Public Support for Cycling (12 December 2007)

We are delighted that the Sustrans Connect2 project has won £50M of funding from the Big Lottery Fund. It was announced today that the public voted for this project ahead of the other three short-listed projects. Connect2 received nearly 120,000 votes, 42% of those cast. This demonstrates the huge public support that exists for improving cycling and walking routes.

Vote for Walking and Cycling! (26 November 2007)

Voting opens today in a poll that will decide how £50M of National Lottery funding will be spent.

There are four schemes to choose from. Colchester & District Green Party are supporting the Connect2 project, submitted by Sustrans, the national sustainable transport charity. Connect2 will support walking and cycling by improving facilities across the country.

The project will make it easier for more people to make more journeys on foot or by bike, rather than by car. This will benefit personal health, the environment, and even car drivers, by reducing the amount of traffic on the roads.

The other three short-listed projects are all based in a single location in another part of the country. Connect2 is the only one of the projects that will directly benefit the East of England. This project will benefit everyone and deserves everyone's vote. You can vote on-line at http://www.thepeoples50million.org.uk/vote.

Buy Nothing Today (24 November 2007)

Today is UK Buy Nothing Day. It is a day when we can all take a stand against consumerism and globalisation by having fun without spending money.

The purpose is to make us all think about the products we buy and the companies that produce them. Every purchase affects the environment in some way and many purchases affect developing countries. We should question how far goods have travelled, under what conditions they were made and traded, and how they have been packaged.

To find out more, visit www.buynothingday.co.uk.

"Monster Trucks" Coming to Essex? (19 November 2007)

The Green Party is warning of the prospect of new 60-tonne mega-trucks thundering along our roads. The current weight limit is 40 tonnes, but the European Parliament has failed to rule out raising the limit by 50% and allowing these trucks free passage within Europe.

Green Party spokesperson Peter Lynn said:

"These enormous vehicles would become common on the A12 and A120 heading to and from Harwich. They would damage our road surfaces and infrastructure and the taxpayer would have to pay for this. They would also increase the dangers to pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and ordinary car drivers.

In Colchester we have experienced the problems caused by failures of SatNav. Imagine a 60-tonne truck stuck in the Dutch Quarter!"

The Green Party is launching a campaign against raising the current weight limit of 40 tonnes and our Green MEPs are lobbying to ensure that this new danger is not unleashed on us.

Government Not Tough Enough on Climate Change (19 November 2007)

The Green Party has reacted to Gordon Brown's first speech on the environment as Prime Minister. Colchester & District Green Party spokesperson Peter Lynn is critical of the low priority being given to climate change and the weakness of measures proposed by the Government. He said:

"It speaks for itself that it has taken Gordon Brown six months in the job to finally get around to making a speech on the environment. Having had so long to prepare, it is very disappointing that he is offering no real measures to reduce our emissions.

We do not have time for yet more commissions and reviews; we need urgent action. The UK could be a world leader in the renewable energy industry if only the Government would support and invest in this sector. Instead we lag way behind most other EU countries."

Also today, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn announced that £100M would be invested in turning the energy advice service into a "Green Homes Service". Peter Lynn thinks that £100M both to expand renewable energy in homes and promote energy efficiency is pitiful. He said:

"The Government plans to spend fifty times this amount on expanding one single road - the M1 - which is certain to result in increased CO2 emissions! This illustrates that there is a huge gulf between the Government's words on the environment and their willingness to actually engage with the issues."

LibDems Wreck Climate Change Initiative (29 October 2007)

Colchester & District Green Party spokesperson Peter Lynn has criticised LibDems and Conservatives for failing to provide action on climate change. LibDem and Conservative MEPs proposed an amendment in the European Parliament to relax proposed limits on CO2 emissions from cars and to delay the introduction of these limits for three years. The amendment was passed by the Parliament last week and means that new legislation will not be in place until 2015.

Peter Lynn said "This is yet another example of LibDem actions failing to back up their fine words on environmental issues. We urgently need to reduce CO2 emissions. Producing low-emission cars is one part of the solution. But now the reduction will be less than we need and will be delayed by three years."

"The LibDem MEP who proposed this amendment, Chris Davies, has claimed that the measures approved by the European Parliament last week will be good for the environment. But by siding with the Conservatives on this issue and weakening the measures, he has contributed to the risks of climate change. The LibDem amendment will cause an extra 20 million tonnes of CO2 to enter the atmosphere. The actions of the LibDem and Tory MEPs reveal just how cheap their parties' media-friendly 'green-speak' really is."

The Green group in the European Parliament presented their own report last week, demonstrating that the limit on car emissions must be no higher than 120 g/km and must be in force by 2012. Otherwise, the EU will not achieve the target of an overall reduction in CO2 emissions of 20% by 2020. UK Green Party MEP Caroline Lucas said:

"In order to make the reduction that scientists say is absolutely vital, significant measures both to reduce vehicles emissions and to reduce the amount of car travel are necessary."

"The EU must make these deep cuts in its CO2 emissions if it is to try to keep climate change in check. Letting the worst performing sectors off the hook, by allowing them to delay urgently needed emissions cuts, makes a mockery of the EU's climate strategy."

All the Fun of the Fair! (28 October 2007)

Colchester's second annual Green Fair yesterday was a great success. The fair, organized by the Green Party, saw over 500 people through the doors of Colchester Arts Centre.

There were over 20 stalls present, including local arts and crafts, local vegetable box schemes and other local and organic food products, campaign organizations such as Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and Sustrans, and Colchester Borough Council, who were promoting kitchen composting with a special offer on Bokashi bins. The fair also saw the launch of the Wombat Car Club, the first car share club in Colchester.

Café Green was serving healthy lunches, coffees, teas and homemade cakes and the music stage featured the Bad Terrorists and Dinner with Uncle.

Next year's fair is already booked for 25th October 2008.

Ferry Across the Mersey (13 September 2007)

A delegation of three members of Colchester & District Green Party are attending the Green Party national autumn conference, which begins today in Liverpool.

The conference, which continues until Sunday, will make new policy, discuss motions on a range of national and international issues and will feature several external speakers, including Tony Juniper, Director of Friends of the Earth.

Low Carbon Lifestyle Tour Visits Colchester (3 August 2007)

The Low Carbon Lifestyle Tour is coming to Colchester on Friday 3 August, and the message is that low carbon lifestyles - lives that create less carbon dioxide - are easy, fun, save money and improve your quality of life. There’s a lot more information at the low carbon life style website.

Carpenter and sailor Mukti Mitchell is undertaking a 6-month voyage around Britain in his 15ft microyacht "Chance", a revolutionary zero-emission Explorer Microyacht. The tour will eventually visit forty ports including Swansea, Liverpool, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle, London and Southampton, liaising with local supporters and national and regional media to reach an audience of over 12 million.

Mukti has been sailing around East Anglia over the last week or so and will be landing in Wivenhoe next week, to speak on Friday 3 August at Colchester and Wivenhoe venues.

Hear Mukti present his trip and the Low Carbon Lifestyle Tour at these venues:

• 1pm-2pm, Friday 3 August at the Friends Meeting House, Church Street, Colchester
• Evening (times to be confirmed), Friday 3 August, Wivenhoe Sailing Club

Cyclists are welcome to join Mukti on the ride from Wivenhoe to Colchester and back.

The full itinerary is

• FRIDAY 3 AUGUST 10:45 – Green Party Councillors Chris Fox and Maria Iacovou welcome Mukti Mitchell to Wivenhoe Quay
• 11:15 – cycle Wivenhoe Trail to Colchester. Green Party candidate Peter Lynn welcomes Mukti to Colchester
• 12:00 – tour of Farmers Market
• 13:00 – lunchtime talk at the Friends Meeting House (one hour)
• 15:00 – back to Wivenhoe Quay via Wivenhoe Trail Time
• tbc – evening talk at Wivenhoe Sailing Club (one hour)
• SATURDAY 4 AUGUST Leave Colchester

Contact: Pam Nelson Tel: 01206 525480 Mobile: 07812 209862 for more details.

Colchester Green bids to become Euro MP (23 May 2007)

Colchester’s PETER LYNN has taken the number two slot on the Green Party’s Eastern region list of candidates for the 2009 European Parliament elections. Peter will become a member of the European Parliament if the Greens get enough votes in the June 2009 poll to take two of the seven Eastern region seats.

MEPs are elected using proportional representation. Voters across the region choose a party – not an individual candidate – and seats are then allocated to parties in proportion to votes received. Each party will have a list of seven candidates. If the party wins one seat, the number one on the list will be elected. If they win two seats, the number two will also be elected, and so on.

The Green Party announced its list of candidates for the Euro poll at a meeting in St.Albans on Sunday. Top of the list, and most likely to be elected, is Rupert Read, who recently retained his seat on Norwich City Council with a greatly increased majority. Number three on the list is Braintree District councillor James Abbott, from Rivenhall, who polled almost 80% of the vote in his ward on 3rd May. Also on the Green Party regional list are Marc Scheimann, an IT consultant from Luton, Angela Thomson, a librarian from Brentwood, Andrew Stringer, a mid-Suffolk district councillor and Amy Drayson, a student from Ipswich.

Peter Lynn said, “It is an honour to have been selected as a Euro candidate. The European Parliament has an important role, particularly in regulation of environmental standards, migration and employment conditions.”

Mr Lynn continued, “The Green Party’s vote continues to rise across the region as more and more people realise that we stand for values they hold dear: sustainability, fairness, community and quality of life. Under proportional representation we have a good chance of getting at least one MEP elected in the region, possibly more, to join the excellent Green MEPs who already represent the south east and London regions.”

The top three Green Party Eastern Region candidates are pictured in St.Albans on Sunday. L-r: Cllr, James Abbott, Cllr. Rupert Read, Peter Lynn.

Wivenhoe just got Greener! (22 May 2007)

Yesterday’s meeting of Wivenhoe Town Council was an historic occasion as the council prepared to welcome its first Green Party members to the council table. The local elections on May 3rd saw Colchester and District Green Party gain its first ever elected representatives. CHRIS FOX topped the poll in Wivenhoe Quay ward with fellow Green MARIA IACOVOU also elected after coming third out of eleven candidates. Maria enjoyed Monday’s meeting though Chris unfortunately could not attend due to illness.

Chris Fox said, “It feels great to be an elected Green Party councillor. The town council has considerable powers in planning and other matters, including new responsibilities to promote renewable energy. I hope to play my part in securing a sustainable future for Wivenhoe.”

Maria Iacovou also confirmed her enthusiasm for her new role: “I am looking forward to serving the residents of Wivenhoe. Since I’ve lived here, several local shops have closed and traffic problems have got worse. I want Wivenhoe to be a thriving and safe local community.”

Press Coverage (21 May 2007)

Today's Colchester Gazette carried a feature article about the rapid rise of the Green Party in Colchester.

Encouraging Election Results (4 May 2007)

The Green Party achieved encouraging results in the recent local elections.

In the elections for Colchester Borough Council, our vote share increased across the borough. The increase was most dramatic in Castle ward, where Peter Lynn polled 32% of the vote, coming a close second to the LibDems.

Across the three town centre wards of Castle, Christ Church and New Town, Greens polled 24% - more than either Labour or the Conservatives. We also achieved 20% in Wivenhoe Quay, which was particularly impressive considering the effort that the Labour and Tory parties were putting in to this marginal seat.

The full Colchester Borough Council results can be seen here.

In the elections for Wivenhoe Town council, Green Party candidate Chris Fox topped the poll out of eleven candidates in Wivenhoe Quay ward, with fellow Green Maria Iacovou coming third. Chris and Maria are therefore our first elected representatives within the Borough of Colchester!

Over in Tendring, Mike Mealing polled 17% in Bradfield with first-timer Oli King notching up 10% in Great Bentley.

Across the rest of the Eastern Region the Green Party held on to all five of the seats they were defending (in Norwich, mid-Suffolk and Braintree), all with increased majorities, as well as gaining four new seats, including a breakthrough onto Waveney District Council for the first time.

Greens Predict Breakthrough in Local Elections (17 April 2007)

The Green Party today launched what looks set to be their most successful election campaign ever. Fielding a record 1421 candidates, the party hopes to make gains across the country.

You can read more about the launch here. You can also read the full text of the speeches at the launch here.

You can also find more information about the national campaign here.

Green Party Principal Speaker Visits Colchester (15 April 2007)

Yesterday, the Green Party's Principal Speaker, Siân Berry, visited Colchester to lend her support to our electoral campaigns in both Colchester and Wivenhoe. Siân was elected Principal Speaker last Autumn and has recently appeared on both Newsnight and Question Time.

Siân met with party members and supporters before visiting the High Street and the temporary bus station, where she stressed the need to prioritise public transport, a key Green Party policy. Siân is pictured below canvassing with Peter Lynn, the Green Party candidate for Castle ward.

Full slate again (4 April 2007)

Colchester and District Green Party are again standing a full slate of 20 candidates in the Colchester Borough Council elections this year. This was confirmed when the list of valid nominations was published today by the council.

In the elections, to be contested on Thursday 3rd May, 19 of the 20 wards will see a straight 4-way contest between the Greens, Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats. In one ward, Highwoods, there is additionally an independent candidate. The Greens are hoping to gain their first councillors this year.

The full list of candidates is available here.

Green Party Publishes Manifesto for the Local Elections (23 March 2007)

Colchester and District Green Party today published their manifesto for the local elections in May. For more information see the Elections page

Colchester Green Party Response to Gordon Brown s Budget (21 March 2007)

Peter Lynn, from Colchester & District Green Party, today responded to Gordon Brown's budget, deeming it a failure to tackle climate change: "It is not prudent to gamble with the climate - Brown's failure to act now on tackling climate change means we will pay later - as the Stern review has shown. After 6 months of rhetoric on climate change, there is a shocking absence of substance in this budget. Brown is being complacent in a moment of crisis. Brown needs a new golden rule - carbon cutting.  Peter went on to criticise the specific measures and targets outlined in the budget with regard to the environment:

• An additional 50 per cent for green grants for homes amounts to £6 million. That is peanuts, as it equates to about 30p per household and would buy only 120 metres of the proposed new A120 Marks Tey to Braintree dual carriageway.
• A 30% increase for top band vehicles to £300 this year and £400 next year flies in the face of the govenement's own research about the price difference requried to change behaviour. We need to see a rise to at least £1800 tax for the worst gas guzzlers to ensure people buy greener cars.
• Exempting zero carbon homes from stamp duty sounds good but means little - it will not incentivise installation of micro generation and insulation measures and it will have no impact on the 95% of homes that are not bought or sold in any given year.
• If he had raised fuel duty by 19p that would have cut carbon more than the rest of this budget put together - some 19 million tonnes over the next year.
• Brown was right to reject VAT on domestic flights as having limited impact. But he has copped out - Greens would have slapped an additional £100 on Air Passenger Duty on all flights to reduce CO2 emissions by 5 million tonnes.

General Election Candidates Announced (14 March 2007)

Colchester and District Green Party have selected their candidates for the next general election. After a ballot of all local members, Roger Bamforth, the party s agent, announced that PETER LYNN has been selected to contest the Colchester constituency, while CHRIS FOX was selected to contest the newly-formed Harwich and North Essex constituency.

Peter Lynn lives in Colchester with his wife and two sons. He works at Essex University s Institute for Social and Economic Research and is a Colchester United season-ticket holder. Chris Fox lives in Wivenhoe with his wife and twin daughters. He lectures in computer science at Essex University, and is passionate about the local countryside.

A133 Proposals Criticised (12 March 2007)

Colchester & District Green Party believe that Essex County Council s proposals for the A133 miss the point. They have short-term proposals , which aim to improve the flow at key junctions, and long-term proposals , which aim to increase road capacity. But where are the proposals to reduce the levels of traffic?

We need integrated proposals to improve bus services and routes for cyclists and pedestrians. Cycling is not for everyone, but many more people would cycle if pleasant and safe routes were available. And many people who drive down Ipswich Road to the town centre would be happy to park and catch a bus in if they knew that would be a quick and pleasant experience. With more people on buses and cycles, the roads would have that much more space for people who actually need to drive.

And of course, we need better planning of services such as schools, doctors and dentists, so that fewer people need to drive across town to reach them.

Tory Eco Cons Exposed (9 March 2007)

Colchester Green Party today ridiculed the Tory Party's environmental credentials, ahead of planned 'green action days' this weekend by the party of privatisation and pollution. Peter Lynn, Green Party candidate for Castle ward in the coming May elections, today said "I don't think the electors of Castle ward where I live will be fooled for one moment by the blue/green wash of David Cameron and his Tory chums. Tories up and down the country are backing new incinerators, proposing new road-building, and supporting airport expansion. In Essex they consistently fail to support public transport and put paltry amounts of money into supporting walking and cycling. Their policy of expand, expand, expand at any cost to the environment and the less well off in society has not changed. How can they reconcile policies like these with a supposed new found enthusiasm for the environment?"

Alex Cave, Green Party candidate for Christ Church ward added, "Here in Colchester, we have seen at first hand the damage done by Tories controlling both Colchester Borough Council and Essex County Council. They have made bus travel more difficult for many people by demolishing the bus station in order to build the VAF before a suitable alternative was available. They are determined to build a massive incinerator at Stanway that will spew out greenhouse gases, pollute the area and bring huge numbers of lorries through the town. They want to build a park-and-ride facility at Eight Ash Green, against almost unanimous local opposition. And they keep building more and more roads, which just generate more and more traffic. Theirs is, to put it mildly, a poor record."

Peter Lynn continued, "The actions of the Conservative led Councils are completely at odds with the 'environmental' spin being put forward by David Cameron. Cameron is trying to con the British people, but it won't wash."

Government s Feeble Investment in Renewable Energy (2 March 2007)

The Low Carbon Buildings Programme for household renewables yesterday ran out of funds within an hour of applications opening, the fourth successive month that grants have run out early.

Peter Lynn, of Colchester & District Green Party, called on the government to end this farce. "They talk about climate change, but here we have real people trying to take real action to curb our emissions, and the government is failing them. In East Anglia alone, 632 people applied for a grant last month, in less than a day. Anyone else who wanted a grant couldn't get one. This is the fourth successive month that the government grants have run out - yet they are not taking action. Labour are letting the people of Essex down.

The Green Party call on the government to put an extra £2 million into the LCBP for March to cover this month's shortfall and then use the budget to put adequate funds into the grants programme. Right now, we would supplement the current fund of £80 million in the three year LCBP with a further £300 million over 5 years. Longer term, Greens would provide about £1 billion a year in loans for renewable energy, rather than Labour's £30 million a year in grants.

The Greens in Germany got this right - that's why they've cornered the market in solar power, installing over half the world's photovoltaic panels, while Britain lags behind. We're failing consumers and business alike.

Green New Year s Resolutions Urged (1 January 2007)

The Green Party today urged everyone to make a resolution to help save the planet. There are so many simple things that everyone can do to reduce their carbon emissions. Try monitoring your electricity consumption at home and look for every possible way to reduce it. Turn off things like TVs, DVD players and radios, rather than leaving them on standby. Fit energy-efficient lightbulbs throughout your home and do not leave them on unnecessarily. Do not fill the kettle with more water than you are actually going to use. And try not to use your car more than you actually need to. Plan journeys so that you combine different errands in a single journey. Share journeys with friends or family where possible. And try making journeys by bus, train or cycle where this is possible. The really good news is that nearly all of these things will save you money as well as reducing your carbon footprint!

News Archives

• 2006
• 2005