This short report from iNews demonstrates the continued enthusiasm for a radical and joined-up approach to climate policy within the Labour Party- and not just on the left of the Party.
Red Green Labour urges support for the conference motion currently being promoted by Labour For A Green New Deal.
Keir Starmer on a climate collision course as his own constituency party backs socialist green new deal motion
The proposals, which will now be voted on at the party conference later this year, include a socialist green agenda centred on public ownership of energy, water and transport
Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer is on a collision course after his own constituency party in north London was one of several to back a socialist green motion.
Holborn and St Pancras was one of eleven Constituency Labour Parties (CLP) to vote for the Labour for a Green New Deal motion which calls for a radical overhaul of the party’s climate policies.
The proposals, which will now be voted on at the party conference later this year, include a socialist green agenda centred on public ownership of energy, water and transport.
It also puts emphasis on the ecological emergency and proposes reforming the way land is used and agriculture is managed.
It comes as the Labour leader promoted his own climate credentials ahead of the COP26 climate summit, to be hosted in the UK in November.
He set out his support for a version of a green new deal which he argued should underpin all policy from foreign to domestic – with a specific emphasis on investment in new jobs.
And he accused Prime Minister Boris Johnson of having “soundbites” but “no action” to tackle the climate crisis.
In response to the IPCC report on climate change, Sir Keir promised his government “would deliver the action we need to drive down emissions, with progressive solutions for our citizens, and leadership on the international stage”.
However, many in the party feel the current policies do not go anywhere near far enough to set about the change desperately needed to begin to tackle the climate emergency.
A Holborn and St Pancras CLP member who attended the meeting said the motion was the most debated of the evening, winning “by far the most support”.
“It was an overwhelming vote for this particular motion which I have to admit was a bit of a surprise because previously there has been support but this was an overwhelming support,” they said.
They said the north London CLP has a more unified approach to tackling climate change than previously, with acceptance radical measures are needed.
But there is a sense of disappointment that the Labour leader is not being “bold” enough, with the source saying they felt he was hesitant to back the socialist elements of the motion.
“He needs to try and take on board the ramifications,” the member said. “It’s not just about green jobs.
“The way in which everything has been privatised has prevented meaningful action on the climate emergency. If we are going to provide a radically different public transport system it’s going to have to be public and the same for water, sewage and putting in place a new infrastructure to protect people from climate change.
“There is lots of people who want to put the climate emergency high up the agenda. What is good about this motion is it set out a framework for future policy direction.”
