Four Green Party members of the European Parliament today participated in protests outside the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) arms fair in London.

Scott Ainslie (MEP for London), Ellie Chowns (MEP for the West Midlands), Gina Dowding (MEP for the North West) and Catherine Rowett (MEP for the East of England) joined hundreds of protestors outside the ExCel centre to voice their concern about the UK government’s continued support for the world’s biggest arms fair.

Ellie tucked into a delicious lunch at the Real Junk Food project in Ladywood, Birmingham today. It’s a brilliant community project, run by fabulous volunteers. Waste food is used to create tasty meals on a ‘pay what you can’ basis.

“While I’m pleased that Warwickshire County Council has joined over 200 other local authorities in recognising the climate emergency, I’m disappointed that the Council has not yet set any targets for emission reduction. Warm words need to be translated into concrete action. Today, I asked Cllr Seccombe to prioritise making plans for achieving zero carbon, otherwise Warwickshire risks being left behind.”

Volunteers gave Ellie a guided tour of the garden, where she met allotment holders and even tasted some of their delicious beans and tomatoes!  Ellie said, “This garden is a wonderful project with a great sense of community. It’s a real oasis of peace, but it’s also buzzing with activity – people digging out a pond, weeding, harvesting, cooking, feeding the chickens… Getting out in the fresh air and growing fruit, veg and flowers is such a healthy and fun thing to do – especially in a community garden like this where everyone is welcome!

Ellie said, ”I was so pleased to speak at this wonderful celebration of equality and diversity. I congratulate the organisers of Warwickshire Pride, not only on another hugely successful event, but also on the important community work they do all year round.”

“In February, Solihull Council’s ruling Conservative group refused to back a climate emergency motion put by Green Councillors. Over 200 other local authorities in the UK, including Birmingham City Council and the WMCA, have now declared a climate emergency and set targets for transition to zero carbon. So why is Solihull being so slow?”

Ellie said, “People from all parties are waking up to the urgency of the climate crisis. The science is clear – we need to shift to zero carbon as soon as possible, and that requires urgent cross-party action at all levels of government – local, national and international.”