3 January 2015
Happy New Year 2015 is going to be a big year for the Green Party, with the General Election on 7 May and local elections in many areas the same day.
We will be announcing our General Election candidates this month, and launching a special appeal for funds to support their campaigns. Look out for news in the media.
Local meetings in Epsom and GuildfordTwo new local branches hold their first meetings this month:
Epsom & Ewell Green Party meets Tuesday 6 January, 7:30-9:30 pm, upstairs at The Rising Sun, 14 Heathcote Road, Epsom, KT18 5DX. All welcome.
And Green Party leader Natalie Bennett is guest speaker at the meeting of the new Guildford, Godalming and South/East Waverley branch, Friday 9 January, 7.15pm at Guildford Institute on Ward Street, Guildford. All welcome.
Important consultation – new runwaysThe Airports Commission is currently consulting on proposals for additional runway capacity. It says that at least one new runway should be built, either at Heathrow or Gatwick. Greens disagree. There is no need for a new runway – and any expansion of flying would exacerbate noise and air pollution and climate change.
Please respond to the consultation by 3 February. You can send a quick email to airports.consultation@systra.com simply saying you are opposed to a new runway at Gatwick or Heathrow. Or you can make a more detailed response using the official form - either online or by post. There is need to answer every question.
View the consultation document and download the response form.
Find out more about the threats of a new runway from local campaign groups GACC (Gatwick) and HACAN (Heathrow).
Reigate & Banstead Green Party has objected to Surrey County Council's proposal to close its last six care homes. The strength of opposition has clearly surprised the Council and they have extended the consultation until 31 January.
You can find links to the consultation and our submission on the RBGP website
There will be a mass lobby/protest outside the Cabinet at County Hall in Kingston on Tuesday 24 February at 12.30pm. Details on www.sosis.org.uk
A number of Surrey Green Party members and friends monitor our personal carbon footprint each year. The scheme involves monitoring the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions that result from activities under our control that can be simply and accurately measured, such as home heating and electricity use and non-business road and air travel.
We find that measuring the impact makes it much easier to focus on the most effective practicable steps to take to reduce it.
To find out more about the scheme, read this web page
To join, contact Derek Smith derek.redhill@gmail.com, who can provide more information.
For details of events in Mole Valley, including a Wassail Warm Up on 10 January and the launch of the next stage of the Green Belt campaign on 21 January, visit Mole Valley Green Party's web page.
31 January: Election training and canvassing in Brighton
Organised by the South East Region Green Party, there will be two workshops, for election candidates and supporters, followed by canvassing to support Caroline Lucas's bid to retain her seat as a MP. If canvassing is not for you, you can help with leafleting or on a stall. To find out more, contact Jonathan Essex - jonathan.essex@greenparty.org.uk
We hope for a good turn-out from Surrey. To organise car sharing from Dorking, contact Vicki Elcoate vicki.elcoate@ntlworld.com
6 February: Election training and canvassing in Oxford
Similar to the Brighton day – training for election candidates and supporters, followed by canvassing. For more information, contact Jonathan Essex - jonathan.essex@greenparty.org.uk
The voter registration system has changed – please check that you have a vote! It’s very quick and easy to register, or update your name, address or other details on the electoral register online https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
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