East Lothian City Deal must look beyond business as usual

We're calling for the South-east Scotland "City Deal" to be firmly focused on a local economy which is both greener and fairer.

This major programme is a partnership of Edinburgh, East Lothian, the two other Lothian councils plus Fife and Scottish Borders, which have come together to work up a £1 billion funding package to improve the economic fortunes of the city region.  

 

Similar models are in place in Glasgow and various English cities.  Under the model, UK and Scottish governments and local councils borrow money up front to improve the economy, on the assumption that future higher tax receipts will pay it back.  

 

However, we say that the kind of investment needed must be based on a vision of what a more sustainable economy looks like decades ahead. 

Isla and Jason of East Lothian Greens

 

Musselburgh-based Green campaigner Jason Rose said: 

 

“The City Deal is a major opportunity to get funding into the local economy. The benefits need to be spread through all six participating councils and jobs created for people who need them most – our younger people and those who need help to get back into work. 

 

“However, the kind of economy also matters.  If the investment was to be for more roads andout­of­town shopping centres, for example, then that locks us into an economy which simply won’t work in 2030 or 2040, even if it worked now. 

 

“I have already asked East Lothian Council officials how they intend to measure the success of this deal, how they will ensure geographic spread of investment and how they think this deal will tackle inequality. I look forward to meeting with officials soon to discuss these issues.”

 

North Berwick-based Green campaigner Isla Aitken said:

 

“A major driver of the City Deal has to be a low carbon economy: for example, investing in public transport and walking and cycling to work; or spending on technology which allows people to work at home or remotely; or creating jobs from major investment in energy conservation, freeing up other funds for direct economic benefit.

 

“We need a city deal for East Lothian that is more than business as usual.” 

 

 

Keep Up To Date With Our Westminster Campaign

Visit VoteJasonRose.com for regular updates from Jason Rose, East Lothian Green candidate for Westminster.

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/

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 (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."

Get The Fracking Facts

At last night's fracking meeting in Musselburgh we had this briefing available. Please download a copy to get informed, and please share widely.

We also recommend this briefing from Friends of the Earth Scotland.

Further campaigning on this issue soon! If you'd like to join us you can do so here.

MUSSELBURGH POLLUTION: GREEN CAMPAIGNER SAYS COUNCIL DRAGGING FEET

Responding to a briefing paper provided for East Lothian Council cabinet members on the issue of Musselburgh's air pollution problem, East Lothian Greens are calling for swifter action.

Musselburgh-based East Lothian Greens campaigner Jason Rose said:

"East Lothian Council really is dragging its feet on this important issue. Public health is being harmed, as is local quality of life and the economy. Traffic congestion in Musselburgh town centre is a longstanding problem and it's appalling that only now the local authority is trying to establish what's really going on.

"The report showing the extent of problem was presented to councillors in the summer of 2012 but wasn't made public until East Lothian Greens used Freedom of Information laws in summer 2013. It's almost 2015 and only now is the council bringing in a consultant to do a proper traffic survey. This whole issue stems from 1995 legislation - who knows what damage has been done in the twenty years since.

"I find the lack of action on bus emissions baffling. Lothian Buses have said quite clearly that they will roll out their low emissions fleet if the case is made yet I see little sign of East Lothian Council pressing Musselburgh's case. The proposed Action Plan says liaison with transport operators is a possibility when of course it's something the council could be doing right now. The report to councillors claims buses are responsible for 29 per cent of pollutants, which may be the case, but how can they know without a proper survey?

"You also have to question how seriously the council takes the notion of reducing traffic in Musselburgh town centre given the current revamp of the High Street from Pinkie Pillars to the Tolbooth. It involves creating additional car parking rather than less, and it moves bus stops further away from homes and shops. 

"I look forward to the consultant getting started on identifying where the traffic's coming from and going to, what the main sources of pollutants are, and what impact the new housing off Pinkie Road will have. We can then, as a community, get cracking with action to reduce through-traffic and make our town centre a better place to live, shop and go to school."

East Lothian Greens' work on the Musselburgh air pollution problem has been raised in the Scottish Parliament.

You can sign our petition calling for low emissions buses in the town.

GREENS HOST MUSSELBURGH FRACKING MEETING WITH MSP

East Lothian Greens, along with Green MSP Alison Johnstone, are urging people in the Musselburgh area to attend a free public meeting on fracking next week.

A vast swathe of Scotland, from Ayrshire to East Lothian, has been earmarked by the UK Government as ripe for the controversial gas drilling technique with laws due to be passed to allow fracking companies to drill below people's homes without consent.

The public meeting, hosted by East Lothian Greens, will take place in the Musselburgh East Community Association (MECA) centre on Haddington Road on Tuesday 28 October, starting at 7pm.

In addition to hearing from Alison Johnstone MSP - who sits on the economy and energy committee in the Scottish Parliament - the meeting will hear from leading expert, Dr Richard Dixon, director at Friends of the Earth Scotland.

East Lothian Greens campaigner Jason Rose said:

"Communities such as ours are rightly alarmed at the determination of Westminster to allow fracking. It's also a concern that Scottish Ministers aren't taking a tougher line.

"There's huge interest in this issue and I'm pleased that East Lothian Greens are able to give local people an opportunity to find out more and discuss how they can help oppose the threat we face.

"As well as the potential local impacts from drilling for gas, we would also add massively to the world's stocks of fossil fuels - stocks we simply can't afford to burn if we want to limit climate change and move towards a sustainable economy."