News and views from the East Lothian branch of the Scottish Green Party. You can email us: eastlothian@scottishgreens.org.uk and follow us on Twitter: @elothiangreens.
Monday 22 December 2014
Keep Up To Date With Our Westminster Campaign
Visit VoteJasonRose.com for regular updates from Jason Rose, East Lothian Green candidate for Westminster.
Monday 15 December 2014
EAST LOTHIAN GREENS QUESTION LABOUR MP'S STANCE ON FRACKING
Jason Rose, East Lothian Green candidate for Westminster, is questioning the stance taken by the county's MP on the risky gas drilling process known as fracking.
During last week's Commons debate on the UK Government's proposed Infrastructure Bill, which will enable drilling companies to run pipelines under property without permission, Labour MPs including East Lothian member Fiona O'Donnell abstained.
Labour's energy spokesman Tom Greatrex stated "shale gas may have a role to play". By contrast Green MP Caroline Lucas tabled an amendment pointing out that the Bill would be inconsistent with the urgent need to prioritise low carbon energy and would encourage oil and gas extraction when the UK should be reducing its fossil fuel dependence.
This came during a week when Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People stated that fracking threatens children's right to health, and as unions including the PCS and Unite restated their opposition to fracking.
Jason Rose, East Lothian Green candidate for Westminster, said:
"While Labour MPs like Fiona O'Donnell appear to think this is not an important enough issue to vote on, communities across East Lothian and the rest of the central belt are rightly alarmed at the prospect of fracking and other unconventional methods of gas extraction. In recent weeks I've been speaking to people throughout the county who support the Scottish Green campaign against fracking, and are appalled to learn of Labour's wishy-washy position on the issue.
"By contrast Green MP Caroline Lucas took a tough stance against the Bill, and it is that sort of constructive and principled approach I would take as MP for East Lothian. I believe we should prioritise clean technology and energy efficiency to give us long-term, high-quality jobs, a point strongly recognised by many trades unions."
Labour energy spokesman says "shale gas may have a role to play":
http://www.scottishlabour.org.uk/blog/entry/no-fracking-without-scotlands-approval
TUC blog on shale, confirming "PCS, along with other UK unions such as Unite is opposed to fracking":
http://touchstoneblog.org.uk/2014/12/uk-shale-gas-a-trade-union-view/
Commissioner for Children and Young People briefing on fracking:
http://www.sccyp.org.uk/ufiles/Fracking-briefing.pdf
Caroline Lucas on the Infrastructure Bill:
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/dec/08/caroline-lucas-infrastructure-bill-british-green-policies-15bn-roads-pollution
Scottish Green Party campaign to stop fracking in Scotland:
http://www.scottishgreens.org.uk/campaigns/fracking/
During last week's Commons debate on the UK Government's proposed Infrastructure Bill, which will enable drilling companies to run pipelines under property without permission, Labour MPs including East Lothian member Fiona O'Donnell abstained.
Labour's energy spokesman Tom Greatrex stated "shale gas may have a role to play". By contrast Green MP Caroline Lucas tabled an amendment pointing out that the Bill would be inconsistent with the urgent need to prioritise low carbon energy and would encourage oil and gas extraction when the UK should be reducing its fossil fuel dependence.
This came during a week when Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People stated that fracking threatens children's right to health, and as unions including the PCS and Unite restated their opposition to fracking.
Jason Rose, East Lothian Green candidate for Westminster, said:
"While Labour MPs like Fiona O'Donnell appear to think this is not an important enough issue to vote on, communities across East Lothian and the rest of the central belt are rightly alarmed at the prospect of fracking and other unconventional methods of gas extraction. In recent weeks I've been speaking to people throughout the county who support the Scottish Green campaign against fracking, and are appalled to learn of Labour's wishy-washy position on the issue.
"By contrast Green MP Caroline Lucas took a tough stance against the Bill, and it is that sort of constructive and principled approach I would take as MP for East Lothian. I believe we should prioritise clean technology and energy efficiency to give us long-term, high-quality jobs, a point strongly recognised by many trades unions."
Labour energy spokesman says "shale gas may have a role to play":
http://www.scottishlabour.org.uk/blog/entry/no-fracking-without-scotlands-approval
TUC blog on shale, confirming "PCS, along with other UK unions such as Unite is opposed to fracking":
http://touchstoneblog.org.uk/2014/12/uk-shale-gas-a-trade-union-view/
Commissioner for Children and Young People briefing on fracking:
http://www.sccyp.org.uk/ufiles/Fracking-briefing.pdf
Caroline Lucas on the Infrastructure Bill:
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/dec/08/caroline-lucas-infrastructure-bill-british-green-policies-15bn-roads-pollution
Scottish Green Party campaign to stop fracking in Scotland:
http://www.scottishgreens.org.uk/campaigns/fracking/
Thursday 4 December 2014
EAST LOTHIAN GREENS SELECT JASON ROSE FOR WESTMINSTER
The East Lothian branch of the Scottish Green Party today (4 Dec) confirmed that it has selected local campaigner Jason Rose to be the party’s candidate for the Westminster election in May.
Jason (37) lives in Musselburgh with his wife and young daughter, and is originally from Tranent.
Since 2012 he has worked for the Green MSPs in the Scottish Parliament; before that for Scottish Water, winning a UK-wide award for his corporate communications work. Mr Rose began his career as a radio journalist and presenter. He also founded the Inverness Book Festival and was its director for the first five years, and helped set up a community cinema in the Highlands.
Jason's local campaigning includes revealing the extent of Musselburgh's air pollution problem, and he was heavily involved in Yes East Lothian activities during the referendum. Mr Rose is a member of Friends of Musselburgh Links, Fisherrow Waterfront Group and East Lothian Community Rail Partnership, and advises the Trustees of the Brunton Theatre.
Jason Rose said:
“Everyone accepts the next Westminster election will be like no other. Everything's up for grabs and I have an extraordinary opportunity to get across Green ideas about creating jobs, improving wages and protecting public services.
"As a Belter I'm proud to be running for election in my home county of East Lothian. I’m grateful to East Lothian Greens for selecting me, and for the support I’ve had from party members at recent meetings in Dunbar, Musselburgh and North Berwick.
“The Conservative-Libdem government has punished the poorest in East Lothian and squeezed our public services, and Labour have been a feeble opposition. Labour's sense of entitlement in East Lothian is seriously misplaced, and their very public meltdown follows them abandoning their founding values a long time ago.
"By contrast the Scottish Greens are seeing a surge in membership, a steady rise in the polls and are mounting much-needed opposition on issues such as austerity, fracking and TTIP. I look forward to meeting many more people over the coming months and discussing their priorities for East Lothian."
Susan Moffat, Co-convener of East Lothian Greens, said:
"East Lothian Greens are delighted to have Jason as our candidate. After the referendum this important UK election is expected to provide a real challenge to the Westminster parties.
"The Greens offer the only distinctive and radical alternative to the mainstream parties and we look forward to working hard with Jason in his election campaign in East Lothian."
 |
| Jason (centre) with fellow East Lothian Greens |
Jason (37) lives in Musselburgh with his wife and young daughter, and is originally from Tranent.
Since 2012 he has worked for the Green MSPs in the Scottish Parliament; before that for Scottish Water, winning a UK-wide award for his corporate communications work. Mr Rose began his career as a radio journalist and presenter. He also founded the Inverness Book Festival and was its director for the first five years, and helped set up a community cinema in the Highlands.
Jason's local campaigning includes revealing the extent of Musselburgh's air pollution problem, and he was heavily involved in Yes East Lothian activities during the referendum. Mr Rose is a member of Friends of Musselburgh Links, Fisherrow Waterfront Group and East Lothian Community Rail Partnership, and advises the Trustees of the Brunton Theatre.
Jason Rose said:
“Everyone accepts the next Westminster election will be like no other. Everything's up for grabs and I have an extraordinary opportunity to get across Green ideas about creating jobs, improving wages and protecting public services.
"As a Belter I'm proud to be running for election in my home county of East Lothian. I’m grateful to East Lothian Greens for selecting me, and for the support I’ve had from party members at recent meetings in Dunbar, Musselburgh and North Berwick.
“The Conservative-Libdem government has punished the poorest in East Lothian and squeezed our public services, and Labour have been a feeble opposition. Labour's sense of entitlement in East Lothian is seriously misplaced, and their very public meltdown follows them abandoning their founding values a long time ago.
"By contrast the Scottish Greens are seeing a surge in membership, a steady rise in the polls and are mounting much-needed opposition on issues such as austerity, fracking and TTIP. I look forward to meeting many more people over the coming months and discussing their priorities for East Lothian."
Susan Moffat, Co-convener of East Lothian Greens, said:
"East Lothian Greens are delighted to have Jason as our candidate. After the referendum this important UK election is expected to provide a real challenge to the Westminster parties.
"The Greens offer the only distinctive and radical alternative to the mainstream parties and we look forward to working hard with Jason in his election campaign in East Lothian."
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