An Environmental Challenge to Labour

As Labour start their 2007 Conference in Bournemouth today, all the talk is of a possible General Election. Every opinion poll gives Gordon Brown a big lead. A critical polling question is ‘Who would make the best Prime Minister?’ Brown wins hands down. He scores 54 per cent compared to David Cameron on 21 per cent.

It is a strong position built on messages that have played well for Labour over the past 10 years: the economy, the NHS and education. But where does this leave the environment? Where does this leave the fundamental questions of tackling climate change, over consumption, and the depletion of our natural resources?

On the current evidence, none of these issues will feature in a General Election. Gordon Brown barely mentions domestic climate change issues. The simple truth is that, until the environment ranks in the top three issues of concern to voters, our politicians only pay it lip service.

But it needn’t be like this: it should be possible for our politicians to lead the debate and set the agenda. They can do this when they want. Take Brown’s focus on International Development. He gave momentum to the wrist band movement Make Poverty History. And when David Cameron was at his most popular he focussed on the environment and pushed it up the agenda.

Brown probably has more support now than he has ever had. We might be coming up to a General Election, but that is no excuse for inaction. Brown must use his position to make an issue out of the environment by putting forward radical policies that will tackle the UK’s CO2 emissions and show the world that we can meet the climate challenge.

He likes to concentrate on international agreements on carbon emissions; but unless we deal with the problem at home we will be in no position to lead the world towards a solution. We have to hope that Labour will step up to the plate this week in Bournemouth.