Shaun Davies’ Evasive Stance on the Climate and Nature Bill
In this piece, originally written on 18 November 2024 and updated today, Telford and Wrekin Green Party Disability Officer Mark Webster calls on Telford MP Shaun Davies (Labour) to confirm his commitment to supporting the Climate and Nature (CAN) Bill, which is currently in its first reading in Parliament. At the time of this publication, neither Davies nor Mark Pritchard MP, the Conservative member for The Wrekin, had committed to supporting the Bill.
Shaun Davies’ Evasive Response to Support for #CANBill – Renewed Call for Support
When asked by Mark Webster of The Green Party Telford and Wrekin to provide his support for the cross-party the Climate and Nature (CAN) Bill in November 2024, Davies responded:
“I completely agree that the climate and nature crisis is growing ever more urgent,” and added, “the Climate Change Committee’s most recent progress report made clear, we are off track when it comes to taking action. I agree with you on the need to act rapidly to meet our legally binding climate targets.”
While this initially seemed like great news, Davies continued: “I hope you’ll be reassured to know that Greenpeace has welcomed a number of the new Government’s policies.” Davies’ omission of Areeba Hamid’s full remarks from Greenpeace reflects a selective acknowledgment of expert opinions. While he cites Greenpeace’s positive reception of certain government policies, he conveniently ignores Hamid’s call for stronger government actions against fossil fuel pollution.
So, again, with my environmental hat on, I call upon Shaun Davies to genuinely “Stand Up for Telford” and support this cross-party CAN Bill on 24th January.
The Broader Context
The Climate and Nature Bill, introduced by Liberal Democrat MP Roz Savage and co-sponsored by Green Party MP Carla Denyer, seeks to ensure the UK meets its climate and nature targets through comprehensive strategies and advisory assemblies. It represents a significant step forward in legislative efforts to combat climate change and protect biodiversity.
Despite this, Shaun Davies’ response conspicuously sidesteps any direct commitment. Instead, he highlights government initiatives and policies, which, while commendable, fall short of the legislative framework that the Climate and Nature Bill seeks to establish. His reluctance to endorse new legislation, which could hold the government—and himself—accountable for more ambitious climate action, raises concerns.
The broad support for the Climate and Nature Bill, with backing from 182 MPs across 11 political parties, underscores its importance and the widespread recognition of its objectives. Davies’ failure to align with this cross-party consensus raises questions about his commitment to the proactive and collaborative efforts needed to tackle climate and environmental challenges effectively.
A Call to Action
As the bill approaches its second reading in January 2025, MPs like Davies must decide whether to support legislative action that aligns with the pressing demands for climate justice and nature conservation. His current evasiveness not only disappoints constituents expecting clear advocacy but also risks undermining the momentum needed to address one of the most critical issues of our time.
In conclusion, Shaun Davies’ avoidance of directly supporting the Climate and Nature Bill highlights a concerning gap between political rhetoric and legislative action. As the climate crisis intensifies, the importance of clear, committed support for comprehensive environmental legislation cannot be overstated. Constituents and environmental advocates alike must continue to press for unequivocal endorsements from their representatives to ensure a sustainable future.