Archived press release

FOE COMMENTS ON BLAIR'S BOOK, 'NEW BRITAIN'

19 September 1996

In response to the publication of Tony Blair's book, 'New Britain', Friends of the Earth today (Thursday 19th September) warmly welcome as a positive step forward the Labour leader's renewed commitment to "putting the environment at the heart of our (Labour's) decision-making - where it belongs" (page 235), and for some important policy pledges.

Friends of the Earth also challenged Labour to follow up this important statement with specific steps to further the environmental agenda within the Party in the run-up to the General Election.

Charles Secrett, Director of Friends of the Earth, stated:

" In the run-up to the General Election, Mr Blair's personal commitment to improving Britain's quality of life and standards of living by implementing key parts of the environmental agenda is particularly important. Will John Major, for example,similarly lead the Conservatives by publicly recognising the mutually supportive links between environmental conservation, economic efficiency and social justice?

Dedicating an entire chapter of 'New Britain' to environmental protection sends a strong signal to the whole Labour Party that the environment matters. Friends of the Earth now expects this theme to be developed further in Mr Blair's forthcoming Party Conference speech, in Labour Frontbench policy initiatives, and throughout Labour's election manifesto - and we expect the same from all the Parties.

Friends of the Earth want to see commitments like these, and others contained in Labour's environmental policy document, 'In Trust for Tomorrow', translated into clear targets and timetables for action in Labour's election manifesto."

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Archived press release

FOE COMMENTS ON BLAIR'S BOOK, 'NEW BRITAIN'

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