Jean Lambert is London’s current MEP and is running as number one candidate for re-election in June. Since her election Jean has developed a close working relationship with community groups, NGOs, trade unions and policy makers across the capital. By visiting projects, organising and speaking at conferences, responding to public consultations and listening to Londoners’ concerns she has been able to ensure the Green Party’s voice is at the front of European Policy making on key issues ranging from protecting public services, social security and social inclusion to asylum and immigration and the links to climate change, from energy and sustainability to human rights and peace. She has also been working on how to involve young people in decision-making. She has produced a DVD entitled EU4U and sponsored an innovative project involving young people from four EU capital cities, including London.
Lead Candidate: Jean Lambert
A former schoolteacher Jean has been an active member of the UK Green Party since its early days. She has held key positions in the party having been its Chair and Principal Speaker at various times. She was Principal Speaker for the Green Party from 1992-93 and 1998-99 and chair of the Green Party Executive in 1994. She is currently the Green Party spokesperson on Employment, Social Affairs and Pensions.
Number Two: Ute Michel
Ute was born and grew up in Germany, and spent two years working in European institutions in Brussels before moving to France working for the world umbrella organisation of Mencap. Relocating to Lewisham in 2002, Ute has been working for the NHS in services supporting access to health services for marginalised groups for several years. Elected as one of six councillors in Lewisham in the local elections in 2006; she chairs the local ward assembly and sits on the borough wide Public Accounts Committee.
With Ute leading on the detailed work on the budget, the group has achieved an increase in funding for social care services under threat and developed support for local shops as well as a range of environmental initiatives, including a successful garden waste collection scheme and making ‘smart meters’, which monitor energy consumption, available through libraries.
Platform on which our candidates will be standing
If re-elected in 2009, Jean will strive to ensure the EU demonstrates real political leadership on climate change. She will continue push the EU to be a positive force for promoting human rights around the world, and a champion of equality and opportunity. She will also continue to work for the EU to become more democratic, transparent and accountable.
To get involved in the campaign to re-elect Jean in London please write to the head office at 1a Waterlow Road, London N19 5NJ; phone 020 7272 4474; or drop an e-mail to campaign4jean@greenparty.org.uk.
