Wednesday 17 July 2024
Council in denial
Lambeth Labour cannot face up to their lack of action on the climate, despite declaring an emergency five years ago.
Green councillors’ motion to Accelerate Local Climate Action has been ignored by a Lambeth Labour administration in denial of its failed response to the climate emergency. At Lambeth Town Hall’s full council meeting on Wednesday 17 July 2024, Greens denounced Labour for using its majority position to escape scrutiny and accountability at the expense of residents’ concerns.
Cllr Scott Ainslie, Streatham St Leonard’s ward said:
“Lambeth labour cannot bear scrutiny. They do not like opposition councillors shining a spotlight on their lack of progress. They are totally in denial about the single biggest existential threat facing us. Council heard two public deputations tonight on the climate crisis, the people of Lambeth want to talk about the council’s lack of climate action. What is particularly frustrating is that they talk the talk – but need to do much more to prove they can walk the walk.”
Cllr Nicole Griffiths, Streatham St Leonard’s ward said:
“Lambeth residents have told us that climate action is important to them, but by ignoring our motion this evening, the Labour administration is sending us all a clear message that the climate crisis is low on their agenda. The commitment to reach net zero across the borough and its own operations by 2030 will not be reached unless they act much more boldly and with much greater haste.”