Join the MP watch as the Green Hub
As regular readers will know, I am a big fan of the writer Bill Bryson, and I love this from his book, The Road to Little Dribbling:
“I would like to see a government that said: ‘We’re going to stop this preposterous obsession with economic growth at the cost of all else. Great economic success doesn’t produce national happiness. It produces Republicans and Switzerland. So we’re going to stop trying to be a powerhouse and instead just concentrate on being lovely and pleasant and civilised. We’re going to have the best schools and hospitals, most comfortable public transport, the liveliest arts, the most useful and well-stocked libraries the grandest parks, the cleanest streets, the most enlightened social policy. In short, we’re going to be like Sweden but with less herring and better jokes.’” Not much to ask for! With the general election looming on the horizon, at Sussex Green Living we’re a charity and, as such, non-political, however we’re not infrequently asked: “How should I vote for the planet?” The answer, obviously, is not simple.
Politics is a hugely complicated business worldwide. But it seems that the single most effective thing we can do here is to use our votes wisely.
We are lucky that we have great stability here in the UK at present, however, many people are increasingly worried about the depletion of nature and the continuing reliance on fossil fuels.
As individuals, we know that we have the possibility of becoming vegan, of using more sustainable transport, of buying less, of using less of everything, and of trying to live more simply in general.
However, we can’t change laws to protect nature, or to limit use of plastics and poisons. We rely on our MPs to make the laws on our behalf.
With all this in mind, Sussex Green Living is hosting the launch of Horsham MP Watch at the Sussex Green Hub this Saturday. Pat Smith from Dorking will be introducing MP Watch, (from 1pm-2pm) to explain the nationwide service it provides for residents.
The idea that amongst all the spin, information, misinformation, and media stories, the conflicting reports can to some extent be unravelled and facts presented more clearly to inform people about what government advisors are saying, what candidates are saying, what they are doing, and what the MPs are actually voting for (or against).
MP Watch aims to provide unbiased information about MPs across all parties, so voters can be better informed.
Our local MPs, Jeremy Quin and Andrew Griffith, have been invited, along with the Prospective Parliamentary Candidates (PPCs) from Horsham Labour, LibDem, and Green parties. Do come along and find out more. Everyone is welcome, and we promise to be lovely and pleasant and civilised!
And as for the liveliest arts, the jazz trio G.I.N. jazz will be playing for us during the morning. The wonderful Community Fridge volunteers will be available as always from 10am, and the United Reformed Church volunteers will be providing cuppas and cakes throughout the day. We’d love to see you.