We need “future proof” policies to address climate change & social injustice

Green Politics

The prime minister and deputy prime minister have been called on to adopt a “New Politics of the Future”, where long term threats are not ignored by short-termism.

A group including chief executives of 10 British-based civil society organisations, led by the Foundation for Democracy & Sustainable Development (FDSD), have written an open letter to the prime minister and deputy prime minister calling on them to adopt a “New Politics of the Future”, where long term threats are not ignored by short-termism.

They argue that the UK needs “future proof” policies to address issues including climate change, changing demographics, youth unemployment, and environmental and social injustice. They suggest having a ‘State of the Future’ speech and public debate, and give examples of how other governments have taken action.

In 2007, the Hungarian parliament appointed the world’s first ‘green ombudsman’ – a parliamentary commissioner for future generations. And in Finland, a cross-party parliamentary ‘committee for the future’ has been operating since 1993, preparing statements and reports on ‘futures’ issues affecting Finland’s development, and responding to the Government’s annual Report on the Future.

It will be interesting to see how Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg respond to the letter, particularly given the known scepticism to campaigning by civil society. Why does this matter? Because big issues are rarely addressed without widespread public support providing the necessary political will.

The Jubilee Debt and Make Poverty History campaigns helped push through debt relief and substantial increases in aid to take action against global poverty, whilst the Big Ask campaign helped push through the Climate Change Act; the last administration knew that, working closely with civil society.

Gordon Brown, addressing Citizens UK recently, said:

“We know that for all the great leaders of history there are millions of other unnamed men and women who are heroes who make our history happen.”

The contrast with the Coalition is stark. Left Foot Forward reported in January that Tory manifesto author Oliver Letwin wants the voluntary and community sector to campaign less, stating:

“I regret that so much of the effort in some parts of the voluntary sector is devoted to campaigning.”

Left Foot Forward also reported the first cuts at the department for international development (DfID) to development education, an important component in generating the necessary political will amongst the UK public for our aid programmes.

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