Cycling, recycling, dislike of big supermarkets...

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Will whoever wins the seat deliver?, asks Paula White from HFFoE

There are three things the main political party election candidates have in common - support for cycling, a dislike of Tesco and big supermarkets, and commitment to recycling rubbish. At least that's what they told the Hammersmith & Fulham Friends of the Earth Group meeting last Tuesday 19th April.

Alan Bullion for the Liberal Democrats keen to extend cycle and bus lanes, he's commited to recycling 60% of household waste within seven years and is very worried about supermarket dominance of high streets which is crowding out smaller shops, and by how supermarkets screw suppliers by demanding cheap prices.

Greg Hands for the Conservatives followed his party line and was quick to try to criticise Labour's record on environmental issues claiming they have been a big disappointment despite their promises. He is in favour of

compulsory recyling - a stronger commitment than even the Green party are offering, and although he was against opening a new Tesco on King Street he believes there is opportunity for both supermarkets and local shops to exist.

Melanie Smallman, the Labour candidate told the group she believes mainstream parties need to really adopt green policies. The supermarket invasion of our high streets drives her crazy, and she is interested in looking at financial incentives so local traders aren't driven out.

Melanie, who has been spotted more than once cycling around the borough, said she was keen to discuss how to improve cycling locally to encourage more people to use bikes. She also admitted that she couldn't see any value in growing GM crops in this country as so far there have been no proven consumer or environmental benefits.

Paula White , Hammersmith & Fulham Friends of the Earth Group co-ordinator said:

"All the candidates said some of the right things but will whoever wins the seat deliver? We would love to advise on how to make cycling easier and safer locally, how to help both local residents and businesses recycle more of their rubbish and how we can do more to make some real progress on the biggest issue of all, climate change. That's the real question for our politicians, they can tell us they share our concerns but we'd like to know a bit more about how they are going to tackles these issues."

April 24, 2005