Rupert's Read

In the wake of the very tenuous 'success' of the just-concluded Cancun climate conference (see http://liberalconspiracy.org/2010/12/15/why-climate-talks-in-cancun-failed-miserably/ ), it is more important than ever to think about why the human race seems to be failing so miserably to address this existential challenge to civilisation on Earth. I have a suggestion as to why, and a suggestion as to what we can do about it. Let me begin with this very thoughtful post that carefully makes the argument that those opposing serious action on dangerous climate-change eerily echo the arguments of those who opposed serious action to stop slavery. It points out for example the striking parallels that exist between the arguments of the capitalists who called for only voluntary action to reduce the negative impact of slavery, and the arguments of the capitalists who call now for only voluntary action to reduce the negative impact of manmade climate change. But I believe that ...

A week after the tuition fees debacle, here's my take on British politics, and on the exciting possibility now presenting itself: http://brightgreenscotland.org/index.php/2010/12/the-beginning-of-the-end-of-the-libdems ...Is this where British politics goes from here, post-fees? Let me know what you think, and whether you agree with my diagnosis or not. [Do comment at the BGS site, rather than here. ]  

http://climatevoices.wordpress.com/2010/12/09/rights-versus-markets-the-heart-of-the-debate-in-cancun/ An important piece, on the mark. Although of course nature does not have 'rights' - it is silly (though understandable) to try to turn nature into an Enligtenment-style juridical subject. But nature more obviously does have (to use Lakoff's term, or Marshall Rosenberg's) needs - and limits...

Neal Lawson's and John Harris's major piece in the NEW STATESMAN recently, "The paradigm shift", lays out a reasonably-ambitious set of ideas for a genuinely revamped policy programme for Labour under Ed Miliband's leadership, that Lawson and Harris call "New Socialism". There are important omissions (e.g. there is much talk of manmade climate change and even of questioning the desirability of further economic growth, but no mention of the concomitant and vital issue of the preservation of biodiversity; and there is surprisingly little commitment to a far more equal society,   a la   Wilkinson and Pickett, that could be achieved by a mixture of much more progressive taxation and equal 'carbon rations'); but the direction of travel is certainly welcome. What Lawson and Harris are recommending sounds, in other words, like at the least a sort of 'lite' version of the Green Party manifesto.     If the policy reviews that Mr. ...

This, from THE SUN today, reporting the latest YOUGOV poll - which puts the LibDems on 8% !!!!!!!

Proud to be one of the signatories of this letter, published in today's _Guardian_: http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/dec/10/get-off-learn-to-earn-treadmill  Have a read, and then do pass it on.

    Businesses in Bowthorpe Road, Norwich, call for rethink on crossing plans   Norwich City Council was to begin work on a new £50,000 zebra crossing at Bowthorpe Road in the new year. But the proposals have alarmed the owners of four businesses because they include the loss of parking spaces. Now the traders have grouped together and submitted a 231-signature petition to the council calling on it to rethink the plans, and the authority has announced a fresh consultation after coming up with a second proposal, so that both options can be considered. Lisa Holmes, a co-partner at Merry-Go-Round, on the corner of Bond Street, said even the revised proposal would cause problems for customers, and she said the petition showed the strength of feeling about the plans, dwarfing a previous 38-signature petition sent in my supporters of the ...

Compass's decision last weekend to look seriously over the next two months at opening up its full membership (see http://www.compassonline.org.uk/news/item.asp?n=11722  ) is very welcome. This in effect responds to the call I made - http://www.leftfootforward.org/2010/07/compass-must-practice-what-it-preaches-on-pluralism/  - and gives real hope that a 'progressive alliance' can be built that could take this country in a different direction over the next 5 years. If there is another balanced Parliament after the 2015 General Election, we need to make sure that we are ready to have something else replace the ConDem government. Compass pluralising could be a key basis for being ready in that way: and would also fit well with the new political environment that will evolve in this country if the AV referendum is passed (See here for why: http://liberalconspiracy.org/2010/06/28/why-the-left-will-always-be-at-a-loss-without-vote-reform/  .). As a Green who is a ...

The following is a statement release by the occupying students of UEA. I understand that about 20 of them are occupying the Council House: "We are occupying to support the cause of free education and in opposition to all public sector cuts. This is a peaceful occupation and we do not intend to damage the building or its contents. The occupation is in solidarity with all facing increasing fees or cuts in their workplaces and/or services. However we do not claim to represent anyone else. We also apologise if we have interrupted or inconvenienced anyone by our actions. The occupation is orchestrated to coincide with Aaron Porter's visit to campus and we acknowledge his stance in favour of peaceful direct action."

Check out my friend and colleague Andrew Boswell, in an excellent post on the Transition Norwich blog today: http://transitionnorwich.blogspot.com/2010/12/inspector-runs-rule-on-high-carbon.html

Well well well... Scroll through these latest Wikileaks disclosures, and you will learn something interesting about East Anglia's own leading LibDem MP, and Simon Wright's guru, Norman Lamb: He self-identifies as right-wing... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11883310 This may come as something of a surprise and even a shock to the majority of LibDem voters, including Lamb's constituents: who self-identify as left-of-centre. It may be even less welcome news to Labour voters who tactically voted to keep the Tories out in North Norfolk. It just goes to show once again - what everyone is now realising - that a vote for the LibDems is a vote for the Right of British politics, not the centre or the left, let alone for greens... In other words: If you want to vote Right-wing, then vote ConDem (LibDem or Tory). If you want to cast a green vote, then the only way of doing so is voting Green.

Go Caroline!: GREEN MP SPONSORS AMENDMENT CALLING ON LIB DEMS TO HONOUR PLEDGE OVER STUDENT FEES ...AND REGRETTING LABOUR'S ROLE IN INTRODUCING TUITION FEES IN THE FIRST PLACE Caroline Lucas, Britain's first Green MP, today sponsors an amendment to an opposition motion on tuition fees in an effort to toughen-up Labour's critique and call to account Liberal Democrat MPs who have failed to honour their pledge to oppose increases in tuition fees. Today sees an Opposition Day debate on school sports funding and then tuition fees (1). Labour leader Ed Milliband has put forward what the Greens regard as a weak motion (2) calling on the government to publish its education plans in detail and expressing concern over student debt. The Green Party leader, together with MPs from the Scottish and Welsh nationalist parties, has tabled an amendment (3) spelling out a much tougher critique of the government, noting Labour's role in introducing tuition fees in the first place, and call...