Energy Bill debate: Success has many parents...

Oliver Hayes

16 September 2011

"It was only when Chris Huhne was standing at the despatch box that I realised just how important all that letter writing really is."

That's from a heartwarming email I got last night from one of our brilliant local group members, Kate.

Along with a gaggle of staff and volunteers from Friends of the Earth offices, Kate joined us for the final debate of the Government's Energy Bill in the House of Commons on Wednesday.

Rather than dealing with where our energy comes from (that's coming in 'Energy Bill II: The Big Six Strike Back' later in the year) this bill aims to address energy waste in our homes and communities.

And just 5 short hours into the debate we had a major campaign success - the Minister announcing that, for the first time, independent experts will give local councils advice on tackling climate change.

This is a real breakthrough, and the culmination of two years' hard work by thousands of Friends of the Earth supporters. Those of us lucky enough to be there grinned and cheered (quietly) on your behalf.

But despite recognising the importance of this issue, the Government still showed resistance to many other important improvements to the Bill.

For instance there are loopholes you could drive an (electric) truck through in the plans for bringing to an end the nightmare of cold rented homes. Many Labour MPs (and a sizeable number of Lib Dems) shared our concerns and voted accordingly.

And while that in itself was intriguing, it was almost eclipsed by the pantomime of the voting process. Westminster's finest yelled 'Aye' or 'Nooo' before filing out of the room and back in through the appropriate doors, shuffling along like emperor penguins.

But among all the confusion, what became clear was that some MPs really are concerned with doing the right thing for the environment and social justice.

Labour's shadow ministers Luciana Berger and Huw Irranca-Davies, for instance, never gave up calling for carbon-cutting advice for councils.

And John Leech, the Manchester Withington MP, really stuck his neck out by forcing a vote on the issue of cold rented homes. He lost the vote, but worse was to come.

Maybe detecting a lack of party loyalty, Secretary of State Chris Huhne delivered a metaphorical punch to the kidneys as he remarked, staring straight at Mr Leech, that "failure is an orphan". That hardly seemed fair - let alone constructive.

Most of all though, I was struck by how Friends of the Earth's grassroots campaigning translates to real impact on our politicians. We were name-checked several times in the debate, and more importantly we'd led - and won - the arguments on key issues.

Thanks to everyone who's taken action on this campaign. I hope Kate and others feel inspired to keep on writing those letters. It works.

Ollie Hayes, Parliamentary team