Local campaigners are fighting the Tory-led Council's proposals to develop Copley Valley with new housing, industrial development and roads. Calderdale Green Party's latest leaflet says KEEP OUR VALLEY GREEN because

• It's one of the last green corridors south of Halifax - why not upgrade the canal and protect wildlife and biodiversity?
• There's a serious flood risk as this and this Environment agency map show 
• What the area needs is more public transport, including a railway station for Copley, and less pollution - not more roads, more traffic, more commuters

To support the campaign or for more information contact Diane Wade of the ‘KEEP OUR VALLEY GREEN' group (phone 01422 321412, email her here) or local Green candidate for Skircoat ward Charles Gate (phone 01422 362771 or email Calderdale Green Party here)

Calderdale Green Party has nominated their candidate for Calder Ward in the next Council elections.  'I want to put more time into things that matter.  That's why I've become active in the Greens,' says Alan McDonald, pictured above alongside Parliamentary candidate Kate Sweeny.  Alan lives in East Todmorden and is active in many organisations locally - often helping to run websites like this one.

Dear Editor,
With regards to the Professor Nutt debate, a lot has been made of whether Alan Johnson overstepped the mark by sacking a policy advisor who publicly spoke out against him. But little has been made of the actual issue they were in disagreement over, that is what are the dangers of drug use on the individual? And, whilst we're at it, why has there not been a debate on the wider implications of drug use on society as a whole. Now seems like a good time to start it.
Without writing a thesis, though there is plenty of evidence to back this theory up, the majority of drugs are not as harmful as was first feared, and certainly do less long-term damage than the likes of alcohol and smoking. From a personal perspective my main issue with the illegality of drugs is a moral one: if in society we have committed a sin or harm against someone then some form of restorative justice is necessary, but to pre-empt another person's guilt, pass judgement and punish them for something they have done to their own bodies, or even just carrying on their person, is truly overstepping the mark.
And looking at the debate as to the effect they have on society, perhaps we should be looking at the possible benefits the legalisation of drugs would bring. Such benefits as the tax revenue that would be raised from their certified sale, the trustworthiness of what goes into the drug so people aren't choking on brick dust, the reduction in violent crimes as the battle for control of the supply of drugs is reduced, the reduction in the cool factor of drugs on children...
I honestly believe we are letting the fear of what drugs could be cloud our thinking without wanting to listening to the other side of the story. Governments are scrambling to show they are the toughest on drugs. One of the lesser known policies of the Green Party is this legalisation of drugs I've advocated. Drugs aren't glamorous, or shouldn't be, and can be detrimental to a person's health and lead to crime. However, as a society we should be able to engage in debate, with scientific evidence, without being subjected to government paranoia that currently pervades our thinking.
Yours sincerely,
Joel Gilbert
Green Party, Calderdale

Dear Letters Editor,
I couldn't agree more with Deborah Orr's article (Comment, Thursday 12th November) regarding Parliament's stifled debate on the use of drugs. She highlights the fact that only one MP from the House of Commons has actually followed up the sacking of Professor Nutt with an attempt to open a debate on the effectiveness of our government's drugs policy. Instead all the parties want to brush the respected views of Professor Nutt and many of his peers under the carpet, for fear of looking weak on drugs.
This clearly highlights two problems with our democracy today. Firstly it shows the Parliamentary parties' weakness in trying to engage the public in grown-up debate for fear of being lambasted by the opposition. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, it clearly shows the unfairness of the electoral system we have now. If we were to switch to a more representative electoral system, one that creates a House with a make-up of parties that people actually voted for, then perhaps we would have a House of Commons capable of sustaining proper debate.
This would refresh Parliament and open the way for other parties such as the Greens to be heard, the Greens being the only political party in favour of the legalisation of all drugs. However that debate on electoral reform, promised after the MP's expenses row, has also been neatly swept aside.
Joel Gilbert
Calderdale Green Party

Our recent leaflet proposing a 20 mph speed limit through the main arteries of Todmorden - Halifax Road to Castle Hill school, Burnley Road to Tod High School, Rochdlae Road to the Bacup Road - has provoked a lively debate.  Read Kate's latest contribution extolling the 20 mph limit here.

And in Hebden Bridge she's been jousting with Bernard Ingham over the (de)merits of nuclear power: here's her latest letter.

Kate has welcomed the idea (proposed by the Conservatives) of a public debate between the local parliamentary candidates.  We're still waiting to hear from Labour and Lib Dem!

We think there should be a strict 20 mph zone on all three main roads - from Todmorden High School, Castle Hill School and the Bacup Road into the centre.

Then residential streets could become 'home zones' that put the most vulnerable first - children and those with sight, hearing and mobility problems.

You may have read these words on the leaflet we recently circulated to many households in the Todmorden area.  Now the Todmorden News (3.9.09) has joined our campaign with its headline story: SAFETY VISION OF 20 MPH FOR TOWN.  'We believe there is a lot of public support for this,' says local activist Alan McDonald.  What do you think?  Let us know.

We already have a parliamentary candidate for the next general election, Kate Sweeny.  Her profile will be appearing here soon.

 And in September 2009 we'll be deciding on a candidate for Calder Ward for the next Calderdale Council elections in May 2010.

 Watch this space!