Tessa Munt, MP for Wells, has been elected to chair the first Lib Dem backbench MPs’ ‘Green’ Group.
This new grouping of MPs was formed to put extra pressure behind the Government’s environmental and climate change plans. The timing of this development is especially good following the Government’s acceptance of Parliament’s Committee on Climate Change’s recent Report and Carbon Budget recommendation, which commits the country to a 50% cut on the 1990 level of CO2 emissions by 2025.
The Green MPs group will keep a close eye on major environmental issues facing the country and work to ensure the Government keeps its promise to be “the ‘greenest’ ever”. Initially, this will involve working on the Energy Bill currently passing through Parliament. Tessa has, additionally, been elected to serve as one of two Liberal Democrat MPs on the new Energy Bill Committee, which will meet for two days each week throughout June to scrutinise the Bill clause by clause before it becomes law.
Tessa said, “I am really delighted to be so involved in these crucial matters. The countryside and the environment have been passions of mine for many, many years and it is fantastic to know that I have the chance to influence what happens next. With a few changes, I can see how a good Energy Bill could make an excellent Energy Bill and I look forward to working with my fellow Lib Dems to do just that!”
“Often, doing the best thing for the environment is exactly the same as doing the best thing to save money, which helps everyone – so being ‘green’ will mean the same as treating people fairly. I am really pleased to have this opportunity and I intend to make the most of it!”
Tessa Munt
23rd May 2011