Author: jonesjb

Transitional Biomass Subsidies protest

Published on by jonesjb

On 5th March Biofuelwatch and the Stop Burning Trees Coalition held an emergency demo outside the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in response to the Government’s proposal to offer billions more in new ‘transitional’ subsidies for unabated wood biomass burning. This goes back on previously government policy to stop all subsidies for unabated biomass burning in 2027. The only two power stations eligible for these subsidies are Drax (the UK’s biggest carbon emitter) and Lynemouth. These subsidies have no clear end date in sight, so if approved, could lock us into decades more of forest destruction, pollution of communities and carbon emissions. We called on DESNZ to scrap these plans to keep funding tree burning, and invest in genuine renewables and climate action. 

Government push on with Rwanda Bill

Published on by jonesjb

We are debating today whether this authoritarian Government can declare that the objective truth of facts decided by the courts can be overruled. If we allow it, it is another big step towards a dictatorship—intentional or not. I know that the majority of people in the House of Lords know that the Government are wrong. I also know that many still cling to the belief that the House should not vote to stop the Government passing the most draconian of laws. We are paid more than £300 per day to come here and talk and vote, but what is the point of all our hard work if the Government ignore us? Continue reading “Government push on with Rwanda Bill” →

Pollution in Rivers and Regulation of Private Water Companies

Published on by jonesjb

No single stretch of river in England or Northern Ireland is in good overall health. 85% of river stretches in England have failed to reach good ecological health and toxic chemicals pollute every stretch of English rivers. What a legacy this Government have left us. Ofwat has failed and the Environment Agency has failed. Continue reading “Pollution in Rivers and Regulation of Private Water Companies” →

Victims Code

Published on by jonesjb

There is the emerging scandal of sexual and domestic abuse being systematically ignored within the police service when the accusations are directed at police officers by women who are their partners or even fellow officers. These are not one-offs or rotten apples; this is a systemic failure to protect women and ensure that they get justice. The victims’ code would help to redress that. Continue reading “Victims Code” →

Rwanda Bill Committee Stage Day 1

Published on by jonesjb

The Green Party remains utterly opposed to the entire Bill. I greatly regret that we gave it a Second Reading, it is nasty and inhumane. Clause 1(2)(b) says that “this Act gives effect to the judgement of Parliament that the Republic of Rwanda is a safe country”. Acts of Parliament are not vehicles for Parliament to express its opinion about issues, so this clause ought to be removed on that basis alone, or else we will start legislating opinions instead of laws. We have not been presented with any evidence to prove that Rwanda is safe, and we have no process to make such determinations.

Continue reading “Rwanda Bill Committee Stage Day 1” →

Rwanda Bill – Second Reading in the Lords

Published on by jonesjb

The Government have created this problem by not putting in better, safe, legal routes.

They have thrown together something they call a solution that is not a solution at all.

They have dishonoured both Houses by tabling the Bill. It was wrong to bring this Bill to us; it was wrong to develop it at all. Continue reading “Rwanda Bill – Second Reading in the Lords” →