June 1st, 2009 | Climate Change, Locals Taking Action Join in the discussion, there are 4 comments »
Four Candidates Silent on Climate Questions
Four of the thirteen local candidates in this week’s Shropshire Council elections appear to have chosen not to respond to the Shropshire Environmental Alliance’s questions about climate change, put to them by Stretton Climate Care (See our letter of invitation by clicking here).
All candidates were asked to reply by Friday 29 May. Most candidates have replied (see their responses by clicking here), but we have received no reply from
Cecilia MOTLEY – Conservative – Corvedale
David EVANS – Conservative – Church Stretton and Craven Arms
James GIBSON – Conservative – Church Stretton and Craven Arms
James WHITTALL – BNP – Church Stretton and Craven Arms
We are disappointed by this failure to respond. Climate change transcends political boundaries; it is an international threat and every candidate putting himself or herself forward to represent us should at least have a view on these matters that they are prepared to reveal to the electorate. Given the general disenchantment with politics at all levels, it is sad that some candidates apparently do not wish their views to be compared with those of others.
We must leave it to you to decide whether the failure of these four candidates to respond to us is significant enough for you to take it into account when casting your vote. We reiterate our disappointment at their lack of response. It will not stop us seeking to engage with whoever is elected, but it would have been preferable for us to have been able to inform voters of the views of ALL candidates.
The responses of all candidates in the Shropshire elections can be found on the Green Shropshire website.
Loading ...
Thanks for this, it has really helped me decide who to vote for. Climate change issues are so VERY IMPORTANT and I will only vote for people who take them seriously and are prepared to take the action needed to help.
But the two candidates from one party who did not respond were the ones who were elected!! There is something to think about here!
I think David has a point; actually, of the four candidates elected in the area served by Stretton Climate Care (all conservatives) only one replied – and he was the first response we had. So at least one elected councillor has views on climate change that he was prepared to share with the electorate. We shall just have to engage with the others to find out how they will respond to the increasingly urgent issues that will arise. Make no mistake – unless we all do something pretty radical in the next few years we shall pay a heavy price in the next few decades. And then it won’t matter what party we voted for.
[...] Conservative-led Council has so far proved nervous about committing itself in this way and its candidates last May were notably reticent in responding to our requests for their views on climate change. [...]