Dangerous to rely on nuclear

(Letter to the Evening Post)

It is Mike Cotton who is being disingenuous (Have Your Say, Saturday April 16th) when he implies that “the green environmental lobby” is responsible for the governments decision to rely so heavily on wind turbines for solving our future energy problems.

Greens have always argued for a mix of renewables coupled with energy efficiency and reduction in demand. To rely solely on wind would be as dangerous as relying on any single fuel source.

We find ourselves in a desperate situation, facing energy shortages at some point during this decade, because successive governments have failed to heed the warning signs and declined to provide investment for research into alternatives.

Greens call for greater focus on housing quality

Following the recent publication of a Shelter Cymru report showing that poor housing costs the NHS in Wales around £67m a year (1), the Green Party has called for greater focus on the quality of social housing in Wales.

Keith M Ross, Green Party Assembly Candidate for the South Wales West Region, said, “This report should come as no surprise to anyone who is familiar with the condition of council housing stock in Swansea, which continues to deteriorate despite the best efforts of Swansea Council.

“Nine years since the initial publication of the Welsh Housing Quality Standard and three years after the ‘Revised Guidance for Social Landlords’ (2) was issued, we find in the latest report from the Assembly (3) that less than 50% of social housing in Wales is being maintained at an acceptable standard.

Green Jobs Strategy

The Green Party has congratulated the management of Swansea Valley tourist attraction Dan-Yr-Ogof Caves on their plan to become the first energy self-sufficient and zero carbon business in Wales.

Keith M Ross, Green Party Assembly Candidate for the South Wales West Region, said, “What Dan-Yr-Ogof are planning should serve as an example to us all. Utilising natural resources to produce carbon free energy is exactly the sort of initiative we need, not only to reduce our carbon footprint, but also to help provide the jobs of the future.

“Of course, not everyone has direct access to natural resources in this way, but investment in renewable energy could have benefits for everyone in Wales. As the Green New Deal, launched by the New Economics Foundation in July 2008 showed, shifting to green energy will produce countless new jobs, and create more pound-for-pound of investment, than propping up the current system.

“Wales is particularly well placed to benefit from this with our abundant natural resources of wind and tidal power.”

Green Party Candidate pledges support for NSPCC Cymru/Wales Assembly Election campaign to protect children

Keith M Ross, Green Party Assembly Candidate for the South Wales West Region, has pledged to support the NSPCC Cymru/Wales ‘I Stand for Children’ campaign which aims to make child protection a priority for the next Assembly Government.

Mr Ross said, “In my former role as a Refugee Support Worker I worked at close quarters with many vulnerable children. The welfare of children is very dear to my heart, and if I am elected in May I will make the protection of children in Wales a personal priority.

“As a candidate in the South Wales West Region, I’m supporting NSPCC Cymru/Wales’ new campaign to ensure protecting children is a political priority: I Stand for Children.”

Official launch of the Green Party Campaign for the Assembly Election

Monday April 11th; 10:00-11:00; Eco Home Centre, 16 Wyndham Crescent, Canton, Cardiff CF11 9EH

At the official launch of the Green Party’s “2nd vote Green” campaign, Jake Griffiths, Wales Green Party leader will urge Labour supporters to give their Regional List vote to the Green Party.

The event will also preview an online video, created by Sian Berry, former London mayoral candidate, which aims to explain the D’Hondt voting system that is used in Assembly Elections in Wales. Quirky and accessible, the video seeks to imitate the style of Ifor the Engine.

The day also sees the launch of billboards across Cardiff, showing the 2nd Vote Green message.

For more information please contact Wales Green Party Press Office 075 8263 5798; press@walesgreenparty.org.uk

Caroline Lucas, first Green MP in Cardiff on Wednesday 6 April

Green Party leader’s visit comes as the party looks set to win its first ever seat in the Welsh Assembly

As the Green Party begins its Assembly campaign, the UK’s first Green MP is to visit Elltec, an innovative local solar PV installer in Pontyclun which has recently doubled its staff, to demonstrate the role green technology could play in job creation and a strong economy in Wales.

Jake Griffiths, candidate for South Wales Central in May’s Assembly Election, said, “Where Wales once powered the world we must once again become the engine of the Green Economy.

Greens call for more investment in local Transport

Rail Services should be taken back into public ownership

Following recent announcements of problems with Veolia bus services in Gower and reductions in services in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Carmarthenshire, the Green Party is calling for greater investment in public transport.

In their manifesto for the Assembly Election to be launched later this month, the Green Party will propose the creation of a Passenger Transport Authority for Wales to deliver a truly integrated public transport network accessible to all, controlling fares and deciding routes.

The manifesto will also contain proposals for:

· Affordable, cheaper local transport that is accessible to those with disabilities by investing in buses and subsidising some routes. · Further discounted fares on off-peak journeys for those on a low income. · Free local transport for pensioners.
· Bringing rail services back into public ownership.