Charles is endorsed by Queen at Palace summit
‘Time is running out ahead of Brexit’
THE QUEEN has lobbied world leaders on behalf of the Prince of Wales, suggesting they one day choose Charles to succeed her as head of the Commonwealth.
The Queen’s public endorsement of her son is an unprecedented move and came as she officially opened a major Commonwealth summit attended by presidents and prime ministers from across the globe.
Speaking about her wishes is likely to end years of speculation about who will take over as head of the institution her father King George VI first led in the aftermath of the Second World War.
The leaders are due to discuss the issue of Commonwealth succession during the twoday Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which will also see leaders debate topics ranging from a blue charter on ocean conservation to cybersecurity and trade.
With Charles and other senior Royals sitting in front of her in Buckingham Palace’s ballroom, the Queen told the delegates who included Prime Minister Theresa May: “It is my sincere wish that the Commonwealth will continue to offer stability and continuity for future generations, and will decide that one day the Prince of Wales should carry on the important work started by my father in 1949.”
SHADOW ENVIRONMENT Secretary Sue Hayman said Britain’s environmental standards are being put at risk by a lack of legislation being brought forward by the Government to back up proposals such as those set out by Theresa May yesterday.
Plastic straws, drinks stirrers and cotton buds could be banned from sale in England, the Prime Minister said in an address to Commonwealth leaders in London, as she described plastic waste as “one of the greatest environmental challenges facing the world”.
But Labour MP Ms Hayman said she was concerned that none of the Government’s proposals for new environment, farming or animal welfare policies had been firmed up with less than a year to go until Brexit.
She said: “Leadership and action on the environment begins at home.
“The Government has failed to bring forward a single piece of primary legislation on any of their announcements on the environment, farming or animal welfare since the last election.
“With the UK leaving the EU in less than 12 months, there is a worrying lack of preparation to reassure the public that environmental standards won’t suffer.”
A consultation on banning the disposable plastic products outlined by Mrs May will launch later this year in an effort to cut the amount of waste which ends up in rivers and oceans.
Greenpeace has been lobbying for a crackdown on plastic waste and welcomed the announcement but said that far more plastic products had to be banned than just straws, stirrers and cotton buds to make a real difference to the environment.
Louise Edge, senior oceans campaigner at Greenpeace UK, said: “The Government has made a strong move on banning some of the most unnecessary singleuse plastics.
“Reducing the amount of plastic we’re using and discarding is vital for curbing ocean plastic pollution and this could be the start of the elimination of unnecessary throwaway plastic.
“But it is important that the Government follows up by going beyond phasing out plastic stirrers, cotton buds and straws, for those who don’t need them. Other non-recyclable ‘problem plastic’ should also be banned at the earliest opportunity.
“Greenpeace is encouraging retailers to take responsibility for their products, eliminate problem plastics immediately and to phase out single-use plastic in their own-brand products.”
In her address to Commonwealth leaders, Mrs May said: “Plastic waste is one of the greatest environmental challenges facing the world, which is why protecting the marine environment is central to our agenda at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.”
She said the UK Government is a “world leader” on this issue and the British public have shown “passion and energy” embracing the plastic bag charge and microbead ban, as she urged Commonwealth countries to join the fight against marine plastics.
A £61.4m funding package will be used to boost global research and help countries across the Commonwealth improve waste management and stop plastic waste from entering the oceans, she said.
She also urged all Commonwealth countries to sign up to the newly formed Commonwealth Clean Oceans Alliance and take action to eliminate avoidable plastic waste.
Mrs May added: “The Commonwealth is a unique organisation, with a huge diversity of wildlife, environments and coastlines. Together we can effect real change.”
About 8.5bn plastic straws are thrown away each year, potentially contributing to the more than 150m tonnes of plastic in the world’s oceans.
Environment Secretary Michael Gove said retailers, bars and restaurants had already begun to reduce plastic use but, he added, it is only through the Government, business and the public working together that the environment can be protected for the next generation.
“We all have a role to play in turning the tide on plastic,” Mr Gove said.
Other nonrecyclable ‘problem plastic’ should also be banned. Louise Edge, senior oceans campaigner at Greenpeace UK,