Bill of good: Linda Murgatroyd wants Quaker MP support

‘Even inconvenient truths need to be heard.’

The Climate and Nature (CAN) Bill, going to its second reading today (24 January), poses a challenge for some Quaker MPs. While I am delighted to see that some MPs with Quaker links – Steffan Aquarone and Carla Denyer – have committed to vote for the bill, others do not yet appear on the list of supporters. 

The bill has wide support including from Quakers in Britain and other faith groups. It is supported in parliament by MPs and peers from many parties, including Labour. But a government whip has said that the government does not support all the proposals in the Bill, so he will not be voting for it himself. This puts those with ministerial appointments in a difficult position, if they are otherwise led to support the Bill. CAN will only have a chance to be considered in more detail and become law if it gets enough votes at this second reading, and support for parliamentary time agreed after that. 

The lack of government support is dismaying, but not really surprising, given the priority it is giving to GDP growth and to expanding AI, despite the implications for energy demand. There is no time to lose if we’re to avoid runaway climate disaster in the next few decades. Passing the CAN Bill would make a real difference in developing consistent and publicly acceptable policies in this area.

‘The bill is in keeping with our testimonies.’

The Climate and Nature Bill is totally in keeping with Quaker testimony. It requires government to maintain its integrity, and stick to the UK’s international commitments on reducing greenhouse gases and restoring nature. Then, climate problems hit the poorest worst, affecting equality. Poorer countries suffer far more from the effects of climate breakdown than wealthy ones. 

The proposed climate assembly, involving a cross-section of the public in advising government, would help build public consensus, leading to an understanding of the value of simpler, more sustainable, ways of living. Such assemblies could also help address other matters, and reinvigorate democratic procedures.

All this has implications for peace, too. Public understanding of the science, and wide support for radical action on climate and nature, would reduce the chances of future social unrest. Otherwise, more extreme climate events, together with economic decline and misinformation, are likely to fuel discord, and perhaps fascism.

The UK needs to demonstrate international leadership on climate issues. It also needs to review recent draconian laws on protest, and to ensure the courts enable juries to hear all sides of legal cases before determining their verdict. 

I hope Quaker MPs of all parties will work in both these areas, putting their values into practice. Even inconvenient truths need to be heard. There are now golden opportunities for our MPs to demonstrate ethical leadership. We need to uphold them prayerfully.

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Comments

I’m sorry to see this Bill did not pass.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8xqv1l4qxno

By Moyra Carlyle on 27th January 2025 - 16:47

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