Green Party mailing
CLIMATE STRIKES

It was really inspiring to see so many people turn out for the climate
strike on September 20th. The crowds were fantastic, with more than 10,000
people demonstrating in Brighton. It was one of the biggest protests among
the many across Britain and sent a really clear message to the Government:
we need radical action on the climate emergency, not weasel words and
targets that will do nothing to stop climate breakdown.

I was honoured to speak at the Brighton protest and then in London, where I
delivered the same message: never believe you don't make a difference, you
are making history now.

The previous weekend, I spoke at an Extinction Rebellion event in New Road.
XR has done so much to put the climate emergency on the political agenda
and attracted the support of people from all generations who have grown
increasingly concerned and angry about the crisis we face. It used to feel
quite lonely being Britain's only Green MP. No more - I feel I have the
voices of millions of people supporting me.

REDHILL AND REIGATE CND

Even though the climate emergency is now centre stage, there are plenty of
other dangers facing our planet. I went to talk to the CND group in Reigate
about the nuclear threat as well as the environmental dangers.

SUPREME COURT DECISION AND PARLIAMENT RESUMING

You will have seen or read about the Supreme Court decision that suspending
Parliament was unlawful. For me, it underlines more than ever why we need a
written constitution. I filmed this video [1] outside the Court shortly
after the ruling.

RISE UP AND RESIST

I joined Green MEPs and some Labour MPs speaking at the Rise Up and Resist
Rally, organised by Women4Europe, Brighton & Hove For EU and Best For
Britain. It's not just the disastrous crash-out Brexit being pursued by
Boris Johnson which threatens us, it's also his contempt for the rules of
our democracy. But we are fighting back and the Rise Up and Resist rally
sent a very clear message to Downing Street.

FIRE AT PANKHURST FLATS

My heart goes out to everyone affected by the horrific fire in Pankhurst
Avenue last Friday. Huge thanks to the Fire Service for all their
professionalism, and to Council staff for all their support. The biggest
thanks is to the local community though for all they're doing. When I
arrived at the Edge Community Centre late on Friday night, blankets and
babyhood, hot drinks and food were already being offered. An online
fundraising campaign was started to help the families within hours of the
evacuation, typical of the strong community spirit in the neighbourhood. If
you'd like to contribute, the link is here [2] and more information is on
my website here [3]

HOLLINGDEAN FIRE

There are still unanswered questions over the fire at the Hollingdean depot
last month. I went to a public meeting on Friday, where residents talked
about their concerns over safety at the depot, and asked if it could be
relocated to a less densely populated part of the city. Nick Hibberd, the
Executive Director of Economy, Environment and Culture at BHCC, made clear
that would be a political decision - not one taken by council officers. I
will continue to press the Council and Veolia for more information about
the fire, and the information (or lack of it) that was given to residents
at the time.

LABOUR PARTY CONFERENCE FRINGE: CROSS-PARTY COLLABORATION

You will probably have noticed that Labour held its annual conference in
Brighton. I spoke at a fringe meeting organised by the Fabian Society about
cross-party collaboration between progressive parties at Westminster. There
may well be a general election this year when it's vital that Boris Johnson
and his right-wing government is defeated. I joined Labour MPs Clive Lewis
and Lisa Nandy and Neal Lawson of the thinktank Compass in discussing how
progressive parties could collaborate to help bring this about.

THOMAS COOK COLLAPSE

Many of you will have been caught up in the sudden collapse of Thomas Cook,
losing your jobs or having your holiday ruined, or with families and
friends who have also been affected. The Government have published some
information for anyone with concerns here:
[link removed]
[4] I have also contacted the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and
Industrial Strategy, Andrea Leadsom MP, on behalf of Thomas Cook employees
who have been in touch with me. I have called on the Minister to do
everything in her power to protect Thomas Cook staff and to meet with the
relevant trade unions.

It might also be useful to know that GTR have said that tickets booked on
Southern, Gatwick Express, Thameslink and Great Northern will be honoured
[5] if you travel on a different day to the one you booked.

HOUSING CO-OPERATIVE IS 40

So much about our housing system is wrong - a lack of social housing,
unaffordable rents, private landlords ripping out tenants and soaring
prices. So it's especially welcome to celebrate a rare housing success
story: Two Piers celebrating 40 years of successfully managing the oldest
and largest housing co-operative in Brighton and Hove. More than 1,000
members are part of the housing co-op movement, and Two Piers has supported
other co-ops, building the movement and transforming people's lives. It was
a real pleasure to join their birthday celebrations and meet their founder,
Brenda Boardman.

More on homes … The Brighton Housing Trust is organising a free concert
(piano and violin) followed by a discussion about homelessness led by its
CEO Andy Winter at the Friends Meeting House in Brighton on September 27th.
It starts at 1pm.

PIGEON POO BRIDGE

I went to a meeting with Rev Martin Poole and Network Rail representatives
about the ongoing issues linked to the railway bridge on Old Shoreham Road.
Network Rail needs to take action and install appropriate netting to stop
pigeons getting trapped and creating the mess. We also discussed the road
layout and safety concerns. I'll be following up on this with BHCC and/or
Highways England.

CASCADE CREATIVE RECOVERY

I spoke at a meeting of Cascade Creative Recovery, a community based
charity that helps people who have misused drugs or alcohol to maintain
their recovery. It was stimulating discussion on how to challenge the
stigma of drug or alcohol addiction and make recovery a positive choice.
The charity does great work, battling against the impact of cuts to drug
and alcohol services.

HUNTING THE ROUND-HEADED RAMPION

This beautiful flower is native to the South Downs but threatened by air
pollution and habitat loss. I am its "species champion" so it was a real
pleasure to set out in hiking boots on a glorious late summer day to look
for it on the South Downs, in the company of Caroline Mortimer from Natural
England and Jenny Hawley from Plantlife, both fantastic organisations doing
so much to protect our wildlife. We found it! And I was shown so many other
things I'd never have spotted on my own. Well worth the hike.



Links:
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Contacting Me

If you are a local resident and need help with case work or to find out more about my activities locally please do contact me at the office of: Caroline Lucas MP, Brighton Media Centre 15-17 Middle Street, Brighton BN1 1AL.
Tel: 01273 201 130. Email: [email protected]

I hold regular surgeries across the constituency. If you would like to book an appointment at a forthcoming surgery please call Liz Collis on 01273 201130.
She coordinates my constituency office and is able to help with most local enquiries.

If you would like to know about my parliamentary work please get in touch at the House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA.
Tel: 020 7219 7025. Email: [email protected]

You can also keep up to date with my news on:

Twitter: @carolinelucas

Facebook: /carolinelucas.page

My Website: www.carolinelucas.com

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