MP backs local Friends of the Earth activists 'Big Ask'

2.55.02pm GMT Fri 6th Oct 2006

Lynne Featherstone MP and member of Hornsey Friends of the Earth

Lynne Featherstone, Lib Dem MP for Hornsey & Wood Green, has thrown her full weight behind Friends of the Earth 'Big Ask' campaign and has strongly called for the Prime Minister to make sure the Climate Change Bill is included the forthcoming Queen's speech, the schedule of the government's legislative programme.

Meeting with local Friends of the Earth activists, who presented her with over 400 postcards from people all around her constituency, Ms. Featherstone has enthusiastically backed the campaign which would see legally enforceable targets for reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 3% every year.

Ms. Featherstone also took the opportunity to talk to activists about the Lib Dem's Green Switch campaign. At their September conference, the Lib Dem became the first national party to adopt a firm policy of green taxes that would see the biggest polluters pay the most taxes as a means of tackling the causes of climate change.

Lynne Featherstone comments:

"On top of these cards I have been given, my postbag is literally tearing at the seams with climate change letters. This is the number one national issue that my constituents want to see action on and rightly so.

"Without urgent and concrete action such as this bill, it will simply be too late. This government came to power with promises of 20% reduction of 1990 emission levels by 2010 and now it looks like they will barely meet the Kyoto requirements.

"It's seems politically fashionable to be concerned about climate change with even the Tories belatedly trying to get in on the act, but it's clear that the people of Hornsey & Wood Green want more than gimmicks and empty promises - it's time for this government to put their money where their mouth is."

To find out more about the Green Taxes Switch, please visit www.greentaxswitch.com

ENDS

Notes to editor:

• For further details on the 'Big Ask' campaign http://www.foe.org.uk/campaigns/climate/press_for_change/big_month/index.html