Letters to the Prime Minister!

Climate change is one of the defining issues - if not the defining issue - of our time and Siobhain feels incredibly strongly about the need for immediate, concerted, and decisive action in this area. The UK has a duty to play a leading role in the fight to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change globally.

She was incredibly proud of the work that the last Labour Government did to push this issue further up the political agenda, introducing the Climate Change Levy and a range of measures to improve energy efficiency measures. Indeed, she was the Government Whip that helped ensured the Climate Change Act became law, and is very proud of that legislation – the first of its kind in the world – which included a move toward the greater reporting of carbon emissions.

But as we all know, this issue could not be more pressing. The UN’s recent climate report stressed that we have only 12 years to take the actions necessary to limit global warming to a maximum of 1.5C -
serving as an incredibly poignant reminder of the urgency with which this issue must be tackled.

We as individuals all have a part to play. But it is imperative that the Government stands up and puts this defining issue at the top of the agenda. Warm words will no longer suffice.

That's why Siobhain was delighted to welcome 86 children from Singlegate Primary to the Houses of Parliament after they had written letters to her about deforestation and climate change.

The children visited both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, exploring hundreds of years of history and learning how Parliament works.

A lucky 20 students then had the opportunity to deliver their petitions to Number 10 in Downing Street! A wonderful morning was had by all and the children were a credit to their school.