Last week people came to Oxford to discuss how we could quickly get to zero net carbon dioxide production around the world. Here are video recordings of their talks at the public meeting chaired by Lord Mayor of Oxford, Green councillor Craig Simmons.

Watch and learn and then go out to support today's Global Climate Strike.

This is a call for candidates to stand for the Green Party at the 2021 elections to councils in Oxfordshire.

We need more Green councillors in Oxfordshire. Could you follow in the footsteps of our Green Party councillors in Oxford, and stand for election? You could improve the quality of our councils by representing the people and views that the governing parties ignore.

Act now

If you are at all interested in standing as a candidate, or helping organise a campaign for a candidate, please complete the form below, and the Elections Committee will get back to you with more details.

If you want any more information on what is involved in standing as candidate, please contact the Elections Co-ordinator, David Newman.

We are looking for both target candidates, who will work hard to win in May 2021, and non-target candidates who need to do as little as getting their name on the ballot paper so that people can vote everywhere for a Green Party candidate.

On Halloween Keith Taylor MEP come to give us a fright: about air pollution in cities like Oxford and towns like Watlington. At a public meeting in Oxford Town Hall he was joined by Dr. Imad Ahmed who has discovered a possible connection between traffic pollution and Alzheimer's disease, and Chris Church of Oxford FOE.

Read more to view video recordings of their speech and find out what you can do to make Oxford a breathable city.

I’ve been living in Barton since 2015. I was disgusted when Labour and LibDem councillors on Oxfordshire County Council voted with the Tories for heavy cuts to social care, children’s centres, public transport and other vital local services. 

The Green Party gives people across Oxfordshire a chance to vote against these vicious attacks on people’s livelihoods. We have a costed and affordable budget that will keep Oxfordshire running without austerity.

As well as standing for the County Council, I am also the Green Party candidate for a by-election to the City Council. The two councils have different responsibilities, but the same principles guide me in both cases.

To vote for me is to vote for:

• Decent, well-funded social care.
• Affordable, sustainable housing, with housebuilding linked to local services to reduce pressure on roads.
• Good comprehensive education for all – not grammar schools, private schools or academies.
• A pedestrian-friendly Oxford, with efficient and accessible public transport.
• The right of EU citizens – such as many staff in our local hospitals – to live and work in Britain.

As your councillor you can expect to see me around the area – in the street, in the shops, at the doctor’s surgery and in Barton chippy. I teach in various parts of Oxfordshire for the Workers’ Educational Association, while also working part-time for the Peace Pledge Union. I have been involved in grassroots campaigning since I was a teenager, over 20 years ago.

My political values were formed when I was growing up in the Midlands in the 1980s. Living in a council house as Thatcher attacked the working class, I saw the effects of inequality all around me. Now it’s even worse. Austerity is an outrage in one of the richest countries in the world. Much of the world's wealth is in the hands of a tiny number of people. The Tories pursue the interests of the super-rich at the expense of the rest of us. The Labour Party fails to stand up to them.

This is of course a local election, not a national one. But the same principles apply: we need to share resources, not leave them for the few at the top. Capitalism is not the only way. For too long, we’ve been following the wishes of the rich and powerful. I think it’s about time we stopped. 

I’ve lived in West Oxford for 25 years and am passionate about building stronger communities and tackling climate change. Here are some of the things I’ve been involved with locally

• Chair and member of West Oxford Community Association for 10 yrs.
• Whilst Chair of WOCA, I set up the first Zipcar, installed solar panels, and outsourced the café. These still provide regular income for the centre.
• Co-Founder of the charity, Low Carbon West Oxford in 2007 and the social enterprise, West Oxford Community Renewables in 2009.
• Director of Artweeks.
• Friend of West Oxford School  for 10 years and organised the first Christmas Bazaar.
• Helped to organise Harley Road Street Party for the past 24 years.
• Set up Hogacre Common in 2010, leasing the land from Corpus Christi College for a jar of honey/annum.
• Founding member of West Oxford Panto Assoc. in 2010.  Made scenery, props, directed.

10 things I will do when you elect me:

1. Fight to improve Air Quality in Jericho/West Oxford
2. Fight to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians
3. Oppose new council policies that criminalise boaters, buskers and the homeless
4. Oppose privatisation of NHS and public services
5. Push for more affordable homes and fairer rents
6. Protect community assets like Port Meadow for future generations
7. Work to reduce Oxford’s Carbon Footprint
8. Support Jericho Community Association in their plans for new canal-side development
9. Support local small businesses
10. Oppose academies

Robert Paynter is a father of two and a science researcher; he has been a Green Party member for over twenty years.

Fair is worth fighting for is key to the decisions that must be made to avoid exploitation of others. This applies at all scales: protecting rights of individuals or protecting the world from rampant resource use and damage, ultimately this is exploitation of future generations. For generations exploitation has been included in daily life as a matter of course — this can change.

Robert will bring these principles to the table when representing Chalgrove and Watlington. His primary interests are to support improvements in housing, transport and jobs.

I have lived in Oxford, working at the John Radcliffe, for many years. As well as work I enjoy conservation work with local groups and the National Trust.

Locally, nationally and internationally there seem to be a large number of ill affecting us, for which the Green Party has the best solution. I am standing so that voters have the opportunity to vote Green and support this view.

I grew up in North Oxford and went to two schools in St. Margaret’s ward, so I know the area well and understand the issues facing the community. I’m a Senior Lecturer in Philosophy, used to arguing on my feet and thinking critically; I want to use my skills and energy to improve council decision-making and reduce inequality across the city.

If elected, I’ll press for implementation of new ideas to address the housing crisis, including next-generation rent controls and use of space above car parks for sustainable and affordable housing. I’ll also lobby the council to do more to address air pollution, a significant risk to health locally.

I was elected to Oxfordshire County Council in 1997, successfully holding the first Green County Council seat (previously been won by Caroline Lucas). I served as a County Councillor for 12 years, standing down in 2009.  I was elected as an Oxford City Councillor in 2002.

As a City Councillor, I have served the people of East Oxford for more than 20 years. I Chaired Scrutiny Committee from 2014 to 2016 and Finance Panel (2014-now). I still sit on the Scrutiny Committee which gives the Greens, and other opposition parties, significant influence over Council decisions.  Chairing the Finance Panel means that Greens have a direct and noticeable influence on the Council City budget. For example, during my time as Chair, Oxford became the first  Council in the UK to divest from fossil fuels. 

I have a long history of community campaigning and was a founding member of Cowley Road Carnival, Low Carbon East Oxford, the East Oxford Farmers’ Market, and the local Car Club.

I live and work in Oxford and am a Director of a global sustainability consultancy.

I am currently Leader of the City Council’s Green Councillors Group and was Deputy Lord Mayor from 2014-15.

Endorsements

“Craig is dedicated to the people of East Oxford and the City itself. His energy and financial expertise is a great asset. Fairness and compassion are at the heart of everything he does.”
- Matt Morton, former local Councillor

“I'll be voting for Craig because he's an experienced and committed representative of the residents of East Oxford. He's both compassionate and professional, consistent and reliable.”
- A. Stonor, Temple Street

"Craig is well-respected across the political spectrum - he is an outstanding local Councillor"
- A. Packer, Bannister Close

“Craig is a conscientious and active local Councillor who listens to, and works hard to care for, people in the community.”
- J. Ingram, Stanley Road

“Craig is always hard at work making East Oxford a better place to live, and keeping it sustainable. “
- C. Gugenheim, Henley Street

“Thank you for resolving a longstanding overdue repair issue for me. This was resolved within a few days of me contacting you and I am very happy with the outcome. You will definitely receive my vote in the coming council elections.”
- C. Blacker, St. Mary’s Road

“Craig understands and supports local needs, why would you vote for anyone else?”
- A. Dawson, Bullingdon Road

"Craig works hard all year round - the only time you see the other parties is at election time!"
- Dr. M. MacFarlane, Hurst Street

"Another Labour Councillor won't make a difference. I'll be voting Green."
- C. Sillero, James Street

“On a personal basis, I support Craig, as I know him to be a hardworking and straight-talking Councillor… I am always impressed to see him working so tirelessly for the residents he represents.”
- S. Chandler, Magdalen Road

“We have found Craig to be a brilliant reliable councillor. He works at the heart of community and always finds intelligent and effective solutions to any issue. We could not endorse him more.”
- H. Evans & S. Barker, Stanley Road

"Craig is an excellent Councillor; hard-working and diligent. Since the Greens were elected this area has seen huge improvements. I will be voting Green."
- V. Houillon, St. Mary’s Road

“The vulnerable and disadvantaged need a strong voice. Craig is that voice. Craig works tirelessly for the local community: he is committed, conscientious, and fearless.”
- Professor A. Linzey, Iffley Road

“Without Craig’s intervention, I would now be homeless. I am forever grateful”
- G. Kirby, Leopold Street