It's the end of the world as we know it (and I feel fine)

Good old REM, managing to succinctly express my complex feelings and forebodings in a rather jolly tune (especially given the subject matter).

While the literal end of the world is probably going to have its origins in Washington D.C., many of the social and institutional verities on which we all depend are facing their armageddon. The NHS is being privatized - something we all know is happening but which is going to sprint ahead post-Brexit. The vast, wealthy and unscrupulous US healthcare lobby has been seen at the Tory conference, mingling with ministers and advisers, pressing for a profitable deal with our government. And, quelle surprise, a draft proposal has been published that unleashes the grasping profit-over-health, devil-take-the-hindmost programme that would result in an American style NHS. 38 Degrees has launched a petition - here's the link - https://speakout.38degrees.org.uk/campaigns/nhs-trade-petition?utm_campaign=speakout_campaign_4378&utm_medium=email&utm_source=thank_you but we need to do more locally. Bob Blackman is fully supportive of the government's actions and we need to express our concerns urgently.

On the subject of importing unwanted and destructive American practices, our beloved Government has had a victory, of sorts, when the High Court refused an appeal against Cuadrilla going ahead with fracking. This is a blatantly irresponsible commercial decision that ignores the destructive environmental and human consequences and flies in the face of local and national public opposition. While Blackman did vote against fracking in AONB and World Heritage sites he has also voted against fracking companies requiring environmental permits and not to require a review of the impact of such exploitation on climate change, the environment, the economy, and health and safety be carried out and published. Just how the consequences of Brexit will exacerbate this is a moot point but I think that just a cursory review of the attitudes, beliefs of members of the Tory party and their dodgy paymasters can only lead to a dismal, frightening conclusion. Change.org have a petition that explains the situation:-

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#search/fracking/FMfcgxvzLDrwDKxpdHgStJdKNFqcLDnB?compose=CSkGSFffpPvzRNpfRqDpVCLnzrhftxcMbrmlxrsrdXGqzgpWwdHQZKVFLBpkjNtKQVDQtwDJkPnwdKTZpbSRBDTJSwwqwJQmFhsJptWpqvmXKhdvVgRsSKJNMQhgRklkJlSsQHPjCsZQXtJKNBtXkWslbWJnHGDHKTl

Professor James Hansen has unequivocally condemned the policy, accusing May and her government of 'aping Trump' and I recommend the website 'Frack Off' for maps and further information. And we in London are also in the firing line for this, remember. There may be shale gas in the Stonebridge Park area - ( https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/fracking-could-begin-in-london-after-multimillion-natural-gas-find-a3584726.html) - so I think we need to prepare urgently for this as well. Gove has given plenty of assurances and reassurances that post-Brexit Britain will maintain high environmental standards. We need to hold the government to this .

I have a firm date to meet Antonio Weiss on the 27th October so I will update you about the issues we wanted to raise with the council in a couple of weeks.