How green are your MP’s credentials? (From The Argus)

How green are your MP’s credentials?

12:58pm Monday 20th November 2006 in News By Andy Tate

Sussex MPs have revealed the changes they are making to their daily lives to help save the planet.

Travel guide company Rough Guides asked the UK's 646 MPs what steps they had taken to combat global warming.

A total of 318 MPs replied, including Prime Minister Tony Blair, Tory leader David Cameron and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell.

Nine of the 16 Sussex MPs responded - Norman Baker, Gregory Barker, Peter Bottomley, Charles Hendry, Tim Loughton, Laura Moffatt, Nicholas Soames, Des Turner and Nigel Waterson.

The survey was to promote the Rough Guide to Climate Change.

Nicholas Soames, Tory MP for Mid Sussex, has planted 18 old English hardwood trees to compensate for his personal impact on the environment and has vowed to continue to plant on an annual basis.

Mr Soames calculated his "carbon footprint"

with the help of the Carbon Trust.

He told The Argus: "If you pretend to take these things seriously you ought to do something about it. Everyone can do it if they have a garden."

Gregory Barker, Tory environment spokesman and MP for Bexhill and Battle, has enlisted the help of the garden worm.

Mr Barker said: "I have swapped my car for an electric hybrid, installed lowelectricity lightbulbs and solar panels for domestic hot water. We recycle, reuse, compost, and now have a wormery."

Laura Moffatt, Labour MP for Crawley, tries to save water and energy.

She said: "We have three water butts and recycle our rubbish. We compost and leave no appliances on standby. We use lowenergy lightbulbs and use the shower rather than having baths. We cycle or use public transport when possible."

Norman Baker, Liberal Democrat MP for Lewes, said: "We recycle, compost and shop for food that is locally sourced and in season.

I try to avoid food and products with excess packaging."

Charles Hendry, Tory MP for Wealden, said: "We are upgrading our insulation and have converted to a renewable energy supplier.

We recycle and compost."

Tim Loughton, Tory MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, said he was patron of The Green House Project, which actively encourages people to recycle and use environmentally friendly products.

Des Turner is Labour MP for Brighton Kemptown and secretary of the all-party parliamentary group on climate change.

He said: "I have campaigned on climate change issues for a number of years. I have also been very active in the promotion of new, renewable energy technologies."

Nigel Waterson, Tory MP for Eastbourne, said: "We recycle and compost our waste.

We use energy-efficient lightbulbs, try to ensure appliances are off when not in use and have a condensing boiler. I also try to use public transport whenever possible."

Peter Bottomley, Tory MP for West Worthing, cautioned that he was not a "headteacher", duty bound to lead from the front on environmental issues.

Instead, his task was to represent his constituents' concerns.

However, he said: "One personal contribution is walking to work."

Tony Blair boasted of turning down the Downing Street thermostat by one degree and installing low-energy lightbulbs.

David Cameron said he was fitting solar panels on his roof, making sure he did not overfill his kettle and switching his energy supplier to a renewable source.

One of the most impressive replies came from Labour MP Alan Simpson, of Nottingham, who said: "I have designed and constructed my own eco-home, which generates more electricity than it consumes."

However, gaffe-prone Tory MP Boris Johnson appears to have given up.

He said: "According to scientist James Lovelock the problem is already so bad there is nothing we can do."