‘Voting down reform was a crass move’

WHEN we consider the current Green focus due to the impending COP26 summit in Glasgow, it’s only right to reflect on our own responses to our ongoing climate emergency and the responses our elected officials have taken.

Our world is in crisis and we face challenges to ensure even a modest rise in temperatures is not catastrophic for global climate change. We must all do what we can to address this ongoing issue.

It seems immensely crass therefore that our elected MPS have failed to vote for the reforms to the Environment Bill proposed by the Lords.

This effectively means our own dear MPS that have attended protests locally to help get our well-known quarry stink shut down have voted against businesses of the same ilk reducing

emissions and stopping the distribution of particles in our atmosphere. Voting against having cleaner air in our area.

Worse still, they have decided to vote down the protections against dumping raw sewage in our rivers.

How can they claim to have any green credentials when this is our current disturbing reality?

Furthermore, locally big businesses seem intent on felling trees in residential areas like Chesterton. Are we really putting profit before planet yet again?

Therefore, before Newcastle becomes a concrete jungle and before our recreation spaces are destroyed, consider joining us to #Savenewcastlesgreensites, and when you next have the opportunity consider voting for a candidate that will put your interests and our community interests before their own.

AIDAN JENKINS