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My weekly e-bulletin – 05 February 2013

Posted by Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton, Pavilion, at 11:36, Fri 8 February 2013:

This is the news bulletin for Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion and features highlights of her work in Parliament and in the constituency last week. For more information and to sign up for the weekly newsletter, please visit http://www.carolinelucas.com/

Trains

As a regular commuter between Brighton and London, I fully sympathise with constituents who are fed up with poor service and recent delays, for which last month's poor weather cannot be solely to blame.

Last week’s disruption was for many the final straw and I contacted First Capital Connect and Southern urgently to convey the considerable anger about this amongst the residents of Brighton and Hove.

I also called on the train operating companies to take long overdue action – including investment in more reliable stock, if appropriate – to prevent future short notice alterations, cancellations and delays. FCC sent a report, as it was one of their trains that broke down and caused the specific incident last Thursday.

Just before Christmas, I met with the Transport Minister with responsibility for the railways. One of the many suggestions I made about improvements was for the Government to publish details of the franchise bids made by different companies, once the deadline for submissions has passed. He agreed to look at this and told me it might be included in the Brown report that the Government had commissioned into franchising.

That report was published at the end of January and there is nothing in there that makes the franchising arrangements more open and transparent, or that will help rail passengers hold the train operating companies to account. I have therefore been in touch again with the Minister about the need to publish details of franchise bids, as part of my ongoing work to bring our railways back into public ownership and massively improve services.

Polar Bears

Hundreds of constituents have written to me about the forthcoming Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – an international conference to protect wildlife and biodiversity. This year the US has proposed that polar bears receive the highest protection at CITES and it is critical that other countries like the UK get behind this.

In your letters and emails, you told me: “Many of us are aware of the dangers they face with the devastating impact on sea ice that climate change is causing in the Arctic, but with only 20-25,000 left in the wild, it is also critical that something be done to stop the compounding effect of the international trade in polar bear skins and parts.”

Just a few days ago, the Fisheries Minister has announced he will vote for polar bears listed on Appendix I, which would mean a total ban on international commercial trade.

However, the EU votes as a block at CITES so the UK needs to ensure that other European countries agree with the need to protect the polar bear and will vote for the US proposal. I have written to the Minister making clear that I share the concerns of my constituents and urging him to use his influence to guarantee that the EU will vote to give them the highest protection at CITES next month.

Also on animal protection, I spoke in a parliamentary debate in defence of the RSCPA having a prosecutorial role (see website).

Drugs Policy

Brighton and Hove’s Independent Drugs Commission has published its initial findings and for the next month is inviting residents to give their views. The Commission was established in response to a call I made for the city to look carefully at the current state of the drug problems in our community and the various efforts to deal with them.

As a national debate rages over the failed ‘war on drugs’, Brighton and Hove is really leading the way in exploring evidence based approaches, and the Independent Commission has brought together experts and practitioners to weigh up drugs strategy and addiction treatment in the city.

If you would like to read the initial report from the Commission, please visit my website.

Energy Bills

My Micro Business and Energy Contract Rollover Bill, backed by the Federation of Small Businesses(FSB), aims to tackle the practice by energy companies of rolling over contracts and locking small firms into un-negotiated and often more expensive terms for a full 12 months.

Sadly, the Bill wasn't reached (due to an earlier one being "talked out" - a hugely frustrating and undemocratic procedure), but it has been rescheduled. In the meantime, I have met with the Energy Minister, and he has indicated that he would be willing to see if this could be included as an amendment to the forthcoming Energy Bill. My proposals were reported on in The Telegraph.

Petitions

I get asked to sign lots of petitions but there are two in particular I have added my name to recently. The first is calling for ecocide – the extensive destruction of the natural environment and of ecosystems – to be made a crime in the UK. If you want to add your name, you can do so here: http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/the-uk-government-make-ecocide-a-crime-in-the-uk

I have also backed this petition about Brighton and Hove as a diverse and vibrant city that is determined to challenge racism: https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/the-people-of-brightonits- unions-faith-groups-council-come-together-statement-brighton-unity-against-racism

Anti-Cuts Meeting

I was pleased to be able to join a very well attended Women Against the Cuts meeting on Saturday afternoon at the Brighthelm Centre. It was a very inspiring event, and there were many good ideas about what more we need to do to oppose the Government's hugely destructive and counter-productive austerity measures.

And finally some very good news...

I am delighted that the Exeter Street Hall campaign has succeeded in its bid to raise enough funds to buy the facility for the community – well done to everyone involved and thanks to all who bought shares!

Contacting me

If you are a local resident and want help with case work or to find out more about my activities locally please contact me at the office of Caroline Lucas MP, Brighton Media Centre 15-17 Middle Street, Brighton BN1 1AL. Tel: 01273 201 130. Email: brightonoffice@parliament.uk

I hold regular surgeries across the constituency. If you want to book an appointment at a forthcoming surgery please call Liz Collis on 01273 201130. She coordinates my constituency office and is able to help with most local enquiries.

If you want to know about my parliamentary work please get in touch at the House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. Tel: 020 7219 7025. Email: caroline.lucas.mp@parliament.uk