Each event will explore the role of woods and trees within the political tradition of that party and provide a platform to discuss our proposal to develop a new Charter for trees, woods and people and a range of our other core
manifesto policyproposals. These include: a tree for every child; trees enhancing new developments and ensuring that Garden Cities are worthy of the name; real protection for ancient woods; and a call to enshrine the Government’s tree cover target into legislation.
Life’s better with trees and we believe everyone is entitled to the benefits they bring. We want to share our vision for a UK rich in native woods and trees, enjoyed and valued by everyone.
Trees are an important cost-effective policy solution which should be of interest to all parties as they develop their manifestos. The events will discuss how woods and trees can be utilised to help deliver on many policy agendas at the same time.
The UK has many challenges facing its woods and trees and the case for a new Charter for trees, woods and people has never been stronger. The Charter aims to maximise the benefits and opportunities woods and trees offer us in the 21st century.
The events are in the context of a ComRes survey conducted by the Woodland which found that 86% of MPs thought government should take steps to better protect the UK’s ancient woodland, 81% believed that where possible all new construction projects in the UK should include provision for tree planting, and 72% believed that everyone in the UK should be able to benefit from accessible woodland near their home.
Developing a new charter will help place the UK and a vital part of its heritage in far better heart as the country pulls out of recession. A thriving recovery for trees and woods, and a thriving recovery for people are utterly bound up together and they always have been..
Full details of the timings of the events and the Panel speakers are listed below.
Labour
Sunday - 21 September, 5-7pm,
Chester Suite, Midland Hotel, Manchester.
Beccy Speight- CEO of the
Woodland Trust
Joan Walley MP- Chair of the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee (EAC). She is a long standing supporter of the Trust’s work and champion of ancient woodland.
Barry Gardiner MP- Opposition front bench spokesman on Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with responsibility for forestry, and MP for Brent North. Forestry minister under the previous government and Ed Miliband’s Special Envoy for climate change and the environment between 2011 and 2013.
Conservative
Sunday 28 September, 5:30-7pm, Dolce Room, Hyatt Regency, Birmingham.
Austin Brady-
Woodland Trust
Director of Conservation and External Affairs
George Eustice MPis Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and MP for Camborne and Redruth.
Katherine Drayson- Research Fellow at Policy Exchange –specialising in ecology, planning policy and the environment Author of the recent Policy Exchange report, ‘Green society: policies to protect the UK’s green spaces’
Stanley Johnson- environmentalist and author. Former Conservative MEP and parliamentary candidate.
Cllr Neil Clarke MBE- Leader of Rushcliffe Borough Council, Chair of District Councils Network and Deputy Chair of the LGA Executive and Vice-Chair of its People and Places board.
Lib Dem
Sunday 5th October 7.45pm – 9pm at the Crowne Plaza, Castle 2 Room, Glasgow
Dan Rogerson MP, parliamentary under-secretary of state for Water, Forestry, Rural Affairs and Resource Management
Roger Williams MP, member of EFRA select committee
Carol Evans,
Woodland Trust
Scotland director
Lord Purvis of Tweed
Rt Hon John Thurso MP, Chair of Commons Finance and Services Committee and member of Treasury select committee
Councillor Heather Kidd, Deputy chair LGA People and Places Board