COST OF CONSULTATION Letter in Brent Times questioning focus group fees. “But offering money as a consolation on such terms only cheapens the motive for participating, such as civic duty.” [Dec 08]

GREEN EMPOWERMENT Letter in Guardian explaining why the Green Party does not have a single leader. “Conventional politics has shown itself to be unfit for purpose.” [Nov 07] Reprinted in The Guardian Book of Letters to the Editor 2008.

EMPOWERMENT A petition for GPEW internal use.

SAYING SORRY Letter in Guardian about Des Browne’s apology for letting British sailors sell stories of their capture. “It seems clear from the conditional way in which he put things that he is not really sorry.” [Apr 07] Reprinted in The Guardian Book of Letters to the Editor 2007.

COUNCIL TAX Letter in Brent Times series about council tax rebanding. “Let’s not get overexcited by Labour-led euphoria over the latest Council Tax budget.” [Mar 06]

PARTY POLITICAL ONE-UPMANSHIP in Willesden Observer series critcising council leader. “Politicians differ in their ability to uphold the public good, let alone to withstand public scrutiny.” [Feb 06]

CREDIT-SEEKING Letter in Brent Times series criticising no-show at public meeting. “Credit-seeking in politics, as in life, is so often inversely proportional to credit-worthiness.” [Feb 06]

MESSAGE TO ELECTORS Letter in Brent Times series about council by-election results and general election thanks. “We will not be giving up on you, so please don’t give up on us.” [Jun 05]

NEW LABOUR Letter in Brent Times series about Brent South new labour candidate selection. “New Labour’s control freakery in government exactly mirrors its contempt for internal democracy.” [Mar 05]

MAYORAL APPOINTMENT Letter in Brent Times series about Mayoral appointment.
SA: “How does Ken overcome the perception that the appointment has more to do with arbitrary promotion of a New Labour candidate?” [26.01.05]
Mayor’s reply: “Given that there are so few prominent Muslim women in public life, I am surprised to find Dr Ali opposing the appointment of my human rights adviser.” [09.02.05]
SA: “The politics of racial or religious identity contributes less to social cohesion than to divisiveness. Consider what it says about human rights to suppose that only a Muslim can best defend the rights of other Muslims.” [23.02.05]

KOWTOWING COUNCIL Letter in Wembley and Harrow Observer series about bad planning decisions. “Elected councillors seem impotent to do anything about it, or determined rarely to intervene or challenge. This culture must change.” [Jly 04]

POLITICAL SELF-SERVITUDE Letter in Willesden & Wembley Observer series about political self-servitude. “The fault with domestic politics is the simple truth of a shortage of humility and political wisdom among our elected. One way of counteracting the shortage would be to pursue the meaningful democratic reform advocated by the Green Party, proportional representation.” [Jly 03]