You may remember that Core Group wrote to our MP, Mel Stride, a
while back seeking a meeting with him to discuss our concerns about
climate change. This also took the form of an open letter in the
Courier. We have now received a reply, as below.
The opportunity to get involved which Mel refers to was closed
on 5th March, and appeared to be aimed at large organisations /
NGO's, rather than small community groups such as ours. No doubt
any involvement would be very much on the government's terms.
We will keep you informed of any further developments.
'
Thank you for your recent open letter.
As I have
stated previously, I am working flat out helping businesses and
hundreds of extremely distressed constituents who have been very
severely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis in some cases involving
acute personal loss. Once this crisis has receded I will have
further time to meet with campaigners across a wide range of
national and international issues including those relating to
climate change an issue with which I am heavily engaged both
through the Decarbonisation and Green Finance inquiry which I am
leading as Chair of the Treasury Select Committee and via my
involvement with the Climate Change Assembly which the Treasury
Select Committee was instrumental in setting up and within which I
have participated including addressing it.
I know that
like me you take climate change extremely seriously but hope that
you will understand that the impact of the COVID-19 crisis is
deeply affecting many people within our local communities and they
simply must take priority in terms of meetings at the present
time.
As ever, I
continue to deal with correspondence. There is also an
opportunity for your voice to be heard as part of the 2021 United
Nations Climate Change Conference, COP26 GOV.UK
(www.gov.uk), which is being
hosted by the United Kingdom. You may find the following link
helpful COP26 - How to get
involved.
With best
wishes,
Mel'