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Reposted by Ben Parker

Scottish Greens @scottishgreens.org · 12d

This month the Scottish Parliament backed Green calls for boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel and companies complicit in the genocide and occupation.

Now it's time to put those words into action at all levels of government.

The National. Edinburgh becomes first city in Scotland to boycott Israel. Councillors voted in favour of a Green motion which moves the capital closer to implementing Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel.

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Ben Parker @cllrbenparker.bsky.social · 11d

Find out more about the Astley Ainslie Community Trust here: www.aact.scot

Astley Ainslie Community Trust

www.aact.scot

Ben Parker @cllrbenparker.bsky.social · 11d

Lots of folk at the Eric Liddell Centre contributing their ideas for the Astley Ainslie as part of the local place plan development 🗺️📍

What’s on my list? More space for nature, co-operative / co-housing development, accessibility at the forefront and (of course!) protecting the trees 🌳

A busy room of people talking / wandering around. There is a map on the floor and posters on the wall with post it notes where people are sharing their ideas.

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Ben Parker @cllrbenparker.bsky.social · 14d

I’m pleased to be proposing this motion today 🇵🇸

The Scottish Government took a big step forward in supporting BDS calls from Green MSPs, but now they must do the same for Councils ⚖️

New powers need to be granted to local authorities or else the government position is just warm words ❌ 💬 🤷

The National @scotnational.bsky.social · 14d

NEW: The Scottish Greens are calling for Edinburgh to become the first city in Scotland to boycott Israel

Greens motion could see Edinburgh become first Scottish city to boycott Israel

www.thenational.scot

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Ben Parker @cllrbenparker.bsky.social · 14d

“In what appears to be pandering to the demands of a small group of CEOs, political parties – and not just Labour – are showing their true colours.” 🟥🟧🟦

Thank you to @rachaelrevesz.bsky.social for this excellent overview of a complex topic ⤵️ 📰

Rachael Revesz @rachaelrevesz.bsky.social · 15d

I wrote this piece for anyone who has wondered why there are Air Canada adverts on Lothian Buses and Emirates adverts on the tram, given that Edinburgh Council has a ban on fossil fuel advertising: theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2025/09/are-...

Are arms length bodies a wasted opportunity?

What do Edinburgh Leisure (which does not guarantee a real living wage for staff) the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (which has hosted conferences for weapons manufacturers and has in the p...

theedinburghreporter.co.uk

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Ben Parker @cllrbenparker.bsky.social · 21d

A little bit later than usual, but August's blog post is now up 📝

Read on to hear about what I've been doing for tree protection in the Fringe 🌳, local traffic improvements in Marchmont 🚧 🚶‍♀️, tourist tax spending on accessibility ♿ and lots more (!)

open.substack.com/pub/cllrbenp...

Ben smiling next to a black noticeboard for the Braid Hills. The words "Welcome to the Braid Hills" are visible at the top of the noticeboard in white text. A text overlay on the image reads: What did I get up to in August 2025? 6 updates from August 2025.

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Ben Parker @cllrbenparker.bsky.social · Sep 9

Please do submit your views on this excellent project! And for what it’s worth, I support the option advocated by the Community Council ✅

Merchiston Districts Community Council @merchistoncc.bsky.social · Sep 8

Reminder! You can still review the designs for a new Polwarth junction and share your views by 21 September .

Let the council know if you support the overall changes, which design option you prefer and why, and if you have any other thoughts or concerns.

merchistoncc.org.uk/projects/the...

A birds-eye view illustration of the redesigned Polwarth junction showing how the area will be transformed from a roundabout to a T-junction. There are two options for the Merchiston ave crossings. Option 1 has a pedestrian refuge Island whole option 2 has a third loading bay and dropped kerb crossing point.

Polwarth Gardens looking east - artist's impression of the upgraded zebra crossing which is wider and located closer to the junction. Pavements are widened and there are planters and the edge of a designated loading bay.

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Ben Parker @cllrbenparker.bsky.social · Sep 9

I will ask about this — thanks for flagging!

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Ben Parker @cllrbenparker.bsky.social · Aug 21

Absolutely delighted that, at the 3rd time of asking, we have successfully banned arms companies from commercial activity (including testing) in Council parks and greenspace 🌳🚫

Thank you to everyone who wrote into the consultation earlier this year to make your views known .. we did it! 💬📝

Image of park with text overlay which reads: Green win! Arms dealers out our parks! Greens successfully ban arms companies from testing in council parks and greenspace.

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Ben Parker @cllrbenparker.bsky.social · Aug 20

This issue is back at committee tomorrow where the new park management rules are being decided 🌳

After the Council's own consultation saw lots of write-in objections to the use of parks by arms companies, we are once again calling for a ban 🚫

Fingers crossed for a better result tomorrow ✅

Ben Parker @cllrbenparker.bsky.social · Jun 5

This was incredibly disappointing 🙅‍♂️

In speaking, I mentioned the inspirational actions of Labour Cllrs in 1986 when opposing apartheid in South Africa ✊

How far Labour has fallen that, now, in the face of a genocide, they refuse to use their power to oppose arms companies testing on Council land 🥀

Laura Webster @lauraewebster.bsky.social · Jun 5

NEW: Labour councillors joined Tories to vote AGAINST prohibiting arms manufacturers from using public parks in Edinburgh to test equipment

It comes after Leonardo tested its equipment in the Braid Hills area last year, prompting public anger

www.thenational.scot/news/2521857...

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Ben Parker @cllrbenparker.bsky.social · Aug 14

I remain very concerned about this and will be raising this further - watch this space! 🌳

spurtle.bsky.social @spurtle.bsky.social · Aug 6

St ANDREW SQUARE GARDEN.—Concern for trees, but retrospective application for Spiegeltent is approved. Spurtle is not happy: broughtonspurtle.org.uk/news/concern...
#Edinburgh #hyperlocal #news #planning #environment

Old tree trunk surrounded by electric cable and bright blue lights.

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Reposted by Ben Parker

Edinburgh Greens @edinburghgreens.bsky.social · Aug 13

The Tour de France is coming to Edinburgh in 2027, but sponsors include fossil fuel giants the city should not be advertising.
🚫 ⛽✈️🛢️ 🚫
@cllrbenparker.bsky.social was asked if council rules mean that logos of climate-destroying brands should be removed from the picture when the Tour passes through.

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Ben Parker @cllrbenparker.bsky.social · Aug 4

As your Councillor, I hold a monthly drop-in surgery at Morningside Library from 4-5pm on the 2nd Thursday of each month 💬📅📚

There is no need to book — just call in! The library is wheelchair accessible and I'm happy to accommodate any access needs you might have, just let me know how 👨‍🦯🧏

Surgery poster. In the top half of the image, Ben is smiling against a background of tenement buildings set against the blue sky. Text overlay in "bubble" style writing reads: Surgery with Councillor Ben Parker. A banner is in the middle of the image with contact details: cllr.ben.parker@edinburgh.gov.uk; @CllrBenParker; 0131 529 4055 x 34055. The bottom half of the image reads: "at Morningside Library, every 2nd Thursday of the month from 4-5pm. At my surgery I am happy to: Help with any issues you are experiencing; Discuss any ideas you have about the city or local area; Sign documents and take declarations. Please note that surgeries will only be held during school term time."

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Reposted by Ben Parker

Kate Nevens (she/her) @katenevens.bsky.social · Aug 3

Had a lovely morning doorknocking with Cllr Ben Parker in Marchmont yesterday. Lots of great conversations; gathered some council casework to take forward; and got a few folk registered to vote 💚

@cllrbenparker.bsky.social
@edinburghgreens.bsky.social

Kate and Ben sitting in the sun on a wall in Marchmont, holding up a Vote Green clipboard and a copy of Green News

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Ben Parker @cllrbenparker.bsky.social · Jul 13

What did I get up to in June 2025? 🌳🙋‍♂️

Read my latest blog post now and subscribe for future updates: cllrbenparker.substack.com 🖥️📝

What did I get up to in June 2025?

5 updates from June 2025

open.substack.com

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Reposted by Ben Parker

Edinburgh Greens @edinburghgreens.bsky.social · Jun 26

Polls are open in Fountainbridge-Craiglockhart! A Green [1] vote can stop a second Tory councillor for the ward, deliver fresh ideas and new energy to Edinburgh council.

Campaign poster for Q Manivannan, Scottish Greens candidate for Fountainbridge-Craiglockhart, encouraging people to vote in today's by-election

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Ben Parker @cllrbenparker.bsky.social · Jun 21

I’m so excited for Thursday — fingers crossed we can get @qmanivannan.bsky.social elected! I’d be so excited to work with them in the City Chambers #VoteQ1 🗳️🌱

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Reposted by Ben Parker

🏖️ AWAY ON LEAVE 🏖️ Cllr Claire Miller 💚 @cllrcmiller.bsky.social · Jun 20

Edinburgh Council has agreed to evaluate a four day week for our workers after my motion was passed yesterday at our full council meeting

“Council to look into giving workers four-day week” www.bbc.com/news/article...

Edinburgh council to look into giving workers four-day week

One councillor argued that it could help tackling staffing and morale problems at the council.

www.bbc.com

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Reposted by Ben Parker

Merchiston Districts Community Council @merchistoncc.bsky.social · Jun 20

📐🚗🚶‍♀️🚴🏾‍♀️👩🏼‍🦼We have seen draft plans for the new Polwarth junction design, and they look good! We believe these improvements address our community's safety concerns.

🗓️Public consultation starts later in the summer.

🗣️Your voice will be crucial at this stage – we need to show support for these changes!

New Polwarth junction designs are coming soon – Merchiston Community Council

Get the latest updates on how we are representing community interests and views in Merchiston.

merchistoncc.org.uk

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Ben Parker @cllrbenparker.bsky.social · Jun 12

And a reminder that you can subscribe to my blog here: cllrbenparker.substack.com .. thanks!

Ben Parker @cllrbenparker.bsky.social · Jun 12

It's that time of the month again where I share my latest blog post 📝📅

Read on to find out more about work I'm doing on the Tour de France, supporting BANZAI's cargo bike library, Council retrofitting and more! ⤵️ 🚲 🏡

open.substack.com/pub/cllrbenp...

What did I get up to in May 2025?

5 updates from May 2025

open.substack.com

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Reposted by Ben Parker

Iris Duane 🇵🇸🇺🇦 @irisduane.bsky.social · Jun 10

Fantastic evening out in Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart for our great candidate Q‼️

So many people excited on the doors to #VoteGreen1 on the 26th of June💚

I’ve certainly got a good feeling about this one 👀

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Ben Parker @cllrbenparker.bsky.social · Jun 6

Thanks Nigel

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Ben Parker @cllrbenparker.bsky.social · Jun 5

Thanks Sara — I’ll flag it as a problem stretch in case it’s not been raised previously ✅

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Ben Parker @cllrbenparker.bsky.social · Jun 5

You can read my full speech 💬 from the meeting here ⤵️

Calling for a ban on arms companies testing in public parks

After hearing news that arms company Leonardo were testing equipment in the Braid Hills, I brought a motion to the Council calling for a ban on such activities in the future.

open.substack.com

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