Environmental pressure groups from Alton, Headley and Petersfield have come together to quiz their parliamentary hopefuls about their green credentials.

Climate Hustings are being held in the East Hants and Farnham & Bordon constituencies next week to give voters a chance to hear what their candidates think about climate, nature and cycling.

Alton Climate Action Network (ACAN) have joined forces with Cycle Alton and Headley CAN to organise the events for voters in Petersfield and Liphook.

Five questions were posed to candidates with their responses already on www.altonclimatenetwork.org.uk but they are:

1) Describe any actions you have taken in the last 5 years which demonstrate leadership on climate and/or environmental issues.

2) The UK declared an environment and climate change emergency in 2019.  How well do you think successive UK governments have handled that emergency since then?

3) In 2023 the Climate Change Committee (CCC) gave the government a series of recommendations which they summarised in 9 key messages – which of these messages would you get behind in your first year in office, if elected?

4) What actions to tackle the UK’s biodiversity crisis would you prioritise in your first year in office?

4) Will you support the Climate and Nature Bill? Yes/No

 “The general election on July 4 is critically important,” said Ali Milam of Headley CAN.

“We need a government and MPs who support urgent, real, practical action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help nature recover.

“We urge you to use your vote to support candidates who are taking the environmental crisis seriously.”

Jenny Griffiths from ACAN added: “We are far from alone in believing that the environmental crisis is the most important issue of our time.

Petersfield Hustings Pic1
Six of the East Hampshire parliamentary hopefuls attended a hustings in St Peter's Church, Petersfield, last Tuesday. (Tindle/Paul Ferguson)

“We are grateful to all the candidates who have found the time to response to our questions at short notice.”

Cycle Alton have also asked the candidates six questions on matters ranging from speed limits and sustainability to long-term investment in cycling and responsible access to open land.

The East Hampshire event will take place from 7pm next Monday, June 24, in Festival Hall and will be chaired by Sir David Normington GCB.

The Petersfield Climate Action Network (PeCAN) have promised a “lively discussion about the UK’s policies on climate change and nature with the prospective parliamentary candidates.”

First-time and younger voters are especially welcome, for more details visit www.petersfieldcan.org./events

The livestreamed Farnham & Bordon event will begin at 7.30pm at Liphook Millennium Centre.

“I’m stunned there is so little about climate and nature in the main parties’ manifestoes,” said Amelia Gabriel from LipCAN, one of the groups that organised the hustings.

“When the general election was announced, 408 leading climate scientists published an open letter urging all parties to commit to ambitious climate policies.

“I feel residents have a right to know how seriously their candidates are taking the issue.”

Entry is free through registration at https://buytickets.at/fabclimate/1285181 while questions can be emailed in advance to [email protected].