2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003,
2002,
2001,
2000,
1999,
1998,
1997,
1996,
1995,
1994
LABOUR MANIFESTO: HARDLY ENOUGH GREEN FOR A FIG LEAF
16 May 2001
Labour's manifesto has been attacked by pressure group Friends of the
Earth as “notably feeble” on the environmental issues.
- On climate change, Labour has slightly weakened its
1997 promise of a 20% cut in carbon dioxide emissions over 1990 levels
by 2010 (although FOE welcomes its agreement with the Royal Commission
on Environmental Pollution that carbon dioxide levels should be reduced
by 60% by 2050)
- On farming, Labour has not promised a White Paper on
Sustainable Farming, nor to ensure a major expansion in organic
farming
- On GM food, Labour has not promised to make biotech
companies liable for any damage caused by their products
- On transport, Labour has not promised a national
road traffic reduction target, nor to recreate a publicly controlled
and accountable railway network and operations, nor to avoid
build no new roads or road developments that threaten nationally important
protected wildlife areas and National Parks - indeed it boasts of its
plans to build 100 new bypasses!
- On waste, Labour is stuck with its disastrous plans
for new incinerators around Britain,because of its low target for recycling
of only 35% (both the Tories and Liberals have set a target of 50%)
and because it promises only a kerbside recycling scheme “where
appropriate” rather than providing each household with a high quality,
doorstep recycling service
- On pollution, Labour has said nothing about reducing
the high levels of pollution in Britain's poorest communities (mostly
Labour heartlands), nor about phasing out dangerous chemicals in household
products.
Commenting, FOE Director Charles Secrett said:
“Labour's manifesto is notably feeble on the environment. In
some ways it is even weaker than the Party's policy in 1997. Some key
environmental issues, such as cutting pollution in our poorest communities,
are ignored altogether. Others are glossed over with a few warm but superficial
words.
Mr Blair is very lucky that so far in this Election campaign, much
of the media has forgotten the political importance of environmental issues.
He's also lucky that bad as Labour's record is on the environment, the
Tories are now threatening to do even worse.”
Contact details:
Friends of the Earth
26-28 Underwood St.
LONDON
N1 7JQ
Tel: 020 7490 1555
Fax: 020 7490 0881
Web: www.foe.co.uk/feedback.html
