NEWS RELEASE – Bitter disappointment on Crossrail

GLASGOW MSP: NETWORK RAIL MUST PRIORITISE CROSSRAIL IF AIR POLLUTION IS TO BE SLASHED

Green Glasgow MSP Patrick Harvie has today criticised Network Rail for not prioritising the city’s crossrail scheme in its latest vision for the future of Scotland’ s rail network and stations. Harvie argues that the project is essential to reduce congestion and air pollution by ensuring there are efficient and accessible network links between Central and Queen St stations, and between the west coast and major east coast hubs such as Edinburgh and Dundee.

Green Glasgow MSP Patrick Harvie, said, “Glasgow Crossrail is affordable, achievable and much needed. No single transport project makes greater sense for Glasgow and the west of Scotland, and this latest announcement is a bitter disappointment.

“We already know that Ministers are more committed to continued motorway madness than they are to public transport, but if they don’t step in to challenge this decision they will have lost a huge opportunity.

“People in Glasgow are enduring appalling levels of road traffic, with all the air pollution and ill health that brings. We know that the Executive wants to drop its target for reducing that congestion, and now it seems that Glasgow is to lose out on the public transport alternatives which could have helped get out city moving in the right direction.

“The Liberal Democrat Transport Minister Tavish Scott recently told Parliament that Crossrail “stands on its own merits”. Now it’s time for him to make good on those words, and join with Crossrails’s supporters to make sure this decision is reversed.”

ENDS

Big Issue column – high drama

Edinburgh?s Royal Mile is once more awash with actors, dancers, jugglers, comedians, costumed acrobats and thousands upon thousands of the great, merry, weary, drunken Fringe-going public, all of them wading through a sea of discarded flyers. The festival season grows bigger every year, and the 2006 programme is truly bewildering with over twenty eight thousand performances to choose from. That?s nearly six years of entertainment packed into a little over four weeks.

Every year I convince myself that I?ll make the most of it, and every year I find it largely passing me by. I tend to treat Edinburgh as a workplace only, which is a mistake and never more so than at this time of year. So tonight I am finally off to a show, just as soon as this column reaches the required 500 words.

Parliament is getting into the Festival spirit too, with a programme of political events covering the legacy of slavery, the history of Scottish radicalism, and the future of devolution to name but a few topics. The Big Issue?s editor will also be appearing, in a debate about the goal of ending homelessness in Scotland. The Festival of Politics might offer fewer laughs than the Fringe, but it does create new opportunities to engage in the political issues which affect our lives in a more inventive way than usual. It?s certainly better than just shouting at the television when people like myself say things you disagree with.

One person who is probably less keen on bringing the performing arts into politics is John Prescott, who has recently learned that he is to be the subject of an ITV dramatisation satirising the string of humiliations, scandals and PR blunders which have led to his fall from grace. The fact that he has managed to cling to office must be of some small comfort to him, but is galling to his critics. It used to be the case that the media would wait till a career was well and truly over before launching this kind of broadside, and even David Blunkett didn?t have to endure the discomfort of ?A Very Social Secretary? until after his first resignation.

ITV?s decision to go ahead with this full-on critique of Prescott?s term in office before it is over will be controversial, but if satirists hold back from offending people they?re not doing their job properly. I for one will settle down with the popcorn and enjoy.

While all this merriment is going on of course, anti-terrorism planners are busy making a drama out of a crisis. I am not one of those who pours scorn on every suggestion of a plot, seeing conspiracies in every headline. But with so little detail made public about what the recent ?alleged plot? involved, I?m certainly growing impatient for an explanation. The chances of a liquid bomb plot actually working seem so remote that anybody trying to carry one out must be more fantasist than fanaticist. Detail and explanation must come soon, or Muslim communities ? and the rest of us too – will justifiably lose patience.

NEWS RELEASE – Middle East ‘bomb flights’

GREEN GLASGOW MSP DELIVERS MESSAGE OF PEACE TO US CONSUL AT THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT
- APPEAL TO END ALL BOMB FLIGHTS FUELLING MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT

Green Glasgow MSP Patrick Harvie delivered a message of peace to the US Consul during a meeting in the Scottish Parliament today, protesting in the strongest possible terms that the US should stop fuelling the Middle East conflict by supplying bombs. (1)

Reacting to the announcement that UK authorities will prevent the further use of civilian airports, Greens pointed out that RAF bases will still be used for this purpose, and that the key policy has not changed – the UK will continue to help the US to arm one side in the conflict rather than working with both towards a ceasefire.

Greens made it clear to the US representative based in Edinburgh, C?cile Shea, that Scotland wants no part in the brutal killing of innocent civilians and that our airports should not be used to transport any munitions to the region. Greens want the UK to follow Ireland’s example to reject permission for planes loaded with bombs destined for Israel to refuel at Scottish airports.

They asked the Consul how the US could justify supplying bombs to one side of the conflict which was undermining international moves for peace and ceasefire in the region.

Green Glasgow MSP and Green speaker on justice Patrick Harvie MSP, said: “We had a frank exchange of views during which we tried to convey to Ms Shea the extreme concern – indeed disgust – among the Scottish public and politicians that Prestiwck airport is being used to ferry arms to Israel. Our message was clear – that Scotland wants no role in fuelling this conflict, no role in enabling the US to pursue a misguided and morally questionable foreign policy, that this is a peaceful nation with a strong anti-war sentiment.

“The world wants a ceasefire, but the UK and the US at the moment are working against that by helping supply weapons – that is wrong, it is unpardonable and is an untenable position to be in. We said this to Ms Shea today in the strongest possible terms and we are at least glad that we had an opportunity to convey the strength of feeling.”

Greens have called for cross party support for their motions in the Scottish Parliament condemning the bomb flights and for Jack McConnell to voice his concerns publicly. (2)

ENDS

For more information contact 0131 348 6360 or 0771 761 8771.

Notes

1. Greens gave the US Consul a picture of a dove – the bird of peace – as a way of showing the Green message of peace and non-violent means of addressing conflict. The meeting took place at 11am in the Scottish Parliament, it came about following a letter handed to the US Ambassador in March this year – for details click here.

2. For more information go to: www.scottishgreens.org.uk

Motion lodged in Parliament on Thursday 27 July:
Short Title: US Use of Prestwick Airport
S2M-04682 Chris Ballance (South of Scotland) (Green): That the Parliament notes with grave concern reports that Prestwick Airport has been used by the United States of America for flights carrying bombs to Israel for use in Lebanon; notes that this follows repeated allegations that the same airport has been used to facilitate the illegal rendition of terrorist suspects by the US; welcomes the reported intervention of UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett in noting her concerns to the US government but calls for much stronger and unequivocal representation urging any such flights to stop immediately, and calls on the UK Government, the First Minister, Jack McConnell, and the Scottish Executive and Prestwick Airport authorities to take all possible action to prevent future use of the facility by any aircraft carrying materials or equipment that could be used in the escalating Israel/Lebanon conflict.

Big Issue column – election fever

With nine months to go, election fever is focussing minds in the political parties. Manifestos are being written, placards ordered, candidates selected. Speculation is growing that May?s election might herald a big change. Labour?s internal polling has predicted a significant drop in their vote, and if Tony Blair is still in Number 10 they might find it hard to turn that around. The LibDems seem to be suffering from a lacklustre leadership at UK level, and in this election they will need to defend their own record in government. The SSP?s troubles make it hard to know what state they?ll be in by election time, and any chance the Conservatives have of picking up more constituency seats may cost them their existing regional ones. Most observers seem to expect the Greens to pick up a few more seats, especially in the areas where we fell just short of the mark last time. The way things are looking now, the SNP may benefit from a general sense of tiredness with the current Executive, as well as from the SSP?s difficulties.

But if a week is a long time in politics, nine months is an eternity. Many things could change before then. As well as the established parties we might see another crop of single-issue candidates putting themselves forward. In the past we?ve seen campaigns focussed on fishing, windfarms, and a range of other issues. Two of these were successful at the 2003 election ? Jean Turner was elected as a constituency MSP on a tide of opposition to the downgrading of Stobhill Hospital, and John Swinburne was elected as the only Senior Citizens? Party MSP, representing the Central Scotland region.

One group hoping to copy their success is the self-styled Scottish Christian Party. Having grown from a campaign called Operation Christian Vote, it has a range of policies which would raise eyebrows both within religious communities and beyond. With a manifesto which seems to imply an outright return to theocracy, they show the greatest enthusiasm when campaigning against equality for sexual minorities. Their latest wheeze is to condemn the Gay Police Association for pointing out that many people who commit homophobic assaults cite religion as a justification. I suspect that most practicing Christians in Scotland would be deeply angry that queerbashing thugs would co-opt their religion as a defence, and would join together with the GPA to challenge such behaviour. Not this group though. Many religious people have made valuable contributions to political life over the years, but we should all hope ? whatever our beliefs ? that such contributions will not be eclipsed by extremism and bigotry in the future.

It doesn?t help of course when mainstream politicians such as Fergus Ewing (as noted in your letters column) decide to pipe up in support of bigotry, as with the firefighters who refused to distribute information leaflets at the Pride event in Glasgow. If his party does indeed do well next year, I sincerely hope that his party?s leadership will ensure that such reactionary prejudice is challenged. Otherwise they may find political allies harder to find than needs be.

NEWS RELEASE – Middle East ‘bomb flights’

GREEN GLASGOW MSP DELIVERS MESSAGE OF PEACE TO US CONSUL AT THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT
- APPEAL TO END ALL BOMB FLIGHTS FUELLING MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT

Green Glasgow MSP Patrick Harvie delivered a message of peace to the US Consul during a meeting in the Scottish Parliament today, protesting in the strongest possible terms that the US should stop fuelling the Middle East conflict by supplying bombs. (1)

Reacting to the announcement that UK authorities will prevent the further use of civilian airports, Greens pointed out that RAF bases will still be used for this purpose, and that the key policy has not changed – the UK will continue to help the US to arm one side in the conflict rather than working with both towards a ceasefire.

Greens made it clear to the US representative based in Edinburgh, C?cile Shea, that Scotland wants no part in the brutal killing of innocent civilians and that our airports should not be used to transport any munitions to the region. Greens want the UK to follow Ireland’s example to reject permission for planes loaded with bombs destined for Israel to refuel at Scottish airports.

They asked the Consul how the US could justify supplying bombs to one side of the conflict which was undermining international moves for peace and ceasefire in the region.

Green Glasgow MSP and Green speaker on justice Patrick Harvie MSP, said: “We had a frank exchange of views during which we tried to convey to Ms Shea the extreme concern – indeed disgust – among the Scottish public and politicians that Prestiwck airport is being used to ferry arms to Israel. Our message was clear – that Scotland wants no role in fuelling this conflict, no role in enabling the US to pursue a misguided and morally questionable foreign policy, that this is a peaceful nation with a strong anti-war sentiment.

“The world wants a ceasefire, but the UK and the US at the moment are working against that by helping supply weapons – that is wrong, it is unpardonable and is an untenable position to be in. We said this to Ms Shea today in the strongest possible terms and we are at least glad that we had an opportunity to convey the strength of feeling.”

Greens have called for cross party support for their motions in the Scottish Parliament condemning the bomb flights and for Jack McConnell to voice his concerns publicly. (2)

ENDS

For more information contact 0131 348 6360 or 0771 761 8771.

Notes

1. Greens gave the US Consul a picture of a dove – the bird of peace – as a way of showing the Green message of peace and non-violent means of addressing conflict. The meeting took place at 11am in the Scottish Parliament, it came about following a letter handed to the US Ambassador in March this year – for details click here.

2. For more information go to: www.scottishgreens.org.uk

Motion lodged in Parliament on Thursday 27 July:
Short Title: US Use of Prestwick Airport
S2M-04682 Chris Ballance (South of Scotland) (Green): That the Parliament notes with grave concern reports that Prestwick Airport has been used by the United States of America for flights carrying bombs to Israel for use in Lebanon; notes that this follows repeated allegations that the same airport has been used to facilitate the illegal rendition of terrorist suspects by the US; welcomes the reported intervention of UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett in noting her concerns to the US government but calls for much stronger and unequivocal representation urging any such flights to stop immediately, and calls on the UK Government, the First Minister, Jack McConnell, and the Scottish Executive and Prestwick Airport authorities to take all possible action to prevent future use of the facility by any aircraft carrying materials or equipment that could be used in the escalating Israel/Lebanon conflict.