Cllr Bob Belam

Local Lib Dems have welcomed a report which rates them as the top performing party on ‘green’ issues. However, they have acknowledged that all three main parties still have more work to do to tackle climate change. The report by the Green Alliance, entitled How green are our parties? The Green Standard report, claims that the Liberal Democrats have offered “the strongest set of policies on climate change, green taxation and green living” whilst also delivering “the most substantive policy commitments”. The Lib Dems were the only party to receive the top ‘green star’ rating for their action on Climate Change, Green Living and Environmental Tax and Subsidies, with the report claiming that the party’s ambitious green taxation plans were part of a “bold and far reaching strategy”. The report, however, awarded no ‘green star’ ratings to the Conservatives, claiming that “the gap between their aspirations on the environment and their limited policy commitments is stark”. Liberal Democrat group member Cllr Bob Belam said: “It is pleasing that the Liberal Democrat’s ambitious and forward thinking work on climate change is being recognised.  Tackling the problem requires tough action to be taken, and our commitment to initiatives such as green taxation schemes shows that we are prepared to put our money where our mouth is on this issue. “The report suggests that some of the rhetoric coming from other parties on the issue is little more than hot air”. However, Cllr Belam was quick to acknowledge that all parties had a responsibility to step up their work on all aspects of environmental protection. “Environmental action isn’t simply confined to action on climate change, but ensuring that we instill a ‘green’ ethic amongst residents can benefit our living environment in Waltham Forest aswell as making a contribution on a larger scale”