Williams Supports 10:10 Motion

10.30.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 21st Oct 2009

10:10 is an important campaign, which is designed to commit the Government and public sector to achieve a ten per cent reduction in carbon emissions by the end of 2010. Now is the time for action on climate change and it was in this light that the Liberal Democrats put before Parliament the following motion for debate on 21st October 2009:

"That this House believes it is vital that the UK demonstrates political leadership at all levels in response to the climate crisis, and that this is particularly important ahead of the United Nations Climate Change summit in Copenhagen if there is to be an international agreement which will avert the worst effects of catastrophic climate change; further believes that immediate practical responses to the crisis should include a massive expansion of renewable energy and energy efficiency and a commitment for all homes in Britain to be warm homes within ten years; acknowledges that action taken now to tackle the climate crisis will cost less than action taken in the future; notes the declared support of Labour and Conservative frontbenchers to the objective of the 10:10 campaign which calls for 10 per cent greenhouse gas emission reductions by the end of 2010; agrees that the House will sign up to the 10:10 campaign; calls on Her Majesty's Government and all public sector bodies now to make it their policy to achieve a 10 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by the end of 2010; and further calls on the Government to bring a delivery plan before this House by the end of 2009 on how these objectives will be achieved."

Stephen says, 'My Liberal Democrat colleagues and I voted in favour of this motion, we were joined by the Conservatives and nationalists. Unfortunately, the Labour Government Whips instructed their MPs to vote against the motion and it was therefore defeated. I would prefer that climate change did not become a party political issue; however, the Labour party has had twelve years in government and failed for too long to take the serious action needed to prevent the climate crisis.

I must say I find the Government's opposition to including the House of Commons in the 10:10 programme most bizarre. It serves to perpetuate the impression of Parliament being out of tune with most of the public.'

Stephen will continue to fight for swifter action on climate change.