Greens win Gorton & Denton by-election
Reacting to the Green Party’s victory in the Gorton and Denton by-election, Friends of the Earth’s chief executive, Asad Rehman, said:
“We hope Gorton and Denton’s new Green MP will strengthen voices in Parliament calling for faster action to tackle the climate and nature crises by championing fair solutions that benefit people and our planet.
“In the run up to the by-election, people in Gorton and Denton told Manchester Friends of the Earth that making their homes warmer to bring down their bills, better public transport, improving green spaces and strengthening local communities are among their top priorities.
“We need politicians who push for affordable and achievable green policies such as ramping up renewables and making polluters pay for action to tackle the climate crisis they’ve caused.
“And after this week’s frightening incidents at Manchester Central Mosque and Worcester Muslim Welfare Association’s community centre, it is more vital than ever for communities to come together and stand against Islamophobia and all forms of racism. Hatred and division, climate denial and delay have no place in British politics.”
Catherine Thomson, Manchester Friends of the Earth coordinator, said:
"We need the Government to make all our lives better by backing positive action for warmer homes, better public transport, improved green spaces and stronger communities.
“These are real solutions that will help cut our energy bills, reduce pollution, strengthen our communities and protect our green spaces and nature.
“We look forward to working with Hannah Spencer, the new Member of Parliament to help deliver these actions to improve people's lives in Gorton and Denton.”
Notes to editors
In the run up to the by-election, Manchester Friends of the Earth ran a series of community listening activities throughout February to understand residents’ top priorities for environmental justice. The results have informed a Charter of Hope, which the local group is calling on Gorton and Denton’s new MP to commit to. The Charter of Hope calls for:
Lower energy bills and warmer homes through insulation programmes, support for community-owned renewable energy, help for people in financial trouble and approving renewable energy developments. These are the solutions that will end our reliance on volatile gas markets and bring down bills for good. 60% of homes in Gorton and Denton are rated EPC D or below, meaning these houses are harder and more expensive to heat, amounting to 26,200 households with unnecessarily high energy bills.
Better public transport and healthy air by improving bus services, investing in public electric vehicle charging, creating safe walking and cycling routes, and curbing traffic around schools to protect children’s health. Air pollution across Gorton and Denton is above levels recommended by the World Health Organisation, and in at least one location above legal limits.
Improving green spaces and planting trees to boost physical and mental health and create space for nature. Gorton and Denton has poor access to green space compared with other constituencies.
- Stronger and more resilient communities through investing in community services, tackling inequality and building community cohesion and resilience. Many people feel their communities have been ‘left behind’, after many years of austerity, stagnant wages and soaring costs.