The world has changed dramatically since Donald Trump became U.S. President.
Britain now faces a shifting global landscape shaped by the war in Ukraine, tensions over Israel and Palestine, and the rapid rise of the Reform Party at home.
These developments raise important questions. How should we respond? Who can we trust? Are there new allies to turn to – and is there a path back to Europe without losing face?

We have an outstanding panel of expert speakers:
• Richard Kirkpatrick, campaigns manager at the European Movement UK, which aims to rebuild the UK’s relationship with the EU.
• Mick Fealty, Stroud-based founder and editor of award-winning news and opinion portal Slugger O’Toole, which focuses on politics in Ireland and Britain
• Baroness Natalie Bennett, Green Party Peer in the House of Lords
Everyone is welcome and it’s free to attend.
Following the presentations there will be time for audience questions and discussion – we welcome everyone and the session is free.
Can’t join us on the night? Register anyway and we’ll send you the recording.

Register here: https://actionnetwork.org/events/new-world-order-how-will-britain-face-the-challenge?source=direct_link&

The post Online debate July 9: the new world order: how will Britain face the challenge? appeared first on Stroud District Green Party.

“Britain Needs You: In Favour of Immigration” is the subject of our next Cloud Café online discussion, on Wednesday October 9 from 7.30-9pm.

This summer, Britain was shamed by the racist, anti-immigration demonstrations that erupted in its streets, fuelled by the spread of disinformation. In the aftermath, however, it was clear from the actions of the public and the swift response from the government that this view was not held universally.

We’ll hear from three speakers with in-depth knowledge of immigration issues. There will be opportunities to ask questions.

Graham Woodruff is an immigration advisor working at Praxis Community Projects in East London, providing support and legal advice to migrants and asylum seekers in crisis. He is the convenor of the Green Party Asylum & Migration Policy Working Group, which in the past few years has completely rewritten the Green Party policies on migration. The group is now actively engaged in campaign and training work.

Caroline Beatty is the founder and manager of Hill House Retreats in Amberley, which offers ‘sanctuary breaks’ for refugees, asylum seekers and others seeking sanctuary in the UK. She is co-chair of Bristol City of Sanctuary and former manager of Bristol Refugee Rights, providing the first social and welcome centre for refugees in Bristol.  Her background is in race equality community and training work.

Bill Crooks, a trainer and facilitator in international development and humanitarian aid who in the last five years has specialised in supporting programmes on anti-human trafficking and modern slavery in Italy and the UK.

To attend, or to be sent a link to watch the recording afterwards, sign up here: https://actionnetwork.org/events/britain-needs-you-in-favour-of-immigration/ 

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Mr Maugham chatted with the public in High Street before addressing a gathering over lunch to discuss threats to our democracy and how we can defend it against disinformation and attacks on the rule of law.

Mr Maugham said:

“We know that Boris Johnson is pretty autocratic and when he speaks he sounds like Trump or Erdogan or Orbán. He doesn’t represent the values that are values of the country we love.

Brexit is not so much about the constitutional relationship we have with the other 27 EU member countries. Fundamentally, it is about the loss of values we hold dear. If our democracy followed those values then Molly Scott Cato would be in Parliament.

People often talk about the need for tactical voting as voting for the lesser of two evils, but you still only get the lesser of two evils. We need to vote for something better or we won’t get the change we need.”

Molly Scott Cato added:

“It has been wonderful to have the support of Jolyon who is such a champion of democracy and to whom our country owes so much. With growing extremism on both sides, it is important that we resist the extreme partisanship in politics that can give rise to aggressive behaviour. This sort of behaviour that does not represent the values of Stroud, the Valleys and Vale.”

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Stroud is amongst those seats, where local Liberal Democrats have agreed to stand down, backing Molly Scott Cato as theUnite to Remain candidate for Stroud.

That makes Molly Scott Cato the only unambiguously Remain Candidate for our constituency. Lib Dems and Greens together took 49% of the vote in the recent European Elections compared to 29% Brexit Party, 8% Conservative and 7% Labour. If we work together, Molly will win in Stroud!

Molly spoke at the launch of Unite to Remain.

Molly said “I am delighted the LibDems have provided this enormous boost to the Remain campaign in Stroud. I am standing as a Remain candidate for an unambiguously Remain Party. The Greens believe that ordinary people should have the final say in getting us out of this Brexit nightmare through a People’s Vote.”

“But I stand for much more than that”, continued Molly. “The greatest threat we face is climate breakdown; in parliament I will make this a priority by promoting a Green New Deal that will protect our planet while also delivering green jobs, warmer homes and better transport.”

Molly Scott Cato added “In these times of political crisis, we know the public would like to see political parties cooperating for the good of the country rather than just fighting for individual advantage. In Stroud we asked the Labour Party to cooperate with us as well to oppose Brexit and fight climate change, but sadly they refused.”

Talking about the Unite to Remain deals, Co-Leader of the Green Party Jonathan Bartley said: “This is about recognising how damaging Brexit would be – for people and for the environment – and ensuring there is as much representation of Remain parties in the next Parliament as possible.

“Our country is at a crossroads and this election must be the point at which we start to move in a better direction. Everyone knows the Greens are the least tribal of any party and we are always willing to work with others for what’s in the best interests of the country.”

Agreements have been reached through discussion with local parties. 

Sian Berry, Green Party Co-Leader said: “The crash-out Brexit the Tories are pushing for would be a disaster for people up and down England and Wales – and for action on climate chaos.

“Yes, as political parties we have differences, but what we’ve agreed is that on the climate, on stopping Brexit, saving local services and fixing the voting system, we must work together now so we can work together in the new parliament to make these things happen.”

The Green Party supports a People’s Vote to decide the future of Britain in the EU and will campaign to Remain.

The post Molly is the Unite to Remain Candidate for Stroud appeared first on Stroud District Green Party.

The post Green Party Announces Molly Scott Cato as Remain Candidate for Stroud appeared first on Stroud District Green Party.

Earlier in the summer £34k was allocated to Stroud District Council to be spent over two years on supporting essential services in the event of a no deal. Yesterday, central government promised a further £17k for Stroud District Council as part of the no-deal preparation funds. But crucially the department provided little advice to Councils’ on what needs to be done. The total amount over the two financial years equate to approximately £0.62p per person in the district.

A freedom of information request at the start of 2019 revealed how little time and money all seven councils in Gloucestershire had spent on no-deal preparations. The question now is, while still lacking any guidance and adequate funds for no-deal scenario, how can SDC proceed?

Green Party MEP for South-West England, Molly Scott Cato said: ‘‘The details of Operation Yellowhammer make it clear that No Deal Brexit would mean considerable disruption to local systems on which people depend in Stroud. I’m especially worried about possible interruptions to food and fuel supplies. While most people in the district shop at supermarkets, if food and fuel run short, they will turn to the local council for support, as they did when there was an interruption to water supplies following the 2007 flood. This irresponsible government that has No Deal as its central policy is simply not providing the guidance or financial support that Stroud district council needs to address the risks it brings in its wake.”

Most councils have already spent far and above the allocated funds, without any specific advice from the government. Local Government Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP has told councils to appoint a Brexit Lead Officer to account for “…whatever the circumstances”. Quite the task!

Stroud district local services could be severely affected, including healthcare, waste and recycling, transport and water treatment. In addition to the implications felt by private companies, both small and large.

Leader of the Greens on Stroud District Council, Cllr Martin Whiteside said “our Council is doing what it can to prepare to support the people of our District, with a focus on the most vulnerable, but the money is totally inadequate and the guidance from central government insufficient”.

The need for clarity is specifically important for the most vulnerable groups in Stroud – with a matter of weeks until the deadline, the government’s inability to lead is staggering.

The post No-deal Brexit: No guidance and little money for Stroud District Council. appeared first on Stroud District Green Party.

You can help by filling in the survey and sharing it with friends in the District.

The post Are you looking to reduce your climate impact? Transition Stroud Survey appeared first on Stroud District Green Party.

One year ago, a group of cyclists led by Stroud District Green Party, cycled from Stroud to Chalford, and back to Stroud Brewery, to call for safer cycling on the A419. This year, the riders were out again, celebrating the progress of a new feasibility study into a Golden Valley Cycle Route – and highlighting the importance of continued work to make for safe cycling.

Organiser, County Councillor Rachel Smith said: “Since last year, a feasibility study has started to look at design options for off-road cycling along the A419. It’s clear many people want to ride this route, but are put off by the speed of traffic, and lack of separate cycle way.”

The ride ended at Stroud Brewery, where leaflets were handed out to promote upcoming consultation events with the consultants working on the feasibility study. This includes an online survey (available here ) and two drop-in events:

• Wednesday 19th June, 3-7pm at Stroud Brewery
• Wednesday 26th June, 3-7pm at Stroud Subscription Rooms

The study is due to be completed by October 2019, and has been supported by Gloucestershire County Council, Chalford Parish Council, Stroud Town Council and Brimscombe and Thrupp Parish Council.

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Volunteers from the community joined Stroud District Green Party for a litter pick at the top of Bisley Old Road this Monday.

The pick netted five bags of recycling, and eight bags of rubbish, as well as identifying fly-tipping that was reported to the District Council.

Organiser, Tim Davies said: “It was great to have children and young people from the community join us to help out – and it was really encouraging to hear their knowledge about recycling.”

Volunteers cleared rubbish around the playing fields, and along Matson Road, Daniels Road and Gibson Close, as well as through the alley way off Target Close.

Thank you to everyone who took part.

The post All Ages Engage in Top of Town Litter Pick appeared first on Stroud District Green Party.

The Green vote in the Stroud area was one of the highest in the whole country. Green votes increased across Gloucestershire, the South-West and the rest of the UK, most notably in Brighton and Bristol, where Greens came first overall with a spectacular 35% of the vote. Success in the UK was mirrored by a massive surge in Green votes across the whole of Europe.

Those parties[1] with a strong pro-remain, People’s Vote, message did extremely well in Stroud, polling 52% compared to the no-deal Brexit parties[2] that only managed 31%.

Councillor Martin Whiteside, Leader of the nine Greens on the Stroud District Council said “We are delighted to have re-elected Molly Scott Cato as our Green MEP. This vote shows Stroud people’s over-riding support for the key issues of the day which the Green Party have as clear priorities – tacking climate breakdown, stopping Brexit and reforming our failing democracy”.

Green Parliamentary Candidate Kevin Cranston, who is also Mayor of Stroud Town, said “this vote is a rejection of the failed two-party system which has let the country down, particularly in the last three years. The Greens are clear about what they stand for. We need to stop Brexit so that we can concentrate on what really matters; tackling climate change and dealing with the cruel inequalities caused by Austerity. Only the Greens have the vision to rebuild the social and physical infrastructure of the country without damaging the environment. But to do this we need more representatives to join Caroline Lucas in Westminster.”

Notes:

The post “Best Ever” results for Greens in Stroud Area appeared first on Stroud District Green Party.