April 2021: Politics Challenge

West Bristol Climate Action is not party-political, but engaging with politics is crucial if we’re going to tackle our climate and ecological crises. We’ve got votes and we must use them!

And in Bristol, we’ve got three environmentally-relevant elections happening on Thursday, May 6: for all 70 local councillors, for Mayor of Bristol, and for Metro Mayor (Mayor the West of England Combined Authority, or ‘WECA’).

So we suggest focusing this month on preparing for those elections and deciding who you’re going to vote for – paying major attention to candidates’ policies for dealing with climate change and our ecology.

As ever, pick one of more of the following challenges to do this month – or make up your own.

  • RESEARCH: Several online climate/eco-focused mayoral hustings have now been held and you can watch the recordings and see the candidates being grilled on their environmental policies. They were:
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  1. Bristol Mayoral Debate: What are the candidates’ aspirations, ideas, and plans around placemaking, infrastructure and the climate? Hosted by a partnership of the Chartered Institution of Building, Institution of Civil Engineers, Royal Institute of British Architects, the Royal Town Planning Institute and Constructing Excellence South West. Link (to summary article) here.
  2. West of England Mayoral Elections: How can the region’s response to the climate and ecological emergencies be fair and fast? Hosted by Bristol Green Capital Partnership in collaboration with Avon Wildlife Trust, Black & Green Ambassadors, CPRE Bristol and Avon, Friends of the Earth, Sustrans and Extinction Rebellion. Link here.
  3. Active Travel Bristol Mayoral Hustings: What will our mayoral candidates deliver to enable Bristolians to walk and cycle in safety? Co-hosted by Bristol Walking Alliance, Bristol Cycle Campaign, Liveable Bristol and Bristol Parents for School Streets. Link here.
  4. Bristol Mayoral Hustings: How can Bristol’s response to the climate and ecological emergencies be fast and fair? ​Bristol Green Capital Partnership in collaboration with Avon Wildlife Trust, Black & Green Ambassadors, CPRE Bristol and Avon, Eastside Community Trust, Friends of the Earth, Sustrans and Extinction Rebellion. Link here.
 
  • RESEARCH:  For each of the mayoral elections, you can vote for both your first and second choice, because these elections use the supplementary voting system, not first-past-the-post. Check it out!
  • RESEARCH: As we get into April, the main political parties in Bristol will publish their manifestos. Find them with an internet search! How focused are they on climate and ecological action? Do their plans stack up?  
  • RESEARCH: Want to contact your current councillors and ask them about their views and  plans? Here they are. And you can see their voting history here.
  • AMPLIFY: Impressed by a particular candidate or party? Then get in touch and volunteer to help them. There are all sorts of things that need doing in a political campaign, from delivering leaflets to putting up a poster in your window, and if you have special skills, they may need them. 
  • AMPLIFY: Tell your friends and family that you’re voting in the elections and that this is a great opportunity to do something big for climate and ecological action. Encourage them to vote too. Local election turnout in 2016 was only 45% so each vote has a relatively big impact.

And some other challenge options beyond May’s elections...

  • RESEARCH: Check out your MP’s voting record.   
  • RESEARCH: Get the facts on what’s in the political news from the independent, impartial fact-checking organisation Full Fact. 
  • RESEARCH: Do the quiz and check where your views sit on the political landscape. Are you Margaret Thatcher or Chairman Mao?