Jensgreenjam

Jenny went on the Stay in with Sian Show to discuss the Covid Emergency Powers, the failed App and the government's attempt to by-pass Parliamentary Democracy with the use of secondary legislation. 

Community shielding is the best way of doing tracking and tracing. It also creates a support network that helps people as they self isolate for the good of that community. It is a better way of doing things that a government phone bank and app.      

Apologies for the occassional crackly sound quality (as recorded on Zoom with poor broadband), but the discussion is good. Will remote working stick as we come out of lockdown? Can we reclaim the space in our streets for walking and cycling? Why the government needs to record Covid cases by occupation as the frontline workers in buses and taxis are hit hard.  Should the railways be nationalised as a result of this crisis?

She discusses John Bird's formative experiences. Homelessness and his scheme to provide rent deposits for those on low incomes

I worked with Shane for years in the London Green Party, before he moved to Frome and got himself elected to Mendip District Council. He has been very involved with writing the Green Party's policy on drugs, as well as campaigns like Reclaim the Streets in the 1990s.  In a previous episode of Jen’s Green Jam I spoke to an ex-undercover police officer, Neil Woods about the war on drugs and how it has affected law enforcement, in this episode we are going to be talking about Britain’s drug policy and thinking about the practicalities of reforming the government's approach to drugs. Shane discusses: Some of the big things that worry people about drugs are the addiction potential and the health impacts - how do we best address those concerns?  The different models of legalisation and decriminalisation. Is there a one size fits all solution or is it more nuanced than that?  What is the ideal drug policy and how do we get from where we are now to that ideal? Do we think that drugs gangs will just disappear

Mike Schwarz has been a human rights lawyer at Bindmans for 25 years. He has represented numerous campaigners, including all three of Jenny's part time staff. He describes the ups and downs of the right to protest over those years. The crucial lesson is that peaceful protest is vital to the health of our democracy. While individual court cases are important, they have to be seen as part of a process that influences how society and the police handle peaceful dissent. He regards his most significant case as the Kings North six. These protestors admitted trying to shut down the coal powered station by occupying the smokestack and painting the word "Gordon" down the chimney but argued that they were legally justified because they were trying to prevent climate change causing greater damage to property around the world. It was the first case in which preventing property damage caused by climate change had been used as part of a "lawful excuse" defence in court. A majority of the jury agreed with them. The police

Sian Berry is a co-leader of the Green Party, a London Assembly Member and a local councillor in Camden. She talks to Jenny Jones about her success with getting the London Mayor to change his policies on housing and to lobby the government to change their policies. She is part of Generation Rent and has championed their issues, such as a rent cap. Sian's successes build on the sixteen years of practical changes achieved by Jenny and Darren when they were Green Party members of the London Assembly. This track record of success enabled both Jenny and Sian to come third in the Mayoral elections. Sian got the higest number of second preference votes and they discuss the prospect of a Labour vs Green run off in 2020.  

Good fashion is timeless. Fast fashion is destroying the planet and linked to poverty wages around the globe. Amelia explains why there is no such thing as cheap fashion as someone somewhere is always paying for it in poverty wages and a polluted environment. There are an estimated 168m children working in the fashion industry. The podcast concludes with the usual rebuttal section to help listeners deal with the usual responses and issues that are raised when campaigners call for changes to be made.   

Chris Holmes talks about his life and organising the 2012 paralympics. The innovations that made 2012 a success and the hostility that had to be overcome. He talks about his life as a lawyer and improving accessibility in the workplace. How many of the lessons learned about dealing positively with disability can also be applied to other areas where people face social barriers and discrimination. As always with these podcasts, they end with a 'myth busting' session, where Jenny and her guest answer some of the common comments/criticisms.

Community campaigner Stafford Scott discusses the gangs matrix and why institutional racism within the police is leading to failure and costing lives on the streets. The gangs matrix is a database that fuels the violence it purports to be trying to stop. It needs a complete overhaul. Stop and search will inflame a bad situation. He explains why you need to invest in families and communities as the way out of gang violence. You can not police your way out of this situation. The interview ends with the usual 'hard questions' that need rebutal.  His article in the Guardian is https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jan/12/metropolitan-police-gangs-matrix-racist-policing?CMP=share_btn_tw  

'The Drugs War' with ex undercover officer NeilWoods. Neil has authored two fascinating books about his experiences as an undercover cop turned whistle blower. Neil joins me to give us his insights on the war against drugs and explain: how drugs money has caused escalating violence on the streets; why younger children are being used; how drugs money supports others forms of crime and leads to endemic corruption in our police force.  Neil's person experiences of being one of Britain's most successful undercover officers deserves our respect and attention. Having a knife to your throat, or being stripped naked at gunpoint can take a personal toll on the brave officers who have tried to fight a war on drugs that can't be won.

Green Party Baroness Jenny Jones discusses climate change with Caroline Lucas MP. They talk: fracking; green energy; new nukes; food and the economy. Find out what position Caroline Lucas would choose if she was invited to join a red/green Government. 

Going organic and transforming our countryside for the benefit of nature are at the heart of the green approach, but there is a lot more to discuss. Pesticides, GMOs, subsidy payments, animal protection and Brexit. 

Jen's Green Jam is a series of podcasts aimed at giving campaigners all the information and arguments they need to go out and change the world.