Sights of Crofton Park

Yesterday the London launch of the Green Party's Parliamentary campaign took place in Crofton Park in front of our green Party billboard. For the first time we're standing a candidate in every London constituency and are hoping for an extremely strong result right here in Lewisham deptford of course!

Darren Johnson on the web

Just saw this YouTube video this morning of our Parliamentary candidate, Darren Johnson. I thought it was excellent, so I'm passing it along.



There is also an article about him and Lewisham Greens at Red Pepper, which is worth a read.

More general stuff about Darren can be found at Darren for Lewisham Deptford.

Don't lose your vote

I've spoken to a couple of people recently who are not on the electoral register (due to recent moves) and have told me that it's too late for them to register to vote. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact if you're not on the electoral roll you have until April 20th to ensure you can vote in the coming election.

April 20th is also the deadline for registering for a postal vote, so if you're going to be away or very busy on the day of the election you can still vote by contacting the council's elections department and registering for a postal vote. You don't need to give a reason you just need to apply.

To register to vote call 020 8314 6086 or check out the council website for details.

April fools in Lewisham

I decided to be a responsible blogger this year and not write an April Fools post for Green Crofton Park. However, not everyone is the upstanding pillar of society that I am.

For example, the Green Party's Mayoral candidate Cllr Dean Walton has proposed turning Ladywell Pool into an eco-aquarium. Nice.

Brockley Central also choose today to announce they'd be running a Mayoral candidate. I particularly enjoyed their promise to be 'draconian'. Oh it's like Thatcher all over again!

The South London press has announced councils will be using left over tea bags and biscuits to fill in the capital's pot holes. Could be worse.

Haven't spotted any other Lewisham Fools - but if I missed someone, let me know.

Funny what people vote on

When I was canvassing yesterday I spoke to a lovely old fella on the doorstep. He told me he hadn't decided who he was voting for yet but it was probably between the Greens and Labour.

As you do we fell to chatting about politics and the conversation quickly turned to Ancient Rome. After a lengthy discussion on Sulla he looked at me and said "Do you know what, I think I will vote Green this time."

I'm not sure how representative he is, but after giving it some thought I can exclusively reveal that our next newsletter's lead item will be entitled "Scandal as Labour silent on decline of Roman Empire".

I tell you, we can't lose. Tackling the issues that Crofton residents most care about!

YES to housing NO to highrise

I mentioned the controversial Loam Pit Vale development in a previous post but thought I'd highlight the fact that, according to the NewShopper, a group of protesters have been kicking up a fuss with one woman chaining herself to the gates.

She said: “We call on the council to stop patching up unworkable schemes and enter into fair and open discussions with local residents about what they would like to see.

“We hope that all the other political parties will now pledge to call an end to these ill-fated unsuitable schemes to Croydonise Lewisham. Stop throwing good money after bad.”

Not sure about poor old Croydon getting singled out but certainly agree with her point. I'm very pleased to see local residents taking action to make sure their voices get heard.

As I said before "I've never heard a convincing reason from Labour as to why they voted en bloc for a proposal that seems so ill conceived." It doesn't seem local residents have either.

Some other London Green Party blogs

This site is one of a number of Green Party blogs around London and I thought people might be interested in knowing about a few of the others.

Round Lewisham we have, of course, Green Ladywell and Green Telegraph Hill, as well as our Mayoral candidate's blog Dean Walton. There's quite a few others further afield, I may have missed a few off but these are the ones that have come to hand, do tell me if I've accidentally snubbed someone!

• Brent Green Party blog
  
• Camden Green Party blog
• Croyden Greens
• Farid Bakht 2010 (Bethnal Green)
• Green Greenwich
  
• Green Highbury
• Haringey Greens (and candidate Sarah Cope)
  
• Joseph Healey for Vauxhaul
  
• Lambeth Green News
• Matt Sellwood for Hackney
  
• The East is Green (Tower Hamlets)
  

Obviously there a number of members who run their own personal blogs (like me) but I thought I'd leave them off this list for now and keep it to more 'official' blogging, if there is such a thing.