Mike Pratt, NWT CEO, and Criag Bennett, The Wildlife Trusts' CEO, at the Restore Nature Now march.
Now that the chaos of electioneering is over and a Labour government is in office, we need to ‘ramp up’ our campaigning efforts.
The Restore Nature Now march in London on Saturday 22nd June, two weeks before the general election, highlighted the passion and demand from almost 100,000 people of all ages, persuasions and backgrounds to put nature at the centre of future decisions when discussing the UK’s health, economy, and communities.
The North Northumberland Environmental Hustings organised Northumberland Wildlife Trust and Friends of The Earth Alnwick in June underlined the depth and strength of feeling about environmental issues. The event was absolutely packed - a clear indication that, for Northumbrians, the environment is an essential part of daily life. It was great to talk to the candidates there of all persuasion and we were pleased to note the interest of the new MP for North Northumberland, David Smith, in our rewilding at West Chevington and green finance initiatives.
Nationally, The Wildlife Trust will now work tirelessly to influence the new Labour leadership, MPs, and ministers and in this region, we will continue to foster and renew relationships with all MPs, new and well established, to ensure they are aware of our ground-breaking conservation work and our vision for change for the better for nature recovery locally.
It’s now time to turn all those pre-election words and promises into action to ensure we have a wilder future across the UK.
Rest assured; we will be right at the forefront making sure such promises are honoured. In fact, we want more than that! We want this new government to really up the game for nature and make a lasting difference to nature gain and climate resilience. We need to see a real difference. After all, nature isn’t an add on, it’s at the centre of all of our lives and livings. Hopefully our new local MPs will rise to that call.