NEW GROUND SPRING 2015 Campaigning For Environmental Change & Social Justice

Is this our last chance to save the planet?

election special 2015

Maria Eagle MP The NeXT on Labour’s plans for the Generation natural environment Labour’s Greenest Candidates MP on why this is the most important election for the environment Welcome to this election election special edition special of New Ground. 2015

Many are saying that this election at the . is the last chance to safeguard our In this edition of New Ground we environment. We are witnessing highlight many of these, with articles record losses to our nation from Caroline Flint, soon to be our and planet’s biodiversity. The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate negotiations in Paris Climate Change and , About in 2015 – and the actions that the next Secretary of State for the New Ground is published by follow – are being seen as the last Environment. We’ve also featured SERA, Labour’s environment hope of keeping global climate some SERA members who are campaign www.sera.org.uk change within 2 degrees. standing as candidates – including Email: [email protected] details of how you can help their Voters are facing a stark choice campaigns to become Labour MPs. If you would like to contribute between a Tory Government to future editions or join our that has been strong on green I look forward to hearing about mailing list, please contact rhetoric but slow on green action, your experiences on the campaign Melanie Smallman, Co-Chair at and a Labour Government with trail, which we will highlight in the [email protected] a strong record and passionate next edition of New Ground. The views expressed in New commitment to the environment. Ground are those of the Best wishes authors and not necessarily SERA members can be proud of Melanie Smallman those of the editor, SERA its Labour’s manifesto, which we Co-Chair, SERA executive or its members. helped influence through our role April 2015

contents WELCOME 2 NEWS News in Brief 3 NEWS Big Six Pamphlet 3 NEWS East Coast 4 NEWS Parliamentary Candidate Pack 2015 5 FEATURE Most Important Election Ever - Caroline Flint MP 6 FEATURE Labour Will Bring Nature Closer to People - Maria Eagle MP 8 FEATURE The Next Generation, Labour’s Greenest Candidates 10 FEATURE Decarbonising The Power Sector - Alan Whitehead 12 FEATURE History of SERA - Andy Roberts 14 FEATURE Our Better Environmental Plan - Alex Mayer 15 FEATURE 2015 Quick Election Environment Facts 16

SERA Campaigning For Environmental Change & Social Justice 2. NEWS NEWS in brief 2015

March 2015 a global climate deal negotiated, July 2014 SERA members marched at the panellists agreed we wanted At Labour’s National Policy People’s Climate March” in Labour ministers at the negotiating Forum, SERA took forward a in solidarity with over 400,000 table at these crucial events. number of amendments to the people across the globe. policy documents including September 2015 a commitment to reduce air February 2015 SERA’s annual rally took place pollution, stronger promises on SERA organised a special event at the Labour Party Conference how we will support community in partnership with the Labour in Manchester. Titled ‘The New energy, a clear duty on Campaign for International Generation: Energising the transport authorities to involve Development to discuss the Future’ the packed audience passengers in decision-making next Labour Government’s heard five-minute future visions and a commitment that the internationalist vision. for a brighter, greener Britain, new homes built by the Labour from a new generation of MPs, Government will be built to be , , PPCs, Councillors, Trade Union as energy and water efficient Caroline Flint and and Business Leaders. Speakers and accessible as possible. We spoke about how internationalism included Shadow Secretary of secured some good successes. The final document can be read is in Labour’s DNA. As well as State for Business here: http://www.yourbritain. being election year, 2015 will MP, Shadow Secretary of state for Energy and Climate Change org.uk/uploads/editor/files/ also see a new set of Sustainable NPF_Annual_Report_2014.pdf Development Goals agreed, and Caroline Flint MP and many more.

SERA & the Co-op Party set out plan to Turn‘Big Six’ into ‘Big Six Thousand’

SERA have set out plans to develop and makes recommendations a ‘Big Six Thousand’ of community- on how policymakers can the next generation owned energy suppliers to challenge facilitate a community energy supporting a revolution in community owned renewable energy the dominance of the ‘Big Six’ in revolution, unlocking the the energy market – providing sector’s huge potential. a fairer deal for consumers and reducing their carbon footprint. We set out plans for the creation of a national community-owned Agamemnon Otero and Afsheen Rashid Our pamphlet ‘The Next renewable energy fund, community Generation,‘ sets out a vision feed-in tariffs and renewable heat for community energy, drawing incentives as well as allowing on lessons and examples from community-owned energy groups Download HERE: http://party. coop/wp-content/blogs.dir/5/ community owned renewable to be able to supply energy direct files/2014/12/next-gen-final- energy projects across the country to residents for the very first time. web.pdf?8b5145&892eac

SERA Campaigning For Environmental Change & Social Justice 3. NEWS

Waving goodbye to East Coast

SERA has condemned public sector operators, as Richard Howitt MEP who the Coalition well as cooperatively owned was there to wave goodbye Government’s not-for profits organisations, to the final train said: privatisation of the to be allowed to bid for East Coast Mainline franchises when they expire. “East Coast was successful as train franchise. a publically owned and run rail , Shadow franchise, consistently delivering “The publicly run East Coast Transport Secretary reconfirmed profits for the Treasury that could Mainline has returned £800 million Labour’s commitment to be used to fund nurses and schools. to the public purse since it was this position saying: “That money will now be lost to the brought back into public ownership. UK taxpayer and instead to go into Instead of being the victim of a “Labour is committed to the hands of the private sector. pre-election fire-sale, it should legislating to allow a not-for-profit “It’s clear we need Labour to get have been the model for running public sector operator to take on our railways back on track.” other railways in the UK.” SERA and challenge train operators on co-chair Melanie Smallman said. a level playing field, safeguarding taxpayer and passenger interests Richard Howitt MEP For the past two years, SERA and putting in place a system with Cllr Sharon Taylor has been campaigning for that is fit for purpose.”

It’s clear we need Labour to get our railways back on track

SERA Campaigning For Environmental Change & Social Justice 4. NEWS Parliamentary Candidate Pack

Daniel Zeichner

PARLIAMENTARY PACK 2015 SERA has produced They even tried to sell off the a “Parliamentary nation’s forests – backed as usual Candidate Pack” full of by the LibDem MP for useful facts and figures about on one of the 782 occasions he the environment, Labour’s plans voted with the Tories. Don’t let for Government, why you can’t the LibDems greenwash you! PROTECTING trust the Tories, LibDems, Greens OUR ENVIRONMENT A PACK FOR PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES or UKIP on the environment This government are also mistaken and a handy A-Z for hustings. in the belief that there is a trade-off

CONTENTS between protecting British jobs and I’m Executive member of SERA, a tackling climate change. I recently WHY LABOUR IS THE ONLY PARTY TO P2 1 TRUST WITH OUR ENVIRONMENT

GREEN ECONOMY P4 2 P6 Labour Parliamentary candidate, hosted a summit in Cambridge with ENERGY CLIMATE CHANGE P8 NATURAL ENVIRONMENT P10 TRANSPORT P12 P14 and a life-long environmental AIR POLLUTION representatives of the cleantech 3 A-Z FOR HUSTINGS P15 P18 campaigner. I used to run my own sector who know this is simply not 4 DEALING WITH THE GREENS AND UKIP 5 ARTICLES FOR YOUR CAMPAIGN P19 LITERATURE business, the “Red and Green” the case. Supporting our low-carbon CALENDAR OF CAMPAIGN P20 6 OPPORTUNITIES 7 FIND OUT MORE P21 plant nursery. When people industries, creating new high skilled, visited they thought the name had well paid jobs while transforming something to do with the colour our environment, is an essential of the front door and looked part of a strategy to earn our way astonished when I told them it was out of the cost-of-living crisis. It’s because my politics were both Red a win-win approach, but will need and Green. I remain committed a Labour Government, the right to that view today. I understand leadership and right regulatory that climate change is real, man- framework to make it happen. made and happening and I know that only a Labour Government In 2015, the year of the UN Paris will show the leadership and take Climate Change Conference, the necessary action to safeguard ensuring we have a Labour the future of our planet. Government really is vital for our environment. I’ll be using promised to my SERA Parliamentary pack lead “the greenest government at hustings meetings coming ever”, he said “vote blue, go up, to spread Labour’s positive green”, he hugged a husky and message and I hope you will too. changed the Tory logo from a If you are a Labour candidate and fossil fuel burning torch to a would like to request a pack please lovely oak tree. But it was all PR. email [email protected] This Government has overseen chaotic cuts to solar power delays to the Green Investment Bank, Daniel Zeichner is a member a rush to fracking and ministers of SERA’s National Executive questioning the value of laws which and the Labour Parliamentary give us better air quality, cleaner Candidate for Cambridge. beaches and wildlife protection.

SERA Campaigning For Environmental Change & Social Justice 5. FEATURE

Most important election ever for our environment?

Caroline Flint MP

This election promises other country in the developed amount of energy we use in the to be one of the most world. Britain’s hardworking first place. Britain has among the important ever for our families cannot afford another five least energy efficient and worst environment – and it couldn’t come years of this - and with Labour’s insulated homes anywhere in at a more significant time. Within plan they won’t have to. Europe. So we will declare war on months of Britain voting, the UN is cold homes, with a comprehensive, holding a summit in Paris to agree Within days of taking office, one long-term plan to upgrade Britain’s a binding global agreement to of the first steps of our Labour housing stock and help households tackle climate change. The choice Government will be to freeze insulate themselves from rising couldn’t be clearer either. On one energy prices until 2017, so that energy prices, including: free side we have the Tories, who have bills can fall but not rise. During our personalised home energy reports long abandoned any pretence of freeze we will change the energy for half a million homes a year – caring about the environment, who market for good, with reforms because two thirds of households have cut and delayed investment to make it more competitive and have never had one, help for at in green technology and openly transparent, and a tough new least 200,000 households a year flirted with climate change denial. regulator with new powers to to upgrade their homes, saving On the other is Labour – the protect consumers, including: them, on average, over £270 each only party with a plan to protect new powers to protect off-grid and every year from their energy our environment, tackle climate households and small businesses, bills, up to a million interest-free change and build an economy in new powers to force energy loans for home improvements to which working families succeed. companies to cut their prices households that are able to help when wholesale costs fall, if they make a contribution, in the next Our plan starts with making sure don’t do it first and, ultimately, Parliament, and new standards people pay a fair price for their new powers to strip energy for landlords to get cold and energy. Energy bills today are companies of their licences if they leaky properties up to a decent £300 a year more than they were repeatedly mistreat customers. standard. Together, this package when David Cameron became will upgrade 5 million homes over Prime Minister. Since 2010, Britain’s In truth, of course, the most 10 years, and because we know energy bills have risen twice as fast sustainable way to reduce energy this is a long-term task, we will as inflation, four times faster than bills for the long-term and cut our designate energy efficiency as a wages and faster than almost any carbon emissions, is to reduce the national infrastructure priority.

SERA Campaigning For Environmental Change & Social Justice 6. FEATURE

Our plan starts with making sure people pay a fair price for their energy

Crucially, what Labour understands a target to decarbonise our power Leadership at home will help secure is that climate change has never supply by 2030, giving firms the influence abroad. So when we come been just an environmental certainty to invest in our future to those crucial climate negotiations issue. It affects the economy energy supply, and strengthening in Paris in December, we will and living standards too. There the Green Investment Bank, with have the credibility to push for an is no trade-off between tackling proper borrowing powers. ambitious agreement, which includes climate change and building an ambitious emissions targets for all economy in which working families A Labour ambition for Britain not as countries, reviewed every five years, succeed. Indeed, success on one an assembly point for other nation’s based on a scientific assessment of will help us achieve the other. products and inventions, but a hub the towards the 2C goal, for manufacturing and innovation a goal of net zero global emissions As the world faces up to the – with the turbines, engines and in the second half of this century, challenge of climate change, the reactors that will power our country, transparent, universal rules for race to create and sell solutions stamped “Made in Britain”. We measuring, verifying and reporting to make our economy cleaner and cannot miss this opportunity emissions with all countries adopting leaner will intensify. Across energy and repeat the mistakes of the climate change adaptation plans, generation, energy efficiency, 1980s. Countries like Germany and an equitable deal in which housing, infrastructure and and Denmark saw the potential of richer countries provide support transport, the right framework and wind power and created world- to poorer nations in their efforts direction will increase the chance of beating firms. Britain missed out. to combat climate change. British firms succeeding and British workers gaining new opportunities. If we get it right - the prize is The general election means 2015 real. Hundreds of thousands of is a critical year for Britain. It is Government cannot create jobs. Productive. Skilled. Secure. also a critical year for the world on these jobs. Businesses must. But Well-paid jobs at every level, climate change. Only Labour has government is critical to set the and opportunities for all, across the right plan for Britain’s future. policy to support the sectors, and our nation, and a generation of types of businesses to underpin young gaining our future success as a country. apprenticeships for the 21st Caroline Flint MP is Labour’s That’s why the next Labour century, changing the fabric and Shadow Energy and Climate Government is committed to setting skyline of our great country. Change Secretary

SERA Campaigning For Environmental Change & Social Justice 7. FEATURE

Labour Will Bring Nature Closer to People

MARIA EAGLE MP

The next election is Government receive a green rating. provide clean water but despite the most important in The record of this Government is large amounts of public money a generation. A choice not bad enough but another five years going into the conservation of just between parties but between doesn’t bear thinking about. It the English uplands only ten per two competing visions of how our would be a disaster for our natural cent are in good condition. country can succeed. On the one environment. The Tories’ spending hand a Tory plan that says we can plans will mean extreme cuts in the Labour will take a new approach to succeed with just a few at the top next Parliament. This would have a environmental protection focused doing well, where your ability to pay crushing impact on non-protected on preventative spending and dictates access to almost everything areas of spending, including the securing better value for money. in society, including the benefits Defra budget. The truth is that We will redirect public spending of our natural environment. Or you can’t protect our natural towards interventions that can Labour’s plan for Britain’s future – environment and preserve our green save future public spending on where the many can succeed and spaces on Tory spending plans. environmental protection. Labour everyone has access to clean air, will make better use of existing clean water and protection from If things are going to change, we funds to reform land management flood risk- regardless of wealth. need a Labour Government. with the aim of freeing up over There is a huge difference between £150 million of extra spending via We’ve had five years of failure on our common sense approach to the Common Agricultural Policy the natural environment. David bringing public spending under on environmental protection and Cameron said that he would lead control and the extreme and risky rural development in the last two the ‘greenest Government ever’ plans set out by the Tories. Labour years of the next parliament. but like so much else with this will cancel the ineffective and This switch spending will enable Government all we’ve had are inhumane badger culls saving over local partnerships to reduce flood broken promises. The Environmental £100 million in the next parliament. risk, protect habitats for wildlife Audit Committee published an We will also ensure the money that and improve water quality. We environmental scorecard report at we spend goes much further. That’s will also give the water industry the end of last year, using a traffic why the next Labour Government regulator a new primary duty light system to rate performance will put an end to the perverse for sustainability so that water in each area. For its record on approach where in some cases we companies can play a bigger air pollution, biodiversity, and spend public money twice: once role in protecting our natural flooding and coastal protection, to pay for damage to ecosystems environment. This approach – big the Government received a red and then again to pay for their reforms and not big spending, rating, meaning that these areas repair. Our upland peatlands are will ensure the next Labour have deteriorated. In fact, in none a perfect example. They store Government meets our fiscal goals, of the ten areas assessed did the carbon, reduce flood risk and help and our environmental priorities.

SERA Campaigning For Environmental Change & Social Justice 8. FEATURE Our Labour values tell us that everyone should have access to the benefits of nature

Labour has a proud record of A Tory Government will never achievement on the natural prioritise extending the benefits environment. It was a Labour of nature to all. They think we Government in 1949 – tough can preserve nature just for a times with economic challenges privileged few. It was after all this far greater than we’re seeing Tory-led Government that tried now – that took the action to to privatise our public forests create our national parks. It until they were stopped by half a was a Labour Government that million people signing the petition brought forward the landmark against the sell-off plans. The Countryside and Rights of Way next Labour Government has Act in 2000 which opened up new pledged to protect our forests, land for public access. We did keeping them in public ownership. this because our Labour values Labour will also secure ready tell us that everyone should have access to trees and woodlands access to nature whoever they by planting them closer to the are and wherever they live. places where most people live.

The economic and social case Our Labour values tell us that for extending public access to everyone should have access to nature has never been stronger the benefits of nature whoever than it is. The third report of they are and wherever they live. the Natural Capital Committee Nature and the power it has to showed that there is a strong sustain economies and nourish correlation between the quality all life should not be preserved of the natural environment where just for a privileged few. Our people live and their health economic success cannot be built and wellbeing. The problem by eroding our natural environment is that in this country we have any more than it can by eroding deep inequality of access to wages or living standards. These nature. The most deprived Labour values led the post-war communities are ten times less Labour Government to rebuild likely to live in the greenest the nation in tough times whilst Maria Eagle MP is the Shadow areas. So the next Labour understanding the importance of Environment Secretary Government will make extending the natural environment. Those access to nature a priority. values will lead us again in 2015.

SERA Campaigning For Environmental Change & Social Justice 9. FEATURE

In May, in an election that many are saying is our last chance to safeguard our environment, THE NEXT SERA members are standing as Labour candidates in marginal GENERATION constituencies across the UK. Five of these candidates tell us why they will put the environment at the heart of a Labour Government in 2015.

Polly Billington Labour Candidate for Thurrock

Polly Billington, Labour’s generation and those to come candidate in Thurrock, Essex, needs that we protect and sustain an to overturn a Tory majority of 92 environment we can all enjoy and votes. A former BBC journalist, cherish. It’s why we will tackle Polly also worked as an adviser to climate change by investing in when he was Secretary new modern energy sources of State for Energy and Climate and technology that will help Change. She has lived in Grays in us to reduce our impact on the Essex for years and now spends her environment through carbon time campaigning for a better deal emissions. If we get it right we To help in Polly’s campaign for communities across Thurrock not only protect the environment – including on the environment: but also create quality jobs in Call: 01375 844108 Email: [email protected] our communities, growing a Tweet: @thurrockpolly “It’s our responsibility to the next modern low carbon economy.’

ANDREW PAKES Labour Candidate for Milton Keynes South

Andrew Pakes, Labour’s a Labour Government, at least Parliamentary Candidate five million homes will be made for Milton Keynes South more energy efficient over the and former SERA Chair has next 10 years – cutting heat highlighted Labour’s pledge loss and bills for low income to make at least five million families. Labour will also provide homes more energy efficient. half a million personalised home energy reports a year as well He says: “In Milton Keynes as offering up to one million there are currently more than interest-free loans to cover 5,000 households living in cold the costs of energy efficiency To help in ANDREW’S campaign homes facing fuel poverty – this during the next Parliament. Call: 01908 314 974 scandal has to stop.”Under Email: [email protected] Tweet: @andrew4mk

SERA Campaigning For Environmental Change & Social Justice 10. FEATURE

WILL STRAW Labour Candidate for Rossendale and Darwen

Will Straw, Labour Candidate Will Straw says: for Rossendale and Darwen, “Like all Dads, I want to ensure has a longstanding interest in that my son’s future is secure and environmental issues, having led that he and his generation do the energy, transport and climate not pay the price for our folly in change team at the Institute for leaving climate change unchecked. Public Policy Research, a charity It’s not too late to ensure that the with educational objectives. His planet keeps global temperature To help in WILL’s campaign team’s work has led the debate rises within a reasonable limit Call: 01706 212 940 or 01254 865 485. on bringing down energy bills and but we need to stay the course Email: willstraw4rossendale. rebuilding our public transport at home and lead global efforts [email protected] system after years of privatisation. for greater ambition abroad.” Tweet: @wdjstraw

Daniel Zeichner Labour Candidate for Cambridge

Daniel Zeichner says: “I have long been an environmental “This was meant to be ‘the greenest campaigner. I understand that government ever’. Instead we climate change is real, man-made have seen chaotic cuts to solar and happening. But I completely power funding, delays to the disagree with this government’s Green Investment Bank, a rush to mistaken belief that there is a trade- fracking and ministers questioning off between protecting British the value of laws which give us jobs and tackling climate change. better air quality, cleaner beaches Rather, supporting our low-carbon and wildlife protection. They even industries, creating new high To help in DANIEL’s campaign tried to sell off the nation’s forests – skilled, high paying jobs in green Call: 01223 500515 backed as usual by the LibDem MP technology, should be an essential Email: Daniel@ for Cambridge on one of the 782 part of a strategy to earn our way cambridgelabour.org.uk occasions he voted with the Tories. out of the cost-of-living crisis.” Tweet: @danielzeichner

Mari Williams Labour Candidate for Cardiff North

Mari Williams, Labour together Cardiff’s first cycling Candidate for Cardiff North, manifesto. Cycling is good is a passionate cyclist and for our health - mental and longstanding SERA member. physical and makes economic sense. From renewable energy Mari Williams says: and introducing 5p charges for plastic bags to the Active “Environmental issues matter to Travel Act, is leading To help in MARI’s campaign me because it’s about our country’s the way on acting now for a Call: 02921 158 656 future. I’ve been campaigning more sustainable future.” Email: [email protected] with groups across Cardiff to put Tweet: mari_williams

SERA Campaigning For Environmental Change & Social Justice 11. FEATURE

Decarbonising the power sector Labour’s vital commitment

ALAN WHITEHEAD

During the passage of an essential contribution to the dioxide emissions arising from the the recent Energy Act overall reduction in emissions production and use of energy, failing through Parliament, between 2022 and 2027) but has to decarbonise our power systems Labour pressed the government done nothing since to set any over the next decade means that the to include a statutory target to target or commitment. Indeed, the pressure on other sectors to make decarbonise the power supply government’s gas strategy now up the carbon budget savings will by 2030. The government voted seems to suggest that an option for be just undeliverable. The targets down amendments to the Act gas would be to build large numbers would inevitably be missed. which would have enshrined the of new gas fired power stations over target in law. Instead they included the next fifteen years in such a way All of which makes Ed Miliband’s a very weak statement that the that a decarbonisation target could pledge that the UK will decarbonise Secretary of State could, if he not be met. Put simply they – the Lib its power generation sector by felt like it, move towards such a Dems as well as Tories - have shown 2030 so important. It is, without too target in 2016 after arguing that, by their actions that they are not much exaggeration, the difference since the government was still serious about the detail of the real between keeping Britain on track in some doubt about whether to work that is needed to ensure that for its climate change commitments support the fourth carbon budget, Britain can stick to and succeed in and blowing the country hopelessly it would be premature to give achieving its climate change goals and permanently off course. such a commitment anyway. - and to which both conservative and Lib Dem leaders have It is a pledge that has received Finally, the government agreed that supposedly signed up to achieving. very little airtime or discussion, it would support the budget (which but really should because it is just among other things envisages a Not serious because, with 70% crucial. But perhaps it is because very low carbon power sector as or so of the country’s carbon too many people don’t understand

SERA Campaigning For Environmental Change & Social Justice 12. FEATURE Labour really is at the heart of the climate change agenda

the significance of what is proposed. another by 2030. It means finding more importantly is preparing It means that, over the next few the way to ensure that a modest the tools to make it happen, years, the present average emissions development of supporting gas rather than just talking about it. across the sector (about 480gms plant comes on stream as support co2 per kilowatt hour of electricity to predominantly low carbon power, generated) need to be reduced, instead of carrying out a central over fifteen years, to less than a power function as now. And it means quarter - perhaps between 50-100 rapidly developing carbon capture gms overall. And that emission and storage for any future new coal level, at that point would be in plants and, in the longer term, for line with what the Committee gas plants too. It means, alongside on Climate Change thinks would that agenda, moving forward be needed to keep on track. rapidly on demand side reduction measures so that the system will It means a lot of hard work in taking need to provide far less power high carbon polluting plants off anyway, and joining us up with the system - all existing coal plants other low carbon power sources in for example - by the early 2020s, Europe through interconnectors. It also means continuing a rapid further expansion of renewables It’s a hefty commitment to make - offshore and onshore wind, tidal but one that demonstrates lagoons, solar and biomass so that to anyone who doubts it that renewables can produce perhaps Labour really is at the heart of Alan Whitehead, Conveyor of the majority of power, one way or the climate change agenda, and SERA’s parliamentary group

SERA Campaigning For Environmental Change & Social Justice 13. Revisiting FEATURE New Ground Memories of SERA

Andy Roberts

SERA celebrated its 40th was also pre-fax - so all written templates. Headlines were Birthday in 2014. Former communication was by post or, if done with “Letraset” - http:// SERA Coordinator and New really urgent, physically delivered. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letraset Ground Founder Andy Roberts shares some of his memories Membership - we used a card index Among other things, New Ground’s of SERA’s bygone days. system (membership cards were first issue included contributions kept in a cardboard box and up- from some of the candidates for I applied to be SERA “Co- dated manually) and for membership the Labour leadership contest after ordinator” in February 1983 - and mailings, to about 1,000 people, the 1983 general election; in the was interviewed in the basement each envelope was written out second, the late Robin Cook, who of 9 Poland Street in Soho, a by hand, although - thankfully - was then our Honorary President, building then owned by the soon after I started, we began to contributed a seminal article - Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust, computerise, and it was possible to still worth reading – Towards An which gave free office space to generate blissful “address labels”! Alternative Ecological Strategy. new and impecunious political and campaigning organisations, Smoking - well I guess most Politics - in those days, although of which SERA was one. people now would be shocked of course we lobbied the Labour to know that there were then no Party on “environmental” issues, http://www.powerbase.info/ restrictions whatsoever on this! SERA was not actually affiliated to index.php/Poland_Street I smoked occasionally, and one the Labour Party, although many of our regular volunteers chain- Constituency Labour Parties were To my surprise, but delight, I was smoked, which - quite rightly - led affiliated to SERA - and there offered the job - at £32 per week to complaints by those with whom were always vigorous debates on - theoretically a “part-time” job, we shared our office space. this particular issue. SERA was but, well you know how it goes, also perhaps more idealistic and in reality it occupied a huge part One of the first things I was tasked utopian, describing itself as “the of my life (in a good way - I have with was setting up a magazine green wing of the labour movement, no regrets) for the next 2 years. for SERA - and I worked on this and the socialist wing of the green with a small working-group - or movement”, and had a broad view In those days technology was “collective” as we said in those days! of “green” politics. For instance “primitive” by today’s standards We originally proposed to call the SERA strongly supported such - though we still functioned and magazine “Common Ground”, but initiatives as the Lucas Aerospace communicated perfectly well, not after a letter from an organisation Workers Plan - now largely so quickly of course, but quite that was also planning to use this forgotten, but, in my view, well adequately - something well worth name, we settled - after long (as you worth re-visiting. http://www. remembering! In the office I used an can imagine) discussions - on the redpepper.org.uk/a-real-green-deal/. old-fashioned manual type-writer, title “New Ground”. I must say that And SERA organised two Red-Green not even electric - using carbon I am rather pleased to see that, 30 conferences, in 1993 and 1994, paper to make copies. Members’ years on, New Ground still exists! bringing together a wide range of Newsletters were reeled off on activists from the wider labour and a Gestetner printer. There was Articles for each issue of New green movements - which I believe a photo-copier which belonged Ground were typed on a “golf- were the first of their kind in the UK. to the building, which we could ball” electric type-writer, then use - but this was expensive, literally “cut” (with scissors) and only used sparingly. This and “pasted” (with glue) onto Andy Roberts

SERA Campaigning For Environmental Change & Social Justice 14. FEATURE

Our better environmental plan Labour’s manifesto launched

ALEX MAYER

Labour’s manifesto spells home improvements in the next deal in which richer countries out our better plan to protect Parliament. For those on low provide support to poorer nations and improve our environment. incomes, we will make 200,000 in combatting climate change. Here are SERA’s highlights: homes warm every year, delivered street-by-street by local authorities Air pollution A million green jobs and community organisations. We will deal with the problems The next Labour Government of air pollution by giving local Leading global role in will work to make Britain a world authorities the powers they need, tackling climate change leader in low carbon technologies backed up by a national framework. over the next decade, creating a We want an ambitious agreement on million additional green jobs. This climate change at the UN Climate Animal welfare aim will be supported by ambitious Change conference in Paris, in We will build on our strong record domestic carbon reduction December. We will make the case on animal welfare – starting with targets, including a legal target for ambitious emissions targets an end to the Government’s to remove the carbon from our for all countries, strengthened ineffective and cruel badger cull. electricity supply by 2030, and a every five years on the basis of a We will improve the protection of major drive for energy efficiency. scientific assessment of the progress dogs and cats, ban wild animals towards the below two degree in circuses, defend the hunting Warm, energy goal. And we will push for a goal ban and deal with wildlife crime efficient homes of net zero global emissions in associated with shooting. the second half of this century, for We will bring down energy bills transparent and universal rules for by making homes more energy measuring, verifying and reporting efficient, delivering a million emissions, and for an equitable interest free loans for energy Alex Mayer

SERA Campaigning For Environmental Change & Social Justice 15. Cheaper, greener 5 useful energy: Labour will reform the energy market to allow fairer access to renewables and to facts AMBITIOUS ACTION ON break the stranglehold of the CLIMATE CHANGE: ‘Big Six’ energy companies by Labour will stick to ambitious, separating their generation legally binding targets for and supply businesses, and carbon reduction. We will forcing them to buy and decarbonisation our electricity from our sell their electricity through supply by 2030. We’ll create Parliamentary Pack an open exchange. 1 million new green jobs.

RAILWAYS BACK ON TRACK: Labour will introduce a strict ANIMAL WELFARE cap on annual rail fare CHAMPIONS: starting with an increases across all end to the Government’s inhumane routes and legislate so and ineffective badger cull, the public sector can run banning wild animals in circuses our railways lines again. and a commitment to maintain the ban on hunting with dogs.

FROM HUG A HUSKY, TO CUT THE GREEN election CRAP: The Tories talked the talk on environmental special issues before they came to power, but then Cameron 2015 gave top environmental posts to known climate change deniers.

Published by SERA, Labour’s environment campaign www.sera.org.uk [email protected] The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of SERA, its executive or its members.

Printed by UNP, Skeffington Street, Woolwich SE18 6SR, promoted by Melanie Smallman on behalf of SERA both at 15 Lambert Road, London SW2 5BA 16.