Politics

Politics MPs agree that the Prime Minister needs to encourage energy saving

OUR FAMILY OF four adults made the long journey from Salisbury to the Yorkshire Dales this summer to spend a week with an elderly relative, a wheelchair user, dependent on the support of family and friends for all her basic needs.

We travelled by road for several reasons, not least of which was to be able to support her needs and because ours is a rural community where public transport is virtually non-existent.

As temperatures and fuel prices soared to record levels we decided to open the windows to increase ventilation instead of using the air-conditioning. It was noisy, but the environmental and economic benefits justified the discomfort of a bit, well actually quite a lot, of noise.

Breaking our journey for an hour en route at a well known coffee retail outlet, we bought a drink and sat in the car eating our packed lunch with the doors open, again to provide ventilation.

During our break, three different cars occupied the space next to ours, and the occupants of all three vehicles sat in their car with the engine running for the entirety of

Cllr John Wells Chair of Environment and Climate Committee (Salisbury City Council)

their visit, presumably to enjoy the benefits of air-conditioning.

Even more remarkably they all decided to open the windows thus negating the benefits of the air-conditioning.

I imagined this same scenario throughout the country throughout the summer and considered the significant environmental and economic impact of this issue.

I am not for one minute suggesting this alone is the reason for climate change, but it was a perfect illustration of how our actions as individuals are often inadvertently (I hope) a factor contributing to the need for governments across the globe to take urgent action over climate change.

Like it or not we are still currently, and likely for a while, to be at least partially dependent on fossil fuels in our daily lives. It naturally follows, as individuals, we all need to ‘do our bit’ for the environment, but so does our government.

It was disappointing, to say the least, to read in the Guardian this week: “Senior Conservative MPs have urged Liz Truss to launch a public information campaign to encourage people to reduce their energy use after No 10 blocked the idea over fears it would seem like the actions of a nanny state.”

It appears that there are Conservative MPs who share my views, but a Prime Minister boldly claiming her fiscal u-turn last week was the action of a ‘listening’ cabinet is not living up to that proud boast.

Profits do not need to suffer in our drive to meet Net Zero targets

AT the beginning of the week, it was a great pleasure to be invited to The Small Robot Company in Porton. This expanding company is doing pioneering work in agriculture, using automated systems to help farmers deploy fewer herbicides, and do so more effectively.

By carrying out targeted troubleshooting instead of having to spray a whole crop indiscriminately, farmers can reduce their use of chemicals, driving down their costs, boosting yields and delivering environmental benefits.

In the drive to achieve net zero and support biodiversity, it is hugely welcome to see that, with the application of human ingenuity, taking decisive environmental action is not the enemy of either profits or productivity.

I am always fascinated to see really exciting niche and cutting-edge businesses

John Glen MP Conservative MP for Salisbury

springing up around the constituency. Meeting companies at the start of their journeys and doing all I can to connect them to the right people to help them realise their full potential, is a privilege and one of my favourite aspects of my job.

Another particularly enjoyable part of an MP’s role is being invited into schools to talk to young people about politics and democracy and to hear their ideas.I am grateful to members of Bishop Wordsworth’s politics society for last week’s typically bracing yet courteous and thoughtful questioning.

My other appointments this week include visits to a business in Alderbury, and a Shrewton-based charity. I am also attending Salisbury’s Cathedral Council and Cultural Pillar meetings and I am talking to individual constituents about a range of topics including school transport.

Salisbury & Avon, 17 October 2022 19

Book now for Christmas at Stourhead, a winter wonderland with new installations for 2022!

The National Trust’s Palladian house and garden is preparing to wow visitors for another year with the return of the glittering trail between 25 November 2022 and 1 January 2023. This family-friendly magical festive trail in Stourhead’s unique gardens will be filled with larger-than-life illuminations, all choreographed to a soundtrack of much-loved seasonal music. Matthew Findlay, Head of UK Trails for Sony Music/Raymond Gubbay Ltd, said: “We were thrilled with the fantastic response from visitors who enjoyed the trail last Christmas and our planning and preparation for 2022 is already well underway. Look out for some new surprises this year.” Be transported into a winter wonderland in this unique landscape. Discover the iconic Christmas Cathedral created with more than a thousand pea lights woven into the forest landscape. Marvel at the ‘sea of light’, neon stars wrapping trees and stunning Super Nova. Pause to reflect at the mesmerising, flickering flames in the fire garden, enjoy the larger-than-life light installations and don’t forget to wave at Father Christmas along the way. Independent street food vendors bring a delicious twist with tasty treats on offer. Complete your walk under the stars with a *spiced winter warmer or *hot chocolate shared with friends and family. Everyone loves toasting a marshmallow over an open fire and the artisan *marshmallow stall gives visitors the chance to warm their hands and enjoy this sweet outdoor tradition. Christmas at Stourhead provides a special way to celebrate the festive season with an unmissable outdoor experience. The trail is designed for all ages and is accessible for all to enjoy.

Christmas at Stourhead

The after-dark illuminated trail through festive gardens from 25 November 2022 to 1 January 2023. Open from 4.30pm, last entry 8pm, closes at 10pm. Closed 28/29 Nov, 05/06/24//25 Dec. Advanced tickets from: Adult £21.50, Child £15.00 (Age 3-16), Family £71.00 (2 adults + 2 children). Parking £8 per car, free for National Trust members when booked in advance. christmasatstourhead.seetickets.com

TICKETS ON SALE – EARLY BOOKING ADVISED

The magical after-dark illuminated trail CHRISTMAS AT STOURHEAD

A new trail filled with after-dark festive fun 25 NOV – 1 JAN

christmasatstourhead.co.uk

Running selected evenings only

in partnership with