Labour MPs’ take on the Rally for Nature

Here are three examples of responses from Labout MPs to their constituents on the issues raised by the Rally for Nature last week.

You can see that each response is clearly a personal one and that’s why I haven’t revealed the identities of the MPs or their constituents.

I’d be interested in any further responses from Labour, Liberal Democrat or other MPs.

 

‘Thank you for writing to me about the Rally for Nature yesterday, which I was unfortunately was unable to be present at.

I fully support the ultimate aim of the Act: the recovery of nature. A future Labour Government will work to secure that recovery.

Our wildlife is facing unprecedented challenges from climate change and habitat loss. The RSPB¹s State of Nature report concluded that 60 per cent of the wildlife surveyed in the U.K. is in decline. I am deeply concerned that the Government is not doing enough to stop this wildlife loss and overcome the threats to our natural world. It is vital that politicians of all parties face up to this challenge of protecting our environment for future generations.

David Cameron promised to lead the ‘Greenest Government Ever’ but instead his Government has set back efforts to protect Britain¹s wildlife and natural environment. The parliamentary Environmental Audit Committee recently published an environmental scorecard report, using a traffic light system to rate performance in each area. For its record on air pollution, biodiversity, and flooding and coastal protection, the Government received a red rating, meaning that these areas have deteriorated. In fact, in none of the ten areas assessed did the Government receive a green rating.

Labour developed a new approach to environmental policy in government, based upon whole ecosystems rather than individual species or habitats. We commissioned the world’s first National Ecosystem Assessment, made a binding commitment to reverse the decline of biodiversity by 2020 and committed to make space for nature in every region of the UK. Unfortunately this Government has abandoned our approach.

Government has a duty to protect our natural environment and wildlife so that all can enjoy them, including future generations. That¹s why Labour first created our national parks, designated and protected areas of outstanding natural beauty, and opened up land for public access under the right to roam. It is why I have promised that a Labour Government will not sell off our public forests. It is also why we will change the remit of the Forestry Commission so that public money helps to secure the recovery
of our natural environment in the next Parliament.’

 

'Thank you for your email regarding Labour's environmental policy. 
A lot of correspondence that Members of Parliament receive from 
their constituents is regarding animals, wildlife, and our natural
environment. This includes on the subject of circus animals, 
puppy farming, fox hunting, dangerous  dogs, or badger culling. My
postbag is no exception to this. 

The Labour Party has been clear in its opposition to this 
Government's policy on animal welfare. They have pressed ahead
with unscientific badger culls, pressed for the repeal of Labour's
Hunting Act 2004, which outlawed fox hunting and is supported by
80% of the British public, and have failed to legislate to ban  
circuses from using wild animals in this year's Queen's Speech,
something which Labour have promised to do if we are returned to
government. 
 
As a Member of Parliament for a rural constituency, I know how 
much the beautiful scenery and wildlife of the Lake District means
to my constituents, and as someone with a young family and a keen
fellwalker, I regularly enjoy that which the Lakes has to offer. 

It is in everyone's interests that we do what we can to protect
 our natural environment, as the benefits that tourism and 
leisure bring to our local economy are substantial, in
the process supporting thousands of jobs across the county. 

It is clear that this Tory-led Government's record on animals, 
wildlife and the environment has been very poor, and Labour will
continue to do everything in its power to hold the Government 
to account over this. We have a proud record from our 13 years 
in government but there is still much to do. 
 
I will pass on your message to my colleagues in Labour's 
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs team, who will be putting
together Labour's wildlife and nature policy ahead of the 
publication of our 2015 manifesto. 
 
Thank you once again for taking the time to write to me on this matter.'
 

 ‘You would like to see action to protect and restore wildlife. Like you this is an issue I care about and I am worried that the Government has set back efforts to protect Britain’s wildlife and natural environment.

When in government the Labour Party committed to introduce fundamental change in environmental policy and aspired to take an approach based upon whole ecosystems rather than individual species or habitats. This included commissioning of the world UK’s National Ecosystem Assessment, making a binding commitment to reverse the decline of biodiversity by 2020 and committing to make space for nature in every region of the UK. I think it is deeply regrettable that the Government has abandoned this approach.

I hope that the government will listen to the views that arise from the Rally for Nature and Act for Nature Campaign. Please rest assured that my colleagues and i will do all we can to protect wildlife and conserve nature.‘

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