With Sarah Teather getting elected in the Brent East by-election, the people of Hillrise ward face a second council by-election in 5 months.
In May LibDem Paul Fox stood down one year into a four-year term to pursue his own political career and now Ms Teather has followed suit.
I was out yesterday securing the nominations for our candidate Robin Latimer and the campaign starts in earnest this weekend after nominations close on Friday.
People in Hillrise decided last May to kick Labour out after years of complacency. Unfortunately for people who thought they were voting for a change the LibDems have quickly settled into the pattern of putting their own political careers ahead of the interests of the people of Islington.
As Sarah Teather herself has proved, you can come from third place to win if the sitting party is failing and the main oppostion are incapable of providing a viable alternative.
We will be running a strong campaign with the aim of electing Islington's first Green councillor. The people of Hillrise deserve better and only we can offer a genuine alternative.
Thursday, October 02, 2003
Monday, September 22, 2003
London Assembly list hustings
Below is the text of my speech at the hustings for the selection of candidates for the London Assembly list. The hustings took place at the London Green Party AGM on Saturday.
Good Afternoon, I'm Jon Nott.
I'd like to paint you a picture.
Imagine a London where the tube ran on time, where the tube was a publicly owned and publicly accountable service, properly maintained and properly staffed.
Imagine a London where traffic levels are a fraction of those today and air pollution is a thing of the past.
Imagine a London where there is affordable housing for all who need it.
Imagine a London where the economic focus is shifted from the city to the 300 urban villages which make up this great metropolis.
Imagine a London where our green spaces are the valued and vibrant hearts of our our local communities.
But this is not some utopian dream, this is a vision of a Green London, the vision which drives me as a Green politician.
It is the embodiment of the Green principles which make us different from the other parties.
We should be proud of our achievements, but we should not be satisfied with being the fourth party in London - Londoners deserve better.
We must be practical and set ourselves realistic and achievable targets, but we must never forget the vision which drives us.
A vote for me is a vote for pragmatism driven by vision.
A vote for me is a vote for aiming high.
Let's make London Green.
Please vote Jon Nott first on the London list.
Good Afternoon, I'm Jon Nott.
I'd like to paint you a picture.
Imagine a London where the tube ran on time, where the tube was a publicly owned and publicly accountable service, properly maintained and properly staffed.
Imagine a London where traffic levels are a fraction of those today and air pollution is a thing of the past.
Imagine a London where there is affordable housing for all who need it.
Imagine a London where the economic focus is shifted from the city to the 300 urban villages which make up this great metropolis.
Imagine a London where our green spaces are the valued and vibrant hearts of our our local communities.
But this is not some utopian dream, this is a vision of a Green London, the vision which drives me as a Green politician.
It is the embodiment of the Green principles which make us different from the other parties.
We should be proud of our achievements, but we should not be satisfied with being the fourth party in London - Londoners deserve better.
We must be practical and set ourselves realistic and achievable targets, but we must never forget the vision which drives us.
A vote for me is a vote for pragmatism driven by vision.
A vote for me is a vote for aiming high.
Let's make London Green.
Please vote Jon Nott first on the London list.
Friday, September 19, 2003
Brent East by-election
Despite the hard work of many Green Party activists over the past few weeks, Sarah Teather, the Liberal Democrat candidate, won the Brent East by-election.
Noel Lynch made a good showing, but failed to improve on the general election result. This is probably due to a number of Green supporters voting tactically to make sure that Labour lost the seat. Unfortunately this sends a very mixed message to Tony Blair as the Lib Dems shifted their position on the Iraq war so often that a vote for them can hardly be described as an anti-war vote.
Noel Lynch made a good showing, but failed to improve on the general election result. This is probably due to a number of Green supporters voting tactically to make sure that Labour lost the seat. Unfortunately this sends a very mixed message to Tony Blair as the Lib Dems shifted their position on the Iraq war so often that a vote for them can hardly be described as an anti-war vote.
Thursday, September 18, 2003
Brent East by-election
I spent a few hours leafleting last night and some time on a polling station today and it is clear that there is strong suppport for the Green candidate Noel Lynch.
Turnout looks likely to be very low and this throws the result wide open.
Turnout looks likely to be very low and this throws the result wide open.
Child Poverty Action Group strike
As an active member of my trade union branch, I was pleased to be able to visit the picket line at Child Poverty Action Group yesterday morning and lend some solidarity to a group of workers who are being asked to accept reduced terms and conditions.
This is believed to be the first strike by staff at a "household name" charity, but it is unfortunately a symptom of a growing problem in the voluntary sector.
As the sector becomes more professional, there is an increase in tension between highly skilled and committed staff who expect decent pay and conditions, and some voluntary management committees who expect staff to work for a pittance and be glad because they are working for "a good cause".
There is much scope for improved relations between the unions and voluntary management committees, many of which seem to see unions as an enemy rather than partners in the struggle for a better world.
A report of the background to the strike action can be found on the Society Guardian site.
This is believed to be the first strike by staff at a "household name" charity, but it is unfortunately a symptom of a growing problem in the voluntary sector.
As the sector becomes more professional, there is an increase in tension between highly skilled and committed staff who expect decent pay and conditions, and some voluntary management committees who expect staff to work for a pittance and be glad because they are working for "a good cause".
There is much scope for improved relations between the unions and voluntary management committees, many of which seem to see unions as an enemy rather than partners in the struggle for a better world.
A report of the background to the strike action can be found on the Society Guardian site.
Mayoral candidate visit to Islington
I spent an enjoyable Tuesday evening at a social event where Islington Green Party members and their friends met Darren Johnson, the Party's candidate for Mayor of London in next year's elections.
Gillespie Festival
I missed the final day of Green Party conference in order to be back in London in time for the 20th Gillespie festival. Held in Gillespie Park, which was reclaimed from railway lands 20 years ago and is now uder threat from the Arsenal stadium redevelopment, the festival is one of the best community festivals in London.
The day was made even better by the fact that I won a bottle of champagne in the raffle.
The day was made even better by the fact that I won a bottle of champagne in the raffle.
Green Party conference
I attended the Party's autumn conference in Lancaster from Thursday 11 - Saturday 13 September.
You can view a record of conference on the Green Party site, but my personal highlight was the speech of CPS leader Mark Serwotka. He highlighted the overwhelming number of reasons for trade unionists to give up on the Labour Party, which has abandonned its roots as the party of working people, and to work with progressive parties such as the Greens.
You can view a record of conference on the Green Party site, but my personal highlight was the speech of CPS leader Mark Serwotka. He highlighted the overwhelming number of reasons for trade unionists to give up on the Labour Party, which has abandonned its roots as the party of working people, and to work with progressive parties such as the Greens.
canvassing in Finsbury Park
On the evening of Tuesday 9 September we held a successful canvassing training session in Finsbury Park with Cllr Claire Nash from Leeds.
Run London
On Sunday 7 September, after six weeks of training, including several sessions on the hills and beaches of Thassos, I took part in Run London. I completed the 10km circuit of Richmond Park in 1 hr 1 min 37 sec.
This is the first time I have taken part in an organised run since the 2000 London marathon.
This is the first time I have taken part in an organised run since the 2000 London marathon.
Thursday, July 31, 2003
effect of Olympic bid on North East London
This morning I was interviewed by BBC London about the Green Party's view regarding today's meeting to decide which firm will be appointed Masterplanners for the Olympic bid. I stressed our view that the Olympics could be of great benefit to London, but that the current bid was the wrong bid at the wrong time.
The company that is appointed today will have to prepare the masterplan by the end of November, giving them less than four months to set up, run and draw conclusions from consultation with local communities. The masterplan will impact on the lives of Londoners for generations, whether or not the Olympic bid is successful. No matter how good they are as planners, no company can run a genuine consultation about a project of this scale in the time they have been given.
The interview should be broadcast on BBC London News at 6.30pm this evening on BBC One.
The company that is appointed today will have to prepare the masterplan by the end of November, giving them less than four months to set up, run and draw conclusions from consultation with local communities. The masterplan will impact on the lives of Londoners for generations, whether or not the Olympic bid is successful. No matter how good they are as planners, no company can run a genuine consultation about a project of this scale in the time they have been given.
The interview should be broadcast on BBC London News at 6.30pm this evening on BBC One.
Wednesday, July 30, 2003
internal organisation
At this stage in an election campaign (10 months out), there is still a fair amount of planning to be done and I spent the last two evenings in organising meetings.
Monday, July 28, 2003
Elthorne Community Festival
I spent Sunday running the Islington Green Party stall at the Elthorne Community Festival, which has spread out in recent years to cover the whole of Elthorne Park and Sunnyside Gardens. This really is an excellent festival, strongly supported by the local community - it managed to keep Jessica (9) entertained all afternoon as well as enabling those of us on the stall to meet many existing and potential Green supporters.
Hackney Green Party booksale
I spent an enjoyable Saturday morning helping out at Hackney Green Party's fundraising booksale in Stoke Newington. This also gave me an opportunity to visit Stoke Newington Farmers' market.
Friday, July 25, 2003
effect of the Olympics on Hackney
Last night I spoke at a meeting organised by Hackney Environment Forum about the impact of a bid to host the 2012 Olympics in London.
The meeting was well attended and I was joined on the panel by representatives from the Mayor of London's office, Lea Valley Park, Hackney Council and by a Labour member of the London Assembly.
Some very positive commitments were given by the Mayor's office, including a commitment that no permament or temporary development would take place on Hackney Marshes or London Fields. When pushed about the exact meaning and geographical boundaries of this commitment, a degree of uncertainty crept in, but there is a promise to make a definitive statement in the near future - something I will report here when it is made.
However, on many of the key issues of social, economic and environmental impact, such as transport links, the creation of long-term rather than temporary jobs and the development of low-impact facilities with a genuine value to the community long after the games are finished, the responses were peppered with far to many "ifs" and "aspirations" for my liking and for the majority of the people at the meeting.
It is one thing to state that a London Olympics must improve on the standard set by Sydney's "Green Games", but it is quite another to deliver. From the audience response to my comments compared with the response to those of the Labour politicians and the Mayor's advisor, it was clear that many people are not yet happy with the assurances that are being made.
The Mayor's advisor stated that "if we can't convince the people of East London that the games will deliver long-term economic, social and environmental benefits to their area then we will not win the games." Last night's meeting showed that the bid if a long way from meeting those criteria. The consultation process will go on until November and the bid will be submitted in January 2004, it is vital that individuals and other local groups engage in the formal consultation structure and arrange independent meetings like the one last night to make sure that if this bid id to go ahead it does so for the benefit of the people of East London and not for the benefit of corporate sponsors like Nike, McDonalds and Coca Cola.
The meeting was well attended and I was joined on the panel by representatives from the Mayor of London's office, Lea Valley Park, Hackney Council and by a Labour member of the London Assembly.
Some very positive commitments were given by the Mayor's office, including a commitment that no permament or temporary development would take place on Hackney Marshes or London Fields. When pushed about the exact meaning and geographical boundaries of this commitment, a degree of uncertainty crept in, but there is a promise to make a definitive statement in the near future - something I will report here when it is made.
However, on many of the key issues of social, economic and environmental impact, such as transport links, the creation of long-term rather than temporary jobs and the development of low-impact facilities with a genuine value to the community long after the games are finished, the responses were peppered with far to many "ifs" and "aspirations" for my liking and for the majority of the people at the meeting.
It is one thing to state that a London Olympics must improve on the standard set by Sydney's "Green Games", but it is quite another to deliver. From the audience response to my comments compared with the response to those of the Labour politicians and the Mayor's advisor, it was clear that many people are not yet happy with the assurances that are being made.
The Mayor's advisor stated that "if we can't convince the people of East London that the games will deliver long-term economic, social and environmental benefits to their area then we will not win the games." Last night's meeting showed that the bid if a long way from meeting those criteria. The consultation process will go on until November and the bid will be submitted in January 2004, it is vital that individuals and other local groups engage in the formal consultation structure and arrange independent meetings like the one last night to make sure that if this bid id to go ahead it does so for the benefit of the people of East London and not for the benefit of corporate sponsors like Nike, McDonalds and Coca Cola.
Thursday, July 24, 2003
recycling in Islington
I was quoted today in the Islington Gazette about the LibDem Council's low ambitions for recycling. A London-wide fund is passing money to North London councils to improve recycling with a target of 17% of all waste recycled. I pointed out that even if this target were reached it would leave over 80% of household waste to be incinerated or dummped in landfill. I called on the council to be more ambitious in their targets and to aim to reduce waste as well as increasing recycling rates.
killing of Saddam's sons
This letter was sent to the London morning newspaper "Metro" in my capacity as the Green Party's national speaker on peace and defence issues.
"It is shocking that the US troops in Iraq have stampeded a villa in Iraq
and shot dead Saddam's two sons instead of seeking to capture them and bring them to trial for their crimes. (Metro, 24th July)
"The Green Party maintain that the proper way to deal with all tyrants is through international criminals courts, not through assassination. It has also emerged that a 14 year old boy may have been killed in the shoot out. This outrageous act will not aid the US and British forces in Iraq, it will only make their job more dangerous and infuriate the Iraqi people.
"By engaging in summary executions and the murder of children the British
and American governments come closer to Saddam's brutal regime than the democratic ideals they espouse for the future of Iraq. The occupying powers in Iraq must set an example to the world by adhering to international laws and seeking to bring the criminals of the former regime to justice."
Jon Nott
Green Party defence spokesperson
"It is shocking that the US troops in Iraq have stampeded a villa in Iraq
and shot dead Saddam's two sons instead of seeking to capture them and bring them to trial for their crimes. (Metro, 24th July)
"The Green Party maintain that the proper way to deal with all tyrants is through international criminals courts, not through assassination. It has also emerged that a 14 year old boy may have been killed in the shoot out. This outrageous act will not aid the US and British forces in Iraq, it will only make their job more dangerous and infuriate the Iraqi people.
"By engaging in summary executions and the murder of children the British
and American governments come closer to Saddam's brutal regime than the democratic ideals they espouse for the future of Iraq. The occupying powers in Iraq must set an example to the world by adhering to international laws and seeking to bring the criminals of the former regime to justice."
Jon Nott
Green Party defence spokesperson
Wednesday, July 23, 2003
technical bits
Day two of this blog, which is still hosted for free at blogspot on a template.
I'm lining up a transfer to www.jonnott.org.uk and hopefully I'll dig out the FTP details in time to shift over by the weekend.
Next technical priority is to do some work on the template so that it is a more appropriate colour and includes some images.
I'm lining up a transfer to www.jonnott.org.uk and hopefully I'll dig out the FTP details in time to shift over by the weekend.
Next technical priority is to do some work on the template so that it is a more appropriate colour and includes some images.
Tuesday, July 22, 2003
introduction
Hi, I'm Jon Nott. I live and work in Islington.
I'm the Green Party's candidate for the North East London constituency of the London Assembly. I'm also standing for the Green Party's London-wide list.
This blog will keep you up to date with my campaigns to get more Greens elected at all levels, in order to deliver the London we all deserve.
I'm the Green Party's candidate for the North East London constituency of the London Assembly. I'm also standing for the Green Party's London-wide list.
This blog will keep you up to date with my campaigns to get more Greens elected at all levels, in order to deliver the London we all deserve.
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