1. London and UK

European elections. The European election is on Thursday 4 June. London residents, including registered EU citizens or those from a commonwealth country are eligible to vote. The election is decided by proportional representation, so every vote will count.  I have been urging Londoners to use their vote in this important election.

As part of the European election campaign I have participated in and spoken at a wide range of meetings and events across London. More information about my activities during the campaign can be found on my Facebook page http://www.tinyurl.com/jeanlambert, my blogsite http://re-electjean.blogspot.com, and the national and London Green Party websites. This e-news only covers recent activities relating to my position as a sitting Member of the European Parliament.

Air Pollution in London. I spoke out about the news that the UK faces legal action on air quality during the 2012 Olympics. I have been pressing the Commission to take action against the UK for infringing EU air pollution levels, and raising questions about levels of PM10 and nitrogen dioxide. Air pollution endangers the health of many Londoners, and the UK Government needs to clean up its act. London has also had its first summer smog warning.  More information is available here and here.

Strangers into Citizens. I spoke at the May Bank Holiday rally in Trafalgar Square, supporting the rights of migrants in London. The event was organised and supported by a wide range of Londoners, including many churches and trade unions. More information is available here.

Trade Justice. As part of the annual Dulwich Festival in Southwark, the local Trade Justice Campaign hosted a discussion in May on 'Righting Trade Injustices: What we've done and what's still to do'. The event also involved Traidcraft and the World Development Movement and I was pleased to be one of the speakers.

Social and economic justice. I spoke at a major youth conference at University College, 'Youth fight for jobs'. I focused on Green proposals for a Green New Deal and the need to invest in jobs and training in emerging green sectors, as well as strengthening living wage standards.

PCS Union/greening work.  At the Annual Conference of the Public and Commercial Services Union, held in Brighton, I participated in a fringe panel about greening work.  I spoke about my report , Green Work, and how the environmental agenda can also deliver economic renewal and worker participation through green reps.  More information is available at http://www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk/greenwork and about workers' rights here.

Democracy and corruption in Nigeria. At the end of May I addressed 'the State of the Nigerian Nation', a major symposium on democracy and corruption in Nigeria, held in central London. I joined eminent campaigners including the Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka and Nigerians living in London. I focused on how the EU must help tackle corruption and environmental destruction in Nigeria, and have raised these issues through questions to the Commission. More information about the event and responses from the Commission to my questions can be found here.

Free Palestine. I was one of the main speakers at an important rally in Trafalgar Square for justice and peace in Palestine. I have pressed for a just and peaceful solution to the problems in the Middle East for many years, and witnessed the humanitarian catastrophe of Gaza, when I visited there last year. I will continue to press for solutions which respect security, peace and human rights for both sides. More information is available here.

Kurdish Federation. I spoke in Haringey at the annual meeting of the Kurdish Federation of the UK. More information is available here.

LGBT rights. 17 May marked IDAHO, the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. I have been supporting this annual global event for some years, and took the opportunity to speak out against the fact that homosexuality is illegal in 80 countries around the world, and in five countries it is a crime punishable by death. In particular I drew attention to the abuse of LGBT rights in Russia and Eastern Europe, and have been working with Polish Greens to push for change. More information is available here.

  2. Brussels and beyond

The first week of May saw the Parliament's final plenary session prior to the European elections. A number of very important votes took place, including proposals to ban the commercial trade of seal products in the EU, and votes on animal testing, social inclusion and asylum.

Ban on the trade of seal products in the EU
After years of waiting and endless pressure having been exerted on the European Commission to come forward with a legislative proposal, largely from the Greens in the European Parliament, we have now adopted legislation in favour of a ban on the commercial trade of seal products in the EU. This is a tremendous victory for all those who have campaigned so hard over the years for the ban to become a reality and I thank the hundreds of my constituents who wrote letters to MEPs to push them to sign the original written declaration and to support the legislation. The ban will drastically reduce the barbaric practice of commercial seal killing and I, along with my Green colleagues, will continue to work hard in the coming years to help to ensure that the legislation is successfully implemented.

Animal testing
The outcome of Parliament's vote on the revision of legislation on animal testing was a huge disappointment. A number of critical amendments tabled by the Greens, that could have secured major improvements for animals, were rejected by a majority of MEPs. It is particularly disappointing that MEPs did not even vote for Green proposals that would have at least ensured the phasing out of the use of primates caught in the wild. Given the fact that the core of the report still falls behind the proposal of the Commission and is not seriously questioning the "normality" of animal testing or pushing hard for alternatives, myself and my Green colleagues voted against the report. It was however adopted as a whole. This is a real missed opportunity.  More information is available at http://www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk/animals.

Active Inclusion
Over the past months I have been working on a report on the active inclusion of those furthest from the labour market. I am pleased that the Parliament's final vote on social issues of this legislature was focused on those who have least in the EU and what needs to be done for them. The report which was overwhelmingly adopted by Parliament was very clear in stating that everyone has the right to an income which allows them to live in dignity. The report also calls for effective dialogue with groups such as young people, to ensure they have a real voice in decisions made about their future. In times of economic recession it is more important than ever that those most vulnerable to falling into the poverty trap are provided with the right assistance and support and I hope that this report will pave the way for concerted and effective action in this area at the EU level. To see the adopted text of the report follow this link.

Asylum Package
Parliament has now completed the first stage of its revision of a number of pieces of EU legislation related to asylum and also given the go ahead for the creation of a European Asylum Support Office, a report for which I was responsible. The office will hopefully help to ensure the convergence and quality of decision making on asylum claims across the EU, improve practical cooperation between member states in the field of asylum, and, I am pleased to say, includes a strong role for the UNHCR.

Two of the texts under revision were the 'Reception Conditions Directive' and 'The 'Dublin Regulation'. Thankfully, some significant improvements were adopted during Parliament's first reading of the Reception Conditions Directive including access to the labour market and adequate income support for asylum seekers, which will help to ensure that they are not left destitute.  However, the UK Government has indicated it will not support the revision as it includes the right to work (in certain circumstances) for asylum seekers.  The report also includes stricter safeguards on detention. The report adopted on the Dublin Regulation broadens the scope of the legislation to also cover applicants for (and beneficiaries of) subsidiary protection and also clarifies issues surrounding detention.

 3.  Comment - Please vote in the European elections!

"The new Parliament will have heavy responsibilities on issues such as climate change, economic recovery and the ongoing struggle for a European Union that is truly committed to equality and human rights across the board. As a Member of the European Parliament it is my privilege to meet many human rights activists who are struggling for democratic rights and freedoms in their own countries. They often look to the EU as an example and for support for their situation. For them, the right to vote is a precious thing. 

By contrast, turnout for the European elections is often low, not just in the UK and this carries risks that the far-right block will grow. It is therefore important that people of good-will use their vote on June 4th to help shape the EU's policies for the next five years. Please urge people to exercise their democratic right and to use their vote positively. Here, we are fortunate to have a wide and real choice of parties, not a single-party state. Urge colleagues, friends and family to exercise that choice this week."