So who predicted that?

1 July 2010

Still hanging

The number of seats won by each party was perhaps not an enormous shock - many thought Cameron was heading for a large minority, or small majority, government - but few guessed it would lead to this full-blown coalition.

Betting how long the coalition will last is a great party game - but it is likely to outlast the year or so that most hung Parliaments manage.

As we imagined... with a sprinkling of hope?

More predictable was that the cuts agenda would dominate the new Parliament - and it has with a vengeance. But what does it all mean for Friends of the Earth's campaigns?

1. We expected the Conservatives to be in Government, but feared the influence of backbenchers and grassroots members who remain unconvinced of the importance of climate change. (A handful even doubt we are causing it.)

But Cameron's rapid embrace of the Liberal Democrats - who had the greenest manifesto of the three parties - is a big buffer against this.

2. The overall challenge is to stop the economic situation driving environmental issues off the agenda.

Remember Lord Stern's report found that preventing climate change was cheaper than coping with it? In our current economic state it's even more important to take his advice.

Rebuilding the economy is also a chance to switch paths to a low carbon future - the slogan in Obama's White House is 'never let a crisis go to waste'. This is a message that we need to convey in the UK too.

No change to our goals

As far as our major campaigns are concerned, we must press on.

1. Get Serious About CO2 aims to start delivering the change we need on the ground, by getting councils tackling climate change at the rate that science shows is needed.

People need to see Government making changes in their own streets and towns - homes being improved, renewable energy in public buildings, new transport solutions and electric cars - if they're to believe this really is serious.

2. Fixing the Food Chain remains crucial too - to date, climate policy has focussed on power stations, buildings and transport, but ignored farming and food.

Just because farming mostly happens in the countryside, and much of it is green in colour, doesn't stop it having a massive impact on our climate too. And the drive to produce feeds in sensitive areas like rainforests means wildlife and biodiversity are destroyed.

But now we have an MP taking a Bill forward in Parliament to tackle these issues, we have a real chance to get them taken as seriously as the ones that have chimneys attached. Find out more about the progress of this bill here.

Game on!

If you have the same MP as before - keep going.

If your MP is new, remember that whatever party they're from, local people and groups are still best placed to persuade them of the importance of action. He or she may have a slightly different take than your previous MP, and perhaps be more motivated to save fuel by energy security worries rather than by climate change.

Either way - the fact that local voters have the most say hasn't changed.

So please keep at it - we can't do it without you!

Check back on Martyn's previous parliamentary what if article in Change Your World 82.