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Greater Manchester local elections 2019…. will the environment win?

news release

In the run up to the local elections in Greater Manchester on Thursday 2nd May, Manchester Friends of the Earth are asking all candidates standing for election to let voters know what they think about key environmental issues. 

On May 2nd, people in Greater Manchester have the opportunity to vote for the local councillors to represent them.  The local councillors elected will have to implement solutions to meet many social and environmental challenges during the next 5 years and beyond. These include rising transport & energy costs, traffic congestion, illegal levels of air pollution, ill health, low levels of physical activity and the urgent need to drastically reduce climate-wrecking emissions.    

Manchester Friends of the Earth will be asking all local council candidates across Greater Manchester for their views on 10 key issues such as: 

* Will you support a Climate Emergency motion in your local authority area?    

* Do you support the introduction of a Clean Air Zone D (which includes private cars) in the Regional Centre?    

* Will you support re-regulation (otherwise known as London-style public control) of our bus services in Greater Manchester?  

*.Would you support a ban on pavement parking in your council area?  [1]

Catherine Thomson, Manchester Friends of the Earth co-ordinator said:  “We wouldn’t dream of telling people which way to vote but we think voters have the right to know where candidates stand on urgent environmental issues that are affecting all our lives, such as climate change and air pollution.”
“Our elected councillors need to put young people first and act now for a sustainable future. The longer we put off these tough decisions the harder it will be for future generations.”

The responses received so far from each candidate and a summary by political party are available online (2).

ENDSContact for comments:  Pete Abel, Manchester Friends of the Earth, Mobile: 07951 642858

Notes for Editors

1) See https://www.manchesterfoe.org.uk/local-elections-2019/ 

Local council election candidates across Greater Manchester have been asked their views on the following 10 questions:


Climate
* Will you support (or have you supported) a Climate Emergency motion in your local authority area?  

* Do you agree that the Greater Manchester Pension Fund should fully divest from fossil fuels in the next two years? 

* Do you support the introduction of a zero-carbon standard for all new buildings in Greater Manchester from 2021?  

* Will you commit to taking Carbon Literacy training within one year of being elected?  

Transport and Air Quality
* Do you support the introduction of a Clean Air Zone D (which includes private cars) in the Regional Centre?  

* Will you support re-regulation (otherwise known as London-style public control) of our bus services in Greater Manchester?   
*. Would you support a ban on pavement parking in your council area? 

*. Do you support the introduction of a cap on emissions from flights to and from Manchester Airport?  

Nature and Plastic pollution
*. Do you support (or have you supported) the phase out of pesticide use in your local authority area?  

*. Do you support the procurement of school milk in plastic-free containers? 

2) The local election candidate responses are available online as they come in. 

3) Manchester Friends of the Earth is an award-winning environmental campaign group, raising awareness and lobbying for policy changes at a local, regional, national and international level. The group consists entirely of volunteers, and its campaigns are funded by membership fees and individual donations. Up-to-date information is available on the group’s website: www.manchesterfoe.org.uk. Manchester Friends of the Earth is a Licensed Local Group of Friends of the Earth, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. www.foe.co.uk

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