UK General Election 2017: Why It Matters for Wildlife

Dunlin© Tom Marshall

The snap UK General Election on June 8th takes place at crucial moment for wildlife.

Never before have the stakes for wildlife been so great. The next Government will have some big decisions to make for the UK’s natural environment – almost immediately.

The majority of our environmental laws are currently wrapped up with our membership of the European Union; and so are some really key policies that affect wildlife, like on farming and fishing. Some of our most precious wildlife habitats and species – our River Itchen, our New Forest heathlands and our Solent seagrass meadows need guarantees into the future.

The environment barely featured in the 2015 general election. This time it must be different. We could be a world leader on the environment with clean air, clear water, a stable climate, healthy seas, beautiful landscapes and thriving wildlife in the places we care about most.

Whatever our individual politics, the one thing we all agree on is the need for a UK richer in wildlife.

 

Take action

  1. Tell your local candidates how much wildlife means to you. Your local candidates will be on your doorsteps and in your streets – this is a great chance to tell them why wildlife is important.

  2. Ask local candidates three key questions for wildlife:
    •      What would you do to ensure our wildlife laws remain strong and that steps are taken to restore the damage done to nature? If you’ve got a bit longer, why not ask if they will commit to an ambitious new Environment Act for England?

    •      What would you do to ensure that wildlife thrives in our seas once more? If you want more detail, ask them if they will ensure that more marine protected areas are designated and enforced?

    •      What would you do to ensure that new farming policies across the UK provide for nature’s recovery? More specifically, you can ask if they will make sure that any taxpayers’ payments to farmers support activity for nature’s recovery
  3. Attend a hustings event, and ask questions about what candidates will do to protect wildlife.

  4. Talk to friends and family about why wildlife and the environment are important, and share responses from your local candidates with them.

  5. Make sure you’re able to vote for nature - sign up here before 22nd May if you’re not already on the electoral roll.

Thank you for your support for wildlife.