Dear friends
This was the excellent intention stated on the publicity that went out for the Society meeting on the 3 April as the three speakers applauded Birmingham's economic miracle that has benefited the already well heeled. The rest can ill afford the hike in council taxes and loss of social care services when they are already so dependent on food banks and charitable help with paying their energy bills.
Our honourable wish and the individual help we all do give to the poor, does mean the Society is campaigning in wishing to see the benefits for the rich trickling down to the poorest in Birmingham and the Black Country.
The Society is also campaigning when it invites the most likeable, Andy Street to address its annual dinner for the third time. Lovely man though he is, he remains a prominent Conservative politician and campaigner for Metro, Sprint, guided busways and an HS2 extension to Manchester. These four extremely expensive transport projects have not only resulted in the loss of two out of three mainline railways but is taking finite resources that should be going to make the homes of the poorest in the region highly energy efficient, solar powered and well insulated. The money is clearly there. I think the Lunar Society should continue its stated intention: "To allow all its citizens to benefit, rather than a select few"
The select few, like me for 17 years, have benefited from regional Fare-Free Public Transport (FFPT). I think, all of the West Midlands should be benefiting from FFPT and not just the elderly like me. It can easily afforded if Metro, Sprint and guided busways were to be ended.
Rachel Waterhouse, our wonderful founder who was an inspiration from when I knew her, I think would want the Lunar Society to continue to speak up for all of us in the region, especially those who are missing out on the economic miracle that has benefited the rich.
Could David or Jo please send me the recommendations from the Climate Change Working Party? Thanks.
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