Labour ditches £28 billion green investment plan: A backward step for climate and economy
It's not about the economy's capacity, it's about political will and priorities.
This is a massive backward step – for the climate, for the economy and for good quality jobs. Both the security of our planet for the next generations and the nation’s future prosperity is dependent on greening our economy and that requires large scale investment.
Labour have chosen to wear their fiscal rules as a millstone around their neck. A different approach through tax reforms, in particular by introducing a wealth tax on the super-rich, could help pay for the green transition. There is more than enough money to pay for this. The Green Party would go further and faster, spending at least double what Labour originally pledged.
Greens recognise that investing in a green future will provide people with economic, social and environmental security. By decarbonising industry, insulating buildings, and ramping up renewable energy infrastructure, we can drastically reduce emissions, cut household bills, and create well-paid and secure jobs in every corner of the country.
According to the Office for Budget Responsibility, early investments in climate initiatives are not only cost-effective but essential. Delaying action escalates costs and exacerbates the climate crisis. It's high time we prioritize our planet's health over short-term economic apprehensions.
We advocate for a progressive tax reform, ensuring the wealthiest contribute their fair share towards combating climate change. This strategy also includes substantial support for those hardest hit by the cost-of-living crisis, offering tangible solutions such as home retrofitting to reduce both bills and carbon footprints.
We are one of the richest countries in the world. We can choose to do this if we want to. Labour has chosen not to.
The state of the NHS in Cheltenham
Not a week goes by without me hearing about someone’s challenges with the badly underfunded health service in Cheltenham. These challenges include a lack of A&E provision; staff shortages affecting our maternity wards; ambulance delays; waiting lists; the search for affordable dental care; poor mental health services and not least, a workforce feeling unloved, unsupported and under resourced.
We cannot let this continue. I am therefore calling upon all local parties to pledge to stop the blame game and work together for the good of the town. We have to ensure the local NHS in all its forms gets the resources it so desperately needs.
If you have any questions about this article or want to raise any issues with me as your Green Parliamentary Candidate for Cheltenham, you can contact me at directly at daniel.wilson@cheltenham.greenparty.org.uk
