Mr Meacher was first elected MP for Oldham West and Royton in 1970 and he became Environment Minister in 1997. His role in Parliament covered a range of topics including waste and genetically modified crops. He worked with a range of organisations, many of whom have expressed their respect for his work and worries about his resignation as Labour’s ‘ig leaf’ of environment policies.
 Michael Meacher celebrating recycling success earlier this year |
The chairman of the Environment Agency, Sir John Harman, said: “Michael Meacher always fought to get the best deal possible for the environment. He will be remembered for the Kyoto agreement, the Countryside Act and for beginning to seriously address our waste problem.”
Friends of the Earth was very supportive of the former Environment Minister and even offered to pay Mr Meacher’s travel costs after the government said he would not be going to the 2002 UN Earth Summit in Johannesburg.
The executive director of Friends of the Earth, Tony Juniper, said: “Everyone who cares about the environment will be sad to see Mr Meacher leave the government. He was a true enthusiast for green issues, and developed a real expertise that enabled him to challenge the greyer parts of Whitehall. His successor will have to work hard to gain the reputation Michael enjoys with green campaigners.
“The critical question is not so much the qualities of Mr Meacher’s successor, but whether the government will pursue policies that genuinely put the environment at the heart of government. Number 10 has being trying to marginalise Michael for some time now. But Mr Blair may find that the removal of Mr Meacher as a green fig-leaf just leaves this government’s poor green record embarrassingly for all to see.”
Enthusiasm
Rebecca Willis, Director of Green Alliance, said “Michael Meacher worked tirelessly to protect and improve the environment. Many of the green success stories of recent years – like the UK’s commitment to tackling climate change – have Michael’s stamp firmly upon them. We’ll miss his enthusiasm and drive – he’ll be a hard act to follow.”
Mr Meacher also worked with the waste industry, gaining respect for his dedication to the problems faced by the UK in this often overlooked sector. Peter Jones, director of external affairs at Biffa Waste Services, said: “Michael Meacher’s decision/removal to the backbenches will leave an enormous void in terms of the knowledge, range and understanding he has brought to the environmental debate over the years.”
He added that the new minister has tough challenges trying to co-ordinate the Treasury, DEFRA, ODPM and DTI: “It is unlikely that his successor will be able to change the fundamental blockages which operate in preventing the UK moving ahead at a significant pace in this area.”
Since entering parliament, Michael Meacher has been involved in a number of departments including Health and Social Security, Employment and Transport. He was a member of the shadow cabinet between 1983 and 1997 and was made Environment Minister in 1997.
DEFRA was unable to comment on Mr Meacher’s departure or his work in the department since its creation. Elliot Morley has now taken over the role of Minister of State (Environment).
Barbara Herridge, executive director at Waste Watch, said: “Michael Meacher made many advances in environmental policy while he was Environment Minister. However, we are pleased to have such a recycling-friendly new minister take his place at a time when there is so much that can be done to improve the UK’s performance in reducing and recycling our rubbish.”
Register for free to comment