Unlike its 2010 equivalent, the Labour Party's Green Plan, launched today, contains no mention at all of cycling or transportation policy.
The Labour Party today presented its environmental mini-manifesto, the Green Plan, outlining the steps it will take if elected to tackle climate change, protect the environment and deal with air pollution.
Transportation accounts for around a quarter of UK greenhouse gas emissions, according to Government figures and the Green Party devotes an entire chapter of its manifesto to transport. You might therefore expect some commitment in the Green Plan to limiting CO2 emissions from transportation, but it's not there.
Along with walking, cycling is the most environmentally benign way of getting around, with a minimal contribution to greenhouse gas production or other atmospheric pollution.
In excluding transportation from its Green Plan, the Labour Party has missed the opportunity to detail how it will "promote cycling", as promised in its main manifesto.
It's a substantial change from Labour's 2010 paper, A green future fair for all, which committed Labour to supporting cycling as a means of reducing transport emissions.
In that paper, the party pledged to "drive down emissions from all forms of transport" with "support for buses, cycling and walking".
In particular, the 2010 Labour 'green manifesto' pledged to adopt "strategies to increase cycling and walking."
It cited the Cycle Demonstration and Sustainable Travel Towns and said: "Our new Urban Challenge Fund will provide finance for local authorities that establish ambitious sustainable travel plans with cycling, walking and public transport at their heart."
The new Green Plan was launched by Maria Eagle and Caroline Flint, the Labour Party's Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and Shadow Secretary of State for Energy & Climate Change respectively in the last Parliament. We have contacted Ms Eagle and Ms Flint to seek clarification regarding the omission of transportation policy.
11 thoughts on “Is Labour back-pedalling on green commitment to cycling?”
Why do you expect any
Why do you expect any political party to keep their word at any time?
This would be the Labour
This would be the Labour Party that’s “going to end to war on the British motor”
WTF does that mean ? There are more twat in car than at any other time.
Given some of the comments at
Given some of the comments at the start of the election campaign, it looks like someone has gone through and removed any reference that might be considered anti-motorist under the belief that it’s a vote loser.
If you object to this, do please use facilities such as CTC’s VoteBike to raise the profile of cycling as an issue. If you’re a Labour party member, please punch someone appropriate.
I’m a Labour party member and
I’m a Labour party member and keen cyclist.
To be honest I am more concerned about removing the bedroom tax, reducing the use of zero hour contracts, raising the minimum wages, reducing tuition fees and ensuring VAT isn’t raised.
If Labour get in and do these things I will be pleased. Either way, I won’t be punching anyone!
This isn’t the place for
This isn’t the place for political spats but if you believe that there is a bedroom tax then you are beyond help.
as for the rest of the poppycock spouted by the Ed drones I hope the scales will fall from your eyes.
ps. There’s still no money left, thanks Labour!
runskiprun wrote:This isn’t
Of course there is a bedroom tax, officially called the ‘Under-occupancy penalty’
“In August 2013 The Independent newspaper released figures that it argued show that 96% of people that will be impacted by the changes are not able to move due to the lack of available social housing.[22]”
A horrible penalty which penalises poor people, many have committed suicide, many will be getting into debt, many have had to visit food banks. You’re a nasty person if you think the bedroom tax is just, shame on you.
kie7077 wrote:runskiprun
so it isn’t a tax then? by your own admission? and tell me how many of these poor people have committed suicide? So why should these people get more state benefit? I’m an amputee and I get zero from the government, nor do I expect to. this whining about ‘the poor’ is pathetic. it is money taken from people who work hard and doled out to those who put nothing back.
Keep drinking the Labour Kool Aid.
I wish you people would grow a brain, Labour is not in it for us, they’re in it for themselves alone.
PS. Labour always run out of other peoples money.
runskiprun wrote: Labour is
Funny because that optimises the Tories, the rich party, the nasty party. The biggest shock is coming when the Tories attack the hard working people who their rich mates don’t pay enough: benefits sanctions for people receiving child or working tax credits if they can’t show that they’ve been spending all of their time both working and looking for a higher paid job.
Tax cuts and loop holes for the rich and corporations whilst freezing child benefit – that’s the Tory way.
Chris James wrote:
If Labour
It’d make a change if they did what they say.
Cheers for that runskiprun.
Cheers for that runskiprun. Seems like me, and the National Housing Association are beyond hope then. Roll on May 7th.
PS I bet you still call the Poll Tax the Community Charge!
There’s only one way to find
There’s only one way to find out – go on, you know you want to!