Archived press release

BRITANNIA SCHOOL: COULD DO BETTER New Labour Scores 4/10 on Green Test After Year One

30 April 1998

New Labour has scored only 4/10 on its green record, according to Britain's most influential environmental pressure group, Friends of the Earth. Labour took power promising to “put the environment at the heart of Government” and to be “the first truly green Government ever” . But FOE has published a “School Report” assessing the first year performance of a series of key Ministers, showing that most are getting failing marks. (The full series of reports is available from FOE on request.)

Reports include:

TONY BLAIR Mark 4/10

Good: Leadership at the 1997 Earth Summit, demanding tough international action to reduce carbon dioxide emissions
Bad: Failing to ensure action to meet Labour's promise of a UK CO2 cut of 20%over 1990 levels by 2010, and not ensuring a Wildlife Bill (or any environmental Bill) in the Queen's Speech

GORDON BROWN Mark 3/10

Good: Promising to make sustainable development an objective of Treasury policy
Bad: Failing to use the Budget to achieve radical green targets

JOHN PRESCOTT Mark 6/10

Good: Work on integrated transport policy, and co-operation with Environment Minister Michael Meacher
Bad: Reversing a planning decision at Peddimore, West Midlands, on development in the green belt, and failing to intervene to stop development at West of Stevenage, Rainham Marshes and elsewhere

FRANK DOBSON Mark 6/10

Good: A clear understanding of the relationship between the environment, inequality and public health
Bad: Failing to act on environmental issues which affect health, and particularly failing to back a VAT cut on energy saving materials

JACK CUNNINGHAM Mark 3/10

Good: Some increase in support for organic farming
Bad: Failure to act decisively on genetically engineered food, and a continuing belief in the future of nuclear power

MICHAEL MEACHER Mark 7/10

Good: General support for environmental principles, action to protect wildlife at Offham marshes and Thorne Moors, a promise to tackle sea pollution, and support for the listing of mahogany under the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species
Bad: Failing to secure Government backing for a Wildlife Bill.

Other Ministers reviewed are Margaret Beckett, Ron Davies, Clare Short, Gavin Strang,Tessa Jowell, Peter Mandelson, and Dawn Primarolo. Mr Mandelson's report concludes:
“Focus groups are not renowned for their dramatic insights or new approaches to policy; that is the job of what we are told is a visionary and forward looking Government. So long as the Boy Without Portfolio remains the Boy Without Direction, because of his obsession with market research, there will be little progress in integrating environmental targets across policy areas. This requires new ideas and foresight, not the slippery arts of public relations.”

Overall, FOE Executive Director, and Britannia School Head Teacher, Charles Secrett is able to give the New Labour Form no more than 4/10 on its environmental record.Commenting, he said:

“I am sorry not to be able to report better progress by the class this year. Many are bright and well-motivated boys and girls. But they have a bad habit of mistaking rhetoric for reality and promises for performance. Next year the class will be judged in particular on whether they really try to meet the promised 20% cut in CO2 emissions, and on whether they finally come up with some green legislation,particularly a Wildlife Bill to protect our best nature reserves. So far the verdict must be: could do better”.

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust