27 +0200

I voted in the Trident Replacement Referendum Gordon Brown didn’t want me to have; you can too! Please go to http://bit.ly/g4W48

Greens do very well in German Elections

nospam@example.com (Adrian Hollister) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:55:00 +0200

The Greens won 68 seats in the German federal election, a gain of 17 seats. They secured 10.7% of the vote nationally. One commentator said: "the Green party remains strikingly resilient."

£143 pounds raised!

nospam@example.com (Adrian Hollister) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 19:13:28 +0200

The Jumble sale raised £143 pounds for Green Party funds. Not bad for two hours work! Thanks mostly to Pam for organising the sale and to both Pam and Adrian's families for helping out. Let's see if we can run another one before Christmas

Jumble Sale - Thatcham Catholic Church Hall - Saturday 19th 10am

nospam@example.com (Adrian Hollister) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 09:02:00 +0200

Just a quick reminder that there is a Jumble Sales this Saturday (19th Sept 09) at 10am onwards to raise funds for West Berks Green Party. Come along and see if you can grab yourself a bargain!

Oh what to do with Royal Mail

nospam@example.com (Adrian Hollister) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 10:28:00 +0200

In my world, a successful Royal Mail would not aim to allow the business to grow, or to right-size, downsize, or reduce in anyway, but to sustain itself and ensure that capacity in the supply chain can be met. There is tremendous potential in Royal Mail as a service provider the country can be proud of. I've never understood the need to break up, dissolve through legislation and 'competitive' practices (that generally favour foreign competition and not innovation or sustainability).

Where are Royal Mail now?

Royal Mail Group (RMG) are in a strange and difficult place at the moment. Conservatives wanting to see it sold off, New Labour keen to break it up and yet the logical conclusion of the market place (should it be totally 'free') would result in the ultimate domination of RMG within it's sector. It is the only supplier able to sustainable meet the local delivery need, the only supplier with the capability to distribute large volumes of small mail items and is in the right place to offer up it's spare capacity for sale in the market place, and the only retail counter for government.

What could Royal Mail Group do?

If we were to use Van Weele and Rozemeijer's (1996) definition of procurement as including "all activities required in order to obtain the product from the supplier and get it to the place where it is actually used. It encompasses the purchasing function, store, traffic and transportation, incoming inspection, and quality control and assurance." then we could envisage RMG as a facilitator of not just distribution and delivery, but funcation, storage. RMG have the advantage of not having a direct environmental or disposal problem on their hands - this problem should be borne by the manufacturers, suppliers and consumers.

On the whole RMG's whole supply chain works around the distribution of physical things between people and businesses. Recently they have extended this model to include 'services' such as banking and telephony, but these are short sighted money grabbing tasks and loose sight of their main advantages in the market place - their people and their distribution network.

In some ways I like the simplicity of Ellram (1990) who suggested that supply chain management is philosophy used to manage the total flow through a distribution channel from the supplier to the ultimate user. This as far as I am concerned should be RMG's core responsibility and they should freely be able to work in this space (even if competition is reduced).

RMG have a trump card up their sleeves though that should never be over looked: key social value. How ever you think of yourself: people, citizens, commuters, tourists; you will know and see a postal worker. I could imagine situations where some at home during the day may only see or speak to a postal worker. Others will interact at PO shop counters or when receiving/collecting parcels and packages. These postal workers are a human and real supply chain link between the users/manufacturers and the consumers - this is something that has over time become essential part of governance - the face of the benefits system, center for government forms, a social venue for similar people and often the heart of a community.

Michael Quayle's (2006) description of supply chain interests me: "...there is a supply chain of events to be managed—the art, perhaps, is recognising that there is one and recognising where it can be influenced, in one form or another." He discussed the thought of a sustainable supply chain.

He goes on "What is sustainable development and a sustainable supply chain, and, indeed, why bother? It is no secret that development has often been at the expense of the environment, both at home and abroad. We are feeling the effects internationally, as global warming affects our weather patterns, and locally, as once-common species of plants and animals become rare. Development has had social costs, too. Once-lively towns and villages are in decline, and whole communities find themselves excluded from the benefits of economic growth. Sustainable development is about striking a better, more creative balance between economic development, environmental protection, and social change; about finding ways of meeting our needs without jeopardising the ability of our children to meet theirs. Development that is more balanced should be more enduring and offer a better chance of long-term prosperity."

So if Quayle, Ellram's view is taken the supply chain has extended beyond the physical parcel boundaries. By enabling 'competition' the UK government has put RMG under aggressive pressure to 'modernise' and to become 'more competitive'. It has not thought that this system of distribution is one of it's biggest and brightest assets.

What should we do?

I think that the use of 'competition' to boost the uptake of foreign companies has overlooked an essential national asset. An asset that should not be sold off. An asset that should be allowed to exploit it's niche to give the best possible service to it's customers, our community and our country.

With this free hand for Royal Mail Group there must be a change in philosophy in their management - it would not to given away lightly to capitalists looking for a fast buck; but to a new breed of managers who consider CSR as equal to 'profit' in their sustainable business model.

How to get in contact with me

nospam@example.com (Adrian Hollister) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 03:38:51 +0200

I've been nagged enough - I know the site is not as user friendly as it could be, so if you want to contact Adrian Hollister you can use the 'Contact Me' link on the left hand side - or just click here, you can also find me on Skype - just search for adrian.hollister. One day I will get around to updating the site so that it's a bit more obvious!

Swine Flu - get a friend to pick up your antiviral drugs

nospam@example.com (Adrian Hollister) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 19:50:10 +0200

Now is the time to choose your Flu Friends. Flu Friends will collect medicines, food and other supplies if you get swine flu so that you do not have to leave home. Remember you cannot collect your own antivirals (such as Tamiflu) - this would be a great risk and you could infect a large number of other people doing so.

Flu advise for Berkshire can be found here.

If you are in Chaddleworth and need assistance collecting your anti-viral drugs (such as Tamiflu) from the National Pandemic Flu Service please contact me.

MP to read your letter or not - democracy lost Tory style

nospam@example.com (Adrian Hollister) — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 23:38:00 +0200

I was stunned today to hear that Richard Benyon doesn't read any of the letters we send in to him and bog standard replies are just sent out... at this Sundays farmers market in Newbury Richard Benyon spoke to our local Friends of the Earth campaigners. They were amazed to hear from him that he had heard nothing about the various early day motions (EDM's) that many of us (and a lot of FoE people) had written to him about. We all had letters back from him giving a standard party line - which in essence boils down to ... 'tory's don't support any of this real green agenda stuff now go away.'

I do wonder what the heck Richard Benyon is actually doing? Daddies funds have pushed him up the Tory ranks, but he seems to have largely forgotten that he is here to represent his constituency and it's constituents. Talking with the stunned FoE activists today, Adrian Hollister said, "He is so full of his own self worth and clear snobby loathing for for anyone that actually has to work for a living that he doesn't even read our letters to him. Democracy is dead Tory old boy style."

I did send him a letter asking for confirmation, though I suspect some unelected drone will reply...

"Dear Richard Benyon,

I was amazed to hear at this Sundays farmers market in Newbury that you
were not aware of the letters sent to you by supporters of the Green
Party and Friends of the Earth, discussing various EDM's on Animal
Welfare.

We all received replies 'from you'.

I am greatly concerned that you are not reading the letters that are
being sent to you from your constituents and that we are just being
fobbed off by unelected members of your staff.

Can you confirm that you actually read the letter's sent to you;
reassure me that you are interested representing the views and opinions
of your constituents; and let me know if your signature embedded in an
email or letter is to be trusted as your true opinion and source?

Yours sincerely,

Adrian Hollister
West Berkshire Green Party"

So which political party do you fit in with?

nospam@example.com (Adrian Hollister) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 01:28:00 +0200

Not sure there is too much behind this site, and I'm not endorsing it, but for a bit of fun go and check out this web site and see which political party you should be affiliated with...

Woohoo! now Benyon has two things to talk about

nospam@example.com (Adrian Hollister) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 09:55:07 +0200

Not so long ago I was blogging about our local MP Richard Benyon having only his beloved weapons export agency as his only discussion point in the commons. It's true, it just about the only thing he has spoken about - how to export weapons, increasing the size of the team exporting weapons, how weapons are good, etc. In fact it always amazed me that FoE praised him in a letter or two in the Newbury Weekly News - his love of weapons and their ability to kill things whilst making a profit is just legendary.

Evidently the Tory spin doctors realised how bad this was looking and have now come up with something else for him to talk about - it fits into the environmental category by asking Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs some questions. Of course the Tory old boys club don't often think about things in detail and I have to wonder, why our local MP has been made tory old boy shadow minister for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs; and why his only interest is deep sea and borders.

Is it because we are on the coast and have border problems in our area or do we have problems with deep sea fishing? I don't know but I'm sure I can't see the coast from anywhere in West Berkshire; and what I am very sure about is that his questions are neither strategic for the country (they are mostly inane get your name in Hansard type questions); nor do they cover the very pressing issues that we find in our region. Where is he standing up in Parliament and asking questions about our short fall in schools funding? our swine flu provisions in West Berkshire? our local businesses? and while he is there why not talk about sustainability and our welfare? making homes carbon neutral; social housing an exemplar to the rest of the industry; a fair minimum wage; free school meals; safer streets and 20mph zones in urban areas.... the list goes on. And of course he failed to support the Animal Welfare labelling early day motion (EDM 581) which would have put the UK at a competitive advantage to the rest of Europe (as our animal welfare standards are on the whole better than on the continent).

So congratulations to the landed gentry, the tory old boy's, the toff's, and the sheep and cows who in West Berkshire always vote tory (at least they always put signs up in their fields)... in West Berkshire Richard Benyon represents the exporting of weapons for profit and the monitoring of our coasts. What a legacy.

One third of us voted in West Berkshire

nospam@example.com (Adrian Hollister) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 11:00:00 +0200

Well the Green’s have not done badly in West Berkshire - 77% more votes in 2009 this despite a very low turn out of just 37%.

We secured 4619 votes, which is close to the UKIP 6126 and Lib Dem 7167 votes. Tory old boys took 18336 votes. Labour were of course in fifth place behind us again.

Top five in order were:

Tory Old Boys Party 18336 (up 20%)
Lid Dem wannabe like you Tory’s Party 7167 (down 17%)
The only got one policy UKIP Party 6126 (up 3%)
Pro communities Green Party 4619 (up 77%)
Spent and wanting New Labour Party 2011 (down 37%)

A polling day at Newbury train station

nospam@example.com (Adrian Hollister) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 23:45:00 +0200

I've spent the best part of the afternoon at Newbury train station. An odd choice perhaps for an election day, but I have been chatting and leafleting people on the way back from their daily commute. A good deal of the people who stopped to talk were just not going to vote - "it's a waste of time all politicians are corrupt" is the message they relay. When they hear that I'm Adrian Hollister and I'm from the Green Party and I'm going to contest the General Election here and the council elections - they stop and smile. The grumpy face that greets most politicians at the moment (especially the poor ole Lib Dem chap I saw the other day taking a good verbal beating from anyone the came close to him) was not present. People like conviction politicians, especially ones who have put other peoples interests in front of their own; and Green Party politicians are seen as the most ethical and the least corruptible of any political group. They are right - we do what we do for the betterment of our society, not for personal gain and not for glory or fame. Tory's and Lib Dem's should note this - it is their biggest liability (as their leaders have recognised).

I went to my local polling station at just before 10pm to cast my vote. It was clear that very few people had been there, with the polling clerks estimating less than 10%. Whilst this does not include postal votes (something that is usually quite high in very rural areas) it is perhaps an indication on the numbers of people put off by the corrupt Tory, Lib Dem and Labour members of parliament. I can only hope that by the next election faith has been restored in the political system and that people vote to take down the old Gentleman's clubs in Whitehall and remove the cheers and jeers politics that goes with it.

Ever changing Richard Benyon now likes Wind Turbines

nospam@example.com (Adrian Hollister) — Tue, 26 May 2009 12:42:39 +0200

Rich Tory old boy Richard Benyon has decided that now is a good time to appear green. Green at the gills perhaps, but anyway, he is now (following a long period of negative or no comments) decided that he is in favour of Wind Farms and Wind Turbines.

Adrian Hollister said, "I notice that in Newbury Weekly News 21st May 09 Richard Benyon is now in favour of Wind Turbines after being a parliamentary sceptic(1). It's all good being in favour of Wind Turbines but I can't help wondering, given the size of Richard Benyon's estate, how many Wind Turbines he has?"

The landed gentry eh - they are in a different world to the rest of us (at least in mind if not body).

Now if he was serious, he would do what I suggest here: tell the American's it's time to leave RAF Welford and use it's high flat ground (next to the Motorway) for a wind farm. The position is not overlooked (except perhaps a golf course and a handful of residents who I'm sure would be happy seeing all those dangerous munitions go); it's a brown field site; and there is good motorway access for construction and maintenance vehicles.

Mind you if Richard Benyon kicked out the American's from one base it would seriously damage his love of weapons exporting and his beloved DESO (2) then what would he have to talk about in Parliament?

References:
1. typical example - http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmpublic/planning/080122/am/80122s01.htm#08012280000167 - where he doubts the countries ability to get it done.
2. http://www.theyworkforyou.com/search/?s=DESO&pid=11727 - pages of the stuff here.

DB Schenker’s greed & lost community spirit

nospam@example.com (Adrian Hollister) — Tue, 19 May 2009 10:51:00 +0200

In support of the residents of Theale who have had their driveway access blocked by road barriers installed by the DB Schenker, I have sent emails and letters to company executives calling for them to reconsider their actions.

“From: Adrian Hollister
 To: Heller, Keith 
Cc: Meiklejohn, Graham 
Sent: Tue May 19 10:48:42 2009 

Subject: Garage Dispute in Theale  

Sir, I am greatly disappointed to read in Newbury Today that you have  decided to block access to the garages of homes in Theale. Whilst  your business is a valued part of our community, each business has a  responsibility towards our community too. The amount of monies  involved, the cost of recovery and the bad press you are rightly  receiving over the issue must far outweigh your need to take profit  from one or two members of the community.

  I urge you to reconsider the blocking of access to these properties  and to consider allowing free access as part of DB Schenker's give  back to the residents of this community.  

Yours sincerely,  
Adrian Hollister 
Parliamentary Candidate 
West Berkshire Green Party 
email: adrian@westberksgreens.org.uk
website: http://www.westberksgreens.org.uk”

Looking to email them directly? Try keith.heller @ dbschenker.com and graham.meiklejohn @ dbschenker.com (take the spaces out from around the @ sign)

Poll Puts the Green Party Four Points Ahead of the Lib Dems in the South East.

nospam@example.com (Adrian Hollister) — Mon, 18 May 2009 19:37:15 +0200

With the European elections just over a fortnight away, a ComRes poll has put the Green Party in the South East in third place with 16% of the vote, four points clear of the Liberal Democrats. The Conservatives and Labour are in first and second place with UKIP trailing behind the Greens with 15%.

Meanwhile a YouGov poll released tomorrow (Monday 18 May) found 34% of respondents said they would either definitely be voting Green or would consider voting Green. This is the highest percentage ever to indicate potential support for the Greens.

Interestingly, the largest group who would consider switching were LibDem voters. It's far more common for the Greens to attract former Labour voters, who were the second largest group considering switching. Also interesting was the fact that around one-fifth of those considering switching were Conservative voters - the group normally the least likely to switch to Green.

Adrian Hollister said, "We find the same here in West Berkshire, many of our new people are ex-Liberal Democrat voters. Most are just confused and angry about their confused policies and their involvement in the expenses scandal." If you would like to know more about the Green Party in West Berkshire please see our web site www.westberksgreens.org.uk - you can find my contact details there. We also have a first Sunday coffee and market day in Newbury where we meet up with family and friends in one of the cafe's near the farmers market - your welcome to come along and have a chat.

Caroline Lucas our local MEP will be in Newbury

nospam@example.com (Adrian Hollister) — Thu, 14 May 2009 10:04:34 +0200

Our local MEP and Green Party leader, Caroline Lucas will be in Newbury on the 21st of May. So come along and meet her, 9:30-10:30am in Newbury Town Hall, coffee and cakes will be provided.

Vote clean vote Green

nospam@example.com (Adrian Hollister) — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:48:01 +0200

I stole the title here from members of Reading's ever increasing Green Party, but the point is the same. The Telegraph's revelations about MP's expenses must be an utter embarrassment for what are often wealthy Conservative, trade union funded Labour and should know better (perhaps) Lib Dem members of parliament. Is it a surprise that MP's have been making vast amount of money selling their second homes as their policies boost house prices? Is it a surprise that New Labour and Liberal Democrats behave in the way we would traditionally associate with the fat cat Tories? I don't think so. Politics has become so grey, with all three of the main parties looking Tory, walking Tory and talking Tory. We have what seems to be three main parties stinking of greed.

What happened to the honest politician? What happened to the conviction politicians? Did Maggie convert them all to wannabe Tories?

So what about the Greens then? Has there ever been a Green Party politician (and there are many councillors, MEP's and London Council members) accused of financial irregularity or abuse of power? No. There never has - why would there be? We all try to do what is best for society, best for our communities and best for our future. We are not motivated by the greed that has corrupted other parties.

If you want a clean parliament, then vote clean, vote Green.

Six figure salaries at West Berkshire Council

nospam@example.com (Adrian Hollister) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 10:16:47 +0200

Laughing all the way to the bank with our money.

Adrian Hollister said, "How in the time of such recession is the Council able to justify the cost of £100K+ for three Council Officers? There are plenty of people out there unemployed, give them or their colleagues within the Council a chance at the role with a realistic salary.

If these Council Officers are, as the Conservative 'executive' member Anthony Stansfeld says, lower paid than our neighbouring authorities then they should be able to find another job at the drop of a hat.

If as I suspect, they are all overpaid, then a correction in their salary in line with the performance of West Berkshire and the recession in the Country is due. Perhaps we could use their excessive salaries to fund the sixth form schools shortfall introduced by New Labour?"

Reference: Newbury Today's article 'Three council officers earn six figure salaries'

Police Thugs kill at G20

nospam@example.com (Adrian Hollister) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 06:38:00 +0200

Adrian Hollister notes the Green Party article that highlights to him an ever more violent Police force and comments: "At the G20 a man who was unarmed, caused no threat and was walking away from the Police with his hands in his pockets died after an assault by the Police. He was hit in back of his legs with a baton designed to collapse his legs and he was pushed over onto his face at the same time. This was is designed to have only one result - pain and injury. Why would the Police look to inflict injury on the people they are here to protect? If thugs had assaulted me in the street this way I would expect justice. This disgusting act must be subject to a criminal inquiry and the whole culture of increasing Police brutality must be stamped out."

Update
Adrian Windisch puts a far more diplomatic description of events on his blog and has a great letter you can send to your MP using www.writetothem.com - you can find his blog entry here.

5.14 million DNA kept by state

nospam@example.com (Adrian Hollister) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 20:16:09 +0200

Over 5 million people have had their DNA stored on file by the state. The European court has already ruled that the database is illegal as it keeps details of those who have volunteered to have their DNA taken (despite the police saying that they would not keep it), and those who were not prosecuted or were found innocent. These people have no right of appeal to have their details removed and no right to even ask if their details are held at best you can write to your local police Chief Constable and hope they do something.

Adrian Hollister said, "The EU ruled last year on this issue and I have no idea why the UK Government is so slow acting upon their responsibilities. The Governments record on keeping information and data secure is terrible so to keep this information without adequate control, supervision and guidelines is open to significant abuse. This has clearly been demonstrated by the difference in policies between different police forces. This led to the development of 'keep everything' policies regardless of convictions or criminal status. The UK need to stop now and plan how this information is to be used, stored and monitored to ensure that there is an appropriate level of crime detection, privacy and human rights."

If you are affected by this issue you can write to your local MP or additional help can be gained from the GeneWatch group.

Put People First March in London

nospam@example.com (Adrian Hollister) — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 19:14:51 +0200

Pam Cooper wrote, “Went up to London for today's march, there is a very wide range of organisations represented up there from Trade Unions to the Salvation Army, Save the Children and Greenpeace, bands, drummers and loads of individuals and small groups all with our messages, all very friendly and good natured.

“I joined group of Greens from London and Reading. it was good to see so many green flags and placard. When I got home I was surprised at great cover on the TV of a 'peaceful' march.

“The message of the day that, was people whet a green agenda a 'green new deal' we must get out there and campaign to get more Green s elected so they don't end up with just more green wash from the main parties. What we get from the G20 we just have to wait and see, but I hope it not more the same old policies that got us in this mess in the first place.”

The Reading Green party lot have a great article and pictures which can be found here.

Richard Benyon rejects animal welfare labeling

nospam@example.com (Adrian Hollister) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 17:57:45 +0100

I finally had a reply from the Tory incumbent MP Richard Benyon - he seems to think that quality and welfare of the animals means nothing to the Tories, as they have a policy of stamping food made in Britain as 'British'. This is one of those comedy replies it must be. We are in such a large farming community he must understand the advantage our local farmers would get by forcing the supermarkets to label the type of production method used. Can you imagine a large supermarket admitting that they raise their meat products in such a poor way? I wouldn't mind betting they would invest very quickly in lower stock densities and higher welfare standards.

Anyway, here is my reply with his email on the bottom..

"Your bill I starts 'Amend the Food Labelling Regulations 1996 to provide for information about the country of origin of food to be made available to consumers; and for connected purposes.'

This I can only assume is just about point of origin and not the welfare or quality of husbandry. If this is the case does not even start to meet the description of EDM 581, and certainly does not help to promote the often higher standards of meat and meat products available in our region and the United Kingdom.

Please look again at the issue, it is one not currently covered by Conservative policy and EDM 581 has the potential to bring great benefits to the large farming sector in our area.

Many thanks,
Adrian Hollister
West Berks Green Party

p.s. slightly odd receiving an email with no signature, not great electronic etiquette

On 23 Mar 2009, at 12:09, BENYON, Richard wrote:

Dear Mr Hollister

Thank you for your recent correspondence about Early Day Motion 581,
food labelling and the welfare of chickens. I appreciate your concerns
and thank you for bringing them to my attention.

The Conservatives care greatly about animal welfare and have long been
calling for an overhaul in food labelling procedures. It is
unacceptable that meat can be imported from abroad, processed in Britain
and then labelled as British. This practice is clearly dishonest and
misleading to consumers. We therefore want to see compulsory country of
origin labelling for meat and meat products so that consumers can be
assured that products labelled British come from animals born and bred
in Britain to our high welfare standards.

You will be pleased to hear that Conservatives have recently launched an
'Honest Food' campaign calling for clearer food labelling. As part of
the campaign, Nick Herbert MP, the Shadow Secretary of State for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is tabling a Parliamentary Bill
which will make it mandatory for retailers to display the country of
origin of their meat and meat products, in line with countries such as
Australia and will also require meat and meat products labelled as
British or carrying the Union flag to be born and bred in Britain.
Conservatives will be urging the Government to support it.

The campaign has drawn support from a wide range of groups and
individuals including the NFU and RSPCA as well as chefs and food
campaigners including Hugh Fernley-Whittingstall, Prue Leith, Anthony
Worrall Thomson and Clarissa Dickson Wright. I would urge you to visit
the campaign website at www.honestfoodcampaign.com to find out more,
read our policy in full, and also to sign our petition supporting the
honest labelling of food.

Given the progress Conservatives are making on this issue I will not be
signing EDM 581.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write to me.

Yours sincerely"