What’s at stake in the European Elections
Tomorrow is polling day; the 2014 European Elections are upon us.
The Scottish Greens are standing unapologetically for a just economy; one that serves everyone, not just the wealthy. We want a welcoming and hospitable Scotland; one that treats everyone with dignity and respect, regardless of race, background, ability, sexual orientation, or any other social category. And we want Scotland to build peace throughout Europe, and beyond. These elections could very well see the first Green MEP for Scotland elected.
Scotland will elect 6 MEPs, using a proportional system (the d’Hondt system). Voters will vote for the party of their choice, each party having already chosen and ranked a list of candidates. For the last 5 years, Scotland has been represented by 2 SNP members, 2 from Labour, 1 Conservative and 1 Liberal Democrat.
These elections have seen very substantial prominence in the media given to UKIP, whose only significant messages seem to be to withdraw from the EU, and restrict immigration to wealthy English speakers (but they aren’t racist, apparently). Their candidates across the UK have made the headlines for saying that ‘gays should be shot’, ‘pro-EU people should be hanged for treason’, and, one of my favourites, ‘Romanians are criminals’. I do not believe that such hateful, bigoted views are welcome on our streets, never mind in our elected representatives.
And the real danger with UKIP’s rise to fame is perhaps the space that is opening up on the far right as their views become normalised. Scotland has seen several Scottish Defence League demonstrations in recent years, and Britain First, a neo-fascist party, is on the ballot paper for the first time tomorrow.
We must do everything we can to stop these parties; they represent fear of the other, hatred of difference, and division in our communities. They seek to destroy the lives of the poor and most vulnerable in society by raising tax levels to 31%, privatising the NHS, cutting social security even more than the Tories, and doing away with progressive legislation such as equal marriage, disability rights and gun control.
Scottish Greens stand for the very opposite of UKIP and the other far right parties. We want to further protect workers rights and conditions, enshrine equality for all across Europe, and support everyone’s right to a decent life through a citizens’ income.
This election gives us the chance to embrace the politics of hope. A politics that can create a better world and better lives for us all. I hope that you will trust me and the Green Party to work for that better Scotland in a better world.
Maggie Chapman is the lead candidate for the Scottish Greens in the European Elections. She is a councillor for the Leith Walk Ward, lecturer at Edinburgh Napier University, and Trade Union activist within the EIS (Educational Institute of Scotland). Maggie is passionate about social justice and participation in democracy. She was the first politician to call for a Living Wage in Scotland, and has fought privatisation of Council services, including care support for the most vulnerable in society. If elected to serve the people of Scotland in Europe, she will fight austerity and privatisation, stand up for equal rights for all, and work to build peace across Europe.
For more information, please see www.votegreen2014.org, or follow Maggie on twitter @Maggie4Scotland.
EU Membership has Cost this Country a Lot of Money that should of been
Spent on Public Services
Voting UKIP will cost ordinary people more!
CHILD MAINTENANCE (THEFT OF)
TODAY THE LEECHING GOVERNMENT, IN TANDEM WITH SERWOTKA’S STORMTROOPERS, HAVE ANNOUNCED IMPENDING CHANGES TO CHILD MAINTENANCE.
INTENT ON STEALING FROM THE POOREST TO PAY FOR THE BANKERS FUCK UPS SEEMINGLY, HAS NO BARRIERS.
THE DWP INTEND USING THEIR LATEST CON TRICK TO WRITE TO EACH PARENT TO REACH AN “AMICABLE” ARRANGEMENT IN COSTS.
THE ONLY WAY THE DWP CAN CHANGE THE STRUCTURE IS FOR THE PARENTS TO AGREE TO THE CHANGES…………….
BY SENDING A LETTER TO PARENTS THEY WILL TRY TO SEEK A SIGNATURE.
ONCE THEY SIGN THEY HAVE EFFECTIVELY TERMINATED ANY PRIOR AGREEMENT THAT THEY ORIGINALLY HAD, THUS ENABLING THE DWP TO CREATE A NEW AGREEMENT.
“THE WHOLE ISSUE REVOLVES AROUND THE WORD “CONSENT”.
TO ENABLE CHANGE THEY NEED YOUR CONSENT”
THE ISSUE OF CONSENT WAS ORIGINALLY HIDDEN FROM DISABLED WHEN FILLING OUT ESA 50 QUESTIONNAIRES, IN EFFECT THEY WERE TRICKED INTO ACCEPTING CHANGES BY AGREEING TO WHAT LOOKED LIKE AN INNOCENT DOCUMENT.
THE GOVERNMENT THEN USED THE IDEA OF THE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL ASKING THE PATIENT IF THEY AGREED TO THE MEDICAL GOING AHEAD………
IN EITHER CASE THE CLAIMANT WAS BEING CONNED INTO SOMETHING THEY DID NOT WANT…………
THE SAME IS HAPPENING WITH PIP EXAMINATIONS. THE DWP ARE USING TERMINOLOGY DEVISED BY THEIR NUDGE DEPARTMENT TO ENFORCE CHANGES AND STEAL BONAFIDE BENEFITS.
CLAIMANTS ARE BEING INVITED TO CLAIM PIP……………
THIS IS UTTER BULLSHIT AND MUST BE SEEN FOR WHAT IT REALLY IS, A PROPER CON JOB…………………….
GIVE THEM YOUR APPROVAL IN THE FORM OF A SIGNATURE AND YOU HAVE EFFECTIVELY GIVEN UP YOUR RIGHT TO WHAT YOU INITIALLY HAD.
“SIGN FUCK ALL AND THEY HAVE A PROBLEM ON THEIR HANDS”
USE IT TO YOUR ADVANTAGE!
AND REMEMBER, ACCORDING TO DWP FREEDOM OF INFORMATION RELEASES, CHILD BENEFIT IS NOT SANCTIONABLE;
“sanctionable benefit” means (subject to subsection (2) and to any regulations under section
10(1)) any disqualifying benefit other than–
(a) joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance;
(b) any retirement pension;
(c) graduated retirement benefit;
(ca) personal independence payment;
(d) disability living allowance;
(e) attendance allowance;
(f) child benefit;
(fa) child tax credit; (fb) working tax credit;
(g) guardian’s allowance;
(h) a payment out of the social fund in accordance with Part 8 of the Social Security
Contributions and Benefits Act 1992;
(i) a payment under Part 10 of that Act (Christmas bonuses).
If you have any queries about this letter please contact us quoting the reference number
above.
Yours sincerely,
DWP Central FoI Team
Unforchantly my postal vote went to Ukip but I can ashore you I will not be voting for them in the general election to run this country as I have read an article where by Ukip intend on making people pay to see there GP and I certainly will not be voting GREEN as we here in Brighton have a GREEN run council and they have dun nothing but create mayhem and dissatisfaction to all residents of Brighton & Hove City & where we had a strong confident council tenant movement we now have a unhappy disgruntle tenant movement as the GREEN’S have and are taking away tenant residents involvement & empowerment they have dun nothing to work with use only agents use so they will not be getting a vote from me on any level.
“THE WHOLE ISSUE REVOLVES AROUND THE WORD “CONSENT”.
TO ENABLE CHANGE THEY NEED YOUR CONSENT”
Just bin the form you recieve and any subsiquent form no signature means no change to the agreement SIMPLES.
The Green Party have adopted the “Social Model” of disability; a pernicious, utopian load of nonsense which makes no provision for the chronically ill, and in practice amounts to disability denial. Instead of reheating Westminster leftovers, they should develop a policy on illness and disability that honestly acknowledges how horrible life is for the majority of sick and disabled people.
what???? the social model of disability is the one model that has enabled disabled people to have a voice – are you sure you know what you are talking about???????????????
The “GREENS” are the same the world over
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2014/02/21/ment-f21.html
‘racist & homophobic.”
What is the basis of those allegations, other than being tory supporters?
Ukip are neither of those, and they are getting my vote tomorrow.
Poll A Tricks is it going to change the disabled peoples plight. They are scared of disabled people, is that because our Human Rights & Equal Rights are being used as a Hate Crime Weapon Against the disabled. Shame on all politicians who continually ignore the genocide ethnic cleansing of disabled people with lies, fraud & contempt.
NO HUMAN RIGHTS – NO VOTE – NO EQUALITY LAWS – NO VOTE.
Shows how much the uk loves a genocide, even in their back yard. THE UK HAS NO HUMAN RIGHTS LAWS. THE UK IS BREAKING HUMAN RIGHTS LAWS. THE UK DOES NOT OWN THE HUMAN RIGHTS LAWS LIKE THE UK DON`T OWN DISABLED PEOPLE FOR GENOCIDE.
“WHY HAVE THE DWP REMOVED THIS FROM THEIR WEBSITE?”
DWP Central Freedom of Information Team
Annex A
e-mail: [email address].
gov.uk
Our Ref: VTR 2308
21/5/14
Annex A
Dear I Cau,
Thank you for your Freedom of Information request received on 21/5/14. You asked for:-
Please attach a copy of the
op101-gp-fme-request.pdf
PIP letter (notification): OP 101 – GP medical evidence Our address: Atos Healthcare
c/o DWP PIP(1) Dr John Smith Warbeck House 18 New Road Blackpool New Town
FY2 0UZ New County NE1
which has disappeared from
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/260393/o
p101-gp-fme-request.pdf
You can expect a reply by 19/6/14 unless I need to come back to you to clarify your request or
the balance of the public interest test needs to be considered.
If you have any queries about this letter please contact me quoting the reference number
above.
Yours sincerely,
DWP Central FoI Team
Iain Duncan Smith continues to hide reports showing failure of universal credit – Wed 21st May 2014 – Politics.co.uk
The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) is continuing to block publication of reports set to reveal the failure of the Universal Credit scheme, despite a series of rulings insisting they should be released.
The department submitted a further appeal to the upper tier information tribunal, yesterday afternoon.
The scheme described as the biggest reform to welfare since Beveridge, was meant to begin last autumn, but has been beset by huge problems and delays since it was first conceived by Iain Duncan Smith.
A damning report by the National Audit Office last year found “the programme suffered from weak management, ineffective control and poor governance,” and “has not achieved value for money.”
Transparency campaigners have been pushing for the release of departmental documents which would reveal the scale and nature of problems with the multi-billion pound scheme.
The reports would also confirm whether the department deliberately misled the public about the progress of the scheme.
Press releases sent out by the DWP at the time claimed that universal credit was “on track and on time for implementing from 2013” and insisted that “Universal credit is on track and on budget.”
The DWP is continuing to block the publication of the following documents.
• The risk register: This is a record and evaluation of possible risks to the development and operation of the universal credit scheme and the “gravity” of those risks.
• The issues register: This is a continuing record of problems within the programme, why they have occurred and how they can be dealt with.
• A milestone schedule: This sets out the planned progression of the programme and the dates by which elements should be completed.
• A project assessment review: This is an assessment of independent reviews taken of the project under the auspices of the cabinet office.
The DWP insist the release of these documents would have “a chilling effect” on the workings of the department.
However, an information tribunal ruling published earlier this year found no evidence of this and insisted that: “we are not persuaded that disclosure would have a chilling effect in relation to the documents before us.”
They also insisted there was a “strong public interest” in their publication.
The department have now submitted a further appeal against this decision. In their appeal submitted yesterday afternoon, they say the documents contain “candid” and “imaginative pessimism” about the scheme which if published would “imperil that necessary candour and frankness.”
The member of the public who successfully took the case to the Information tribunal said the department should now stop trying to hide the reports.
“I’m sure that IDS will do everything he can to avoid disclosing documents that, in all likelihood, will show that the universal credit programme was poorly designed and badly run from the start,” John Slater told Politics.co.uk
“I have wonder about the hypocrisy of the government when Andrew Mitchell has called for the disclosure of transcripts of disciplinary hearings against the police officers involved in his case but the ‘biggest reform to welfare since Beveridge’ continues to take place in secret.”
If the department’s appeal to the upper tribunal fails, Duncan Smith could still use his ministerial veto to block their publication under the Freedom of Information Act.
However, the ministerial veto has only been used a handful of times by the UK government.
Former health secretary Andrew Lansley previously used it to block full publication of the NHS risk register, which would have revealed risks facing the government’s controversial NHS reforms.
Politic.co.uk: –
http://www.politics.co.uk/news/2014/05/21/iain-duncan-smith-continues-to-hide-reports-showing-failure
THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS CORRUPT, IT WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY.
I HAVE NOTICED THAT EVERY TIME I HAVE SUBMITTED EVIDENCE TO A TRIBUNAL, THE EVIDENCE IS GIVEN TO THE DWP WHO IN TURN ISSUE A REBUTTAL OF THE EVIDENCE TO ME, PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE TRIBUNAL.
THE REBUTTAL OF THE EVIDENCE IS PLACED BEFORE THE MAGISTRATES WHO USE IT TO DENY YOUR CLAIM TO BENEFITS.
THE DWP HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED THAT THE THEIR IS NO LINK BETWEEN THE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL WORKING FOR ATOS AND THE DECISION MADE BY THE DWPS OWN DECISION MAKER.
THE REALITY IS THAT ATOS HAS ITS FEET FIRMLY IMPLANTED IN BOTH CAMPS, BEING BOTH ASSESSOR AND DECISION MAKER…………….
“ENGINEERED DISABILITY DENIAL ACTING UPON INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE UNUM CORPORATION TO OUR DEPARTMENT OF WORKS AND PENSIONS”
OUR GOVERNMENTS BIGGEST PROBLEM, IS THAT THEY ARE AWARE THAT THE SO CALLED EXPERTS WHO PURPORT TO BE “PROFESSIONALS”, ARE NOTHING OF THE SORT…………………..
THAT IS WHY THEY TRY TO DENY A RECORDING OF ASSESSMENTS.
EVERYBODY HAS THE RIGHT TO HAVE THEIR ASSESSMENT RECORDED, TO DENY THIS REQUEST IS BREAKING THE LAW.
NO HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL OR DOCTOR OR PHYSIOTHERAPIST WORKING FOR A GOVERNMENT AGENCY, WANTS TO HAVE THEIR ASSESSMENT RECORDED FOR FEAR OF REPRISAL, BEING SUED IN COURT……………
THE ASSESSMENTS SHOULD NOT ONLY BE RECORDED AUDIBLY, THEY SHOULD BE FILMED.
IF THEY HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE, WHY TRY TO PUT OBSTACLES IN THE WAY?
THEY ARE TRYING TO STOP RECORDING OF PIP EXAMINATIONS……..
IT IS YOUR RIGHT TO HAVE IT RECORDED, DESPITE WHAT THEY TRY TO CLAIM………..
THE ONLY REASON THE DWP ALLOW LIMA BASED SOFTWARE TO BE USED, IS NOT FOR SPEED, BUT TO APPORTION ANY BLAME ON A CORRUPT REPORT DIRECTLY ON A COMPUTER GENERATION RATHER THAN THE ONUS ON A PARTICULAR INDIVIDUAL WHO MADE AN ERROR THAT CAUSED SERIOUS HARDSHIP, SUFFERING OR DEATH………
MY ANSWER IS EASY,
NO RECORDING, NO TEST……………………
EVERYONE ASK FOR A RECORDING IMMEDIATELY YOU ARE REQUESTED TO GO FOR AN EXAMINATION…….
IF IT IS NOT AVAILABLE…………..WALK OUT……………
Well I voted Green and so did others in my household. Most of us are former Labour voters but would never even consider voting for UKIP. I no longer vote Labour because of Benefit Sanctions and also Clause IV (Part 4).
Cant see me ever voting Labour again. NEVER. Sold down the river by a metropolitan elite who congregate around London and who choose their own sons and daughters for jobs around the country. They parachute these never-have-worked Oxbridge greasers into British heartlands for them (22 year olds)tell working folk how they’ve got it all wrong. The Tory Party aka SS shysters,chancers,crooks,spivs…they’d rob yer granny. The Libs…with Cleggy! He’s off to Europe soon to sit with Kinnock and his Empire,makin’ sure he’s got his big pension and expenses set right.
Apologies: UKIP for me. Just to upset the gravy train. They might work something sensible out. Anyways,I rarely vote for the top-dog as I count myself as having been psychologically raped by our GREAT BRITAIN…or those who have governed it.
Question: After the second world war,why did the people of Dover(a front line town)gather round Winston Churchill,and spit all over him?
Question 2: Anyone read the order where Churchill ordered out the army to shoot-to-kill protestors in the Great Strike.
Question 3: Why was Churchill reviled amongst many Australian troops
Question 4: Why was he once the most hated man in Ireland
Question5: Why are so many questions not being asked about this bloke. Question: Anything to do with the fact that he had the power to his own and the country’s records and media…then chose to write it himself. I even think he made a joke of it! A very nasty man. Kicked out after WW11.
Now Cleggy,Dave and Ed all gather together with their news chums at parties at Islington. How to keep wages low…and now come down on the dossers who say they’re ill. Well,someone’s gotta pay for their children to become the next leaders. Remember,there all in it together.
They are the new Taliban in M+S suits!
Fuck politics, it does nothing for disabled people, just makes them into cash cows.
On recording interviews: I asked permission to tape-record my ATOS/assessment interview years ago. I did this by letter. At first they/ATOS refused. Then I said I was going to record it anyway,covertly. I was then threatened…with prosecution. I then argued how come the BBC journalists were recording and televising matters with hidden cameras and taped recordings…and not being prosecuted? No reply. I also asked why an MP was secretly being recorded by the police and prison officers when he visited a constituent in prison…without the police or the prison authorities being held open for prosecution. No reply. After that,at interview,a recording machine was made present. On another point,I asked to be prosecuted by ATOS if,on making a taped recording,I alleged anything untoward or false in any future complaint against the ATOS employee or company.
For myself,I wouldn’t mind my assessment being video-taped. On one occasion the interviewer was smirking(half laughing)when I detailed what had happened to myself…when upholding patients care.staff rights against malpractice.
I was psychologically raped for upholding NMC standards.
It is Important that Candidates are Voted who Support Public Services including
Welfare Provision and will Stand Up to the Victimisation of the Poor
No to Nazi Public Spending Cuts
It is Important that The Official Opposition Stand’s Up For the UnderDog
They are Supposed to be an Opposition After All
I could Say Quite Clearly too Many in this Land are in a Trance of Obliviousness
and are at the Heart of the Problem
In the old day the call would be for the labour party to oppose what is happening inBritain today – but the labour party doesn’t exist anymore
“GEAB (April 2014)”;
http://www.leap2020.eu/Excerpt-GEAB-April-2014-Crisis-Alert-for-European-governance-Risk-of-a-Very-Large-Separation-between-EU-leaders-European_a16307.html
“EU reaches compromise deal on GM crops: sources”
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/food-farms.wdq
Vote Green? No thanks. Can you keep the website non partisan and free of party political advertising? More effective that way.