2010 – Snubbing the Green Vote?

With the election less than a week away it is little surprise, and indeed understandable that focus has centred on issues of the economy, national deficit and immigration. What is surprising is the lack of attention paid to ‘Green Issues.’ Over the last decade, the growing prominence of environmental concerns in the media (and potential for sensational headlines) have cemented green policies as a headline grabber, and potential vote winner.

To illustrate the relatively recent rise of green politics, the Green party achieved their highest ever UK General Election result last time round and have 2 elected MEPS as well as 125 local councillors following the 2009 local elections.  Public awareness and interest in green issues has been on the rise however, so far, such issues have had only fleeting mention in the run up to this election.

Despite the rise of the Green Party, it is unlikely that they will have a role prominent enough to influence policy, leaving the green vote up for grabs amongst the 3 main parties.

In the manifestos of the 3 main parties, the environment is consigned to the latter pages and has barely featured in media and TV debates.

The Environment section of the Labour Party manifesto largely recycles (pardon the pun) old pledges, is consigned to the latter pages despite referring to low carbon policy as “one of the principal engines of our  economic recovery and future growth.”

The Lib Dems have some interesting proposals that differ from the other two, namely targeting a zero carbon UK, however have not been pressed to expand on the workings of such plans.

The Conservative Party, who are expected to have  a prominent role post May 6th,  have been relatively subdued  on what was previously high profile for them.  In fact David Cameron was the only one who failed to mention the environment in his opening and closing speeches in the inaugural TV debate, Nick Clegg and Gordon Brown at least made vague reference. Mr Cameron has previously flirted with the Greens by installing a wind turbine on his home which did not go unnoticed by the media; and also by cycling to work (although a car did follow with his briefcase).  However the absence of such stunts and media bartering on the issue, suggests that the green vote is no longer high on the political agenda.

Perhaps, the lack of attention paid to Green issues can be attributed to dwindling public faith in the political system as a whole, or more particularly, the ineffective and impractical follow up of previous proposals (e.g. the Scottish National Patry’s  ambitious Biomass plant plans).�
(http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article7107339.ece

It can be easy to present a polished and idealistic green pledge that in practice is not implemented as advertised, however it is far more complex to construct effective and workable environmental policies that can achieve the desired effect.

We’re not naive enough to believe that the environment should be top of the political agenda when so much is at stake.  However we see no reason why such issues should pale into insignificance at a time where parties should be forced to show their hand.  Given the UK’s ongoing carbon reduction commitments, surely an opportunity exists for the emerging ‘green markets,’ to play a role in economic recovery?
The three leaders are obviously determined to convey their competence in handling big issues and making tough decisions, however the absence of green policies from the political agenda suggests that the importance of environmental policy, and the value of the green vote, has been overlooked.