Runcorn and Helsby

The UK General Election took place 4 July 2024.

At Chester and District Friends of the Earth we contacted local MP candidates to ask them 4 questions about the climate, so voters across Chester and the surrounding areas know how candidates plan to address some of the most urgent issues we face today; the climate and nature crises.

Check out the Runcorn and Helsby MP candidate responses below in alphabetical order by party.

Question 1. The UK has a commitment to reduce emissions by at least 68% by 2030 (compared to 1990). Would you honour this target, and what would you prioritise to achieve it?

Green Party, Chris Copeman

Yes. I would commit to reduce emissions by 68% by 2030. To achieve this we should encourage a switch to heat pumps for heating houses and ban new gas boilers in the near future. We should bring forward the date to stop sales of new petrol and diesel cars. We should prioritise developing more renewable energy and not be fooled by the promises of blue hydrogen. A national Home insulation scheme should be subsidised. A carbon tax should be introduced for the most polluting businesses. Public transport should also be brought back into public ownership and made more affordable. More bike lanes and pedestrian crossing would make roads safer and more accessible for active travel. More sustainable farming practices should be encouraged and more land given over for wildlife and trees.

Labour Party, Mike Amesbury

Thank you for your important question about the UK’s commitment to reducing emissions by 68% by 2030. As the Labour parliamentary candidate for Runcorn and Helsby, I assure you that we fully honour this target and have a comprehensive plan to achieve it. Labour’s Green Prosperity Plan will be at the forefront of our efforts. Key priorities include: Investing in Clean Energy: Labour will set up Great British Energy to spearhead renewable energy projects, including doubling onshore wind, tripling solar power, and quadrupling offshore wind by 2030. This initiative aims to make Britain a clean energy superpower, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and creating 650,000 high-quality jobs. Energy Independence and Security: We will ensure long-term energy security by extending the lifetime of existing nuclear plants and building new ones like Sizewell C and Small Modular Reactors. We will also maintain a strategic reserve of gas power stations during the transition. Home Insulation and Efficiency: Labour’s Warm Homes Plan will invest £6.6 billion to upgrade five million homes, making them energy efficient and reducing household bills. This will include grants and low-interest loans for insulation and low-carbon heating. Energy Market Reform: We will reform the energy market to prioritise consumers, reducing standing charges and improving regulation to ensure fair treatment. We will also upgrade the national grid to support the increased deployment of renewable energy. Environmental Protection: Labour will address the nature crisis by protecting and restoring natural habitats, improving access to nature, and tackling pollution in our rivers and seas. Support for Industry: Our National Wealth Fund will invest in hydrogen, industrial clusters, and decarbonisation efforts, ensuring British businesses remain competitive and sustainable. Global Leadership: We will provide leadership on the global stage to meet collective climate obligations and make the UK the green finance capital of the world, mobilising private capital for climate action. Transport: Labour has a comprehensive plan to revolutionise the transport sector with a focus on sustainability and reducing carbon emissions. We will make significant Investment in Public Transport. Our aim is to expand and modernise the bus and rail networks. By making public transport more reliable, affordable, and accessible, Labour aims to reduce the number of cars on the road, thereby decreasing emissions. Electrification and Green Technologies: Labour commits to accelerating the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) by investing in charging infrastructure and offering incentives for EV purchases. There is also a push towards electrifying the rail network and introducing hydrogen-powered trains, which are essential steps in reducing the carbon footprint of transportation. Encouraging Active Travel: To promote healthier and more sustainable travel options, Labour plans to increase funding for cycling and walking infrastructure. This includes creating safer cycle lanes and pedestrian routes to encourage people to opt for these zero-emission modes of transport. Regulating and Innovating: The manifesto mentions introducing stricter regulations on emissions from cars and other vehicles, alongside investing in research and development for new green technologies. By doing so, Labour aims to drive innovation and ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of sustainable transport solutions. Integrated Transport Systems: There is a commitment to developing integrated transport systems that make it easier for people to switch between different modes of transport seamlessly. This integration is crucial for creating a more efficient and user-friendly network that encourages people to move away from private car use. Fair Pricing and Accessibility: Making public transport more affordable and accessible is another key promise. Labour intends to implement price caps and concessions to ensure that everyone, regardless of income, can benefit from the enhanced transport services. Labour’s ambitious and comprehensive approach ensures that we not only meet our emissions targets but also drive economic growth, create jobs, and enhance energy security. Together, we can build a greener, fairer, and more prosperous future. As the Candidate for Runcorn and Helsby County, I will work tirelessly to ensure we achieve these aims and give the climate crisis the response it needs.

Reform UK Party, Jason Moorcroft

I am committed to reducing the emissions but also realise it has to be achievable. We need to focus on delivering sustainable, eco-friendly energy without destroying the environment. A combination of nuclear, tidal, wind and solar sources are preferable.

Question 2. The UK has some of the coldest and costliest homes to heat in Europe. Draughty homes waste energy and money and are causing serious impacts on people’s health, costing the NHS tens of billions. Would you commit to a comprehensive street-by-street home insulation programme to cut bills and emissions, and support the NHS?

Green Party, Chris Copeman

As a qualified low energy building consultant I would be totally behind retrofitting the UKs housing stock. Solid walled draughty houses, of which the UK has 5 million, need to be insulated and made airtight with modern ventilation systems added also to reduce mould and other health problems.

Labour Party, Mike Amesbury

Labour will implement a comprehensive programme to retrofit homes and public buildings to improve energy efficiency. This will involve upgrading insulation, installing smart heating systems, and promoting the use of renewable energy sources in buildings. By doing so, we will reduce energy consumption, lower household bills, and decrease carbon emissions.

Reform UK Party, Jason Moorcroft

I agree we need to improve the insulation of our homes to save energy. How we achieve this on a national scale requires serious debate and a proper solution devised including funding options.

Question 3. The environment around us is in decline – forests are being cut down, pollinators are dying, soils and waters are leached of nutrients and loaded with pollutants – and it’s now impacting our health. How will you ensure fresh air, clean water and access to green spaces?

Green Party, Chris Copeman

Cheshire has some of the lowest tree cover in the UK. We need to move away from unsustainable farming practices and give more land over to nature for everyone’s benefit. This will require lower levels of livestock farming, more organic farming methods and much less pesticide and herbicide usage. We need to deal with historic chemical sites that have been left for decades in Cheshire polluting our waterways and make polluters pay for cleaning up the damage they have caused. Water companies need to be renationalised and runoff from unsustainable agricultural practices ended.

Labour Party, Mike Amesbury

Labour’s 2024 manifesto places a strong emphasis on environmental protection and sustainability. Here’s how we plan to ensure fresh air, clean water, and access to green spaces: Protecting and Restoring Natural Habitats: We will embark on an ambitious programme to plant millions of trees, restore wetlands, and rewild our countryside, ensuring biodiversity thrives and ecosystems are revitalised. Clean Air and Water: Labour will enforce stricter regulations on pollutants, invest in advanced water treatment facilities, and support sustainable agricultural practices to prevent nutrient leaching and pollution. Supporting Pollinators: We will create pollinator corridors, ban harmful pesticides, and support organic farming to protect bees and other essential pollinators. Access to Green Spaces: Labour is committed to creating and maintaining urban parks, community gardens, and accessible natural reserves, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy green spaces. These measures, grounded in our Green Prosperity Plan, will not only safeguard our environment but also improve public health and well-being.

Reform UK Party, Jason Moorcroft

I agree we need to reverse the decline in our environment. We need to protect the food chains and eco-systems which we rely on for survival. We need to restrict the pollutants in the air by forcing commerce to capture emissions efficiently, stop the use of harmful chemicals in all areas of commerce. I am a keen advocate of maintaining the green belt, stop over development and encourage wildlife zones in inner towns.

Question 4. How would you ensure the UK plays its part in global efforts to tackle the climate and nature crises? Would you support a new law preventing corporations committing environmental and human rights abuses in their supply chains?

Green Party, Chris Copeman

Yes. All companies should be made accountable for environmental and human rights abuses and should not be allowed to claim ignorance of issues that occur further up their supply chains.

Labour Party, Mike Amesbury

As Labour, we are committed to ensuring the UK plays a leading role in global efforts to tackle the climate and nature crises. We will: Commit to International Agreements: Uphold and exceed targets set by the Paris Agreement and other international environmental treaties. Global Green Leadership: Support developing countries in their green transitions, advocating for global climate justice. Implement Strong Domestic Policies: Drive ambitious emissions reductions, invest in renewable energy, and protect biodiversity at home. Regarding corporate accountability, I fully support enacting a new law preventing corporations from committing environmental and human rights abuses in their supply chains. This aligns with our commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.

Reform UK Party, Jason Moorcroft

Yes