12th April 2007

Dr. Derek Wall, author and lecturer in economics and the Male Principal Speaker of the Green Party of England and Wales came to Stroud on Wednesday 11th April. His visit included a press conference at Star Anise cafe in Stroud, a public talk in the Old Town Hall plus visits to local green initiatives including meeting Dale Vince at Ecotricity, the nationally recognised Green Shop in Bisley, Stroud's co-housing project and a blacksmith in the Whiteway Colony.

Photo: Dale Vince, Derek Wall and Martin Whiteside

  Derek Wall was delighted by his visit to Stroud. He said: "It's inspiring to come somewhere to see green initiatives that work. Whiteway was established in 1898 as a mutual approach to land ownership and development - people are are continuing that radical tradition in the district: the nationally recognised Green Shop in Bisley now employ a hundred people and are pushing green solutions to the problems we face. I also met Dale Vince the Managing Director of the Stroud-based, Ecotricity that now has 27 wind turbines. It is unique among power companies in that it ploughs all profit into building new renewable energy sources - and it employs some 50 people."
Talk in Old Town Hall

Photo: Derek Wall and Martin Whiteside, Chair of the meeting

Derek Wall also spoke to some 60 people in the Old Town Hall about Green economics, his meeting last year with President Chavez of Venezuela and of wider issues. He challenged public perceptions about Green politics saying that it was the other parties that were single issue parties focussed on ever more economic growth. He said: "Green politics is about ecology and that is about interactions with our environment - you cannot separate social justice from environmental justice."

Photo: Co-housing project: Derek Wall, Carol Kambites with candidates Cllr John Marjoram and Cllr Sarah Lunnon

Derek Wall urged the audience to remember that Green politics is not about a terrible lifeystyle but about making it better for everyone. He said: "Green policies of localisation means less commuting - who enjoys commuting? Green policies also mean warmer, more energy efficient homes and health policies that look at the causes of ill-health - The Economist for example recently reported 1000 people die every year in London due to air pollution. Yes Green policies are about consuming less but happiness doesn't come from ever more purshases. Certainly Greens want good food and good homes but as Ghandi said there is more than enough for everyones' needs but not for everyones' greed." When asked how to be Green Derek Wall responded: "It's really very simple and requires no expert knowledge or complex skills. Consume less. Share more. Enjoy life."

Cllr Philip Booth, a local Green party spokesperson said: "It was great to have Derek here: his optimism has given us a huge boost as we go into the local elections: we need more Green votes and more Green politicians more than ever. Other parties moves to green their image completely miss the point that green politics is about every aspect of policy: the environment isn't something that can be tagged on to get a few extra votes, it must be fundamental to all policies. I am very optimistic that we will see more Green councillors elected locally."

Greens will be defending 4 of their 5 District Council seats and have candidates in 12 of the 20 seats being contested (2 more candidates than Lib Dems). Greens are also contesting all their seats on Stroud Town Council, which has been the only Green party majority Council in the country and a number of other local Town and Parish Councils.