In the Spotlight: Conservatives

Today we focus on the blue corner, with Conservatives polling neck and neck with Labour in the run up to the election. The Tories have been quiet on the environment, so what would their return to power mean for the waste sector?

Owen Paterson – North Shropshire

The Tories may be steeling themselves for a knife-edge election, but it is unlikely they will be sweating over the future of their seat in North Shropshire.

The rural constituency on the Welsh border has voted Conservative at every election since 1832 –which is good news for former Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Owen Paterson.

The incumbent MP has held his seat there since 1997, and many predict he will once again sail through unscathed at the polls next week.

Mr Paterson is perhaps best known for his support of the badger cull while at Defra, but where does the Tory stalwart stand on recycling in his constituency?

Fielding the question from letsrecycle.com during an election debate on BBC Shropshire this week, it was interesting to hear the subject did not entirely escape Mr Paterson’s attention during his time at Whitehall.

Renewables

He explains: “While I was there [Defra] I looked at a variety of different renewables and the best one I came up with which was absolutely reliable, 24 hours a day, was anaerobic digestion.

“I wanted to push very hard to use waste food, rather than send it to landfill it would be a much, much better deal to generate power. And, I hope everyone’s had their breakfast, we could also make far more use of our sewage.”

He adds: “I was very keen on AD and what we need to do is make sure there are clearer outlets that are good facilities that are markets for the electricity. The great thing about AD electricity is it can be consumed very close to where it is generated.”

Mr Paterson’s enthusiasm for AD will no doubt be a vote winner in North Shropshire, particularly given an increase in the number of on-farm facilities springing up around the country in response to government incentives.

However, the MP is less likely to find support among climate campaigners in the area – following his somewhat controversial comments last year that climate change forecasts have been “exaggerated”.

Elizabeth Truss – South West Norfolk

Next week also looks promising for current Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Liz Truss, who will be seeking re-election in another safe Tory seat: South West Norfolk.

When she’s not on TV screens promoting David Cameron, Mrs Truss is quietly securing her election bid in the East Anglia constituency – with her pledge to  “protect the character” of Thetford, Downham Market and Swaffham whilst helping to encourage “new enterprise, jobs and services”.

The waste sector didn’t get a look-in when Mrs Truss debated the environment in London last month, so it is perhaps unsurprising that it does not feature in her campaign literature either. But, the minister did visit Bradford for a tour of Associated Waste Management’s materials recycling facility in February, where she paid “particular interest” in the separation of household recyclables.

With a 15% swing needed for Labour to gain control of this Conservative stronghold, Mrs Truss’ chances look good. But whether she would return to the corridors of Defra in the wake of a Tory win remains to be seen.

Eric Pickles – Brentwood & Ongar

Down south, Secretary of State for Communities Eric Pickles is also up for re-election – news that will likely receive a mixed response from the waste and recycling sector.

From calling in incinerator applications to his long campaign to reinstate weekly waste collections, Mr Pickles has provided some of the Conservative Party’s more colourful soundbites since his appointment to DCLG in May 2010.

While there’s no indication whether the political heavyweight would return to his cabinet post in the scenario of a Tory government forming next week, his sixth consecutive win in Brentwood & Ongar since 1992 looks like a sure thing.

Policy

Mr Pickles’ website doesn’t hold many clues on his environmental policies for the area, but the MP is said to be fond of bird watching and films – “particularly Westerns”.

Interestingly, Brentwood & Ongar council only collects residents’ refuse once every two weeks. Could Mr Pickles put pressure on his Essex constituency to bring in weekly collections? We may have another five years to find out.

Clarence Mitchell – Brighton Pavilion

In what has been the only Green-controlled seat in the UK, Conservative candidate Clarence Mitchell could struggle to make an impact in Brighton Pavilion.

Yet dissatisfaction with waste collections in the city has put the Greens on the back foot, with even David Cameron rounding on the council’s poor recycling record in his last PMQs of 2015.

The numerous bin strikes have become a flashpoint for many candidates in the city, and Mr Mitchell has been keen to outline his own response to the problem.

Potential

If elected, Mr Mitchell promises to fulfil Brighton’s “economic and cultural potential” and put an end to industrial disputes that “have left rubbish piling on the streets”.

As for the candidate’s green credentials? Mr Mitchell boasts he got “stuck in” by taking part in the Argus Big Beach Clean Up – a day of litter picking on Brighton beach.

Mr Mitchell could be hard-pressed to unseat Green MP Caroline Lucas, whose reputation has largely escaped unscathed from the bin strikes. But with a week to go there is still everything to play for.

So long, farewell…

Many in the industry will be aware that some Conservative MPs who have been influential in shaping waste policy over the past five years will not be running for re-election on May 7.

Among them is South Thanet MP Laura Sandys, who has announced her intentions to step down in order to concentrate on family and other interests.

The Conservative MP has been vocal in her support for transferring the waste brief from Defra to BIS during her time in office. The ambitious proposal could still take shape in the creation of an Office for Resource Management.

Elsewhere, Richard Ottaway has also announced he will not be standing as MP for Croydon South after 23 years in the seat.

Influential

He has also played an influential role in the waste industry, particularly in his campaign to reform scrap metal legislation in 2012 to ensure a stronger licencing regime.

And, Anne McIntosh, chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs committee, will not be standing for re-election in Thirsk and Malton.

Previously an MP for Vale of York, Ms McIntosh most recently called for the creation of a food waste taskforce following a damning report into the scale of the problem.

Letsrecycle.com wishes all of these politicians the best of luck in their future endeavours.

All this week, letsrecycle.com will be on the campaign trail. Know someone from the waste industry running in the elections? Please email tom.g@letsrecycle.com with your suggestions.