Rupert's Read

Despite calls from the EU and many others for a ceasefire, the brutally disproportionate Israeli attack on Gaza - by air, sea and land - continues. In spite of this, the EU is this very month preparing to upgrade its existing trade agreement to give Israel even more privileged access to European markets. In December, the EU's Council of Ministers voted to support this upgrade, ignoring the fact that Israel was in breach of an "essential element" of the earlier agreement. This required states to respect "human rights and democratic principles". The new terms are even weaker and include no obligations on Israel in respect of its illegal settlements, the illegal wall, and its repeated breaches of international human rights and humanitarian law in Gaza and elsewhere. In view of the horrific events of the past days, the Green Party is calling on: (1) The UK Government to revoke its support for any new agreements with Israel and (2) The European Parliament to refuse ...

Learn about how the car industry has stood in the way of electric cars for decades, prolonging the dismal reign of fossil fuels... (Click here to download the Powerpoint presentation)

The Green Party calls for:  An immediate ceasefire, without preconditions, in Gaza  An immediate lifting of the blockade imposed on Gaza by Israel While the blockade and other human rights abuses continue:  The suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, and no upgrading of EU-Israel relations  The end of licensed exports of arms and military equipment to Israel  A boycott of Israeli goods _Violence is not the answer_ There is no military solution to the Middle East conflict. There cannot be a resolution based on the use of violence. Peace is the common need of all peoples and nations of the region. Since Israel began the assault on Gaza, hundreds have died, many of them children; tens of thousands have been left terrified, not knowing where to run; both Palestinians and Israelis are living in fear. This is the result of the Israeli choice of military action: no one can “win”. Palestinians, Israelis, the whole region, can only suffer. The long-term Israeli blockade of Gaza ...

The (horrendous) situation in Gaza is of course changing fast... The latest development is that the Security Council has at last called for an immediate ceasefire : http://news.google.co.uk/news?q=gaza&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wn This has the force of international law. But Israel continues to attack Gaza, even so: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/4205777/Israel-continues-to-bomb-Gaza-despite-UNs-ceasefire-call.html Draw your own conclusions...

In February I'll be speaking at an event called 'Provocations', a series where thinkers and scholars are invited to introduce a short text which has special significance to them. When: Thursday 19 February, 7.00-8.30pm Where: Institut Français, 17 Queensberry Place, South Kensington, SW7 The Text: Gramsci and ‘The Lord of the Rings’: Optimism and Pessimism at a Time of Crisis ( link ) It should be an interesting evening - Please join me if you can!

    As the financial and economic crisis deepens, the sharp reminder of other problems, given by the spike in oil prices, has faded as pump prices fall back below £1 a litre. Governments, in the UK and elsewhere, have clearly shown through their clumsy responses that they fail to understand how to correct the economic downturn in ways that will also end climate damage and prepare for the decline in supplies of oil. Although the mechanisms of tax, credit, money supply and exchange rates are complex, the job losses and eroded savings distressing, and the sudden demise of household-name businesses worrying, the shape of a solution is simple. Experts forecast that our Gross National Product will fall about 3% in 2009, which means that 3% plus of the productive capacity of our economy will be unused. 3% of our work force will be unemployed, 3% of machines idle, building sites and shops empty, a waste of resources. What is needed is to divert that wasted 3% into "in...

I've made my first campaign video for my bid to become an MEP for the Eastern Region in the 4 June 2009 Euro-elections:   http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=OLG4eXHthao&fmt=18     >>Have a look!<<   In this video, I argue that it's not enough for us to adopt low carbon lifestyles individually, but that we must do it collectively.     The higlight is perhaps my being seen inside a wind turbine building at the Eco-Tech centre in Swaffham, Norfolk, the only wind turbine mast in the world where the general public can walk up it.  With propellers whizzing in the background, I make the case for an environmentally-sound economy.  I define the dual role green energy could play, for the environment, and for the good green jobs this will bring to the region at this time of economic downturn.  I conclude by pledging that a vote for me is a vote ...