Each MP has their own path into politics. Mine began with years spent rowing alone across oceans, immersed in the wonder and majesty of nature. I saw first-hand just how vast and awe-inspiring our planet is – but also how vulnerable it has become. That experience taught me that we are all connected to the natural world, and we all have a part to play in protecting it – before it’s too late.
I believe we’re at a crossroads – one where the choices we make now will define the future of our planet. I couldn’t shake the fear that future generations might never experience the world as I had, that we might go down in history as the generation that knew exactly what was coming, but chose to look away. That’s what brought me into parliament.
The twin crises of climate and nature are no longer distant warnings on the news. We’re already seeing their effects here at home. Yet powerful vested interests continue to profit from maintaining the status quo.
That’s why, when I was fortunate enough to be drawn third in the Private Members’ Bill ballot last September, I knew what I had to do. I brought forward the Climate and Nature Bill – the CAN Bill – because if we are serious about leaving a fairer, greener world, we must follow the science, not just the politics.
By the time the CAN Bill reached its second reading in January, I’d been the Liberal Democrat MP for South Cotswolds for just six months. But that debate showed something important. For all the division we see in politics, there are still MPs – from all parties – who understand the urgency of protecting our climate and restoring nature.
The debate lasted just five hours – a tiny window in parliament’s calendar. But it was backed by months of determined campaigning from all corners: cross-party MPs, businesses, unions, NGOs, and thousands of ordinary citizens. I even found myself back on the water, rowing past parliament on a bright and crisp January morning – once again taking up my oars for a cause.
So yes, it was deeply disappointing that the Bill couldn’t progress that day. While the debate was adjourned to 11 July, it now sits too far down the parliamentary order paper to stand a realistic chance this session.
The government offered warm words in January. They pledged to deliver the “spirit and substance” of the CAN Bill and to meet with its supporters to find a way forward. They promised action on nature restoration, on reducing the UK’s consumption emissions, and on giving the public a greater say in shaping our environmental future.
But warm words aren’t enough. Since January, the government’s actions have too often gone in the opposite direction – approving airport expansions, weakening environmental protections, and ducking hard choices. Without legal guarantees, we’re left relying on promises – and frankly, trust is wearing thin.
Still, I believe there is hope. We don’t need to start from scratch. The UK has already signed key international agreements on climate and biodiversity. The problem is, these commitments aren’t legally binding – and history shows that unless something is written into law, it can be quietly ignored.
The government says it wants Britain to reclaim its position as a world leader on climate and nature, as we did with the Climate Change Act in 2008. That’s an ambition I fully support. But when the opportunity came to show leadership in January, they let it slip through their fingers.
Today, I urge the government to set out a clear, transparent plan to deliver on their promises. We need to see exactly how they will integrate climate and nature policies into a coherent strategy, involve communities in shaping a fair transition, and lock our international commitments into UK law.
The CAN Bill may have been blocked this time, but the fight for climate and nature is far from over. We don’t have the luxury of delay. Every year, every decision counts. The government now faces a choice – to back up its words with real action, or to let another opportunity slip away. Either way, those of us fighting for a fairer, greener future won’t stop. We owe it to future generations – and we will keep going.
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