10:10 Campaign

As no-one else has seconded the motion I will do so and thank the cabinet member for bringing it to council, thereby saving me the job of doing it.

Today's Liberal Democrat Opposition Day motion in the House of Commons was on this very same topic, but there it was defeated by a Labour majority, thus indicating that the unusual unity of purpose expressed by all main parties at the launch of the campaign doesn't extend to a government commitment to serious action. The Labour minister said that it wasn't necessary because they were already doing so much. This from a Labour government which has managed to spend over £18bn on fuel poverty without addressing the basics of fuel efficiency.

Stockton does indeed have a number of strategies and plans which should lead to a serious reduction in the the Council's energy use and therefore emissions, both primary and secondary. But changing the mindset of employees and councillors needs more than a policy. That's the importance of this campaign and this motion - it commits us all, all 56 councillors if we agree it, to signing up as individuals and to encourage others in our communities to do the same.

So don't just sit there and say yes if you don't intend to carry it out. Voting for this motion commits you to action, each and every one of you.

Liberal Democrats adopted the 10:10 campaign at our party conference and so we as a group are already signed up. To keep us focused over the next year we're competing to see which household in Stockton Liberal Democrats can make the biggest reduction. If any other party or group would like to join in the challenge we'd be delighted to make it council wide.