NG73:new ng template.qxd 03/09/2007 17:01 Page 1

Issue 73, Autumn 2007 Labour campaigning for environmental progress and social justice Environment Campaign new grou nd Winning the Green Election

Stephen Hale - The Cameron Threat

Emma Burnell - Why Labour must fight the next election on Climate Change

With manifesto ideas from Rt Hon MP, Frances O’Grady, Dave Prentis, Elliot Morley MP, Lord Chris Smith and many more. . . NG73:new ng template.qxd 03/09/2007 17:01 Page 2

ng welcome contents ew Leader, new times. In the space of a few months Labour’s prospects look distinctly upbeat and it seems an election will be upon us in months rather than years. SERA has always worked hard to ensure that the party and Hywel Lloyd on Labour’s new Prime Minister 3 Election Manifesto have presented as green a Labour N On-Site Renewable Energy prospective as possible. As we know from our last edition we can expect to enter the election with the SERA support the Merton rule 4 Climate Change Bill under our belts, the most radical approach to carbon reduction seen from a government SERA Urban Wallking Group anywhere. The question for us all is can we deliver on Vincent Stops on SERA’s initiative to promote walking 5 the more than 60% carbon dioxide reduction? Waste Strategy For Philippa Roberts on the Review of the Waste Strategy 6 It is fundamentally important that we do, for if the UK with an economy of such strength and wealth finds the Climate Camp 2007 challenge beyond us then what hope for a low carbon Romney Tansley report from this year’s event outside Heathrow 7 developing world and a low carbon developed world? The UK has always been a well connected, Local Transport Bill entrepreneurial innovatory nation that has led the world. on SERA’s response to the Local Transport Bill 8 We have our unique connections with the USA, the EU and importantly the Commonwealth through which we Local News can engage many nations in what works; we clearly have Resports from SERA and SERA Scotland 9 the wealth and wealth creators; we have the talents to show how this can be done. Winning the Green Vote Emma Burnell on how and why Labour must woo green voters 10 This edition brings forward a number of policy proposals which build on ideas already in the public domain, many Environmental Politics of which SERA has been instrumental in helping the Stephen Hale on and Labour’s challengers 12 Labour Party take onboard. These ideas can both deliver on the necessary CO2 reductions and help us win our A Red/Green Manifesto fourth term, not least because female voters (key to our Ideas for the greening of Gordon Brown’s next election manifesto electoral success so far) are much more environmentally 14 aware and concerned than male voters. Land Value Taxation Dave Wetzel on a fair way to encourage affordable, sustainable Our task over the coming weeks is to ensure Labour has development 18 the political support and political will to boldly implement these policies the Labour way, fair to all.

Hywel Lloyd Chair of SERA

new ground is published by SERA, 2nd Floor, 1 Bridge, Downstream Building, London SE1 9BG Telephone 020 7022 1985 email [email protected] Website www.sera.org.uk With thanks to Emma Burnell, National Coordinator, the SERA Executive, Nik Horne for page layout

All views expressed in new ground are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of SERA, its executive or its members.

2 new ground campaigning for environmental change and social justice NG73:new ng template.qxd 03/09/2007 17:01 Page 3

News

Gordon Brown Gordon Brown, Labour Leader, Prime Minister . . . green activist . . . . ? he transition of power and responsibility has gone well, Labour are up in the polls and a confidence returns to the movement about the challenges ahead, all of which is important to the red greens and the greening of Labour. Fundamental to SERA’s role and position Tin the Labour movement is that we are in power to deliver by applying Labour principles to the environmental challenges and opportunities we face.

Those principles include recognition of the need for an internationalist approach, an awareness of the importance of solidarity between peoples, in Britain and beyond, and fundamentally the importance of equity – ensuring the policies we deploy are fair and socially just.

So we welcome the smooth transition of power and congratulate Gordon Brown on the measured, thoughtful approach he has taken to establish himself as a leader of the Treasury Green Book down. Then we can begin the substance, clearly a Labour leader capable of winning his building of the low carbon infrastructure we will need, and own mandate, which is good for both environment justice which will help engender a successful low carbon economy. and social justice. Not only is Gordon committed to all new homes being built to Climate change and environmental issues have plenty of zero carbon standards by 2016, when speaking to the Green political choices in them, choices that will become starker at Alliance in May this year he went further “I want to extend the next general election. And the Prime Minister will not our ambition to all homes. Over the next decade my aim is need reminding of the impact of the summer floods, just one that every home for which it is practically possible will example of “weather of mass destruction” that will only get become low carbon.” Again a real opportunity to reduce worse as climate change bites. Just think of the impact of emissions, as well as address fuel poverty and further such flooding had it fallen on central London. empower local government and local communities to meet the climate change challenge. Gordon Brown is the first serving Prime Minster to be a SERA member. He is well placed to build on the powerful We can, of course, help make the move to a success low achievement of , nationally and internationally. carbon economy and the necessary low carbon Both and Douglas Alexander are committed infrastructure, happen more effectively, coherently and with supporters and respectively SERA president and Vice much greater urgency. Low carbon choices are good for President, who can push the climate change agenda Britain’s future and Labour, led by Gordon Brown can help internationally. deliver them.

Domestically this government is committed to legislating for On pages 10-13 of this magazine SERA National Coordinator CO2 reduction through the Climate Change Bill and as Emma Burnell and Green Alliance Director Stephen Hale set Chancellor Gordon Brown instigated the Stern Report. Stern out the political challenges facing Labour on this issue, and shows us all the scale of the challenge and the economic also examine these opportunities and the best way of benefit of action today. Now we need to ensure that the achieving them. investment challenge identified by Stern is writ large in the Comprehensive Spending Review and in the guidance and Hywel Lloyd is Chair of SERA regulations that govern all our infrastructure decisions, from 3 NG73:new ng template.qxd 03/09/2007 17:01 Page 4

News

On-Site Renewable Energy SERA Support for the Merton Rule

eading green groups including SERA and the Sustainable Energy Partnership urged the Government to maintain its support for the Merton rule. The Merton Rule is a borough-wide local planning policy which requires developers to ensure 10% of a buildings’ energy is Lprovided by onsite renewables on major new developments where viable. This comes in direct response to the public lobbying campaign by the British Property Federation and Home Builders Federation against the rule to force the Government into a totally unnecessary and politically damaging u-turn.

The policy, first developed by the then Labour boroughs of Merton and Croydon was enthusiastically endorsed by housing Minister Yvette Cooper MP in a Commons Ministerial Statement on 8 June 2006 and is enshrined in current renewable and sustainable energy policy and one of its few Government planning guidance. renewable energy policy successes in recent years.

Last year Yvette Cooper's Department wrote to every local The current campaign by the British Property Federation and planning authority in the country with instructions to include Home Builders Federation to overturn this modest yet proven a Merton rule in their draft local plans. A DCLG press release and highly successful policy in the forthcoming Climate promised that it would include this request "in the new Change Policy Planning Statement is nothing short of planning policy guidance on climate change." To date, the scandalous. Bearing in mind the urgent need to reduce CO 2 GLA, three other English regions, and 20 Local Planning emissions, there is no evidence that the Merton rule has Authorities have fully adopted the policy with another 150 deterred development, that the technologies are untested, about to do so. unavailable or unproven, or that developers find it hard to deliver onsite renewables. Quite the reverse. The Merton Rule is a key plank of the Government's wider Ron Bailey is the Sustainable Energy Partnership Organiser

SERA Appoint Dr Amanda Root knowledge and skills is coming to work at SERA, and we SERA are delighted to announce the appointment of Dr are very excited at the opportunities for increased Amanda Root as their new Parliamentary Officer. Amanda parliamentary work her appointment will bring.” is also a Senior Research Associate at the Oxford University Centre for the Environment. Amanda started work on Monday 3 rd of September. She works on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and is Amanda has written extensively on environmental responsible for our parliamentary work, engaging with matters, particularly on transport issues, and has just Labour MPs, providing briefings and arranging seminars published a book entitled “Market Citizenship”. for MPs.

SERA National Coordinator Emma Burnell said “We are so For SERA Parliamentary enquiries please contact Amanda pleased that someone with Amanda’s breadth of Root at [email protected] or 020 7022 1987. 4 new ground campaigning for environmental change and social justice NG73:new ng template.qxd 03/09/2007 17:01 Page 5

SERA Urban Walking Group Walking with Parliamentarians

hich transport mode is good for your health, produces no emissions, is good for the local economy, is the most socially inclusive, provides passive policing, is a must for urban renaissance, improves social cohesion and is recognised by Weconomists as often the best value for money of any transport investment, but has had the least profile of all the modes?

Walking is all of the above and more, but has few champions, nor the focus it deserves.

SERA hopes some of that will change with the formation of an All Party Parliamentary Urban Walking Group originally sponsored by South Hackney and Shoreditch MP, Meg Hillier.

The ambition is to raise the profile of walking as transport in reduce pedestrian casualties by segregating modes. There towns and cities (it’s not a ramblers group) to as wide a has been no one thinking about how our streets look and group of MPs as possible and change the culture that takes work for pedestrians. One of the unintended consequences walking for granted. of this has been to contribute towards a decline in walking.

We hope to look to look at all the barriers to walking. One The consequences of taking walking for granted are dire. All issue I am particularly keen to see given greater focus the statistics are pointing in the wrong direction all the across the political agenda is urban design. For generations benefits highlighted above are lost to society. the politicians have allowed a single profession, the traffic engineer, to design the places we all live, work and play – If you think walking is important please write to your MP, tell our streets. The engineers brief has been too narrow and him or her about the group and ask that they write to Meg technical; seeking to accommodate more and more private Hillier MP and support the group. motor vehicles and Vincent Stops is a SERA member.

SERA Executive Committee 2007/8 The Executive expressed thier intention to co-opt Hugh The following were appointed as members of the SERA Gouldbourne (who will take on the role of Energy Executive Committee at the AGM on 16th June 2007. Coordinator), Romney Tansley and Alan Whitehead MP.

Tony Belton (Treasurer), Tracy Carty (Built Environment SERA would like to thank the following outgoing Executive Coordinator), Leonie Cooper, Samantha Heath, Hywel members: Julie Foley, Tim Johnson and Adam Matthews. Lloyd (Chair), Lydia Meryl, Alon Or-Bach, Andrew Pakes (Vice Chair), David Redgewell, Philippa Roberts (Waste To contact an executive coordinator, please email Coordinator), Nicholas Russell, Chanel Stevens, Justine [email protected] making clear who the email is Thornton (Vice Chair), Martin Tiedeman, Alex Veitch intended for. Alternatively please call the National (Transport Coordinator), Dave Wetzel and Daniel Coordinator, Emma Burnell on 020 7022 1985. Zeichner. 5 NG73:new ng template.qxd 03/09/2007 17:01 Page 6

News

Waste Strategy for England ERA welcomed, in May, the new speed and manner in which much of the measures proposed, the media has Waste Strategy 2007 and its this legislation is transposed has led to portrayed the strategy as contentious changed focus away from a situation where we are working and even unpopular. It was agreed waste into the wider area of reactively under pressure rather than that public behaviour needs to be resource management. Having proactively to bring about real change. addressed if we are to reach the highlighted the need to concentrate on It appears that the new strategy proposed targets and much discussion S realises the importance of waste in our revolved around methods of doing this, demand management, rather than end of pipe solutions, we have been overall environmental performance and including engagement with the media. pleased to see a real focus on the sees it not as something to be done at While issues such as variable charging waste hierarchy of reduce, reuse, the end of the consumption process, are popular with many in the sector, recycle, recover before final disposal. but an important issue that should be the media has attempted to make this While we support the raised targets for thought about the whole way through. sound like a stealth tax and has waged recycling and composting, we do a campaign of misinformation. At the believe that there is scope for a more SERA spent time during 2006/07 same time, television shows focus on ambitious vision. working on the issue of variable recyclate being shipped abroad and charging. We believe that the evidence the ‘difficulties’ in recycling at home, The new Strategy has a clear vision from other countries, both in Europe while very little media space is given to about joint responsibility between and North America, shows that the successes. Recycling and consumers and producers for charging for waste collections is composting rates have quadrupled minimising the waste we produce. effective in both increasing recycling over the last decade and there is now Specific mention was made of the role and composting rates and reducing the widespread coverage of doorstep of local authorities, and also retailers amount of waste left for final disposal. recycling schemes, and yet the press in tackling this problem. Essentially, The Lyons Report also stated that still paint a bleak picture. this brings in the need for better life authorities should be given the power cycle analysis of goods, so that the to charge if they saw fit. However, the As part of the discussion on public and impact of both a product and its Strategy has decided to move away media engagement and education, it packaging can be assessed in waste from direct or variable charging to an was agreed that often there is little and wider environmental terms. The incentives system. A consultation on public understanding of the issues. strategy not only encourages industry this was open over the summer and we Waste is a subject that appears highly to consider this, but also the have responded stating our politicised at a local level, with media householder to think about their disappointment that a charging coverage again focusing on the impact consumption choices. scheme has not been backed. We of changing waste collections linked to believe that the proposed incentive election results. And yet the evidence The idea of a clear strategy, that allows system will sound like a charge by suggests that waste was not a key both authorities and the waste another name to the public and will be issue for voters in local elections. The management industry to properly plan both difficult and unattractive for environment of fear of change that this for disposal infrastructure and authorities to implement. creates for local people and politicians collection systems, is welcomed. can slow important decision-making at In June, shortly after the a critical time. Waste is a dynamic industry that has announcement of the Strategy, SERA changed fundamentally, both in hosted a lunchtime session with Ben The space that SERA created for this attitude and practise, over the last Bradshaw (then Minister in charge of session led to valuable discussions decade. We have been responding to waste policy at DEFRA), and a small away from the more common ground of changes in European legislation over a number of industry and NGO targets and timetables. It has started period when the UK lagged far behind representatives. One of the main a conversation that we hope to its European counterparts. While topics we discussed was the reaction continue with our work over the coming some nations are already meeting of the press to the new strategy. While year. targets set out in EU directives, we are the waste management industry and often yet to build the infrastructure the NGOs have been largely in support Philippa Roberts is the SERA Waste needed to meet them. This, and the of the strategy and welcomed most of Group Coordinator 6 new ground campaigning for environmental change and social justice NG73:new ng template.qxd 03/09/2007 17:01 Page 7

Climate Camp 2007 An Inconvenient Assembly

hat could induce several hundred people to camp for a week on scrub land next to the world’s busiest airport? Wet and windy weather and the confrontational tactics of the police might initially be considered a turnoff, yet the campers kept on arriving. For Wmany, the catalyst was undoubtedly BAA’s hubristic application for an injunction, so all-encompassing that it would have banned anyone belonging to an environmental organisation from attending.

In the event, the impact of the injunction was much reduced, and the Camp for Climate Action went ahead at Heathrow as planned. And for a week in August the eyes of the world’s press were focused on this unlikely place - exhibiting a wholly disproportionate interest in view of the innocence of the proceedings. But it was the injunction wot done it! And it was difficult at times to enter or leave the site because of the press However with 700 houses due for demolition in the villages of scrum and crowds of cameramen. Early on in the week it Sipson and Harmondsworth, along with one school, three post seemed that the participants might in fact be outnumbered, if offices, five pubs, three hotels, two nurseries, three garden not by them then by the police. centres, a coach depot and four business parks, BAA’s avowed aim to create more jobs appears to ring hollow. One participant described it as ‘a surreal splicing of Glastonbury, a science seminar and the civil rights movement’ , Perhaps we should be grateful to the airport operator and the and this seemed apt. New arrivals were welcomed into a Metropolitan police and the distortions and smears of the carefree but earnest eco-village under canvas. There was no blacktops. They have assisted in bringing to public attention an hierarchy, we were informed by the nice people in the ‘welcome issue that, for all the strength of the underpinning science, is tent’, and all decision-making was open and by consensus. We still the object of oil-industry inspired disinformation world wide. were all assigned to neighbourhoods, each with its own meeting In the event they helped ensure its success and enshrine it as place, compostable toilets, kitchen, and team of volunteer the foundation for future campaigns designed to focus public ‘facilitators’ for the daily meetings that helped forge us into an attention even more forcefully on the threat of global warming. unlikely community. Romney Tansley is on the SERA Executive The ongoing construction of solar powered shower units, a mains water system and the preparation of tasty vegan meals, continued apace, but we were fed inwardly by a comprehensive syllabus of seminars and lectures covering everything from building your own rocket stove to the latest NASA research on stabilising world temperatures at a safe level.

One possible reason for the fascination of the outside world was the link between the larger purpose of the camp and the local issue of the proposed third runway. Local feelings have polarised, between those whose community will be destroyed if the airport operators have their way, and those dependent on the airport for employment.

7 NG73:new ng template.qxd 03/09/2007 17:02 Page 8

News

Local Transport Bill All Aboard Please! he forthcoming Local Transport Today's debate is not about recreating a congestion. It has also been proved that Bill represents the biggest shake London-franchise model for the rest of the voluntary approach alone will is not up in public transport since the the UK. However, it is about ensuring that enough to bring bad operators to the bus industry was deregulation by local authorities have effective powers - table to co-operate with local authorities. the Tories in the 1980s the stick as well as the carrot - to ensure that bus operators co-operate on routes The catch, then, is that buses are a big T and services. The powers already exist industry with some strong and powerful Buses may lack the political profile of the railways or the policy clout of the motor for councils to apply for Quality Contracts, players amongst its ranks. The ability of industry but they are a key connection for which are a form of franchising, however some operators, such as Stagecoach, to many millions of people across the UK. If the process is so tortuous that not a intervene in public policy is already well we are talking about social inclusion or single contract has been signed since known. The challenge for the employment opportunities then we they were created in 2000. Government is to stick to its objectives to usually mean buses. provide a better service to passengers The Local Transport Bill sets out to and not be knocked off course by some The Government has made good streamline that process so that of the free-marketers still out there. The progress on public transport helping to authorities will be able to bring in a challenge for SERA and supporters of oversee record numbers travelling by Quality Contract in a much shorter - and change is to give Ministers and MPs the train. However, outside London, bus realistic - timescale. It will also create cover they need to see these reforms patronage continues to fall. The high Quality Partnerships which are voluntary through. level of regulation and contractual agreements between authorities and obligations associated with modern rail operators. In return for greater powers Not only is the Local Transport Bill good franchises sits in stark contrast to the - the Government will put a duty on both policy it is also good politics. The mainly - free market model that authorities and operators to provide Government has already made good on dominants local bus transport. This could punctual and better services for its promise to introduce free all be set to change with the forthcoming passengers. concessionary travel for pensioners Local Transport Bill which contains despite opposition and sniping from the critical powers to give local authorities In the twenty years since the Tories sidelines by the Tories and Lib Dems. and other transport agencies a greater deregulated the bus industry in the mid- Unsurprisingly despite all the current Tory say over bus routes, fares and services. 1980s we have seen declining passenger policy reviews David Cameron has said numbers, fierce competition between nothing about buses. There is a real Much of the debate about the bill has so operators for the profitable routes and dividing line between Labour's support far focussed on higher profile moves to even, in recent years, the spectacle of for better public transport and the Tories enable congestion charging on a local bus wars as different operators slugged it legacy of privatisation. What we really level. This is a worthy legislation but out for key routes like it cowboys in the need is a renewed Labour campaign for congestion charging on its own risks Wild West. In some areas of the country, public transport to help raise the profile missing the target which is about and at some times of the day, residents of buses and to ensure that when the bill ensuring a modal shift away from the car are more likely to win the lottery than is published there is a real step-change towards lower impact transport, such as find a bus. in local transport provision. buses. In London, the success of the congestion charge was in a good part Buses have always lacked the political Andrew Pakes is Vice Chair of SERA delivered through effective investment in clout of other forms of transport. In the capital's bus network. This was made recent years, however, Labour has begun possible by new powers handed to the to understand the contribution that a Mayor and Transport for London to good bus network can make to other 'franchise' the buses. policy objectives by providing infrastructure and substance to regeneration projects and tackling

8 new ground campaigning for environmental progress and social justice NG73:new ng template.qxd 03/09/2007 17:02 Page 9

Local Groups

SERA Scotland he SERA Scotland AGM was held at The Coach House Proposed by Neil Phillips, Seconded by Paul Lugton. Trust in Glasgow on 11th August 2007. It was attended by 11 members (18.6% of the Scottish The new committee was elected and is Neil Phillips (Chair), membership). As well as statutory reports from the Ralph Barker (Treasurer), Paul Lugton (Secretary), Freya Chair and Treasurer there were reports from the Energy, Beamish (Youth Member), Claudia Beamish, Kenneth Burns, Waste Minimisation & Recycling, Rural Affairs and Built David Cruickshank, Sylvia Jackson, Maureen MacMillan, T Margaret Sinclair, and Julie Sturrock. A Vice-Chair will be Environment Focus Groups. The following motion was passed unanimously: elected from the committee at their next meeting.

“Currently the constitution reads: Prior to the meeting, and a homemade soup provided by The Appointment and Retirement of Executive Members. Coach House Trust, Almuth Ernsting of Biofuel Watch gave a slide presentation about the damage that is being done to 24. The committee shall initially consist of a Chair, Vice Chair the Amazon Basin, Borneo, and Tanzania (where armed ,Secretary , Treasurer, Youth Member and up to five others, troops are being used to remove small farmers) to make way elected by a secret ballot of all members and affiliates prior for the growing of Palm Oil trees and Soya. to the annual general meeting. Candidates for the Executive must be members, or representatives of an affiliate, of the Neil Phillips is Chair of SERA Scotland organisation.” For enquiries about SERA Scotland, Please contact either I wish to propose a change to this to read: Neil Phillips (Chair) G2/15 Dalcross Street Partick Glasgow The committee shall consist of a Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, G11 5RE. Tel- 0141 337 2361 Mobile: 07796 545547 treasurer, Youth Member, Nominated Member by SERA UK, Email: [email protected] or Paul Lugton (Secretary 31/1 and up to six others, elected by a secret ballot of all Loaning Road Edinburgh EH7 6JH members at the annual general meeting. Candidates for the Tel No: 0131 467 0843 Mobile: 07984 168403 Email: committee must be members, or representatives of an [email protected] affiliate, of the organisation.” Bristol and South West SERA

ur branch takes up most of the concerns that our coal imports. Another was re-laid at a cost of £21 million to very varied membership raises. Sometimes we are carry imported cars but the money has been refused to ahead of the field: Bristol has been the centre in extend it to Portishead, the fastest-growing town in the region this country of research on emissions from at the end of a single road clogged by commuter traffic. overhead power lines and after years of the National Grid Prospects are brighter on the only passenger branch line that denying that there could be a problem it is acknowledged was saved. The City Council acknowledged that 561 of the O 566 responses it received to its draft budget this year called that cancer is significantly more common among those living close to power lines. Some countries have banned such to double the inadequate service on this line; it produced a building; a ban here is delayed because of the crash in subsidy of £1.1 million to do so for three years. SERA joined house values that it would cause (“the market for big houses in this campaign and some of its members helped lead it. in the countryside would disappear” say estate agents) and the cost of burying the lines instead. SERA’s 1999 AGM Will Fancy is Secretary of Bristol and South West SERA supported our call for a campaign. Now it the time to make the case again. For enquiries about Bristol and South West SERA, Please email Will Fancy (Secretary) on [email protected] Bristol has the highest level of car ownership outside London and one of the lowest traffic speeds. Branch railways that could relieve this were slashed. One is now used only for

9 NG73:new ng template.qxd 03/09/2007 17:02 Page 10

General Election

Winning the Green Vote How and why Labour must win the next election on green policies Emma Burnell

he next general election – to the outcome. In which case people unfair assessment of the whenever it comes – will be the must be both persuaded that by voting Government’s attitude to the defining election for green green you instead get blue, and that environment, it is a damning politics and policy for decades voting red means voting red/green. indictment of their ability to speak to to come. This is why it is essential that this agenda. Too often – as with other Gordon Brown wins on a green It is also worth remembering that more traditional Labour measures - T women - who have been absolutely key good has been done by stealth, manifesto. To do so, he will need to win voters who have both voted Green in to Labour’s electoral success - poll allowing others to accuse us of either the past, and the increasing numbers significantly higher than men on incoherence or inaction. of floating voters who list climate environmental issues. Labour need to change and other green issues higher maintain the support of women, and to This is a perfect moment to reclaim and higher on their list of priorities. To do so will have to persuade them too this agenda in a bold way, and show ignore this necessity would be both of our green credentials. that the environment is not only the catastrophic for Labour electorally, and natural territory of the Labour Party, disasterous in terms of the UK’s As many of those who vote in protest but that only the Labour Party is able climate change policies. chose to vote for either the Green Party to deal with the challenges of climate or theLiberal Democrats, who change in such a way that is true to The last general election demonstrated consistently (though in our opinion our egalitarian principles. a clear group of voters who were wrongly) polls as “best on the dissatisfied with aspects of Labour’s environment”, Labour could woo these In his foreword to our recent pamphlet policies who had turned to third or voters back by putting front and centre “Red Green Socialism”, Rt Hon David fringe parties to express that the green agenda it has been working Miliband wrote “The renewal of Labour dissatisfaction. While there is no on quietly for years, and boldly making needs the challenge, energy and denying that the vast majority of those this agenda the heart of it’s election idealism of the environmental who switched from Labour to smaller campaign. movement”. The environment is an parties were “anti war Labour” voters, issue of strong import both to Labour there should be no assumption that Labour has a good record on the traditionalists, and to those Labour these voters will return to the Labour environment. From signing and must reach to renew itself in office. A fold after a change of leadership, promoting the Kyoto Agreement (and campaign needs the the dynamism of without a strong incentive to do so. being one of the few governments those already facing up to the internationally to be set to meet their challenges of climate change. It also While media attention has tended to Kyoto targets) to the Climate Change needs the strength that social justice focus on the more shocking elements Bill, Labour has seen the necessity of brings out in the Labour movement of this abandonment of Labour – areas action to stem the tide of climate and wider progressive world. Such a where the BNP or UKIP had an change, and defend ourselves against campaign could bring together the unfortunate strong standing in a its worst effects. many diverse parts of the Labour traditional Labour area - this downplays movement to work together towards the significance of the protest votes However, too often such measures one goal. This could be a uniting that went to the Greens or the Liberal have not been seen as part of a movement, healing some of the Democrats. In fact if you look at the consistent strategy, or as pertaining to divisions of the past, but only if done Green vote in more than 20 of the so an overarching ethos, but as piecemeal well, done boldly and done well (for called “super marginals” it has the measures, reacting to events and example, nuclear power would not be ability to make a significant difference headlines. While this is probably an an acceptable solution to most of

10 new ground campaigning for environmental progress and social justice NG73:new ng template.qxd 03/09/2007 17:02 Page 11

either the traditional Labour movement been positioning his Tories to paint behaviour not only through punitive or the environmentalists, and is an them as Green as possible. But Labour measures on the bad, but also unnecessary and expecsive diversion must continue to show up this rhetoric incentives and encouragement for the from the real and long term solutions for what it really is. Cameron does not good. This can only be done through an of energy efficiency, decentralised and believe in the state as a force for good, active, and proactive state. renewable energy sources). but it is only through the state that real and decisive changes can be made. Mass insulation projects, grants for Under a new leader, and with a new Cameron and his Tories want to get other energy efficiency measures, feeling of renewal, Labour are steering Britain out of the EU, but it is only microgeneration schemes and several key pieces of legislation though progressive international community based energy projects are through Parliament. The Climate bodies like the EU, those with the teeth just a few ways that the Government Change Bill is key, and strengthening and the will to act decisively on climate could show the state acting in a radical this in committee stage to make it change, that international leadership and popular way to ensure a low more realistic both about the can be forged and action taken. carbon future for Britain. None of these challenges of climate change (for are ideas David Cameron, in his example, the level on CO 2 cuts must be Labour accepts that climate change is current incarnation, could openly raised to 80% which will be vital in the biggest market failure that the speak out against, and so the keeping to a global temperature raise world has ever seen. We understand consensus becomes our consensus. of no more than 2 oC), will be central to that the market must be shaped, by The action, our action, and the solution shaping politics of the next decade. the state and other actors, to correct our fair and just solution. This is our last best chance to make this imbalance. If you cannot accept this change in a gradual and organised the market as the cause of the The next election is where the fashion. If we fail to start to make the problem, you cannot adequately see decisions about how the UK responds difficult changes and choices now, we the changes that will be necessary to to the climate change crisis will be may well be forced to take far more correct it. If you believe we will solve made. Labour has done a great deal drastic and draconian measures later climate change by market mechanisms over the last decade to help those in on. The choice is clear. Make sensible alone, you are tacitly accepting that in the worst poverty. This work could be and fair changes now, under a Labour this solution will be winners and losers. wiped out if we are unable either to government, or risk a Conservative You are accepting that the market make our case effectively on our vision government pricing the poor out of the must be allowed to run roughshod over for the future, or to enact it. best the 21st century could have to those who cannot afford to keep up offer. with it, and who cannot afford even to Emma Burnell is National Coordinator run to stand still. An unregulated of SERA If we put social justice at the heart of market adjusted to the true cost of climate change policies now, carbon will still have the problems maintaining the strength of the inherent in an unregulated market, and measures needed but ensuring the so will have no safety net for those left effects are felt in a fair way across behind by the reality of the costs of society, Labour can bring the public daily life. with them on making the painful choices. If we continue to put off The cost of mitigation and prevention difficult decisions, we risk leaving them of climate change must be taken on by to those we would least trust to make the state and other non-market actors, them. to ensure they are absorbed by all in society in the fairest way possible. There is no doubt that whoever wins Taxes must reflect not just our the next election will be forced to take behaviours, but the impact those drastic action on climate change or behaviours have on others, and our face increasingly severe ability to behave in other, better ways. consequences. David Cameron has Government must be a driver of good

11 NG73:new ng template.qxd 03/09/2007 17:02 Page 12

David Cameron

Environmental politics: Labour’s challengers Stephen Hale

avid Cameron’s focus on the environment secretary SERA’s new He began by focusing on climate environment has been a President David Miliband provided the change. But he has now also made a dramatic disruption to the most ambitious and intellectually series of speeches on the quality of stale political debate that coherent articulation of a new life, biodiversity and the natural preceded it. For the first time since commitment. The speeches made by environment, though with little public 1997, the opposition has put real all deputy leadership candidates to recognition to-date. He has not yet D SERA were evidence of the widespread found an issue in these areas to political pressure on the government in relation to the environment. What has feeling that Labour’s next ten years capture attention in the way that the motivated this shift? What effect has it should be much greener than the Climate Change Bill did. had? Where will the Conservatives take decade since 1997. this agenda? And two really important The “Setting Britain Free” Report from questions. First, does this really By his own description, David the Competitiveness Commission matter? Second, what are the Cameron’s leadership is now moving provides a marked contrast to implications for the next election and into a new phase. The six policy Cameron’s ambition. It asserts time beyond? commissions established by Cameron and again that a familiar Redwood have all now published their reports. prescription of free markets, de- It was Tony Blair who triggered the rise They have laid bare for all to see the regulation and un-restrained of the environment in public and profound tensions in attitudes to the businesses will deliver positive political debate, when he made climate environment within Cameron’s environmental outcomes without any change a priority for the 2005 G8 Conservative Party, through the reports analysis of the impact of energy, Summit. David Cameron had made an of the competitiveness commission led transport, planning, regulation or other important contribution to this process. by John Redwood and the Quality of proposals on either emissions targets But the profile of the environment is Life commission co-chaired by Zac or the natural environment. None. not solely a product of competition in Goldsmith and John Gummer. the Westminster village. Media The chapter on regulation, for instance, coverage of climate change, dramatic The case for an ambitious approach proposes a £14 billion reduction in the weather events, and most recently new has been repeatedly made by Cameron cost of regulation without a single corporate commitments from Marks himself, and needs no repetition for reference to the impact on and Spencer and others have all been readers of new ground. He has environmental regulation. critical too. articulated clearly and consistently the need to re-orient our economies to live Many of the Competitiveness Cameron’s motivation has been within natural environmental limits, Commission’s proposals are totally primarily tactical of course. The and the economic, social, security and incompatible with David Cameron’s environment has been the defining development implications of failing to campaign for the Climate Change Bill. feature of David Cameron’s mission to do so. He has not yet demonstrated He calls for a dramatic expansion in build a Conservative party in tune with that his emerging philosophy of social airport expansion and opposes 21st century Britain, as the party’s new responsibility will face head-on the Cameron’s aviation tax plans, assisted oak tree image graphically confirms. connections between these issues. But in the Transport Working Group by the But that does not diminish the his commitment and ambition are now former managing director of UK importance of his impact. integral to his leadership of the party, Airports Limited. On motorways and a major shift away from this Redwood bemoans the fact that: It helped to galvanise a new urgency ambition is therefore highly improbable and commitment to the environment as long as he remains leader. “In England, there are just six basic across the final Blair cabinet. As motorways… there is: no continuous

12 new ground campaigning for environmental change and social justice 12 NG73:new ng template.qxd 03/09/2007 17:02 Page 13

motorway either through Devon and proposals. To take just one example, politicians and journalists in London? Cornwall, or across the south coast, or they have already called publicly for a The Liberal Democrats have a long- from London to the Scottish border; moratorium on new airports. established lead among voters as the and no continuous motorway links to greenest of the three main parties. the ports of Felixstowe, Dover and Where will Cameron go from here? In Labour and the Conservatives still have Folkestone, nor from the Midlands to aspiration and tone, Cameron will not a great deal to do to inspire voters Southampton.” recoil from the Goldsmith – Gummer whose primary concern is the axis. But the extent to which he feels environment. The report is also bad news for either privately persuaded or keen to Cameron’s commitment to the natural be publicly supportive of their The new Prime Minister’s commitment environment. The Campaign to Protect proposals remains to be seen. to nuclear power and the Planning Rural England described his report as White Paper suggest that he does not “confused and contradictory and, at its Cameron and his team will not expect see environmentalists as an important worst, a recipe for environmental the environment to be a central issue constituency. The Conservatives have degradation“. for voters at the next election. But used the environment to demonstrate given the importance of this agenda to- that they are engaging with the There are some positives in the report. date, he is certain to continue to focus challenges of the 21st century. Surely It includes strong support for rail on it in the run-up to and during the Brown will feel the need to do the expansion and carbon capture and next election. same? storage technology, and in parts greater use of brown-field land for Cameron will undoubtedly adopt a set There was much to welcome in his development. But these sections feel of totemic campaigns and speech to Green Alliance in March bolted on in deference to the commitments emerging from the 2007. His radical reshuffle and new leadership, with no consideration of quality of life commission. Zac initiatives in many other areas have whether they merit a re-assessment of Goldsmith’s continued participation in demonstrated a profound break with the overall approach. the Cameron adventure presumably the Blair era and generated a dramatic depends upon it. It is not yet clear shift in Labour’s fortunes. There has Shadow Chancellor though whether he will persuade been little to celebrate on the was wrong to defend criticism of the Cameron to offer a substantially new environment since his arrival at environmental implications of the intellectual framework or detailed Number 10. But there is a new report as “very unfair”, and claim that policies to match his green commitment and urgency on the “there is plenty in the report on climate expectations. Leaders of the opposition environment in government, the party change and the environment.” rarely choose to do so. and among the trade unions too. We live in hope. It is untrue too of other Conservative So the key issue in relation to the policy commissions published to-date. Conservatives is where David Cameron David Miliband’s speech to the Fabian The Commission on Security failed to chooses to focus and to pressurize the Society set out the environmental consider the strategic and security government. Housing and planning priorities for Labour’s next ten years. implications of climate change. It did looks like being one. Cameron has Labour needs a manifesto to match include a chapter on securing access come out strongly against the un- that analysis. Over the page there are to fossil fuels abroad. But climate democratic nature of Labour’s planning proposals from myself and others for security, not energy security, is the real proposals and argued for local those working on that document. strategic imperative. Europe is the only democratic control of decisions on SERA’s focus should be on Labour’s international player that could make housing, while supporting the offer, not the Conservatives that a reality. government’s desire for new housing. positioning. Aviation too seems likely to be a The Quality of Life Commission’s Conservative focus, given their aviation Stephen Hale is the Director of Green Report will provide a sharp contrast. taxation proposals for new aviation Alliance. www.green-alliance.org.uk. He This article goes to print prior to taxes. Both have a local and regional was at the Department publication of that report. But Zac constituency as well as a national one. of Environment and Rural Affairs from Goldsmith and John Gummer will strike 2002-06. a profoundly different tone and put But how much does all of this really forward a detailed set of specific matter to voters as opposed to 13 NG73:new ng template.qxd 03/09/2007 17:02 Page 14

Manifesto

Making Green Promises SERA asked a number of regular contributors to submit ideas for a red/green manifesto for Labour at the next election. Over the next few pages you can see the results. Enhance our Global Leadership It is a cruel irony that those who have I hope we will build on our pioneering contributed least to international Environmental Transformation Fund - I hope the next manifesto will enhance climate change should suffer most which, for example, invests in low- our global leadership in policies from it. But that is the present and carbon infrastructure projects in aligning climate change and future effect of climate change on the developing countries - and continue to international development. world's poorest countries and people. promote reform internationally for such As we work domestically and This is both a social injustice and policies to be adopted more broadly. internationally to establish effective threatens the development gains adaptation and mitigation climate made in recent years. Rt Hon Douglas Alexander is Secretary change strategies, we must ensure of State for International Development international social justice and A key way in which our international and a Vice President of SERA. development concerns are central. development policies must, therefore, address poverty is through supporting low-carbon economic development.

Environmental Rights emissions. And a programme of real environmental rights for the citizen: to investment in the railways – coupled empower people and communities to The case for environmental with more affordable fares – would take on the polluters and win. Hard to sustainability has become so reap huge benefits. These would both define, of course. Potentially overwhelming in the last few years that be at the top of my list. dangerous in practice. But that’s what it must form the centrepiece of any would make it infinitely worthwhile to future Labour manifesto. My top Close behind, though, would be do. priority? I’m torn between two things. another (and I think rather innovative) A nationwide programme of energy idea – which we first floated in “In Lord Chris Smith of Finsbury is a conservation work in homes and Trust for Tomorrow”, the Party’s Labour Peer and former President of offices would help both the individuals ground-breaking policy document in SERA. themselves and the scale of carbon 1994. This is the idea of a set of

Low Carbon Homes For All 2050. Significant savings in measures such as installing smart household energy use and carbon meters into all homes and improved Over a quarter of the UK’s carbon emissions are needed to achieve a information on fuel bills; and fiscal emissions arise from the way we light, 60% cut in carbon emissions by 2050, incentives for energy improvements, heat and run our homes. The with significant progress by 2020. such as stamp duty relief for highly government’s commitment to zero energy efficient homes. carbon new homes by 2016 There is no single solution. The represents a significant step towards Labour Government should commit to Tracy Carty is the Coordinator of the addressing this. But lack of progress an ambitious package of measures SERA Built Environment Group in tackling existing stock is a critical that will deliver low carbon homes for gap in the government’s efforts. all. This should include: a code for Existing homes will comprise the vast sustainable existing homes – linked to majority of our housing stock far into incentives for householders; better the future – around two thirds in consumer information through

14 new ground campaigning for environmental change and social justice NG73:new ng template.qxd 03/09/2007 17:02 Page 15

Energy Efficiency in Homes Work with Trade Unions to Secure a Encourage Locally Generated Heat Just Transition to a Low Carbon and Power There are many manifesto Labour Market commitments on the environment I Generating electricity in huge coal and would like to see but let me focus on Over half of emissions are work gas power stations and transmitting it one, broad though it is, and that is a related. This will demand a significant via the national grid is highly policy to encourage energy efficiency technological and regulatory inefficient. Two thirds of the energy in homes. response. It will also require social inputted into our centralised power partner engagement at all levels in stations is simply wasted in the form It is broad because it will require a order to foster new green jobs and of heat energy emitted as steam range of measures, regulation, encourage development of new ways through the huge cooling towers that incentives, and fiscal mechanisms. It of working and travelling to and from dot the countryside, and in the will need to encourage micro- work. process of transmitting energy from generation, such as applying feed-in As a first step the ACAS code of rural power stations to the towns and tariffs similar to the Germany. It needs practice on time off for trade union cities where it is largely needed. The new financial packages with grants for duties needs to be amended to give Mayor’s Climate Change Action Plan those on low incomes building on trade union environmental stresses the key role of decentralised established schemes like Warm Front, representatives the same facilities energy generation, such as locally but also looking at new green and low time as health and safety reps. This generated neighbourhood combined carbon energy mortgages with low or will enable working people to put heat, power and cooling. It sets interest free loans to encourage those environmental sustainability on the potential targets for London to get 25 who can pay to invest in their homes. consultation and negotiation agenda, per cent of its energy from It will need to reinforce the policy of and ensure that we are stakeholders decentralised sources by 2025, 50 new zero-carbon homes and address in durable change. It will also help to per cent by 2050. the challenge of retro fit the majority grow the human resource that we However, there are serious barriers to of existing housing stock to help hit need to create a sustainable low the expansion of decentralised energy the ambitious carbon reduction carbon labour market. schemes. The regulatory system must targets we have set. be urgently reformed, so that Dave Prentis is General Secretary of schemes can operate in a fair market, Elliott Morley is MP for UNISON and a Vice President of SERA. without prohibitive costs and burdens. and a former Enviornment Minister is Deputy Mayor of London and a Vice President of SERA

Create “Green Collar” Jobs For practical policies on environmental action. He suggested converting inner skills and job generation, Labour city flat tar roofs to grass to keep As pens the next draft of politicians can look to Germany, buildings cooler in hot weather- the Labour manifesto, I hope he will Scandinavia and even the US where creating jobs, cutting energy bills and include a pledge for action to create Democrat Congresswoman Nancy benefiting the environment at a stroke. 'green collar' jobs for a more equal Pelosi's Clean Energy Jobs Bill aims to Britain. generate a green dividend to invest in "Think of all the jobs that would be better work. In Germany, 170,000 created in every neighbourhood...", Prioritising green employment in people are now working in the Clinton said. "This would be the best Britain's most needy neighbourhoods country's fast expanding renewable thing for the economy you ever did. would combine two core Labour energy sector alone, many times more Not just for people with environmental priorities - combating climate change than in the UK. degrees, but for real working-class and poverty. And it would help Americans." Over to you Ed. popularise the environmental cause by And for inspiration, look no further promising fair shares in the benefits than former president who, Frances O’Grady is Deputy General that a greener economy can bring. speaking to a crowd in South Side Secretary of the TUC and a Vice Chicago this summer, put the case for President of SERA more government imagination and

15 new ground campaigning for environmental progress and social justice 15 NG73:new ng template.qxd 03/09/2007 17:02 Page 16

Manifesto

Reform the Energy Market heat pumps). Such schemes have promote a range of local and replicated models used in other community enterprise providers, such One of the key tests of any UK European countries to provide a as Thamesway Limited or Energy4all. Government over the next ten years practical demonstration of the major These could be organised or overseen will be their progress in cutting our benefits that decentralised power can by trusted local authority or community CO2 emissions. Tony Blair must be provide. Woking’s not-for-profit groups but offer a competitive congratulated for his role in Thamesway Limited succeeded in alternative to traditional energy committing the UK to these strict and reducing the areas carbon emissions companies. Finally, the Treasury in meaningful targets, but Blair is gone by 77% between 1990 and 2004. conjunction with a new Energy Ministry and now under Gordon Brown, we must use the financial penalties have the first opportunity to fulfil those The moment is right for action. The already imposed on expensive, targets. twin threats of global energy scarcity wasteful and polluting energy and climate change, allied to the companies to provide funding to not- Essential to our task will be reforming progressive ideal of equal access to for-profit localised energy service our energy market. The current market hot water, heating, lighting and power companies. incentivises a hugely wasteful and for essential electrical appliances insecure centralised system of means we must act. One of Margaret Thatcher’s greatest generation. Electricity is wasted as it triumphs over Labour was to capture travels around the grid. Heat from The Government must ignore the the benefits of a competitive and power stations pollutes our rivers interests of the incumbent housing quasi-liberal energy market and put an instead of being used to heat the and energy sectors. Reluctant to see end to a generation of energy crises. It water and radiators in our homes and their financial margins eroded, they is time to complete those reforms. offices. are understandably resistant to Creating the truly competitive change. framework that would ensure an A decentralised energy system has no equitable and sustainable energy such waste. It places generation at the We must start by reforming the market, is a daunting task for a new heart of the community and allows the industry regulator, OFGEM, giving it a Prime Minister. More daunting is the risk of investing in infrastructure and fresh mandate to create a truly alternative: that we lose for ever the the savings in terms of reduced energy efficient and competitive market in right to complete the environmental bills and CO2 emissions to be shared which consumers are always given the reforms that we started! fairly between households and energy choice to buy into energy services. We providers. In Southampton and must remove the regulatory burden on Hugh Goulbourne is the Coordinator of Woking, for example, there are off-grid companies with respect to energy the SERA Energy Group networks of combined heat and power pricing and instead ask OFGEM to help and local renewables (wind, solar and

wasteful and inefficient products Make the Green Choice the Easy possible to achieve ambitious should be edited out to make the Choice government targets. green choice the easy choice. For public space, it should include a Environmental policy can seem remote The outline of such a package can be commitment to provide high quality and abstract to many people. Labour sketched now. In the home, it should green public space within easy walking should provide leadership and include a free home audit and smart distance of every household in Britain. Government action to bridge that meter and five recyclable materials divide. The next manifesto should offer collected weekly from every household. Stephen Hale, Director of Green an ambitious package to make the In transport, it should include a Alliance. green choice for people the easy commitment to make public transport choice. Warm words will not inspire affordable for all, cheaper than the car voters or make this a reality. Labour and accessible for small and long needs to capture public attention with distance journeys. For consumers, specific proposals that covers every aspect of people’s lives, and makes it

16 new ground campaigning for environmental change and social justice NG73:new ng template.qxd 03/09/2007 17:02 Page 17

A Manifesto for Waste • A tax on mass-burn incineration as with the landfill tax, that would • The proposed banding of Renewable SERA has welcomed the Waste encourage movement up the waste Obligations to encourage and support Strategy 2007 and broadly agrees with hierarchy technologies such as Anaerobic the vision outlined. However, we • A focus on workable producer Digestion believe there is room for improvement responsibility, so that the burden • Support for the community sector to and would welcome the following: does not fall on local authorities ensure its continued contribution. • More ambitious targets for recycling, • Real life results from sustainable and reuse production and consumption work to Philippa Roberts is the Coordinator of • A reconsideration of variable encourage the public that change can, the SERA Waste Group charging as opposed to an incentive and is, taking place. We need more system than reports and Life Cycles •Clarification of definitions between Assesments (LCAs) for the public to existing and new pieces of legislation believe waste is being taken seriously

Encourage People Out of their Cars Securing a Robust Price on Carbon rather than a mechanism that rewards lower emissions. Perversely this has Currently 80% of journeys are taken Pricing CO 2 emissions is vital. Many of led to windfall profits for the big by car – an unacceptably high the sources of emissions exist in energy generators, estimated to be as percentage. Much more should be industries where price signals would much as £1 billion. done to encourage people to leave encourage the market (suppliers and the car at home. Local elected consumers) to move away from In 2006, David Miliband as representatives should have more say products that involve high CO2 environment minister led in supporting over bus services, and local transport intensity. During his tenure at the the EU Commission’s ‘improvement’ of planners to prioritise cycling and Treasury, the PM demonstrated an the next round of the EUETS (2012- walking over the car. Also, more ability to use market forces as a force 2016). We must continue to push for should be done to encourage for good. We hope he will show the further improvements so that it drives passengers onto off-peak rail services same willingness to press for a robust CO 2 reduction. We would suggest that and to reduce overcrowding on peak mechanism through which to price the aviation sector is also brought services. Further, the Government CO 2. within the scheme and that rather must push for strong European than making allocations to businesses, regulation to require car makers to The EU Emissions Trading Scheme is companies are required to enter into a produce lower-CO 2 vehicles. the main vehicle for trading by high full auctioning process. This would be Separately, the predicted growth in intensity CO 2 market sectors and could a unitary and efficient means by which to ‘tax’ CO 2 intensive industry and aviation is threatening to blight help establish a robust CO 2 price, millions of homes and produce which would help the more to a low would provide investment for low CO 2 millions of tonnes of CO2. Allowing carbon Europe. However the current sectors such as the emerging this growth in aviation is scheme is flawed because EU member renewable and decentralised energy environmental madness. The States have been given overgenerous sectors, sustainable building, public Government must change its view, emissions allocations and because transport and electric cars with much and refuse to sanction any further member States have provided needed investment across the country. aviation expansion . companies with permits to pollute Hywel Lloyd is Chair of SERA Alex Veitch is the Coordinator of the SERA Transport Group

If you have an environmental idea you would like to suggest for the next Labour Party Manifesto, please email it to [email protected]. SERA promise to consider all ideas carefully, and contribute the best ideas in a paper to Labour’s Manifesto Team and . 17 NG73:new ng template.qxd 03/09/2007 17:02 Page 18

Comment

Land Value Taxation Dave Wetzel

he Treasury’s proposal for a By introducing yet another development land pay the land rent into a common pool and use development land tax (Planning Gain tax Gordon Brown could be laying the very this fund to provide for health, education and Supplement or the Milton Keynes Roof foundations for his own defeat as Prime other collective services. Tax) will act as an additional barrier to Minister. However, if Gordon was to put an the use of idle land in the towns and cities of annual charge on holding land idle – then this This is exactly how a land value tax works. It is the UK and encourage even more would work in exactly the opposite direction. a sharing of natural resources that have been T All sites would need to be valued for their provided free by Mother Nature to our development on greenfield sites in our countryside. optimum permitted use and an annual levy or generation living on this planet today, with no poundage applied. (Such a Land Value Tax cost of production. Mother Nature does not If Gordon Brown goes ahead and taxes (LVT) is very similar to business rates but charge us for the fertile fields, the town centre landowners for developing their land, they instead of buildings being valued all land sites, the sites for homes looking over rivers, can, and will, simply avoid the tax by not would be valued). lakes or oceans or indeed the minerals and oil developing. Landowners who have inherited in the ground. land passed down through their families for Owners of brownfield sites would put their generations will be able to avoid Gordon’s new land to good use or sell it. Either way, the land In his July statement to Parliament, Gordon tax simply by refusing to sell their land to would be available for homes, jobs, retail or Brown announced that if a better way than the developers. When your family have waited leisure in towns and cities where people most proposed Planning Gain Supplement could be hundreds of years to develop, another few want them. All premises would become more found for funding increased infrastructure, years waiting for the development land tax to affordable. The countryside would be freed transport and other benefits, the government be abolished is no great hassle. from the threat of urban sprawl. Transport would be ‘prepared to defer’ legislation. would operate more efficiently. The effect of this will be to push development LVT will not just collect an immediate planning onto more marginal land farther from our The income from LVT could be used to abolish gain from sites that are due for development – urban areas, causing urban sprawl and all the Council Tax and Rates and to reduce income but from all sites (developed and unnecessary costs that arise with the demand tax on workers and VAT on goods and undeveloped) that enjoy increase land values for new infrastructure (schools, hospitals, services. Workers would have more that arise from the activities of the community water, energy etc.) and new transport links. disposable incomes, trade would flourish, and are a free gift to landowners. Workers will spend longer time commuting, more jobs created and with no need to Surely, the Land Value Tax, with all its less time with their families and emit more suppress the price of homes, the Bank of advantages, is the solution that Gordon is CO 2, adding to climate change. England could allow interest rates to fall. Not looking for. only benefiting homeowners with cheaper We don’t need a crystal ball to witness this mortgages, but also businesses with cheaper If Gordon Brown ignores a land value tax then effect. In 1947 (Attlee), 1967 (Wilson) and business loans. Taxing non-producers maybe it will be David Cameron who will have 1976 (Callaghan) Labour Governments (landowners) benefits all those who do the opportunity to follow the example of the attempted to tax “planning gain”. These produce. Mayor of Harrisburg, the capital of Governments could all see that agricultural Pennsylvania in the USA where over 20 years land worth a modest sum became worth a The moral case for taxing land values is ago he decided to introduce a small annual fortune with planning permission for housing irrefutable. Imagine you are on a cruise ship land value tax on only half the land. If you or other urban use. To tax this gain at the time which sinks a short swim from an island with want to hear the results then come to the of development seemed a simple way of all the necessities for life, food, water and Labour Land Campaign’s meeting in Oxford capturing this “unearned” value – and yet it natural materials to provide shelter. 200 Town Hall, at 6pm on Tuesday 20th November, failed on each occasion because it was so people survive the sinking and successfully 2007. The Mayor of Harrisburg has been easy to avoid the tax. swim to the island. How would you decide Mayor for 24 years. On a similar record – which of your number would be the half dozen David Cameron could still be PM in 2032! The effect was to create an artificial shortage or so landowners of the island to whom the Which is not what we want. . . of land, increasing its price and making it remaining 194 would have to pay rent? You more expensive to buy or rent a home or could do what the British aristocracy has done premises for a company. It may be just a and fight for it, cheat for it, steal for it and Dave Wetzel is President of the Labour Land coincidence but within a couple of years from even kill for it. Presumably you could draw Campaign and a member of the SERA when these new taxes began to bite, Labour lots. Or maybe, just maybe, you might take a Executive. lost each of the subsequent general elections! more mature approach and all 200 decide to

18 new ground campaigning for environmental change and social justice NG73:new ng template.qxd 03/09/2007 17:02 Page 19

Mo Molem Lecture Series

To launch a series of debates challenging the use of nuclear technologies we a pleased to announce the inaugural lecture in October in Manchester. SERA Greater Manchester are delighted to announce the following event:

Nuclear Power Can’t Stop Climate Change

Date: Thursday 4 October 2007 Time: Early evening Venue: Central Manchester (tbc)

Speakers: Dr Helen Caldicott (Nuclear campaigner) (NUS President)

Background The lecture series in the name of the late Marjorie (Mo) Mowlam will focus on nuclear technology, and other social issues related to climate change.

Why in Mo’s name? In the 1980’s Mo represented the North East on the executive of the ANC (Anti-Nuclear Campaign). Her reputation as a peace-broker, whilst never being afraid to speak her mind, are in part why she remains one of Britain’s best loved politicians.

Why now? October 10 is the 50th anniversary of the Windscale Fire when Britain experienced it’s worst ever nuclear accident. It also marks the closing date of the DTI’s consultation on nuclear new build. Thus it is fitting that in the week preceding this date, Manchester should host an event to highlight the considerable public disquiet about nuclear power, and give voice to the arguments that this form of electricity production is not the answer to climate change, nor does it provide for energy security.

Who will speak? Dr Helen Caldicott long-term nuclear campaigner, founder of Physicians for Social Responsibility and author of “Nuclear Power Is Not The Answer” will give the inaugural address. Gemma Tumelty (NUS President) explains why these issues are relevant to students and young people, and a speaker from the Irish Parliament will challenge the pollution of coastal waters caused by nuclear technology in England’s North West.

For more information email: [email protected]

19 NG73:new ng template.qxd 03/09/2007 17:02 Page 20

Environment Question Time 6.00 - 7.30 Monday 25th September Hardy Suite, Hermitigate Hotel Opposite BICC

Rt Hon MP , Secretary of State for the Environment Baroness Barbara Young, Environment Agency Dirk Hazell, Environmental Services Association Philip Sellwood, Energy Saving Trust Sir Sir Martin Doughty , Natural England

Transport Question Time 6.00 - 7.30 Wednesday 27th September Main Hall, Punshon Church House Greening Opposite BICC Rt Hon Ruth Kelly MP, Secretary of State for Transport Lord Bach, Airport Operators Association Stephen Joseph ,Campaign for Better Transport SERA is the only sustainable development campaign Ian MacAllister , Network Rail ATOC atffiliahted to thee Labour P arty.R As a socialiest organisdation we s George Muir, campaign for policy measures that connect social justice and environmental change.

With over 70 Labour MPs (including the Prime Minister and at least Building For the Future - half the cabinet) amongst our members, we achieve influence well Achieving Zero Carbon beyond our current size, and are growing all the time. Homes 6.00 - 7.30 Tuesday 26th September All SERA Events are being held in the Climate Hardy Suite, Hermitigate Hotel Clinic: Opposite BICC

The Climate Clinic is a unique collabotion Yvetter Cooper MP Minister for Housing, of Environment Groups providing a Department for Communities and Local comprehensive series of debates, exhibitions Government Nicky Gavron , Deputy Mayor of London and special events to inform, educate and Mike Gilbert , British Cement Association lobby on climate change - the greatest Neil Jefferson , NHBC environmental, social and economic threat of Sunand Prasad , RIBA the 21st Century. Refreshments provided at all SERA events SERA are kindly supported By