MP calls for wartime spirit when it comes to climate change

MP Chris Williamson, Shadow Minister for Communities and Local Government called for changes in the way politicians deal with environmental issues. He said: “I recognise that climate change is the […]

MP Chris Williamson, Shadow Minister for Communities and Local Government called for changes in the way politicians deal with environmental issues.

He said: “I recognise that climate change is the biggest challenge facing the planet. The problem with politics is, given the electoral cycle, it is based upon the short-term. It is the next election people look forward to. The key thing has got to be to try and build a cross-party consensus, similar to the one that was developed after the Second World War on the welfare state.”

Speaking at the World Preservation Foundation’s conference in Westminster he talked of the success he found in his Derby constituency: “We set ourselves a target to make it a sustainable city by 2025. We wanted to build a consensus with other public sector organisations but also the wider general public and the business community.”

He added: “This is a topic I’m very passionate about, but certainly I’d be keen to work with the people on this platform today to make the arguments in the house to try and win people over. Hopefully with your support we can make a difference.”

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