30th October 2007

Over 30 people joined the discussion on "How can we best achieve real change: through politics, direct action or pressure group?"

 Photo: Dr Simon Pickering

The evening started with short presentations to set the discussions going. Dr Simon Pickering, a former Green party Stroud District councillor for 12 years talked about sitting in the trees opposite Tesco in Stratford Road to prevent them getting pulled down and how being elected allows for opportunities for real change: not just through debate and voting on committees but also what the position gives. He cited many examples of real change that local Green politicians had brought locally.

Chris Brain then showed how internationally change had been bought using the law. He cited examples like the quick response to tackling the hole in the ozone layer.

Last up was James Beecher from Stroud Bicycology who talked about how non-violent Direct Action can bring about change. Examples like the WTO demos giving confidence to small developing countries not to be bullied into signing up to policies that will further damage their position, the road protests, that didn't stop specific roads getting built but led to the dropping of 500 major road schemes and GM crop actions that held off commercialisation of GM planting. James also made the point that while some forms of direct action may not be legal - it may be that ethically things need to be challenged - and the ethical consideration is just as valid as the legal aspects. Also to take direct action you don't have to be a specialist or an expert - but you still have a right to express your view - and a right to self determination.

Jan Bailey, who chaired the evening and was herself involved in a group challenging the Government over their handling of the 2001 Foot and Mouth crisis, added at the end of the evening: "So many ways people don't feel they count for anything, marginalised by political systems that don't represent their views or their concerns - by taking action; either legal, direct, pressure group, or political process, it is far better to get involved than not do anything."

Other comments from those attending included:

- that the Trade Union movement had been successful because it had a political wing: the environmental movement should worker closer with greens politically to maximise results

- change comes from being solution focussed not problem focussed

- that if someone feels concerned, aggrieved by something then it is far better to take action and get involved either via a protest group, or getting elected or via pushing for change in the law, than becoming more stressed and frustrated. It is therefore a positive and empowering means of response when change needs to happen.

- direct action and protests can raise the public profile of issues so that politicians and others have to take notice of them

Next Discussion

Friday 23rd November: What might a Green Transport System really be like? Open to anyone - 7.30 to 9.30pm at Star Anise Arts Cafe at the Painswick Inn, Gloucester Street, Stroud. For more info:
www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/coffeehouse