Green Liberal Democrats - Party Leadership Election Environmental Q&A 12) Priorities
The Green Liberal Democrats have sent the two leadership candidates a series of questions, to inform party members, through their responses, about their green credentials.
This is the final question we asked. They are presented over the past few days in a randomised order and are the combined effort of several of our members. Please consider coming to our annual conference in Manchester on June 27th (you can pay on the door!).
We will be publishing the full sets of answers in Challenge which will be sent out to all current members of GLD before the polls close.
Q12. What priority would you give to tackling climate change, the energy transition to a zero carbon future and other environmental issues with respect to other issues as Leader of the Liberal Democrats?
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Tim Farron |
Norman Lamb |
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A very high priority. Although inevitably we'll be concentrating on campaigning against many of the Tory government's actions, we also have to make a positive case for Liberalism and Liberal Democrat policies - it's critical to rebuilding the party and establishing ourselves as a serious political player again. I've set out my priorities in a manifesto you can download from my website (http://www.tim2lead.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/click-here.pdf), and you'll see that the top priority is 'Active, ambitious, liberal government to create a new economy - low-carbon, high-skill, innovative, enterprising and resource-efficient'. |
Liberal Democrats must make green issues one of our highest campaigning priorities. As I have stated above, 26 years ago as Leader of the Opposition on Norwich City Council I led a campaign to introduce an '"Environmental Charter" at City Hall - years before green issues had reached the political mainstream. I want to keep leading the way as Party Leader in making the case for decisive action both at home and internationally. We must make the argument loudly and consistently not just on the ethical case for action, but also the practical case - and the profound impact on our way of life if we do not act. The coming decade is critical if we are to avert environmental disaster, and we cannot afford to leave this for the next generation to address. |