New Forest FoE Lobby MPs at Westminster

Members of NFFoE joined other local FoE groups in Westminster on July 9th to support The Climate Coalition "Act Now Change Forever" parliamentary lobby of MPs to demand that the Government produces a robust and fair Climate Plan in October. The Climate Coalition reports that around 5000 activists from all different affiliations and walks of life met for the nationwide lobby.

Our group members met Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West MP) at the Westminster Methodist Hall. (Sir Julian Lewis, New Forest East MP, was unavailable and so members will instead meet him in August at his constituency office). 

The five points we would like as a minimum in the Climate Plan were discussed with him :

1. The Government must keep its promise to cut carbon emissions by at least 68% by 2030, utilising experts’ knowledge and the public’s feedback. The government's climate plan must include policies that its independent advisor, the Climate Change Committee, says are credible. DS response: Supports in principle , particularly for energy security, but concerned that the electricity costs will become too high as we become more reliant on renewable to replace fossil fuels. Supports Ed Milliband for price reform of electricity. Concerned that currently the National Grid cannot cope with peak renewable energy input, and the Government needs to invest in this (in-line with Ed Milliband)

2. The plan should invest in our future by funding local, national and international climate action. Empower local authorities to help meet the UK’s climate targets by giving them funding and the mandate to do so. At a national level, raise taxes on polluting industries, carbon-intensive luxury goods and investment income of the ultra-rich. DS response: Admitted that the Tory government warm homes subsidy had been a complete disaster, but wondered if giving money locally would solve the problems any better, particularly if HCC and NFDC will no longer exist under the new reorganisation.

3. The plan should ensure everyone can live in a warm home powered by cheap, clean energy. We need immediate and on-going support for people who cannot afford eye-watering bills. We also need an emergency programme to insulate our heat-leaking home.  DS response: Understood the sense in this, particularly when I pointed out that according to the NFW hand-out there were over 24,000 poorly insulated housed in his constituency. However he said the Government would say they do not currently have the money

4. The plan must deliver affordable, reliable public transport and clean air. DS response: Supported in principle. Was proud to point out that he cycled every week from Burley to Brockenhurst station. Complained that no-one used the one bus service a day through Burley!

5. The plan must be fair – It must help people find well-paid green jobs, especially sectors and communities at risk of being left behind. DS response: He was concerned that the big push for renewables was making fossil fuel employees jobless (probably get the same response from Lewis with Fawley in mind), although saw the advantages in long term growth. I pointed out that on-shore wind is both labour-intensive to build and cheapest form of renewables. DS retorted he was not a fan of on-shore, and we had plenty of room off-shore.

We then asked Sir Desmond to:

A)          Write to Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves and Ed Miliband to ask for their support for a bold and fair climate plan emphasising the five points above. DS response : Non-committal

B)           Attend the Westminster de

bate organised by The Climate Coalition on the Climate Plan (date and venue TBD). DS response : Would attend if given good notice

C)           Ask a Parliamentary question on the issue. DS response : Says he asks a lot of questions already, so will ask a question on the subject (maybe price reform).

Conclusion : Sir Desmond is on the Conservative Environmental Forum so has interest in green matters. He came across fairly supportive of a robust Climate plan, however has concerns that rushing to net zero it will cost consumers unless price reform occurs.

Please help in our lobbying by emailing Sir Desmond Swayne (NFW) or Sir Julian Lewis (NFE) and asking for the points above to be implemented in the Government's forthcoming Climate Plan.

Contributed by Rick Kimber