“I’m delighted that Labour supports the CAN Bill’s ambition & objectives!”—Olivia Blake MP
Last Wednesday, 10 May, I was proud to reintroduce the Climate & Nature Bill into the House of Commons with full, cross-party support.
It’s brilliant to count on the backing of the CAN Bill’s co-sponsors, Caroline Lucas MP (Green), Derek Thomas MP (Con), Peter Bottomley MP (Con), Geraint Davies MP (Lab/Co-op), Alan Brown MP (SNP), Brendan O’Hara MP (SNP), Ed Davey MP (Lib Dem), Wera Hobhouse MP (Lib Dem), Liz Saville-Roberts MP (Plaid Cymru), Colum Eastwood MP (SDLP) and Stephen Farry MP (Alliance).
I’m excited to be leading this cross-party effort for the UK to lock—in law—the ambition and the action we need to tackle the environmental crisis. As I said in the Commons last Wednesday: “This is not a matter of partisan politics. It is a matter of survival. It is about providing a sustainable way of life for our nation today—and for generations yet to come.”
And as I wrote about in LabourList, we can’t solve the climate crisis without saving our key ecosystems, restoring habitats, and protecting our much beloved species. I’m proud to say that a Labour Government would deliver a science-led, joined-up plan to tackle the climate and ecological emergency—and the CAN Bill is a critical step in making this plan a reality.
Everyone has a role to play in this shared, global effort—but especially politicians—who must lead from the front in this crucial year for the planet. It’s heartening that so many MPs, local councils, local government leaders—including Camden’s Cllr Georgia Gould and the Mayor of London—have recognised this issue by championing the CAN Bill.
I was delighted that Labour’s frontbench energy and environment leads could join me in a show of support last week, as I took forward this critical piece of new legislation in this parliamentary session. That the Labour Party is backing the “ambition and objectives” of the CAN Bill is a really important next step on the way to getting a full commitment from the Party to take up this Bill. With your help and encouragement, I’ll continue to champion the CAN Bill in Parliament, and across the Labour movement, so that it becomes official Labour policy.
This campaign would not be progressing without all of the essential groundwork that Zero Hour campaigners are carrying out around the UK to ensure that the climate-nature crisis is at the top of the agenda—and the forefront of our minds—in Westminster.
Thank you. You’re making a difference.
Olivia
Olivia Blake
Labour MP for Sheffield Hallam
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