3 minutes to win over Just Stop Oil!

Dear ​Helen​ and Laura, Linda and Bob

​If you wish to deter those ​kind of climate activists, you must encourage and support those like me, Sir David Attenborough, ​Lord Deben, Chris Packham and Sir Jonathon Porrit​t​ who are all respectful, establishment, obedient climate activists.​  We are upholding the Western tradition of free speech to convince and persuade.​ 

I have known ​your Deputy Leader, Bob Sleigh​ for many years and his wife for even longer​ as a former colleague.  Yet, when I turned up at his publicly advertised surgery​ in Solihull he turned me away without listening to my point of view. ​ And, I had travelled all the way from Halesowen too but, not on my 100% food-fueled powered bike.  Like you all, I have always found Bob very pleasant and, in the past, we have spoken briefly after one or two meetings.

This morning, before the meeting started I asked ​Chairman Bob if his Board might consider no longer investing in Metro​ extensions.  At the close, when he explained that the private session was about to start and I must leave, I simply explained my quiet, obedient conformity as, "I am at the opposite end of the spectrum from Just Stop Oil", said no more and Wendy escorted me out.

Please encourage my side to follow the example of Attenborough, Lord Deben, Packham and Porritt to allow us to have our three minutes of fame to explain why the correct investment to slow climate catastrophe is now really urgent.  Worcestershire CC and Dudley MBC, amongst others, have done it for years.  All setting a fine example in public participation, like Mayor Andy too.

Deben and Packham in conversation:

I would urge you to listen to Chris Packham and Lord Deben speaking for seven minutes on the 'Today' programme on Saturday 8 July at 1:39:00.  Here:  https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001np1h  Available until midnight on Fri 4 August.

Lord Deben said to each of us:

"Are you doing what is necessary to fight climate change? ... The Climate Change Committee has shown how you reach net zero."

When will you do what Lord Deben is urging and take Chris Packham seriously?  Have you watched 'Earth' on iPlayer?

Best wishes

JUST STOP OIL/GHG from extensions to Metro and Sprint

JUST STOP OIL/GHG from extensions to Metro and Sprint

Thank you, Richard for all your excellent emails and enclosures.  All good stuff if funding and staff come from abandoned Metro/Sprint expansion programmes at 16 Summer Lane.  This must come first.  Do you agree, Richard?

There IS enough funding for ALL our Nine Action Points if others could join me in objecting to the billions going, and planned, into Metro and Sprint extensions

 Nine Action Points from W Mids Climate Coalitio...

Where do you part company with us over this - anyone out there, including Richard?

Stopping the funding of extensions of HS2 (we won in stopping the E arm to Leeds), Metro and Sprint is the FIRST and most BASIC step towards addressing the climate emergency and getting funding for insulation, retrofitting and solar powering homes.  Do you acknowledge that, Richard?  Why do you disagree?

I am also anxious that we support the Chris Skidmore MP report on net zero in the national news this morning (Radio 4 'Today' programme at 0700 hrs this morning) and support and encourage Chris Stark, Chief Exec of the Climate Change Committee.  What do you think?

https://www.theccc.org.uk/author/chris-stark/

How have you been able to obtain everyone's email address?  Can I have your list please, Richard?

Is it me who is completely out of my mind in wanting an end to the 70 years of urban railway destruction that mean roads, buildings and trams take over the tracks and land?

Is it me who is stupid/misguided/dysfunctional in thinking that it was financial incompetence (in wasting taxpayers' money) and transport incompetence to destroy two mainline railways and two and a quarter mainline stations in the Black Country and Brum?  One mainline station is now a conference and events centre and the other is a National Innovation Centre for VLR.

Am I wrong in calling it incompetence?  What would you call it, Richard?  Or, anyone out there?

Are you in favour, Richard of railway lines and roads to be taken over by HR, LR, VLR, ULR* to make for the much vaunted and wonderful multi-modal, multi-mixed up public transport at the most enormous expense in price and weight of GHG emissions?  Even in favour when the staff might be redeployed and the funds diverted to insulation/retrofitting and solar powering the homes of the poorest in the region?

Do you accept, Richard that having a Tory Mayor does NOT mean the CA is a Tory led authority.  Four out of the seven are Labour led.  Admittedly, all are right of centre and nowhere near being eco-socialist.  WMCA and all member local authorities are one and the same.  All have to be covered.

Do you accept that under the current rules from HMG, our Andy has to work with the seven leaders, to represent them and not to lord it over them as though he is in charge and he, Andy makes all the decisions?  Andy is the PR person and the face of the W Mids.  Not the power behind the throne or the throne.

Do you accept that since 1981, when Metro started, every political party, even the Greens, have all been in agreement with replacing the tram network that had only just been obliterated by these same political parties and authorities only 20 years earlier?

Do you accept that since 1982, insulating the nation's 19th century and pre 1939 housing stock was recommended in a report to HMG by no less a person than author and broadcaster, Paul Lewis of Radio 4's 'Money Box'? 

Richard, do you believe in the power of persuasion?  Of a rational, cogent set of facts and arguments being put to someone in the hope that they might understand and then give their point of view in reply?

Is political education part of your vocabulary?  Is dialogue and discussion to try and reach mutual understanding and consensus something you can go along with, Richard?

Therefore, would you please join me in engaging in polite, pleasant conversation with senior officers and members of the seven constituent and non-constituent authorities of the CA?  These really can be had before meetings at 16 Summer Lane to build a positive relationship with these senior members and officers.

Would you, Richard, please join me in lobbying Ed Cox, Dan Essex, Laura Shoaf and Andy Street, for an item on the agenda of most/all WMCA meetings called 'Public Forum'?  This, to enable people like your good self and others to be allowed three minutes to talk or read out something of concern and of relevance to that public meeting.  My own authority, Dudley Council does this.

PLEASE REPLY!  This time.  And engage, discuss - for mutual enlightenment!

Best wishes