Think tank launches “green conservatism” project

Bright Blue, the independent think tank for liberal conservation, has launched its new Green conservatism project that includes a high profile Advisory Board.

The Board is made up of leading politicians and opinion formers. They include the Rt Hon Lord Michael Howard of Lympne CH QC (Former Leader of the Conservative Party), The Rt Hon Lord Gregory Barker of Battle (Former Energy and Climate Change Minister), Rebecca Pow MP (Member of the Environmental Audit Committee), Professor Roger Scruton, Michael Liebreich (Founder of Bloomberg New Energy Finance), Laura Sandys (Chair of European Movement UK) and Graham Stuart MP (Chair of Globe international).

Lord Michael Howard said:

“Ever since Margaret Thatcher’s speech to the UN General Assembly in 1989, conservatives have been in the vanguard of developing environmental policy. It is vital for that tradition to be maintained. Bright Blue is doing just that. Its work has already been hugely influential. Last year, for example, Bright Blue called for the phasing out of coal-fired power stations by the mid-2020s, which the Government is now doing.” “Over the course of this parliament, Bright Blue's Green conservatism project will be providing fresh analysis and policies across key areas - energy efficiency, our future energy mix, air pollution, and more. I am delighted to have joined the advisory board of what I am sure will be an important and influential project."

Ben Caldecott, Associate Fellow at Bright Blue, said:

“Concern for sustainability and the environment are hard-wired into conservatism. The country needs strong conservative voices making the case for policies that can cost-effectively safeguard the environment. Bright Blue’s new Green conservatism project will help to develop and articulate these ideas.”