On Friday Parliament debated the Second Reading of the Climate and Nature Bill. Many Sheffielders have worked hard for this Bill and have persistently lobbied local MPs. We had gained the commitment of two MPs, Olivia Blake and Abtisam Mohamed, to attend and vote for the Bill. When it came to it, of the Sheffield MPs only Olivia Blake attended the debate. Louise Haigh, my MP, didn’t reply to this letter. After some good contributions on all sides of the House, Parliament voted 120 to 7 to adjourn the debate until July 11th. This almost certainly means it will not become legislation. Unfortunately, Kier Starmer prevented a free vote in the House, making sure all Labour MPs voted to adjourn with a 3-line whip.
Zero Hour organised the campaign for the Bill. Here is their take on Friday’s events.
I think they are being far too kind to Labour. It seems clear to me that supporting the Climate and Nature Bill is incompatible with Labour’s plans to boost Economic Growth, build more runways, build (unsustainable) housing and continue to exploit nature. They haven’t wrecked this bill so that, as Secretary of State Ed Milliband claims, we can “make a meaningful difference for climate and nature”. They have wrecked it in order to continue with business as usual.
I very much hope Mr Miliband will prove me wrong.
Thank you to the 7 MPs who voted against the adjournment. They were
- Shockat Adam Independent
- Siân Berry Green
- Christopher Chope Conservative
- Carla Denyer Green
- Rosie Duffield Independent
- Iqbal Mohamed Independent
- Adrian Ramsay Green
You can read the full debate here.
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