Andrew George
Promoting the
Politics of Courage
I’m running a positive campaign to restore decency and honesty to our politics. To build a brighter future. To combat those who want us to become more inward-looking, backward-looking, more self-absorbed. I’ll build a campaign for an outward-looking, forward-looking and compassionate country.
We’ve been misled by a privileged clique who’ve irresponsibly played on fears to stoke prejudice. We must get beyond the Brexit chaos they’ve dragged our country into. We must restore the things that matter for the sake of our children’s future – our NHS, our schools and the very sustainability of our planet.
Come and join a growing campaign team. We’re determined to win this seat back this time, to make the difference, to build a brighter future.
Many people say “you politicians are all the same”. That statement has never been more untrue. The choice here is stark:
Andrew George - Standing up for Cornwall
National campaigner, local campaigner, MP.
Andrew describes his role - "Seeking out the silent voices. Standing up to bullies. Fighting for justice”
Liberal Democrats - Building a brighter future
Pleased to welcome the Bring Back our Ancient Woodlands campaigners to Westminster this week. It's my privilege to lead the Westminster campaign with a Parliamentary motion to restore these critically important woodlands. It's gathering the support of MPs.
40% of our ancient woodlands (ie those which have existed consistently since at least 1600) are partially buried beneath non-native conifer plantations. Known as Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS), or Ghost Woods, these sites are former ancient woodlands that were chopped down in favour of fast-growing, fast-profiting plantations.
The campaign group, Wild Card, who I've been working with, are rightly calling for these sites to be restored to their former biodiversity-rich glory! 💚🌳
Their emblem is the lemon slug; an iconic indicator species of the ancient woodland habitat - the most biodiverse habitat in the world, but also one of the rarest.
Their #RewildTheGhostWoods campaign has amassed 146,000 signatures, which we delivered to DEFRA. I'm following up the petition with an ask to Defra Ministers to act.
www.wildcard.land
REWILD THE GHOST WOODS!
Please pop over and say "Hello" if you're in town tomorrow.
I value these opportunities. With so much going on, I appreciate hearing your thoughts.
Saturday 23rd May
10:30am-12pm
Near Market House, Market Jew Street, Penzance.
Please pop over and say "Hello" if you're in town this Saturday.
I value these opportunities. With so much going on, I appreciate hearing your thoughts.
Saturday 23rd May
10:30am-12pm
Near Market House, Market Jew Street, Penzance.
Thank you
To all who promoted Mental Health week*
Taking action to support those in need is a start.
The Cornwall "Speak their Name" Memorial Quilt is a kind opportunity to remember those we have lost to an illness to which we must always strive to find an answer.
I viewed the quilt when recently displayed at Zennor Church. Impressive and poignant. Remembering friends and loved ones.
And met the Mental Health Foundation in Parliament last week (i don't usually do these posed photos, but was persuaded this is a helpful way to convey my support).
Cornwall experiences greater distress than the national average. This is not just a national crisis. Mental health must achieve parity with physical health. Plans to improve opportunities for self-referral are encouraging to hear. But cannot come too soon.
*Mental Health Week ended last night 11-17th May
Cornwall Live
BBC Cornwall
ITV News West Country
ANOTHER CAMPAIGN WIN!
Motability has made a three-point turn on its unpopular Drive Smart tracking scheme. When Motability Chiefs left my Penzance office just a few days ago to return to London to reflect on our meeting they promised to listen, and to review. Today’s announced PAUSE is welcome. I’d described it as an “Orwellian surveillance” system.
Particular credit must go to Disability Rights campaigner and constituent, Keron Day. He’s done a magnificent job, gathered evidence and brilliantly articulated just how damaging and discriminatory the 'Drive Smart' scheme has been for thousands of disabled people. That is of course not to diminish the great work of many others who've done so much to campaign on this outside this constituency.
I also congratulate Motability and their CEOs, Andrew Miller and Nigel Fletcher, who came all the way to see us, and who demonstrated they’re big enough to change policy when the counterproductive and damaging impact of this scheme became clear. Keron and I want them to make major changes before deciding how they can better manage the admittedly difficult insurance challenges they face.
However, I’ve also urged them to work with us as we tackle Government ministers to halt the counterproductive tax burden, which will force many disabled people to give up their jobs.
The scheme changes have been extremely stressful for many who’ve tried to handle the system. It wasn’t just inconvenient. It was invasive, stressful, and in some cases impossible to comply with. Being forced to keep your phone on, charged, with Bluetooth and location services active at all times - or have a black box fitted which publicly identifies your car as a Motability vehicle - was never reasonable.
Credit again to Keron. Today’s announcement is a testament to a young local man who’s proving to be an impressive and talented campaigner. His eloquence and tenacity in highlighting the impact of Drive Smart for thousands of disabled people has helped (along with others of course) make Motability think again.
Next I’m taking on Ministers who’ve caused the introduction of mileage limits which has brought much detriment to disabled customers.
Today’s pause is a win. But it’s only the start.
Cornwall Live ITV News West Country BBC Cornwall disAbility Cornwall & IoS Liberal Democrats Disability Association
#disabilityrights