A grouse shooter’s moll and Defra minister. Photo: Natural England In a closely argued, fact-packed and loquacious answer to a short question from Rachael Maskell MP (Central York, Labour) we learn much about the workings of Therese Coffey’s mind. Surely, rather than ‘no’, the grouse shooters’ moll meant ‘no comment, no comment, no comment‘? Michael…
Tag: Defra
‘To save the environment from a Conservative government’ – Michael Gove
I’ve never used an autocue but they can work out a bit badly. I’m pretty sure that Michael Gove said in his speech something about saving the environment from a Conservative government. Well, maybe he said something about how there is lots of action, to save the environment, from a Conservative government. Maybe the autocue…
Your wildlife champions?
There are plenty of reasons why MPs were unable to attend the Walk for Wildlife in London on Saturday – and plenty of good reasons too. And there are plenty of good reasons why lots of other supporters of the event were unable to attend. But of the nearly 40 MPs who have signed up…
Three more gone – Defra’s plan is wholly inadequate.
Hen Harrier, Hilma. Photo: Steve Downing. Hen Harrier, Octavia. Photo: Steve Downing Hen Harrier, Heulwen. Photo: Guy Anderson. Three more young Hen Harriers have disappeared – all in areas of driven grouse shooting. See the RSPB Skydancer blog for details. Rory Stewart’s Hen Harrier Inaction Plan is working very, very badly – just as many…
Start the rewilding now Mr Gove – the people have spoken.
On a hot summer’s night the people spoke – the vote at the end of last night’s rewilding debate in London was 52% in favour of rewilding the uplands and a mere 39% against. If 52% (actually a smidgeon under) v 48% (actually a smidgeon over, and without counting the don’t knows and did not…
Defra FOI fail
Comments Off on Defra FOI fail
Dear Defra I sent you an FOI request at 1:58pm on 9 March. You acknowledged it with an automated response at 1:59 on 9 March as follows: Thank you for your email. We have a target of replying to emails within 15 working days where a response is required, and 20 working days where…
Gove questioned over Hen Harriers – and spectacularly doesn’t answer!
In a bit of a coup, Rob Yorke got an exclusive interview with Michael Gove – I’m almost jealous. There are some interesting things in the interview – all words dropping out of the mouths of senior politicians are somewhat interesting, as much in what they don’t say as what they do. But Rob Yorke…
The PM’s environment speech – a few thoughts from me
Yesterday I wrote that these were some things to look out for in Theresa May’s environment speech: is it all about climate change and plastic or does wildlife get a proper mention? is it all about the financial value of being green – or is there any moral imperative? is there any mention of wildlife…
The PM’s environment speech – the reaction
Responses to Theresa May’s environment speech: Greenpeace: We need a 25-month emergency plan for nature, not a 25-year vision Commenting on Theresa May’s speech on the environment and the publication of the government’s 25-year plan for nature, Greenpeace UK’s executive director John Sauven said: ‘Britain’s natural environment needs a 25-month emergency plan more than…
The Conservative environment
So, no ministerial changes in Defra (and no pulse quickening ministerial changes at all in the Conservative reset). It’s a pity that Therese Coffey keeps her job but we must all look forward to the government response to the invisible Jane Griggs’s e-petition in favour of grouse shooting with its claim that birds of prey…