Letter to Wanstead & Woodford Guardian – January 2008
I, amongst many I am sure, was appalled to read of the sickening treatment meted out, by mindless thugs, to the poor nine week old puppy that was featured in your front page article last week under the headline 'Butchered' - Guardian, January 24.
Gandhi I believe it was who once said that the quality of a civilisation is measured by its treatment of its animals and its elderly. Unfortunately the standard of our society has fallen to an all time low given the horrific crimes, we now hear of daily, that are committed upon the most vulnerable members of our society of late.
No matter what figures the government put out to the contrary, the perception is that there is more violent crime now than ever before. Remember in this instance (and others of equally diabolic nature that we have heard of recently) we are not talking about crime carried out on a run down estate in some inner city ghetto here. We are talking about the leafy suburb of Wanstead, for goodness sake!
However, although the gut reaction of many is to punish the perpetrators of such sickening acts of violence in a fashion that mirrors their crimes, this would only serve as a short-term solution to the symptoms of a much more profound problem that afflicts our lives.
This dreadful situation has come about, in part, because of the short-sighted policies of successive councils everywhere that have stopped the funding of local youth clubs and community centres for better looking short-term cash-flows on their balance sheets. This has left the young disenfranchised and caused long-term damage to local communities where the cost has been paid in lives.
Yes, there should be a more visible police presence with real powers to act on our streets and yes, sentences for crimes of the horrific nature that is becoming more prevalent should be handed out. But this societal problem must be addressed by a radical, positive and comprehensive strategy that needs to be implemented as of now. This should involve terms of mandatory work for the reparation of damage caused to communities in which it is executed.
What is also needed is the courage to confront not only the perpetrators of these crimes, but also the parents of these so called 'feral youths'. The parents must be made to act to stop their children from committing these atrocities or, if they have let the situation get out of their hands, they must be forced to hand their wild offspring onto agencies that are better equipped to deal with these problems.
The worst part of all this is that not only are these youths losing respect for animals, their elders and even their own parents; they are also losing their self respect and are simply becoming statistics to remind us of a world that doesn’t care.
Ashley Gunstock
Wednesday, 30 January 2008
Friday, 30 November 2007
War and Peace
Letter to Wanstead & Woodford Guardian – November 2007
I write in response to the suggestion by Harry Cohen MP that I, as someone who does not wish to get involved in wars, "should be more careful" - Guardian, November 2.
By voting in favour of military action in Afghanistan Mr Cohen supported the onset of events that have seen that region and Iraq blasted into the Stone Age and made the world a much more dangerous place to live in than it was before these disastrous campaigns.
It is true that no one in their right mind would suggest that Osama bin Laden should escape punishment for the atrocities that he has committed, any more than should Saddam Hussein. However Tony Blair riding side saddle with The Toxic Texan - George Bush, on their unilateral adventure into a 'wild east' sunset, was not so much to do with bringing these criminals to account as it is about getting their hands on the vast seams of oil rich reserves that lie beneath - and a strong military foothold in - those regions.
Furthermore the Taliban regime may well have been - as was Saddam Hussein's Baathist Party - "murderous and backward", where "women were harshly restricted and punished and not allowed education." However, that never seemed to bother our governments when they supported these 'allies' with whom they freely traded before 9/11.
In any event it is not seemly for our elected representatives to support of a couple of 'cowboy crusaders' who, in our name, have ridden roughshod over and 'cherry picked' United Nations resolutions and continue to use the grotesque strategy of bombing innocent people, in order to liberate them from oppressive regimes, especially when they themselves are not in the firing line.
As our Member of Parliament, I suggest that Mr Cohen should be more careful when casting his vote in the House on behalf of his constituents in future.
Yours sincerely
Ashley Gunstock
I write in response to the suggestion by Harry Cohen MP that I, as someone who does not wish to get involved in wars, "should be more careful" - Guardian, November 2.
By voting in favour of military action in Afghanistan Mr Cohen supported the onset of events that have seen that region and Iraq blasted into the Stone Age and made the world a much more dangerous place to live in than it was before these disastrous campaigns.
It is true that no one in their right mind would suggest that Osama bin Laden should escape punishment for the atrocities that he has committed, any more than should Saddam Hussein. However Tony Blair riding side saddle with The Toxic Texan - George Bush, on their unilateral adventure into a 'wild east' sunset, was not so much to do with bringing these criminals to account as it is about getting their hands on the vast seams of oil rich reserves that lie beneath - and a strong military foothold in - those regions.
Furthermore the Taliban regime may well have been - as was Saddam Hussein's Baathist Party - "murderous and backward", where "women were harshly restricted and punished and not allowed education." However, that never seemed to bother our governments when they supported these 'allies' with whom they freely traded before 9/11.
In any event it is not seemly for our elected representatives to support of a couple of 'cowboy crusaders' who, in our name, have ridden roughshod over and 'cherry picked' United Nations resolutions and continue to use the grotesque strategy of bombing innocent people, in order to liberate them from oppressive regimes, especially when they themselves are not in the firing line.
As our Member of Parliament, I suggest that Mr Cohen should be more careful when casting his vote in the House on behalf of his constituents in future.
Yours sincerely
Ashley Gunstock
Saturday, 24 November 2007
Havering and Redbridge Green candidate announced
Picture: Siân Berry (centre) and Ashley Gunstock (right) at the Green Party Bazaar
Local campaigner Ashley Gunstock, has been chosen as the Green Party's candidate to contest the Havering and Redbridge constituency in next year's GLA elections. Ashley recently launched his campaign while hosting Green candidate for Mayor of London, Siân Berry, at a Green Party Bazaar in St Mary with Christ Church on the Green in Wanstead.
Commenting on his selection, Ashley said: "I'm honoured to be selected to fight Havering and Redbridge for the Green Party. As we see more and more corporate takeover and environmental damage, a local Green voice has never been more urgent.
"If I'm elected next May, I'll be working to make Havering and Redbridge a Greener, more affordable place to live and work. I'd like to see Wanstead, Snaresbrook Redbridge tube stations re-designated into Zone 3 to make travel cheaper; I'll be campaigning on behalf of local business, like the cafes in Wanstead under threat from yet another coffee chain proposal; and putting more pressure on developers to provide the high-quality affordable housing that the area, like all of London, desperately needs."
Siân Berry, Green candidate for Mayor, added: "Ashley would be a brilliant Assembly Member. Long before he even thought of running, he's been doing a great job campaigning locally for a better deal for Havering and Redbridge. If I'm elected Mayor, I'll be helping him out with his campaigns by making all new large business developments set aside half of their floor space at affordable rents for local business, and increasing the requirement on developers to build affordable homes to 60 per cent of properties in new developments."
The Green Party Bazaar has helped raise money for Ashley's campaign for a Greener Havering and Redbridge.
Saturday, 24 February 2007
Greens protest against Nuclear Weapons
Greens from Waltham Forest and Redbridge joined up to 100,000 people marching through Central London to Trafalgar Square to show their opposition to replacing our Trident nuclear deterrent. The rally in Trafalgar Square included a number of speakers from a wide range of backgrounds including Green MEP Caroline Lucas.The government is about to spend as much as £75bn on replacing our so-called nuclear deterrent. The latest Trident costs, based on information extracted in parliamentary answers, suggest an overall figure of £76bn to buy missiles, replace nuclear submarines, and maintain the system for 30 years. The Greens believe this money could be much better spent on public services like health and education or to tackle climate change, the most pressing problem in the world today.
The UK will be in breach of the non-proliferation treaty if the Government renews our nuclear deterrent. At a time when the UK Government has condemned North Korea and Iran for attempting to gain nuclear weapons, it is hypocritical in the extreme for it to be acquiring new nuclear weapons.
Saturday, 4 November 2006
Greens march against Climate Change
Members of Waltham Forest and Redbridge Green Party marched through the centre of London to Trafalgar Square to protest against climate change and to urge the Government to act. The rally saw speeches by speakers including Green MEP Caroline Lucas and the writer George Monbiot. The event was organised by the Campaign Against Climate Change and ICount and was supported by the Green Party, it was attended by over 25,000 of people.Climate Change threatens the very future of human civilisation as we know it and failure to act to will cost thousands if not millions of lives. The last ten years have seen a dramatic increase in the world's temperature and scientists working in the field of climate change believe this is due to the effects of human activity. In fact, scientists are now predicting that the temperature rise will be far more than previously thought. The effects in the UK will be devastating with more flooding and an increase in extreme weather conditions. The effects globally will be even worse as countries are flooded and there is increased starvation due to less land being suitable for agriculture.
Thursday, 20 July 2006
Telecommunications Masts
Letter to Redbridge Planning department - 20 July 2006
Ref. 1601/06 O2 Mast Planning application – Woodford Road
As a representative of the Green Party I write to strongly object to the above referred to planning application.
I consider the site to be unsuitable as this would contravene the tenets of all conservation orders. The planned mast would be a blot on the landscape at any location proposed on The Green – land managed by the Corporation of London for Epping Forest – and an eyesore that would prove to be a dangerous and hazardous distraction for motorists using the Woodford Road; causing further health & safety problems for and from drivers. The erection of the mast would also raise significant safety issues with regard to the number of children playing on The Green and crossing the road on their way to and from Snaresbrook Primary School and Snaresbrook College.
Furthermore, recent studies, expressing concerns about the affects of mobile telephone technology radiation especially with regard to children, have stated that if such concerns were raised over food the government would order it to be withdrawn from points of sale immediately. Residents of the immediate area (myself included) – who will be most affected by the installation of the mobile telephone mast in question – are significantly concerned about the welfare of our young and ourselves in this regard.
Finally the Green Party understands the need for progress and the demand for mobile technology. Nevertheless we urge you to offer more sensitive and appropriate sites at which mobile telephone companies may erect their masts; I am particularly concerned that there has been no attempt at sharing existing facilities, one of which is on the top of a block of flats in very nearby Hermitage Walk.
I look forward to hearing that this application has been rejected.
Ashley Gunstock
Ref. 1601/06 O2 Mast Planning application – Woodford Road
As a representative of the Green Party I write to strongly object to the above referred to planning application.
I consider the site to be unsuitable as this would contravene the tenets of all conservation orders. The planned mast would be a blot on the landscape at any location proposed on The Green – land managed by the Corporation of London for Epping Forest – and an eyesore that would prove to be a dangerous and hazardous distraction for motorists using the Woodford Road; causing further health & safety problems for and from drivers. The erection of the mast would also raise significant safety issues with regard to the number of children playing on The Green and crossing the road on their way to and from Snaresbrook Primary School and Snaresbrook College.
Furthermore, recent studies, expressing concerns about the affects of mobile telephone technology radiation especially with regard to children, have stated that if such concerns were raised over food the government would order it to be withdrawn from points of sale immediately. Residents of the immediate area (myself included) – who will be most affected by the installation of the mobile telephone mast in question – are significantly concerned about the welfare of our young and ourselves in this regard.
Finally the Green Party understands the need for progress and the demand for mobile technology. Nevertheless we urge you to offer more sensitive and appropriate sites at which mobile telephone companies may erect their masts; I am particularly concerned that there has been no attempt at sharing existing facilities, one of which is on the top of a block of flats in very nearby Hermitage Walk.
I look forward to hearing that this application has been rejected.
Ashley Gunstock
Tuesday, 30 May 2006
Local Elections
Letter to Ilford Recorder and Wanstead & Woodford Guardian – May 2006
The Green Party’s wonderful performance at the recent local elections – we now can boast 12 councillors in London, a great many more nationwide as well as a doubling of our vote locally – has prompted me to write, in order to make the following acknowledgements.
First and foremost I would like to offer all the electors who voted Green on Thursday, 4 May our heartfelt thanks, for recognising the integrity of our campaign and showing the true colour of their conviction.
Secondly a great thank you must go to all the electoral officers, counting and polling station staff, who again worked extremely hard – and most effectively – in providing us with a smooth running (and quite painless) election run up and night.
Thirdly I must offer our appreciation to the staff at the Wanstead & Woodford Guardian/Ilford Recorder, for once more granting us such fair and equitable coverage, in recognition of our now being one of the small band of major political parties.
Finally I cannot but pay special tribute to my colleagues who fought such a superb campaign; it is a privilege to be counted as one of their number. Having been invigorated by our recent success, we are all now truly looking forward to fighting the next General Election with a genuine sense of optimism.
Ashley Gunstock
The Green Party’s wonderful performance at the recent local elections – we now can boast 12 councillors in London, a great many more nationwide as well as a doubling of our vote locally – has prompted me to write, in order to make the following acknowledgements.
First and foremost I would like to offer all the electors who voted Green on Thursday, 4 May our heartfelt thanks, for recognising the integrity of our campaign and showing the true colour of their conviction.
Secondly a great thank you must go to all the electoral officers, counting and polling station staff, who again worked extremely hard – and most effectively – in providing us with a smooth running (and quite painless) election run up and night.
Thirdly I must offer our appreciation to the staff at the Wanstead & Woodford Guardian/Ilford Recorder, for once more granting us such fair and equitable coverage, in recognition of our now being one of the small band of major political parties.
Finally I cannot but pay special tribute to my colleagues who fought such a superb campaign; it is a privilege to be counted as one of their number. Having been invigorated by our recent success, we are all now truly looking forward to fighting the next General Election with a genuine sense of optimism.
Ashley Gunstock
Saturday, 30 April 2005
Celebrity Politics
Letter to the Observer – April 2005
What a sad indictment of British politics it is when a handful of celebrities is compelled to justify the re-election of the tawdry New Labour government - 'Just Labour', Observer letters - 3 April.
It serves to illustrate the level of desperation to which we have politically sunk when we are advised to support an administration whose record - regarding the economy, public services, crime, and social issues & change, after eight years in power - fares marginally better than that under the Tories, or what's on offer from the Lib Dems.
Furthermore just what are these lights of the entertainment world who say that they opposed the illegal war in Iraq thinking? To suggest that the Middle East is more stable after the initial hostilities and then to endorse the man who was, along with George W Bush, jointly responsible for prosecuting them, is folly in the extreme.
And finally, to be duped by the talk of their preferred leader, regarding the most important issue of all, namely Climate Change, while ignoring the fact that their party of 'choice' is actually implementing aviation and road building policies that will exacerbate the problem, shows a collective ignorance of the situation and a complete abrogation of responsibility that beggars belief.
Perhaps it is time for a change, but only of the political climate. It is time that voters stopped looking to the least-worst option on offer at the forthcoming General Election. Instead of choosing between the 'Big 3' parties the electorate should go forth and go Green...
Ashley Gunstock
What a sad indictment of British politics it is when a handful of celebrities is compelled to justify the re-election of the tawdry New Labour government - 'Just Labour', Observer letters - 3 April.
It serves to illustrate the level of desperation to which we have politically sunk when we are advised to support an administration whose record - regarding the economy, public services, crime, and social issues & change, after eight years in power - fares marginally better than that under the Tories, or what's on offer from the Lib Dems.
Furthermore just what are these lights of the entertainment world who say that they opposed the illegal war in Iraq thinking? To suggest that the Middle East is more stable after the initial hostilities and then to endorse the man who was, along with George W Bush, jointly responsible for prosecuting them, is folly in the extreme.
And finally, to be duped by the talk of their preferred leader, regarding the most important issue of all, namely Climate Change, while ignoring the fact that their party of 'choice' is actually implementing aviation and road building policies that will exacerbate the problem, shows a collective ignorance of the situation and a complete abrogation of responsibility that beggars belief.
Perhaps it is time for a change, but only of the political climate. It is time that voters stopped looking to the least-worst option on offer at the forthcoming General Election. Instead of choosing between the 'Big 3' parties the electorate should go forth and go Green...
Ashley Gunstock
Friday, 4 June 2004
Racial Harmony
Letter to Redbridge Racial Equality Council - 4 June 2004
Thank you for your letter and enclosure post-dated 2 June.
The Green Party, as I am sure that you are aware, has an exemplary anti-racist record. Racial equality is one of the most important tenets of its fundamental policy document – the Manifesto for a Sustainable Society (MfSS).
I have been a member of the Green Party for almost 15 years and live by its beliefs. Therefore, in view of all the above, I have no problem in abiding by and endorsing your document, or any other, if it facilitates racial harmony.
Yours sincerely
Ashley Gunstock
Thank you for your letter and enclosure post-dated 2 June.
The Green Party, as I am sure that you are aware, has an exemplary anti-racist record. Racial equality is one of the most important tenets of its fundamental policy document – the Manifesto for a Sustainable Society (MfSS).
I have been a member of the Green Party for almost 15 years and live by its beliefs. Therefore, in view of all the above, I have no problem in abiding by and endorsing your document, or any other, if it facilitates racial harmony.
Yours sincerely
Ashley Gunstock
Monday, 15 December 2003
Asylum and Refugees
Letter to Ilford Recorder - 15 December 2003
I write, having read with profound sorrow, about the pitiful death of Mr Kandiah Rasamohan, a Sri Lankan seeking refuge here in our community of Redbridge – ‘A sad, cold lonely death’, front page, Ilford Recorder, December 11.
What a sad indictment of our government it is that it has, through its harsh policies, left many asylum seekers and refugees at best to be collectively at the mercy of a national media driven hatred frenzy or, as in the case of Mr Rasamohan, left to crawl away, suffer and die alone under a bush like a wild animal.
We, as one of the most civilised nations on earth, should hang our collective heads in shame at the treatment that we allow to be meted out to some of the most vulnerable people in our midst; fellow human beings who have escaped from hunger, torture and/or war to vainly seek refuge here in Britain.
I often feel helpless to do anything in order to reverse this dreadful situation. However, one of the accompanying articles on page 3 of your newspaper thankfully gave the telephone number, for those wishing to help at the Redbridge Night Shelter over the Christmas period. I contacted Ms Vojinovic on 020 8514 8958 on behalf of my wife and I to offer our services to help out on Christmas Day & Boxing Day.
I do hope that others will also volunteer – as it is not too much to ask to help keep the centre open at this time of good will – and that Kandiah Rasamohan’s death will not merely be just another ‘statistic to remind us of a world that doesn’t care’…
Ashley Gunstock
I write, having read with profound sorrow, about the pitiful death of Mr Kandiah Rasamohan, a Sri Lankan seeking refuge here in our community of Redbridge – ‘A sad, cold lonely death’, front page, Ilford Recorder, December 11.
What a sad indictment of our government it is that it has, through its harsh policies, left many asylum seekers and refugees at best to be collectively at the mercy of a national media driven hatred frenzy or, as in the case of Mr Rasamohan, left to crawl away, suffer and die alone under a bush like a wild animal.
We, as one of the most civilised nations on earth, should hang our collective heads in shame at the treatment that we allow to be meted out to some of the most vulnerable people in our midst; fellow human beings who have escaped from hunger, torture and/or war to vainly seek refuge here in Britain.
I often feel helpless to do anything in order to reverse this dreadful situation. However, one of the accompanying articles on page 3 of your newspaper thankfully gave the telephone number, for those wishing to help at the Redbridge Night Shelter over the Christmas period. I contacted Ms Vojinovic on 020 8514 8958 on behalf of my wife and I to offer our services to help out on Christmas Day & Boxing Day.
I do hope that others will also volunteer – as it is not too much to ask to help keep the centre open at this time of good will – and that Kandiah Rasamohan’s death will not merely be just another ‘statistic to remind us of a world that doesn’t care’…
Ashley Gunstock
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