‘Give MPs a free vote’

Campaigners demand Climate Bill ‘New Year resolution’ from Starmer

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Published: December 30, 2024
This Article was written by: Katie Hill - My Green Pod
climate, climate action, nature, policy, politics

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Furious climate campaigners have written an open letter to Keir Starmer, demanding he makes a ‘New Year resolution’ to allow Labour MPs to ‘vote with their conscience’ on landmark environment legislation next year.

The Climate and Nature Bill would hardwire into domestic law the UK’s commitments to limit emissions in line with 1.5°C, and to place nature on a path to recovery by 2030.

It would also see the public involved directly in planning the UK’s transition to net zero, through a citizens’ assembly.

Cross-party support slipping

The Labour Party offered its support for the Bill’s ‘ambition and objectives’ but has failed to pledge its support since taking office.

The new law has the support of 88 Labour MPs. But ministers have been writing to their constituents to say they are ‘unable’ to back it because of government whipping.

Manchester Withington MP Jeff Smith told local resident Amy McDowell, ‘the Government does not support all the proposals in the Bill and so will not be supporting it. As a Government Whip, I am therefore unable to vote for the Bill or put my name to it.’

Now campaigners fear that even backbench Labour MPs will be told not to support the Bill. Dr Jeevun Sandher, Labour MP for Loughborough, reportedly told campaigners in his constituency that he has been told he would lose the party whip if he backed the legislation.

‘This looks very much like Number 10 is actively warning off Labour MPs, telling them not to vote with their hearts or their consciences in favour of this crucial change to the law.’

DR AMY MCDONNELL
Co-director of Zero Hour, the campaign group behind the Climate and Nature Bill

Hiding behind whips?

Very few private members’ bills – laws introduced by individual MPs rather than the government – are ever subject to a collective line. In the last several decades, campaigners cite only Margaret Thatcher’s opposition to the Protection of Official Information Bill in 1988 and Boris Johnson’s to ‘fire and rehire’ in 2021.

The campaign is now getting thousands of supporters to sign an 1th-hour plea to Keir Starmer. They write: ‘We are alarmed to hear reports that your government will break with longstanding Commons tradition on private members’ bills by imposing a ‘government line’. Ministers are already writing to constituents claiming they are ‘unable’ to back it.

‘We urge you to make a New Year resolution to give MPs a free vote on the CAN Bill, so that 2025 can be the year Parliament commits to preserving the planet for our children to enjoy for Christmases to come. The world is watching and waiting for your answer.’

Manchester resident Amy McDowell, whose MP has said his government job means he can’t back the Bill said: ‘I just can’t believe a Labour government that says they’re committed to the environment would instruct any of its MPs to vote against or abstain on this. MPs should be allowed to make their own choices. What could be a bigger issue of conscience than whether we save the planet or let it burn up? Keir Starmer needs to make sure MPs get a free vote and can’t hide behind whips as an excuse for not backing this Bill.’

The Bill is being led by South Cotswolds MP Roz Savage, and has its Second Reading vote on Friday 24 January 2025.

More than 250 Parliamentarians across the main parties, including Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat, SNP, DUP, Green, SDLP and Alliance MPs, have pledged their support.