History does not repeat itself but

History does not repeat itself but   Johnson’s prorogation of Parliament reminds us of how fast the anti-Parliamentary decisions by German Chancellors opened the door to the Nazi Party taking power in January 1933.

Johnson’s intention to prorogue Parliament has disturbing similarities with events starting in March 1930. As in Germany, events unfolded over a couple of years. First, there was May’s failed intention to bypass Parliament and trigger article 50 by invoking an ancient crown prerogative. In 1930, the right-wing Centre Party Chancellor, started to rule almost entirely through the decrees of President Hindenburg, not through the Reichstag. Then, in June 1932, the next Chancellor, Von Papen, another Centre Party member, under the influence of the Nazis, persuaded Hindenburg to dissolve the Reichstag altogether and lift the ban on the SA. Using Presidential edict, Papen also cut the payments to the unemployment and arranged tax cuts for corporations and the rich.

In November 1932, Von Papen reached an agreement with Hitler that Hitler become Chancellor, soothed by Hitler’s strategy of emphasising legality and frightened by the strength of the organised working class. As now, the wide spread disillusionment with the main political parties and with the parliamentary process itself encouraged a sympathy with the Nazi Party, just as today the vote and support for Brexit is partly rooted in political disaffection. On January 30, 1933, President Hindenburg appointed Adolf Hitler as Chancellor of Germany.After the next, election, it is highly likely that Johnson will form a parliamentary alliance with the Brexit party to hold onto power.

What firstly distinguished the Nazi’s rule, was their abrogation of bourgeois democratic rights. Proroguing Parliament also is an abrogation of bourgeois rights and we must not let it happen. On the night Hitler became Chancellor, neither the exclusively focused parliamentary Social Democratic Party or, the ‘after them, us’; Communist Party, demonstrated, or called for a general strike. It was as if January 30th was just another day. This time, let us organise to stop the slide towards barbarism.

Demonstrate: see https://www.anothereurope.org/events/ and

Tuesday 3rd September 

6.00 - 8.00 pm

Parliament Square

London

Speakers at the London Rally include:

Tariq Ali - Author and Activist

Laura Pidcock MP

Richard Burgon MP

Dan Carden MP

Laura Smith MP

Kevin Courtney -  NEU General Secretary

Mark Serwotka  - PCS General Secretary

Eddie Dempsey -  RMT Executive Committee member

Ash Sarkar - Journalist and political activist 

Owen Jones - Journalist and political activist

Dr. Sonia Adesara - Keep Our NHS Public

Aaron Bastani - Co-founder and Senior Editor at Novara Media 

Lindsey German  - People's Assembly 

Green Seniors Co-chair Noel Lynch gets pic in Guardian campaigning for independent shops

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/aug/27/kinks-dave-davies-grand-arcade-finchley-london  and 

Kinks guitarist backs calls to save art deco shopping arcade  

 Davies with Noel Lynch, the owner of the Green Room, a curiosity shop in the arcade. Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian

Minutes Green Seniors’ meeting: Friday 16 August 2019

Minutes Green Seniors’ meeting: Friday 16 August 2019 6pm meeting at the Green Room 7 Grand Arcade Tally Ho Corner North Finchley 

 Present: P.Murry, , M. Childs currently had posting rights to the blog, Erwin Schaefer and Noel Lynch  invited

1.   Apologies: Jennifer Chan, Malcolm Bailey

2.  Minutes Green Seniors’ meeting:  Friday 17 May 2019 Agreed for accuracy.

Matters arising:

a)Problems with proposed use of older people as carers eg: wage rates, support with problems. Issue ongoing, not resolved.

b)Meeting of the Trade Union Clean Air Network (TUCAN), Thursday, June 20^th, 2019, P.Murry attended. Minutes @ https://greenseniors.blogspot.com/2019/08/minutes-of-meeting-of-trade-union-clean.html. date of next meeting – Autumn 2019 tba.

c) Local GP contacts for London possible, still need to find out other regions: info sent to London local party contacts. M. Childs to contact regional co-ordinators via GP website.

d)London Federation meeting on 19/82019, at 7pm(doors open 6.30pm) at Living Space Waterloo, 1 Coral Street, SE1 7BE– includes an EGM to reduce committee posts, noted that the current Media Officer post entailed a very heavy workload. .  Annual General meeting will be on Saturday 19 October from 11am at the Bolney Meadow Community Centre in Vauxhall

e)LOPSIG (?) now defunct, activities taken over by with Positive Ageing In London, which was run by Chris Walsh. It included reps from many seniors’ groups, including GS but there seemed to be no funding. M. Childs was looking into health & the NHS for this group.

f)   TfL proposals re truncating bus routes; meetings with TfL ongoing.

g)TV licenses , BBC to pay for licences for those aged 75+? Apparently only for those on benefits.

h)‘Toyboy Tax’ pensioners disqualified from benefits if they have a working Partner. Enacted, complaints reported about its application and appeals procedure.

i)   Amazon demo of voice activated IT devices, Barbican 13/6/2019. M. Childs attended  and reported as a good event.

j)   Brexit and Seniors: objections to stereotype that all older people are pro-Brexit and unconcerned about the environment. , Erwin Schaefer to write article for Autumn Conference Watermelon, deadline 31/8,articles of 500-1000 words needed.

k) Leaflets re making a ‘Green will’ available from Noel Lynch noellynch@lineone.net 

l)   M. Childs still trying to contact GP disabled people’s group.

3 Green Seniors’ membership list N.Lynch to update

4 Green Seniors’ social media

a)currently the GP website link goes to the Green Seniors’ blog @ https://greenseniors.blogspot.com/ which contains pages for GS  aims and committee. Maureen had been Promised a GP web page but nothing has happened (? See Appendix).

b) Posting rights for Gs blog currently P.Murry,&  M. Childs, Noel Lynch  & , Erwin Schaefer invited.

5.   GPEW Conference: spring 2019

a) Green Seniors’ meeting Jay Ginn spoke on Women’s Pension Rights’: a successful meeting.

b) Holistic Review proposals passed. NB this means we must review the constitution and send out notices announcing the next Green Seniors’ meeting as the AG|M, including invitations to stand  for committee posts

6)  GPEW Conference:autumn 2019

Newport - ICC Wales, 4-6 October 2019

The Agenda deadlines for Autumn Conference 2019 have been set by the Standing Orders Committee (SOC) as below. 

Date	Agenda Deadline
18th July 2019	Pre-Agenda deadline: Final date for posting outlines of intended motions and policy papers to the Pre-Agenda forum on the new members website here
1st August 2019	First Agenda deadline: Final date for submission of final text of motions and policy papers to SOC. This can be done via a webform [link to follow] or by emailing soc@greenparty.org.uk.
15th August 2019	Publication of the First Agenda, and opening of the Prioritisation Ballot [links to follow]
29th August 2019	Final date for posting of amendments to the forums on the members’ website [links to follow]
5th September 2019	Final Agenda deadline Final versions of amendments must be submitted - by a minimum of four co-proposers - via the webform [link to follow] or email to soc@greenparty.org.uk
12th September 2019	Final date for submission of Late Motions to Conference [link to follow]
19th September 2019	Publication of the Final Agenda (latest)

dates for late & emergency motions?

The late motion deadline is? and must relate to an issue that has arisen since the closing of the Pre-Agenda Forum.

Emergency Motions do not have a deadline except that they must be before 6pm on the evening before and must relate to an issue that has arisen since the Late Motion deadline. 

b)   fringes and meetings: Secretary awaiting forms from head office

c)   stalls booked : Secretary has received forms, M. Childs to arrange for delivery of items for Green Seniors’ stall to P.Murry

d) Autumn Conference Watermelon deadline 31/8, articles of 500-1000 words needed.contact P.Murry at yrrumuk@googlemail.com.

6 Future Green Seniors events & activities:

a)TUC LESE Pensioners' Network Seminar 2019 Update themed on Loneliness and Isolation Tuesday 3 September (10am – 3.30pm) @ TUC Congress House FREE admission but booking essential.  See https://www.tuc.org.uk/node/521947

Article in RSA magazine re loneliness and isolation recommended

b)EE meeting on 5G and new technology at Portcullis House,  M. Childs to supply further details. NB booking essential.

8.AoB

a) British Computer Society asked by House of Lords for evidence that IT can assist with  well-being. Suggested that M. Childs contact Baroness Jones about this.

b) LB Barnet is abolishing the public right to speak at council meetings .(?) need to confirm

9 Date of Next meeting  8, 15 or 29 November M. Childs to investigate using Tavistock House as a venue

Minutes of the meeting of the Trade Union Clean Air Network (TUCAN) Thursday, June 20th, 2019

Minutes of the meeting of the Trade Union Clean Air Network (TUCAN)

Thursday, June 20^th, 2019

1.     Attendance – There were 22 people representing 9 trades unions – ASLEF, BFAWU, CWU, GMB, NASUWT, NEU, PCS, TSSA and UCU, and organisations that included British Lung Foundation, British Safety Council, Client Earth and Labour Research Dept. It was hosted by UCU and convened by the Greener Jobs Alliance and the Hazards Campaign.

2.     Union updates – Greener Jobs Alliance and Hazards Campaign provided a brief outline of progress since the February launch meeting was given. 13 unions representing the majority of TUC membership had signed up to the TUCAN Charter. A Union Guide on Air Pollution has been circulated. Unions are welcome to adapt it for distribution to their own reps. Posters and stickers have been distributed and there has been useful coverage in a number of health and safety journals. A TUCAN page has been set up on the GJA web site where the charter and guide can be downloaded. There will be an Air Pollution workshop at the annual Hazards Conference in July.

Each union provided information on air pollution and related developments. Some had organised fringe meetings at annual conference and others are producing new guidance for reps. UCU will be running training courses that would feature air pollution issues. Motions on calling a climate emergency had been passed

3.     Other organisation updates – LRD publishing a new guide on ‘Unions, climate change and just transition’. Client Earth are publishing a 2 page briefing as part of the Healthy Air Campaign. A couple of references to occupational hazards have been inserted and TUCAN has supported. British Lung Foundation is updating the school guidance in conjunction with NEU. Health care professionals are being mobilised and lobbying activity with the Clean Air Parents Network. British Safety Campaign launched the ‘Time to Breathe’ campaign along with the Canairy app to monitor outdoor worker exposure. It had not been easy to get employer buy-in and currently restricted to London. Event in Manchester in late September being planned.

4.     Campaigns on the legal framework and guidance – There have been calls for a new Clean Air Act. Likely to be an Environment Bill with a Clean Air chapter. Will be primary legislation with potential for secondary legislation. Priorities are a) need for improved legal limits with a shorter timescale for introduction b) duties on public bodies c) duty to provide healthy air plans.Action a) Healthy Air Campaign submissions should be circulated to trade union parliamentary groups b) Provide input on the link with other law, particularly HASAWA, COSHH and EPA. Issues of lack of defined legal duties compared to goal setting, plus lack of political will to enforce. C) Hazards and interested unions to liaise with Katie at Client Earth

5.     Monitoring equipment – Review of products currently available. Identifying sectors and workplaces for union based considered. Action – a) GJA to explore options and identify a potential project. A case study will require a minimum of 3 months b) BSC considering making the Canairy app available to everyone rather than just via employers c) Use the Metro Mayor elections to press for greater commitments including installation of more monitoring stations to make the app more viable outside London d) MH (BSC) to circulate case studies

6.     Union rep guidance and other resources – Potential for using on union rep courses. Action – a) JJ to develop a couple of course activities b) provide template for individual unions on request c) A Part 2 guide to provide more detail and incorporate case studies, more on limits of PPE

7.     TUCAN Co-ordination role and future arrangements – Consider a TUCAN conference in the Autumn with potential for regional events. Press for TUCAN presence in upcoming trade union events like TUC. Action – a) GJA and Hazards to approach NW TUC re linking to their JT conference b) MH to help with co-ordination around circulation of updates

8.     AoB and date of next meeting – Autumn meeting. Action – JN to circulate options

Janet Newsham

Greater Manchester Hazards Centre

Windrush Millennium Centre,

70 Alexandra Road

Manchester

M16 7WD

Email: janet@gmhazards.org.uk

Tel: 0161 636 7558

HOUSMANS NEWSLETTER – SUMMER UPDATE

HOUSMANS NEWSLETTER – SUMMER UPDATE

NEWS 
1. Richard Gott Library Sale

INSTORE EVENTS
2. 'Different Class: Football, Fashion and Funk – The Story of Laurie Cunningham' with Dermot Kavanagh
3. 'The Twittering Machine' with Richard Seymour
4. 'Prison: a Survival Guide', with Carl Cattermole and Erika Flowers
5. 'Back to Black: Retelling Black Radicalism for the 21st Century' with Kehinde Andrews
6. 'Fully Automated Luxury Communism: A Manifesto' with Aaron Bastani
7.  'This Land is Ours: The Fight for Land Justice' with speakers from the Anarchist Communist Group
8. 'Queer Heroes' – Exhibition & Book Launch
____________________________________________

NEWS  
1. Richard Gott Library Sale - Saturday 17th to  Sunday 25th August

Richard Gott is a former Latin America correspondent and features editor for the Guardian. A specialist in Latin American affairs, his books include Cuba: A New History, Guerrilla Movements in Latin America, The Appeasers (with Martin Gilbert), Land Without Evil, Hugo Chávez and the Bolivarian Revolution, and Britain's Empire.

Richard has very kindly donated over 1,000 books from his personal library, across a range of subjects, but as would be expected, the collection has a particular emphasis on South American history and politics.

Housmans will be hosting a sale of these books, starting at 10am Saturday 17th August and finishing at 6pm on Sunday 25th August. New books will be put out continuously throughout the week.

As with all our book sales we are keen to keep the price of books as low as possible. The vast majority will be priced at £1 or £3, with a small selection priced at £5, or on rare occasion possibly higher.

Part of the donation includes a number of books in Spanish – these will be available for free, though we would ask you to consider making a donation at the till, with proceeds going to Haven Distribution, who provide books to prisoners.

Please do spread the word to those who might be interested.

Our sincerest thanks to Richard for this generous donation.
IN-STORE EVENTSAs many of our events are oversubscribed we are increasingly asking for tickets to be purchased in advance. Tickets can also be bought at Housmans and there may be some spaces available on the night, but strictly on a first-come first-served basis.

2. 'Different Class: Football, Fashion and Funk – The Story of Laurie Cunningham' with Dermot Kavanagh
Wednesday August 21^st, 7pm- tickets in advance from www.housmans.com/events
Cunningham blazed a trail for black footballers at a time when racism was rife on the terraces and won over hostile crowds with his mercurial style. A glamorous outsider, he was also a soul boy who danced on the 1970's Soho funk scene in bespoke suits. Cunningham's story is not only a football one, it is a story of London, race relations and youth culture too.More info here

3. 'The Twittering Machine' with Richard Seymour
Wednesday September 4th, 7pm- tickets in advance from www.housmans.com/events
In surrealist artist Paul Klee's The Twittering Machine, the bird-song of a diabolical machine acts as bait to lure humankind into a pit of damnation. Leading political writer and broadcaster Richard Seymour argues that this is a chilling metaphor for our relationship with social media. Through journalism, psychoanalytic reflection and insights from users, developers, security experts and others, Seymour probes the human side of the machine, asking what we're getting out of it, and what we're getting into.
More info here
4. 'Prison: a Survival Guide', with Carl Cattermole and Erika Flowers
Wednesday September 11th, 7pm- tickets in advance from www.housmans.com/events
Carl presents his essential guide to life in UK prisons – now fully updated and featuring contributions from female and LGBTQI prisoners, as well as from family on the outside. Carle will be joined by Erika Flowers who will share her experience of Holloway women's prison.
More info here
5. 'Back to Black: Retelling Black Radicalism for the 21st Century' with Kehinde AndrewsWednesday September 18th, 7pm- tickets in advance from www.housmans.com/events
Back to Black traces the long and eminent history of Black radical politics. At its core it argues that racism is inexorably embedded in the fabric of society, and that it can never be overcome unless by enacting change outside of this suffocating system. Kehinde Andrews explores the true roots of this tradition and connects the dots to today's struggles by showing what a renewed politics of Black radicalism might look like in the 21st century.
More info here

6. 'Fully Automated Luxury Communism: A Manifesto' with Aaron Bastani
Wednesday September 25^th, 7pm- tickets in advance from www.housmans.com/events
Aaron Bastani discuss his much talked-about book, which looks at the possibility of harnessing technological advances to moving beyond work, scarcity and capitalism.
More info here

7. AUTONOMY NOW presents:
'This Land is Ours: The Fight for Land Justice' with speakers from the Anarchist Communist Group
Thursday September 26, 7pm-  free entry, RSVP in advance from www.housmans.com/events
There is a long tradition of fighting for the land in Britain, most recently in the Scottish movement for land reform. People are beginning to question the idea of private property and moving to more radical ideas such as the land being a Commons - owned and controlled by us all. This talk will first look at the question of who owns and controls the land in Britain, consider what is being done in Scotland and elsewhere, and then open the discussion on what changes we would like to see.
More info here

8. 'Queer Heroes' – Exhibition & Book Launch
Friday 27th September, 7pm- free entry
Join us for an evening of art, books and drinks to celebrate the release of Arabelle Sicardi and Sarah Tanat-Jones' new book Queer Heroes, a beautifully illustrated collection featuring 52 LGBTQ+ artists, writers, innovators, athletes and activists who have changed the world from ancient times to present day. Sarah will be joining us to paint a brand new mural on one of the shop windows and will have prints for sale. Come along for a chat, a signed copy of the book and a celebration of queer history in all its wonderfully varied forms.
Please note: this event will not have a formal talk element.
More info here

Agenda: Green Seniors’ meeting: Friday 16 August 2019 6pm

Green Seniors’ meeting: Friday 16 August 2019 6pm meeting at the Green Room 7 Grand Arcade Tally Ho Corner North Finchley 

1.   Apologies and alterations to agenda

2.  Minutes Green Seniors’ meeting:  Friday 17 May 2019

3 Green Seniors membership list and social media

4.   GPEW Conference:

a) review and spring 2019: including the Holistic Review

b) autumn 2019

Newport - ICC Wales, 4-6 October 2019

a) Members unable to attend conference may give a proxy to a member able to attend. This can be done via the webform on the members’ website, or by notification to SOC by the proxy giver, identifying their name and local party, and the name and local party of the proxy holder. A physical form will be available at conference for those leaving but wishing to allocate their vote. A member may hold a maximum of five proxy votes.

The Agenda deadlines for Autumn Conference 2019 have been set by the Standing Orders Committee (SOC) as below. 

Date	Agenda Deadline
18th July 2019	Pre-Agenda deadline: Final date for posting outlines of intended motions and policy papers to the Pre-Agenda forum on the new members website here
1st August 2019	First Agenda deadline: Final date for submission of final text of motions and policy papers to SOC. This can be done via a webform [link to follow] or by emailing soc@greenparty.org.uk.
15th August 2019	Publication of the First Agenda, and opening of the Prioritisation Ballot [links to follow]
29th August 2019	Final date for posting of amendments to the forums on the members’ website [links to follow]
5th September 2019	Final Agenda deadline Final versions of amendments must be submitted - by a minimum of four co-proposers - via the webform [link to follow] or email to soc@greenparty.org.uk
12th September 2019	Final date for submission of Late Motions to Conference [link to follow]
19th September 2019	Publication of the Final Agenda (latest)

dates for late & emergency motions?

The late motion deadline is? and must relate to an issue that has arisen since the closing of the Pre-Agenda Forum.

Emergency Motions do not have a deadline except that they must be before 6pm on the evening before and must relate to an issue that has arisen since the Late Motion deadline. 

b)   fringes and meetings: Secretary awaiting forms from head office

c)   Autumn Conference 2019 Newport stall: Secretary has received forms, NB “We are also now asking groups to commit to adhering to the Code of Conduct as standard, so that is also attached for reference. The Code of Conduct was circulated, and the meeting agreed that Green Left will adhere to it.

d) Autumn Conference Watermelon deadline 31/8,

articles of 500-1000 words needed.

5   London federation and elections (monthly meeting is on Monday 19 August at 7pm(doors open 6.30pm) at Living Space Waterloo, 1 Coral Street, SE1 7BE.  Annual General meeting will be on Saturday 19 October from 11am at the Bolney Meadow Community Centre in Vauxhall –

6 Future Green Seniors evenys & activities:

LESE Pensioners' Network Seminar 2019 Update themed on Loneliness and Isolation

Dear LESE Pensioners’ Network supporters

 annual Seminar for 2019 

themed on Loneliness and Isolation - Tuesday 3 September (10am – 3.30pm) @ TUC Congress House

featuring and thanks to:

·      Ageing Better in Camden

·      Campaign to End Loneliness

·      CWU

·      National Pensioners Convention

·      There are a few other bodies to be confirmed,  it is hoped British Red Cross will be in attendance to cover attached Report.  

·      Unfortunately we were unable to secure annual Shadow Minister

The Seminar will cover:

Pensions (CWU)

Day to day support groups (Ageing Better in Camden / Campaign to End Loneliness)

Save the TV Licence Campaigning (National Pensioners Convention)

·      The best way the Seminar works is with constructive dialogue from beginning to end best serving the attendee.

·      If you have any questions/queries beforehand do not hesitate to make contact.

·      so guest speakers have opportunity to address the vital matters in their opening address – please say what you would like to see address by them - so other fresh questions can be answered in Q&A.

·      Please address all your points you wish covered to: lese@tuc.org.uk by Friday 16 August 2019   

There will be guaranteed space for estimated 140 delegates, but if demand is greater room will hopefully expand to 500 delegates (FREE admission – all welcome)   

So please book early when advertised to avoid disappointment, as the larger space is not guaranteed.

There will also be information stalls at Seminar.

7. Brexit and Seniors

8.AoB

9 Date of Next meeting