GREEN LEFT MEETINGS, CONFERENCES and EVENTS

Green left holds public meetings at regular intervals. We will be holding our next steering committee meeting on Monday 2 June at 7pm in the Queen Elizabeth Hall foyer, on the South Bank London, (nearest station Waterloo)

Green Left members have also been involved in organising the Campaign Against Climate Change Trades Union conferences and organising CACCTU fringes at TU conference and another CACCTU conference in 2009.

The minutes of the AGM (24/5/2008) the last GL meeting and Steering Committee are below.

To find our more about Campaign Against Climate Change Trades Union Group, The Green Party and the Morning Star , follow the links below:

Green Left Summer Gathering SATURDAY AUGUST 16TH from 2PM onwards !

Speakers and guests are being arranged ~ full list and update to follow.

We have a great venue for the speakers ~ local Methodist Hall on Headcorn High Street just 100 yards from my pub and a 3 min walk from the train station as Headcorn is on the main line out of Charing Cross, London trains every hour to Kent. (note Methodist hall thus NO alcohol allowed in the day time event, but plenty afterwards so don't fret! Please bring some)

If you wish to attend and eat with us a very small fee will be charged to cover the cost. Evening drinks at Tiggywinkle Cottage 14 High Street to carry on the discussions.

Limited camping space in Headcorn for an over night stops, Friday/Saturday (we also have a kind offer again from Penny Kemp that people can camp at her farm up the road). Penny Kemp (Gloversbridge Farm) 01622 890601

Also I can give details of local B & B´s Kings Arms Headcorn 01622 890216 & Four Oaks Headcorn 01622 891224

Please also note: The weekend of the 9TH August we will be attending the Climate Camp Demo in Kent.

regards Sarah

Green left Steering Committee Minutes 22 July 2008

1. Attendance: Joseph Healy, Pete Murry, Sarah Farrow, Farid Bakht, Derek Wall, Andy Hewitt, Tim Summers. Sean Thompson, Payam Torabi, James Caspell
2. Apologies for absence: Sue Bineham, Cllr Romayne Phoenix, Jane Ennis, Sue Tibbles. John Henry Marvin. Phelim MacCafferty
3. Co-options: James Caspell to act as TU rep jointly with Sue Tibbles.
4. Minutes of meeting of Monday 2nd June 2008: Accuracy date of Headcorn meeting 16/8/2008
5. Matters arising
   1. The Venezuelan embassy had given permission to use Bolivar Hall for eve of conference GL meeting (4/9/2008). Speakers are being arranged.
   2. GP GPTU Conference, 12th July 08, attendance had been disappointing. 2 Brighton Councillors attended. Interesting discussions on Unison disaffiliation form Labour, workshops on Migration, Workfare and disabled workers, Green/TU relations.
   3. Tolpuddle: well attended by many left groups and Unions; Derek Wall gave a speech to the rally on Sunday. Pete Murry & Mark Douglas present with GP stall throughout. Suggested to arrange a coach to next years event, (although one member present characterised the entire event as defeatist).
   4. Ecosocialist International. Greece meeting not materialising. Possibility of London meeting in 2010 supported, agreed to invite involvement of Socialist résistance and CACCTU. LSE a possible venue (?)Consultation period on ES manifesto ended. Ian Angus unwell, volunteer needed to help with EI Yahoo Group. Email contact between Derek Wall and Hugo Blanco.
   5. Tim Summers had raised problems with Leadership Ballot at London Fed and then Andy Hewitt raised them at GPRC who still maintained that they did not have sufficient evidence of misconduct to warrant any action. London Fed had formed a sub-committee (Andy Hewitt, and Joseph Healy) to gather evidence. It was noted that any evidence would have to go to SOC who had the power to convene a disciplinary panel of former GPRC and GPEX chairs.

   After debate;

   A motion calling for the leadership referendum Ballot to be annulled and condemning ballot rigging was lost.

   A motion calling for the pursuit of those responsible for any ballot rigging but not asking for the leadership referendum Ballot to be annulled was passed nem con.

 

6. Leadership election and GPEX ballot
   1. SOC had made proposals for GPEX ballot rules (NB the exact position on this was changing as the GL meeting was taking place)
   2. Legal advice on the disclosure of members´ data for the GPEX ballot had been sought and would be passed on the Chairs of GPEX and SOC.
   3. Sean Thompson, to seek ruling from Information Commissioner.

 

7. Noted that GPEX and GPRC minutes had not been put on line recently and agreed that if this situation was not speedily remedied the GL site and/or blog could be used for this purpose (NB it was noted that personal and confidential matters re individuals would be excluded).

 

8. Green Left Summer Gathering SATURDAY AUGUST 16TH 2008 Methodist Hall on Headcorn High Street (NB no alcohol permitted on premises).

    

   1. Suggested time table

       

      Session 1 panel on "Where next for the Green party?"

      Session2 Green Left (Sean Thompson´s papers)

      Session 3 International Joseph Healy and invited speakers.

      It was agreed that even though the closing date had passed discussion on the new Ecosocialist Manifesto may take place.

   2. Agreed that the event be advertised internally and externally (ie to sympathetic left groups, publications and blogs).

 

9. Report back from Socialist resistance conference (Joseph Healy)

   A full report with links to items on European Left parties is on the Green Left Blog. The event had been well attended and there was some opportunity for an open dialogue between left groups.

 

10. Report back from Socialist Party conference (Andy Hewitt),

    A fuller written report to follow but in summary the event agreed to continue with the project of creating a new left party possibly starting with a looser’ umbrella’ organisation. In discussion some scepticism was expressed about this.

 

11. Media.

    It was noted that GP press office had recently stated "As the press office has been asked to produce detailed recommendations on the communication strategy for the next two years, we need to deprioritise day-to-day press and web work..."

    It was noted that this added to the difficulties already faced in getting adequate coverage of left and TU issues. It was agreed that GL should be doing its own press releases.

 

12. Conference
    1. All Green left members are urged to vote to give priority to the following motions at GP Conference (5-8 September at SOAS in London):

       C21 Establishing Union Environmental Reps

       C29 Minimum and Maximum Wages

       The deadline for this is 24 July and details of voting procedures are on the last page of the Conference Agenda obtainable from the Green Party website.

    2. Members are also reminded to attend the SOC Report (normally the first event of conference) to support the appeal to reinstate the motion EU781 to adopt the "Europe is a continent of migration" paper
    3. It was noted that the SOC report might be timetabled after the leader’s speech and that this could be subject to challenge.
    4. GLeft fringe on Anti-Zionsim; speakers being arranged
    5. Gptu fringe on Migration speakers being arranged
    6. Members encouraged to attend the Population working group fringe to discuss possible changes to GP policy.

 

13. Finances

    Reminders to be sent out re October cut off point for paying subscriptions to Green Left

    Has M.Selwood paid his £100 debt to GL yet?

    Noted that some members had not been sent email receipts for their subs.

GreenLeft steering committee, Minutes of meeting of Monday 2nd June 2008, QEH cafe, Southbank.

 

1. Attendance: Sue Bineham, John Henry Marvin, Joseph Healy, Pete Murry, Sarah Farrow, Farid Bakht, Derek Wall, Andy Hewitt, Tim Summers.
2. Apologies for absence: Sean Thompson, Payam Torabi, Cllr Romayne Phoenix, Jane Ennis, Sue Tibbles.
3. Co-options: John Henry Marvin was co-opted to the Steering Committee, Tim Summers also as GL Secretary. Payam Torabi is invited for co-option, (not as NHS rep).
4. Population policy: Joseph reported from GPex that a second, amended draft of population policy by Nicola Watson has been circulated, but was unlikely to be included in the agenda of Autumn Conference. Instead, Brian Heatley will chair a conference Population Policy fringe meeting open to all points of view. Meeting discu ssed and approved 3 items of policy towards this discussion: to reject a population target, for eco-friendly housing stock according to need, and to consider the "push and pull" factors of migration.
5. Migration Policy: a conference motion will propose that GPEW adopts the European Green Party paper on Migration (agreed at GL/AGM), and Joseph will organise a fringe meeting on Migration with Theresa Hayter and a Dutch Green as speakers. GPTU offered to host this fringe.<\li>
6. Zionism and "anti-Semitism": a small pro-Zionist group will propose a motion to Autumn Conference that GPEW shares no platform with representatives of “anti-Semitism” e.g. Palestine Solidarity Campaign, recognises the state of Israel to exist, and to regard Zionism as a respectable ideology. GreenLeft must mobilise opposition and hold a conference fringe with Simon Lin of the Jewish Socialist Group to speak (a title for our fringe needs devising).
7. Minimum & Maximum Wage policy: a Conference motion in favour by Sean Thompson is likely to be rivalled by a policy for a "local living wage".
8. Socialist Resistance Conference, Saturday 28th June 08, 10.30-4pm at ULU, Malet St. Joseph will speak on European Green Parties and Sian Berry has also been invited, other speakers from Portugal and Die Linke. GL attendance encouraged.
9. Socialist Party Conference, Sunday 29th June 08 at ULU will propose their campaign for a "new workers´ party". Everyone except the SWP has been invited. GL attendance is encouraged.
10. National Officers: discussed
11. Leader & Deputy Leader: discussion favoured the commissioning of the Election Reform Society to conduct the GPEW elections of GPex and leaders, at a likely cost of £2,000. GL must draft a motion and use its minutes,discussion list and blog to populise this proposal. Tim will promote dissatisfaction with GPRC´s validation of the recent Leadership Ballot, at the next meeting of the London Federation on 16th June.
12. GL Finance: Sue, Treasurer reported current funds at ££285 and reminded supporters to join GL at an annual subscription of £5 each, before the deadline of October 2008.
13. Any Other Business:
    1. Pete will circulate a draft for a GL leaflet by blog.
    2. Derek reported the evening at the Cuban Embassy and the invitation to GPEW and GL to visit Cuba ( by flight) next year. The Cuban government´s ecological self-sufficiency,its intentions to hold democratic elections and to end state homophobia were noted with approval, and a GL policy of critical support for Cuba was agreed nem con.
    3. GL will hold its eve of conference fringe meeting on Thursday 4th September 08 at Birkbeck College or Bolivar Hall, London. Derek will seek a panel of speakers, the Venezuelan Ambassador and representatives of the Cuban Embassy and Socialist Resistance and he will speak on the work of Hugo Blanco. The event must be publicised in London´s Latin-American press.
    4. GPTU Conference, 12th July 08 at Friends´ Meeting House, Ship Street, Brighton BN1 1AF, £8/4 concs, speakers Caroline Lucas MEP, Tony Kearns (CWU) and workshops.
    5. GPTU will circulate its motions on the boycott of arms shipment to Zimbabwe and support for NUT/UCU.
    6. Tolpuddle Martyrs´ Rally, Dorset on Friday 18th July 08, Derek to speak, attendance encouraged.
    7. Royal Festival Hall level 2 is a good London venue for future GL steering committees.
    8. The 2009 Ecosocialist International conference may be held in London.
14. GreenLeft next General Meeting on Saturday 9th August 08 at Sarah´s pub, Headcorn, Kent.
15. Questions: can GL have another Summer Camp soon, a General Meeting in Manchester this winter and a Scottish GL?
16. The Meeting Closed-

EDITED GL/SC Minutes of 2-6-08 recorded by Tim Summers, secretary 020 7737 6289.

AGM minutes 24 May 2008

1. Observers; The meeting agreed to the presence of observers provided that they declared their political allegiances and withdrew for certain items if requested. Observers from Socialist Resistance and the Association of Socialist Greens were present.

 

2. . Minutes of last AGM were not available

 

3. Finances
   1. £240 in bank account (now fully operative).
   2. £100 owed by M.Sellwood.
   3. £50 paid to P.Murry reimbursement for room hire for AGM.
   4. From October 1 2008 membership would be on a £5 pa subscription basis and some subscriptions and donations had been received.

   5. A vote of thanks to the Treasurer was passed

 

4. Reports from Committee:
   1. Co convenor (P.Murry) reported that he had been mainly occupied with setting up website,blog and database to assist with new membership arrangements Plans for a Birmingham meeting had fallen through but there had been activity in assisting Campaign Against Climate Change TU Group with its conference and other activities
   2. International Report (J.Healy) Concern expressed over Green/right coalitions & alliances in Europe and rise of fascism & xenophobia in Italy.
   3. International Report (D.Wall) links with Latin America (esp. Cuba, Venezuela and Columbia) had been maintained.
   4. TU liaison S.Tibbles had been working on this via the Green Party Trades Union group and had been elected to exec of Southeast Region TUC and Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom.
   5. Political Liaison J.Ennis had been working with J.Healy on translating eco-shopping guide from Italian.
   6. Campaigns (Jonathan Essex) Concentrating on preparations for Heathrow demo 31/5/2008, assemble 12noon Hatton Cross tube. Other campaigns to be discussed a campaigns meeting 2-6pm 24/5/2008.

 

 

5. European Report(Joseph Healy) Observers withdrew for this item. The full report is available on G,L email list.
6. The following motion passed unan nem con

   "Gleft/London Federation of Green parties congratulates the Durban dockers of the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu), and the police trade union (POPCRU) members who supported them for turning away the Chinese arms shipment to Zimbabwe where it might be used to attack trades unionists and others engaged in the struggle for democratic rights in Zimbabwe. We note that such action would be illegal if taken by British Trades unionists and call for a restoration of the rights of British trades unionists to take solidarity action with other groups nationally and internationally."

 

7. Population /migration The next steering committee would discuss a response to the second draft of the population policy in time for conference motions deadline 5/6/2008. bearing in mind the following:

   "Any population policy is only acceptable if it

   1. rejects the notion of setting a target population for the UK
   2. calls on gov´t to build and adapt ecologically friendly housing stock to be provided affordably on a basis of social need
   3. calls for immediate international negotiations on world population size, distribution and migration, in view of the fact that a climate change refugee problem is already starting, adding to the push and pull factors caused by gross international inequality.
   4. adopts the " Europe is a continent of migration" (European Green Party : Adopted Paper)."

 

8. Motion a public statement of support for NUT/UCU/PCS passed unan nem con

   "We support the recent strike action by NUT, UCU and PCS and note that it is absurd to claim that the workers involved were overpaid. We support their struggles for decent pay rates and against the casualisation of their work."

 

9. Support for Hugo Blanco (see http://www.socialistvoice.ca/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/blanco-indigenous.pdf) . D.Wall described the work of Hugo Blanco and S.American indigenous peoples’ movements . It was agreed that GL contribute funds to the production of HB’s magazine (NB How much?)

 

10. Anti-Fascism the following motion passed unan nem con

    "This AGM notes that the British National Party:

    • Is a fascist, racist and homophobic organisation that stands for an all-white Britain and the destruction of trade unions.
    • Stood 119 candidates in the 2005 general election, winning a total of 192.750 cotes, 4 times their vote at the 2001 elections.
    • Has 21 councillors across Britain; won 130,714 votes, in the London assembly elections, and has now got a seat.
    • In the GLA elections of May 2008, the BNP in Barking and Dagenham ward won 24.75%, with an average of nearly 10% throughout City and East.
    • The BNP have nationally made only a net gain of ten council seats in this round of elections, which is well short of the three AMs and forty council seats that they predicted.
    This AGM further notes
    • The broadest public coalition is needed to stop the continued rise of the BNP and to stop them from making a breakthrough into mass politics achieved by the far right throughout Europe including, for example the National Front in France and the Freedom party in Austria.
    • We can help defeat the BNP through funding research into their activities and campaigning against them wherever and whenever they appear and applaud the work of, among many others, the UAF.
    This AGM resolves to deepen and broaden anti-facsist work by:
    • Continuing to use whatever appropriate methods to stop the BNP
    • Wherever the BNP have been elected , on the GLA and elsewhere, to publicly discredit them and their race hatred.
    • Working explicitly with as many others (as possible?) against the fascist threat
    • Campaigning in our unions for the political isolation and expulsion of fascists
    • Writing a stronger GPEW anti-fascist policy to submit to autumn conference
    • developing and presenting policies of the GP which address the material concerns of those of the electors currently inclined to vote BNP."

 

11. GPTU conference July 12th 10-6, Friends' Meeting House, Ship Street, Brighton, Sussex BN1 1AF (10 minutes from Brighton BR), Featuring Caroline Lucas Green Party MEP, Tony Kearns (Communications Workers Union), Kate Greene (Child Poverty Action Group) & Workshops on Migration/ Population policy and International relations (J.Healy) and Future strategies for links between Greens and TUs (P.MacCafferty)

 

12. Tolpuddle there may be a GP stall this year contact mdouglas@gn.apc.org

 

13. Compass conference noted

 

14. Convention of the Left 20-25 /9/2008 GL agreed to sponsor D.Wall´s appearance and other activities contact www.conventionoftheleft.org

 

15. Green Left members have also been involved in organising the Campaign Against Climate Change Trades Union conferences and organising CACCTU fringes at TU conferences and another CACCTU conference in 2009.

 

16. Steering Committee elected as follows

    CO-Convenors:J.Healy,S.Farrow

    Treasurer: S.Bineham

    Membership/web Secretary:P.Murry

    International liaison: D.Wall &: S.Ennis

    TU liaison: S.Tibbles

    Political/GPRC liaison: A.Hewett

    Anti Fascist liaison: P.MacCafferty & P.Cooney

    Councillor liaison: R. Phoenix

    Media Officer; F.Bakht

    NHS liaison: P.Torabi (needs to be asked if he is willing to occupy this post)

    Political Education: Sean Thompson

    Liaison with Young Greens: Aled Fisher

    NB the meeting decided not to co-opt John Henry Mavin as it was not clear what capacity this would be in and as he was not present to support his candidature. He is welcome to join GL.

 

It was noted with regret that Sean Thompson was ill in hospital. the meeting wished him a speedy and complete recovery. Any members wishing to vist should contact sallythompson@blueyonder.co.uk

 

17. AOBs
    1. A.Wheatley noted that there had been little or no follow upon the motion on disabled workers rights passed at the last GP conference.
    2. J Essex wished opposition to Conservatives and possible Henley by –election raised.
    3. Socialist Resistance event. J.Healy to speak
    4. Socialist Party event. A.Hewett to speak

 

18. THE MEETING CLOSED

Minutes of Green Left Steering Committee Meeting 26/3/2008

 

1. MINUTES OF GREEN LEFT. STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING 13/1/2008: MATTERS ARISING
   1. Lack of public knowledge re contacting Green Left Pete Murry agreed to produce small cheap leaflet giving contact details, summary of aims etc.
   2. Investigation of possible malpractice in Leadership referendum. Concerns expressed re lack of progress. Considered putting motion to London Federation in future. Meanwhile the meeting agreed to encourage members in other parts of the country to raise this with their GPRC reps.
   3. Green Empowerment: not very active recently?
   4. Ecosocialist International: Pete Murry to circulate relevant email address to GL lists. Joseph to meet with Socialist Resistance colleagues.
   5. Campaign Against Climate Change Trades Union Conference. Romayne Phoenix had been elected to Organising Committee. (Organising Committee minutes available at gptu blog: http://gptublog.blogspot.com/2008/03/campaign-against-climate-change.html ). Minor problems re creating links between CCACTU and GL and GPTU websites.
   6. Heathrow Demos: Flash demo 27/3/2008, Demo 31/5/2008: for details see Campaign Against Climate Change website: http://www.campaigncc.org/.
   7. Green Party Conference Fringe meetings (Media freedom and Ecosocialism), successful.

 

2. FINANCES AND MEMBERSHIP
   1. Bank accoun't now open. £31 in hand, £100 owed by M.Sellwood.
   2. The moratorium on new members had been lifted as the opening of the bank account had been delayed. New applicants were being asked to confirm their names and GP membership.
   3. Relationship to GP: As Green Left is an organisation of Green Party members but not a part of the party, and did not stand electoral candidates; the steering committee felt that GL should not have to register itself under PPERA, although some contrary opinions had been expressed from GP sources.

 

3. COMMITTEE ROLES: to be considered at AGM. Concern expressed re apparent inactivity of Media and Outreach officers.

 

4. FUTURE ACTIVITIES
   1. Sue Tibbles is looking for Birmingham venue, meeting would now need to be postponed until May earliest, and a June date might be better.
   2. AGM Exmouth Arms (or similar) ideally 17 or 24 May.

 

5. FOREIGN POLICY
   1. Danish GP GPEW reps will be abstaining on issue of expulsion and although Joseph gave an explanation of the position, GL steering Committee felt unable to take up a position on the basis of the info available.
   2. Support for Tibet. Debate continues as to if and how far this should include any endorsement of the Dalai Lama.
   3. Hugo Chavez GL steering Committee felt it should support the Bolivarian revolution but distance itself from facile comments about international relations. It was noted that HC in some senses represents Native Americans whom have been and are subject to the same processes of cultural (and sometimes physical) genocide as the Tibetans.

 

6. Best wishes to SEAN THOMPSON and DEREK WALL for a swift recovery.

 

7. Autumn Green party Conference at SOAS
   1. Ideas for Fringe meetings invited. Migrant Workers possibly with Priya Shah as one speaker was recommended.
   2. Ideas for Motions meetings invited; Motion on promotion of Grassroots activity recommended.
   3. Possibilities of left candidates for leadership/ deputy/gpex/gprc discussed.
   4. All of the above need discussion at AGM.

 

8. Need to keep up momentum of GL noted.

Minutes of the Green Left Meeting held on January 13th 2008.

Apologies: Paul Cooney, Sarah Farrow, Jane Ennis.

Minutes of the previous meeting: It was agreed that there were no minutes as Sean Thompson, the minute taker of the last Steering Group meeting had been taken ill in the interim. However, most subjects covered at the meeting were on the agenda.

Bank Account: The Treasurer was having major problems with opening the account. Derek said that Sue was working hard on this. Pete Murry asked if there was agreement for new applicants to be added to the email list pending the opening of the account. Agreed unanimously. The Treasurer said that the bank was asking for more details from some of the signatories and also for a letter from party office, as the membership was drawn from the Green Party. Alan Francis believed that the bank´s position was correct under the PPERA but Joseph Healy stated that this had been discussed at a previous meeting and it had been agreed that it was not necessary to have party authorisation as GL was not standing candidates etc. The Treasurer had a cheque from Matt Sellwood but it could not be lodged until the bank account was sorted out. Sue agreed to collect more details from some of the Steering Group members for the bank´s purposes.

Website: Pete Murry agreed to proceed with working on the site. There was a discussion on whether the site should state "an ecosocialist current in the Green Party" or "an anti-capitalist current". The vote was six for "ecosocialist" and three for "anti-capitalist". Consensus was reached that both terms should be used.

Leader Referendum: Joseph informed the meeting that GPRC had agreed to investigate the conduct of the referendum as there had been grave concerns about breaches of the referendum rules and the Data Protection Act. John Johnson confirmed some of the actions of the Yes camapaign which had been brought to the attention of GPRC in his own local party. It was felt that this was best left to GPRC but there were concerns about future erosion of members´ rights and grassroots involvement as had happened in some other parties.

Relations with Green Empowerment: There was a vigorous discussion about relations with GE. Some at the meeting had attended the earlier GE meeting and reported back on some of its decisions. Duncan from Socialist Resistance felt that a good alliance between the two groups was vital and gave the example of how the Labour Left had had a strategic alliance with the Campaign for Labour Democracy. Gary Dunion said that although a Yes supporter he viewed participatory democracy within the party as vital, and also within politics more widely. Agreed to keep dialogue with GE going and to continue to watch activities of the ´leader tendency´ in the party.

Strategy for Green Left: Sean Thompson presented his paper on this issue. Sean suggested sending supporters to the Gardening Brigades in Cuba. Jonathan Essex was opposed to this, on the grounds of carbon emissions and suggested sending volunteers to support the Transition Town initiatives in Totnes, Devon, instead. Derek spoke about his work re Cynthia Mc Kinney´s campaign for the Green Presidential nomination in the US, with Australian Greens and also with West Papua. Romayne spoke about the need for the support of more people in campaigns work. Joseph referred to the problems with a Zionist lobby in the party, which Sean also referred to. Brian called for action on food issues and to give grassroots activism a ´steer´. Alan suggested that Sean´s proposal of affiliating to the Support Cuba campaign should go to GPEx rather than to conference.

Ecosocialist International: Giorgos, a Greek comrade, reported that the ESI has both a website and pamphlets and that the Greeks were still hoping to hold it in Athens. He would report back on this again.

International: Joseph reported about some of the developments internationally. There was an attempt by the European Green Party to expel the Danish party and this would be coming to the international committee soon. He also spoke about the Global Greens conference in Brazil in May and that a major panel on this was being planned by him for spring conference, with the Venezuelan ambassador as one of the speakers. Derek spoke about the situation in West Bengal.

Climate Change Trade Union Conference: This was being held in London on Feb 9th. Romayne said that there was a need for more Greens to be involved in the workshops. Also there was a request for a climate change motion to be passed through union branches. Pete Murry mentioned an upcoming meeting with the GMB on airport expansion and Alan said there would be a meeting with TSSA. Agreed to flag up the conference with Natalie Bennet for the internal mailing. Romayne also said that she would be speaking on the same platform as Galloway at a climate change meeting on Feb 7th.

Conference: There would be two GL fringes at spring conference. One on ´Ecosocialism´ chaired by Jane Ennis and one on ´Press and Broadcasting Freedom´with Mark Steel and an academic speaker from the Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom. Romayne asked for people to vote against her motion on the referendum time limit, which had been originally proposed by Jonathan Dixon.

Next Meeting: There was some discussion as to whether the next meeting should be held in London or Birmingham. The result of a vote showed 8 supported Birmingham and 1 London. Joseph also suggested that Salma Yaqoob be invited to attend. Agreed to hold the next meeting in Birmingham in late March and Joe Rooney to be contacted to help organise. Also agreed to invite Salma Yaqoob.

AOB: Jonathan spoke about demonstrations and getting people to attend them in London. Romayne asked for help with manifesto issues for the second homes campaign. Jonathan requested that GL members help form links with NGOs. Joseph will contact the Scottish Left Review about a possible meeting in Scotland. There would also be GL support for the Shell to Sea demo at the Irish embassy against the actions of Shell Oil in the West of Ireland.

The meeting closed at 3.30pm

Joseph Healy