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Majority of Welsh MPs back climate change law

12 Oct 2006

The majority of Welsh MPs are backing calls for a climate change law to be introduced in the next session of Parliament. The law would commit the UK to make annual reductions in its carbon dioxide emissions, as called for by The Big Ask, Friends of the Earth’s climate campaign.

Friends of the Earth Cymru has praised the twenty eight MPs in Wales who have signed a motion in favour of the law amid growing concern about what climate change could mean for the region and the wider world. Of the forty MPs in Wales, a number are unable to sign because of their ministerial roles with the government.

Well over half of MPs in the House of Commons, representing a majority from each of the political parties, support the introduction of a law to cut carbon dioxide emission annually [1].

During the next few weeks, many Welsh MPs will face tough questions on climate change from constituents taking part in a month of action in support of Friends of the Earth’s campaign. Local people will be asking their MP to write to the Prime Minister to highlight the need for a climate change law and to include it in the Queen’s Speech in November.

Friends of the Earth Cymru spokesperson, Gordon James, said:

“We are very pleased with the support that Welsh MPs have given to our campaign for a new law to help tackle climate change. Almost all MPs in Wales who are able to sign an Early Day Motion have done so. We believe that this reflects the growing concern amongst the public about the threat posed by climate change and the need for effective action.

“Climate change, if left unchecked, will mean disaster for people across the world and Wales is no exception. For example, as most Welsh people live on or near the coast, they are likely to suffer from the effects of rising sea levels and stormier weather.

“However, the region also has the potential to lead the way in implementing the solutions to climate change. Wales has an abundance of natural resources, such as wind, wave and tidal power, which could be harnessed to produce clean energy and also benefit the economy.

“People realize the impact which climate change will have on their lives and the lives of their children and they are justifiably worried. But dangerous climate change can be avoided if governments act decisively and act now. A law would ensure the UK makes the cuts in emissions that are needed.

“The law would also give government and business the confidence they need to invest in the solutions to climate change. It would ensure the UK plays its part in keeping temperatures from rising above danger levels and would set an example that the rest of the world could follow.”

Yesterday (Oct 10th), many MPs gathered outside the House of Commons to meet an actress dressed up as a green Queen in order to highlight the need for a climate change bill to be included in the Queen’s speech at the opening of parliament in November. Some Welsh MPs, including Lebmit Opik, Paul Flynn, John Smith, Roger Williams, Mark Williams, Jenny Willott and Hywel Williams attended.

The Queen's Speech will be read out by the Queen when the new session of Parliament begins, but its content is decided by the Prime Minister and Cabinet. It sets out the Bills the Government will bring to Parliament in the following year. A Climate Change Bill needs to be included in the speech, to signify that the Government will make available time for Parliament to debate and pass such a Bill into law.

Friends of the Earth is also a member of the Stop Climate Chaos coalition which launches the ‘I Count’ campaign today. ‘I Count’ is designed to inspire personal and political action and counter the view that climate change is too big a problem to fix. More information can be found at: www.icount.org.uk .

ENDS

NOTES FOR EDITORS

[1] 393 MPs – over half of all UK MPs from across the political spectrum have signed Early Day Motion (EDM) 178 calling for a climate change law. Please note that convention dictates that Government Ministers and their counterparts in opposition parties do not sign EDMs. Full details of the EDM can be found at: http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=28373

28 Welsh MPs who have backed calls for a climate change law include:

Martin Caton, Labour Party, Gower
Stephen Crabb, Conservative Party, Preseli Pembrokeshire
David Davies, Conservative Party, Monmouth
Paul Flynn, Labour Party, Newport West
Hywel Francis, Labour Party, Aberavon
Nia Griffith, Labour Party, Llanelli
Dai Havard, Labour Party, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney
Sian James, Labour Party, Swansea East
Martyn Jones, Labour Party, Clwyd South
David Jones, Conservative Party, Clwyd West
Elfyn Llwyd, Plaid Cymru, Meirionnydd Nant Conwy
Madeline Moon, Labour Party, Bridgend
Jessica Morden, Labour Party, Newport East
Julie Morgan, Labour Party, Cardiff North
Paul Murphy, Labour Party, Torfaen
Lembit Opik, Liberal Democrat Party, Montgomeryshire
Albert Owen, Labour Party, Ynys Mon
Adam Price, Plaid Cymru, Carmarthen East and Dinefwr
Chris Ruane, Labour Party, Vale of Clwyd
John Smith, Labour Party, Vale of Glamorgan
Mark Tami, Labour Party, Alyn & Deeside
Roger Williams, Liberal Democrat Party, Brecon and Radnorshire
Betty Williams, Labour Party, Conwy
Mark Williams, Liberal Democrat Party, Ceredigion
Hywel Williams, Plaid Cymru, Caernarfon
Jenny Willott, Liberal Democrat Party, Cardiff Central
Dai Davies, Independent, Blaenau Gwent
Don Touhig, Labour (Cooperative) Party, Islwyn

Welsh MPs who have yet to back calls for a climate change law include:

* Nick Ainger, Labour Party, Carmarthen West and Pembrokeshire South
Kevin Brennan, Labour Party, Cardiff West
Chris Bryant, Labour Party, Rhondda
* Ann Clwyd, Labour Party, Cynon Valley
Wayne David, Labour Party, Caerphilly
* Peter Hain, Labour Party, Neath
* David Hanson, Labour Party, Delyn
* Kim Howells, Labour Party, Pontypridd
* Huw Irranca-Davies, Labour Party, Ogmore
Alan Williams, Labour Party, Swansea West
Alun Michael, Labour Party, Cardiff South & Penarth
* Ian Lucas, Labour Party, Wrexham

* Convention dictates that MPs with Government roles, such as minister, whip or parliamentary private secretary, do not sign Early Day Motions.