Meeting with James MacCleary MP at Lewes Climate Hub

James MacCleary, Member of Parliament for Lewes, joined us for another meeting to answer questions from local groups about climate and environmental action in late-February. Read about the topics raised, James’s responses and agreed next steps.  

Present: Representatives of Greenpeace, Lewes Climate Hub, East Dean Climate Friends

1. Dinah raised the Rewild the Church campaign. They are trying to get Church of England’s 100 synod members to agree to a “30 by 30” commitment to rewild 30% of its land by 20230. Dinah asked James to raise this as a written question at the next scheduled session between Church Commissioners and MPs. If he’s present, he can raise an oral question.
   
   When does the Church Commissioners intend on publishing this plan, and will it include an area-based target for nature restoration that contributes toward the Government’s 30×30 commitment?
   
   James said we could also raise this with others in the Church, e.g. the Bishop of Chichester. The current bishop Dr Martin Warner is retiring in May, so James can meet the new Bishop when they’re in place. 

2. Electoral Reform – Claire Duc from Greenpeace raised a question about political party donations and Proportional Representation (PR), including a ban on donations made in crypto currency (a £9 million donation Reform received was made in crypto). There will be a supplementary vote for the Mayoral Elections but progress on PR is painfully slow. James was very clear that he supports any electoral reform and it’s a key part of the Lib Dem manifesto. 
   
   
   
3. Compass asked if progressive parties can work together for the greater good. James commented that the mayoral elections won’t use proportional representation. He also noted that the government is making a mess of things with devolution, such as scheduling and rescheduling the elections. Labour MPs are pro-PR but the leadership isn’t. PR could be a firewall to stop the far right winning.
   
   Cancelling of elections was wrong and a big mistake for Labour. Voting from age 16 are being planned for the next election but no details on this.  Misinformation and disinformation in elections is a big problem, e.g. Russian interference.
   
   
   
4. Dirk Campbell, Green Party asked are the Lib Dems committed to working with the Greens? James already works together with Green Party colleagues and there is a big crossover on many issues such as climate change. He acknowledged it is troubling how far climate change has dropped off the agenda and that we are more powerful together. A possible outcome of the East Sussex County Council elections is that the Lib Dems and Greens may need to work together in coalition against Reform. There will always be a level of tribalism in parties but on the whole, they want to work together. 
   
   
   
5. Dinah attended a Food Security forum with Caroline Lucas. Wales has a Future Generations Act (2015) which seeks to ensure that future generations have at least the same quality of life as we do now. The Act gives a legally-binding common purpose – its seven well-being goals – for national government, local government, local health boards and other specified public bodies. It details the ways in which specified public bodies must work, and work together to improve the well-being of Wales. James was interested to find out more – we will send details as this is something that could be raised in England.
   
   
   
6. Peter Williamson from East Dean Climate Friends – raised the National Emergency Briefing initiative which is releasing its film to demand urgent action on the climate and nature crisis. Screenings of the film are being held in Lewes, Seaford, and East Dean.
   
   What will James do for his constituents to ensure a ‘Marshall Plan’ is planned to protect citizens?
   
   James responded that pressure on the Government is essential. The Treasury has scaled back Ed Milliband’s plans for green energy and we are now seeing backsliding on plans. James says he is happy to take specific actions if the National Emergency Briefing campaign asks him to do it. He added there are MPs who are willing to hear about the campaign – and MPs who are not – and he is always open to it. James raised the idea of having more People’s Assemblies so people feel they have a more direct influence in politics. People feel so distant from decisions that are made for them that they feel they have to lash out in some way – hence the rise of Reform. He said he is happy to write questions or attend events and share events on social media. Purdah period for Council Elections may affect James’ availability to attend screenings.
   
   
   
7. Dinah asked about the recent Joint Intelligence Chiefs report on the national security threat from biodiversity collapse, especially the implications for food security. James responded that Tim Farron leads on this in the Lib Dems. It was noted that Martin Hole, an NFU representative is a brilliant advocate for sustainable farming. Lewes has some incredible local progressive farmers, many of them working with Plumpton College. James noted that Britain’s infrastructure needs to adapt to a new pattern of weather and a plan is needed to deal with the various crises that could be created by climate change. 
   
   If we have specific questions, we can send them to James to raise. James has committed to write to Ed Milliband and will share his response. 
   
   Land Reform was also discussed: huge swathes of land are owned by just a few people and are not put to ideal use. We need people to be able to access the land to grow food and connect to wildlife but private property and ownership is entrenched in our system. It was also pointed out that this ownership model has also created the housing crisis and that housebuilding will NOT reduce house prices. There are better models such as shared ownership that could work for people. James said he agreed with the principle of land reform and different models of housing.
   
   If we have ideas, some local estates are happy to listen – such as Iford, Glynde and Folkington. James is happy to link us together. 

7. Liz Lunt from Green Churches highlighted that Christian Aid Week is focusing on debt justice. The UK Government has the power to change UK debt laws to compel private lenders to reduce interest. James is really interested in this and is happy to hear more.