Dear friends,

The last few months have been a roller coaster ride, but my time in the European Parliament has finally come to an end.

I want my constituents in London to know what an absolute privilege it has been to represent you in the European Parliament over the past 20 years, and I am delighted to hand on to Scott Ainslie as my successor.

As I explain in the video message above, I’ve worked hard to give you a voice in the European Parliament. Many of best ideas have come from speaking with you – the real living wage, for example, which I’ve been proud to champion in the European Parliament.

I really do think that, together, we’ve managed to change some things for the better. Below I’ve outlined a few of the highlights of my time in the European Parliament – from helping to improve EU asylum laws, to doing my small bit to protect UK citizens in the EU in the case of a catastrophic ‘˜no deal’ Brexit.

In these troubled political times, it’s crystal clear to me that the EU makes a positive difference to peoples’ lives.

We need genuine cooperation across borders if our world is to tackle climate chaos, uphold human rights, and defend and promote our hard-won democratic standards.

Thankfully, the new, bigger-than-ever Greens/EFA group will bring new energy to the fight for a more social, progressive Europe that lives within its ecological means.

And while this is the close of one chapter for me, I won’t be stepping (or dancing!) out of politics completely. I’ll be moving on to work on some of the issues that are closest to my heart.

So ‘˜Vive les différences!’ that make London the special, vibrant, creative and diverse city that we know and love.

And thank you again, from the bottom of my heart, for your trust and support over the years. The world needs people with your vision.

With very best wishes,

Jean

PS. You can contact me until the end of this week at my usual email address, jeanlambert@greenmeps.org.uk, and find my new personal website here.

Read Jean’s full final e-news, which includes her seven ‘greatest hits’ in the European Parliament here!

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Today is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT) – an occasion to celebrate LGBTI+ people around the world and recognise their struggles for equality.

Jean Lambert, London’s Green MEP, said:

“During my 20 years as an MEP, it has been a privilege to see the European Parliament take steps towards protecting LGBTI+ rights  – from implementing the Charter of Fundamental Rights, to combatting discrimination in the workplace.

I pledge to keep the spirit of IDAHOBIT alive 365 days a year – standing in solidarity with the LGBTI+ community worldwide, and calling out discrimination against these groups wherever it is found.”

Notes:

[1] https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-london-44729064/lgbt-hate-crime-on-the-rise-in-london

[2] https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/05/14/anti-lgbt-attacks-france-2018/

[3] https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/05/13/lgbt-rights-in-europe-regressing-campaigners-warn/

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Today the High Court rejected five legal challenges to the Government’s planned scheme to extend Heathrow airport [1].

Responding to the news, Jean Lambert, London’s Green MEP, said:

“It is a huge blow for our planet and future generations now that the challenges against the third runway at Heathrow airport have been thrown out.

Heathrow is already the single biggest source of carbon emissions in the UK, further expansion will only exacerbate climate and pollution problems. This government cannot dismiss the finding of experts and scientists and the voices and votes of an increasingly aware public.

The UK government is in total denial of its climate responsibilities. The UK signed up to the United Nations Paris Climate Agreement and sustainable development goals, but government policy is not reflecting that.

We need to adapt our actions to a future that is less polluting – we simply cannot carry on as normal.

Greens remain consistent and are united in our opposition to Heathrow expansion. We will not give up this fight.”

Notes:

[1] https://www.ft.com/content/b456397e-6bf0-11e9-a9a5-351eeaef6d84

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Today marks International Workers’ Day, an opportunity to celebrate workers and push for the improvement of their rights.

Jean Lambert, London’s Green MEP, said:

“On the 1st of May, across Europe and the world, we are celebrating workers and the importance of protecting workers’ rights.

We are never going to be able to transform our economies, both locally and across the world, without the involvement and engagement of workers.

A job is about a lot more than money. It’s about dignity and respect. It’s about a place within a community.

The health, well-being, and societal benefits of reduced working hours and better work-life balance are increasingly understood and acknowledged. But extreme and widening levels of pay inequality and excessive over-work for some workers are not economically or socially just, and cannot provide a sound basis for truly sustainable societies.

It’s a sad reality that many workers today, including in agriculture, catering, health and care services, or on zero hours contracts, are experiencing exploitation – internationally, but also in the UK.

Unpaid work also needs special attention. This takes place on a large scale, especially by women. It is not economic in the narrow sense of being undertaken for a wage, yet it is of immense value to the well-being of society.

The climate emergency (and keeping within 1.5 degrees temperature rise) requires big changes to the way we work within our economies. Creating a circular economy where nothing is wasted is of central importance. Green jobs must be major job creation areas and should reduce the consumption of energy and raw materials, limit greenhouse gas emissions, minimise waste and pollution, protect and restore ecosystems and enable enterprises and communities to adapt to climate change.

Green politics is about building a socially, environmentally, and economically just and sustainable future for everybody. This must include better legal protection of workers’ rights locally and internationally. Workers also need to be fully involved in a just transition to a zero carbon, zero emissions economy. Climate science and the recent climate protests are telling us we need to build this future today.”

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Today cross-party MEPs have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a resolution calling on Brunei’s state authorities to scrap new laws which punish same-sex relationships, adultery and abortion with stoning. The penal code also includes harsh punishments for pregnancy out of wedlock, failing to pray on Fridays, and even dressing in clothes associated with a different sex.

The resolution, proposed by the Greens/EFA Group and co-signed by Jean Lambert MEP, calls for action including [1]:

• EU restricted measures such as visa bands or asset freezes against the people responsible for these human rights violations
• More support from EU institutions to civil society organisations and human rights defenders working on LGBTI+ rights
• The EU to consider blacklisting the hotels owned by the Brunei Investment Agency
• The EU to respect the international legal framework regarding asylum procedures for victims of Brunei’s current Penal Code

Jean Lambert, London’s Green Party MEP, says:

“The decision of the Brunei authorities to introduce hardline Sharia Penal Code is wholly unacceptable, and an affront to universal values concerning human rights.

These new laws – which punish same-sex relationships, adultery, pregnancy out of wedlock, failing to pray on Fridays, and even dressing in clothes associated with a different sex – clearly contravene international human rights law and lock the people of Brunei in the past. It’s particularly appalling that punishments also extend to children.

Today cross-party MEPs voted in favour of a resolution, initiated by the Greens/EFA Group, which sends a strong message to Brunei: the European Parliament strongly condemns the actions of Brunei’s state authorities, and will not tolerate homophobia or bigotry.

Should the Sultan and his allies fail to scrap these laws, we urge the EU and its Member States to consider using every tool available to end this cruel treatment, including asset freezes and visa bans. We also hope to see the situation in Brunei as an item on the agenda of the next ASEAN EU Policy Dialogue on Human Rights.

Everyone has the right to live and love in peace, according to international human rights standards. We stand in solidarity with the LGBTI+ community, women, children and other vulnerable groups in Brunei, as well as the brave human rights defenders who are putting their lives on the line to stand up for their fellow citizens.”

Notes:

[1] http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/RC-8-2019-0242_EN.html

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On 9 March 2019 I hosted a day conference to launch our book ‘Greens for a Better Europe – 20 years of UK Green influence in the EU’.  The event also looked ahead to discuss the important issues and challenges that will be a focus for Greens and other campaigners in 2019 and beyond – in London and across Europe.  

‘Greens for a Better Europe’ assesses the work of the UK Green MEPs in the European Parliament over the past two decades, in the context of Green influence in European politics more generally. My contribution covers my time as London’s Green MEP, from becoming one of the first UK Greens to enter the institution back in 1999, to navigating the catastrophic Brexit mess we find ourselves in today.  The book tells the story of the UK’s four current and former MEPs – including chapters written by me, Caroline Lucas, Molly Scott Cato and Keith Taylor.

The book provided the jumping off point for the conference, and many of the speakers who shared their insights on the day also contributed chapters to ‘Greens for a Better Europe’. Speakers included: Nick Dearden, Director of Global Justice Now; Caroline Russell, Green London Assembly Member; Monica Frassoni, Co-chair, European Greens (via video link); Natalie Bennett, Green European Journal and former Green Party Leader; Samir Jeraj, journalist and author of ‘The Rent Trap’; and Jamila Schaefer, International Co-ordinator for the German Greens.

In this, my last few months as an MEP, my team and I were delighted to welcome so many engaged Greens and other activists, including European Green friends, in London.

My closing remarks to the day were that, if Britain leaves the EU, it will bring an end to 20 years of UK Green influence in the European Parliament and other EU institutions. We would be shutting out so much of what makes the UK a strong country. It should be unthinkable to choose not to sit at the table and play a role shaping our shared future. I think that’s giving away control, not taking it back.

Our final speaker was Hannah Graham from the London Young Greens who highlighted that young people are particularly passionate about politics, engaging with environmental and social issues, and pushing for change. In recent months, they have seized control of the agenda via the inspiring school and youth strikes for climate and Extinction Rebellion protests.

The future is indeed Green.

If you would like a free copy of the #GreenMEPBook (and whilst my office is operational) click here to email us and let us know your full name and postal address.  

Alternatively, you can also download ‘Greens for a Better Europe’ as a free eBook here.

Photos of the event are below

Right to Left: Nick Dearden, Jean Lambert, Danny Bates and Natalie Bennett

Hannah Graham from London Young Greens

Right to Left: Molly Scott Cato MEP, Keith Taylor MEP and Jean Lambert MEP at Europe House ‘Greens for a Better Europe’ press launch

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16 January 2019

Last night, MPs voted against Theresa May’s Brexit deal by 432 to 202 – the heaviest parliamentary defeat of the democratic era. [1]

Jean Lambert, London’s Green MEP, responded to the result by calling on the Prime Minister to revoke Article 50 and call a People’s Vote:

“Last night’s crippling defeat – the largest in our Parliament’s democratic history – is yet another humiliation for Theresa May and her Government.

Having already lost her majority at the 2017 General Election, the Prime Minister’s vision for Brexit has now also lost the confidence of Parliament and of a huge proportion of her own Tory MPs.

We were promised ‘strong and stable’ leadership. But, having mishandled Brexit at every turn and treated Parliament with contempt, the Tories have ploughed the UK directly into the greatest constitutional crisis in modern history.

Given that the EU clearly has no appetite to reopen negotiations, Theresa May’s deal is now dead in the water. Meanwhile, there is no Parliamentary majority for her threatened ‘no deal’ Brexit – a catastrophic act of self-harm which would put lives at risk, damage the economy, and inflict yet more irreparable damage to the UK’s reputation on the world stage.

At this impasse, it’s time for the Prime Minister to stop living in fairy-land and face facts. The Government must restore this country’s hard-won democratic standards, and act in the genuine national interest. It’s time to extend Article 50, and call a People’s Vote.”

Notes:

[1] https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jan/15/theresa-may-suffers-historic-defeat-as-tories-turn-against-her

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On this day 17 years ago the first prisoners arrived at the US prison Guantanamo. Since this time inmates have been indefinitely detained without trial and several detainees have been tortured, the operations of this camp are considered to be a major breach of human rights by Amnesty International.

In London the date was marked by a vigil in Trafalgar Square organised by The Guantanamo Justice Campaign. Jean issued this statement of support.

Although Jean was unable to attend she issued this statement.

“For 17 years now, Guantanamo has been a stain on the reputation of the United States. Even today, 40 men remain locked up in the military prison – including many who have been cleared for release by the US and have every right to their freedom.

Given the clear human rights violations taking place in the facility, it’s appalling that President Trump has reversed his predecessor’s decision to shut it down.

World leaders should be making progress towards upholding human dignity – not repeating the mistakes of the past.

Every human being should have the right to a fair trial, and to freedom from degrading treatment. Detention without trial is a sign of a totalitarian system, not a law-abiding democracy.

We will continue to campaign on this issue until Guantanamo shuts down for good and its detainees are charged or released to be with their loved ones, according to international law.”

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Today the Government has unveiled its long-awaited immigration white paper, outlining its vision for the UK’s post-Brexit immigration policy. [1]

Jean Lambert, London’s Green MEP, has criticised the proposals for threatening to “plough the Home Office, and millions of lives, into crisis”.

Jean explained:

“Having kicked the can down the road for months, the Government’s immigration white paper has finally been published. Yet, with just 100 days to go until Brexit, it presents us with more questions than answers.

Firstly, what is the status of the Government’s commitment to its impossible and absurd ‘tens of thousands’ net migration target? After all this time, the white paper is unclear on whether this figure – which was plucked out of thin air – remains a driving force behind Home Office policy. The Government should be brave enough to drop this goal, which undermines their claim to have a policy which works for the economy.

Secondly, question marks remain over the Government’s much-touted £30,000 minimum income threshold. While it’s encouraging that the Government appears to be back-tracking, it’s absurd that this option remains on the table when ministers know full well that it would decimate crucial industries – forcing small businesses to shut their doors, and inflicting a real blow to our manufacturing, creative, construction, hospitality and health and social care sectors.

Meanwhile, despite claims to the contrary, the ‘hostile environment’ appears to remain in place, contributing to the growing racism and xenophobia that is billowing through the UK’s towns and cities. Inflexible one-year work permits look set to frustrate both migrants and their employers. And, crucially, we remain none the wiser about what will happen to EU citizens living in the UK if this reckless Government drives us off a ‘no deal’ cliff edge come March 2019. The proposals revealed today are obviously designed for situation in which we live with a ‘deal’.

Yet, for all these grey areas, one clear ‘red line’ refuses to budge: the Government remains committed to ending free movement – although this hurts its own citizens and businesses. Instead, it will subject EEA nationals to the same broken immigration regime that is currently endured by non-EEA nationals – merrily ploughing the Home Office, and millions of lives, into crisis, rather than improving the overall situation. The idea of a ‘customer- focused’ Home Office could come straight out of a Christmas cracker.

‘Control’ is the message; a word that has been highlighted 57 times in this document. But these are proposals presented by a Government which, at present, seems committed to chaos and is unable deliver on anything.

The people of the UK deserve better. I, and the Greens, will continue to celebrate the gift of free movement and the immense benefits and cultural richness it has brought to our shores.”

Notes:

[1] https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-46613900

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