Green Party leader on campus for talk

Image credit: Exeter Green Party

Green Party leader Natalie Bennett is to attend a talk at the University of Exeter today, about the effects of fracking on the environment.

The event will start with a screening of ‘Drill Baby Drill,’ a documentary criticising the consequences of fracking, and will be followed by a question and answer session with Bennett.

The free talk is to take place at 18:00-20:30, Lecture Theatre 1, Queens Building and is organised by Exeter Green Party in conjunction with Young Greens at University of Exeter.

Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is the process of recovering gas and oil from shale rock by drilling down into the earth before a high pressure mixture of water, chemicals and sand, is directed at the rock to release the gas inside.

The process has revolutionised the energy industry in the US where it is most advanced; this activity in the UK is still in the exploring stage, where companies are drilling test wells. Fracking however carries environmental risks and in 2011 the process was suspended following two seismic tremors in the Blackpool area.

The ‘Drill baby drill’ title is an ironic reference to a term coined by the U.S Republican Party’s campaign in 2008, which expressed support for increasing domestic production of oil.

Journalist by profession, Bennett was elected to her position on in September 2012. Exeter Green Party is the political voice of the city’s strong green movement, who believe that to improve lives of local people we need a fairer society, a healthier environment and a sustainable economy.

Andrew Bell, Exeter Green Party policy officer, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about fracking and what it could mean to the South West if it is ever given the go-ahead. It is also a great opportunity to meet the Green Party leader and find out more about our progressive social, economic and environmental policies.”

Alexandra Lapshina, News Team

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Devon County Council election results announced

Turnout at the election was only 32.9 percent. Image credit: BBC

The Devon County Council election results have been announced this afternoon, with the Conservatives retaining overall control of the body. Of the nine Exeter wards, seven were claimed by Labour.

Across the county 313 candidates were fighting for 62 seats, with the Tories winning 38. Labour did not add any seats to their seven in Exeter, as UKIP won four, the Greens one and three independents were elected.

Neither Labour nor UKIP could gain the Conservative held University ward, Duryard & Pennsylvania, which was won by Percy Prowse with a 21 percent majority over second placed Labour.

St David’s & St James, home to a large proportion of Exeter students, was won by Labour’s Jill Owen.

Both areas suffered from low turnout – around 10 percent below the lowly 33 percent average, which was down from 44 percent in 2009.

The coalition parties both registered overall losses, with three less Conservatives and four less Lib Dem councillors being elected.

The election results will be viewed by some as a reflection on national politics, with Liberal Democrat ratings in opinions polls remaining at low levels, in contrast to the recent rise of UKIP.

A referendum in the Exeter St James area asking: “Do you want Exeter City Council to use the neighbourhood plan for Exeter St James to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?” was emphatically accepted, with 92 % voting yes.

James Roberts and Carlus Hudson were amongst a number of University students standing in the election, but neither were elected.

Roberts came in fifth place for the Conservatives in the St David’s & St James area, whilst Hudson polled only 29 votes in Newtown & Polsloe.

To find out who your local councillor is, click here.

Harrison Jones, Online News Editor

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