Environment high on Scots' agenda

Friends of the Earth Scotland

24 May 2004 - Scottish political parties who fail to put the environment firmly on the agenda in June's European election could "fail to pick up the votes" from the hundreds of thousands of Scots who consider the environment to be an important political issue. The stark warning to politicians comes in a new opinion poll published today by the everyone campaign - a coalition of Scotland's leading environment groups.

Published to coincide with the everyone national hustings debate in Glasgow this evening, the TNS System Three poll reveals that 85% of Scots consider the environment to be an important political issue, with 47% rating it as very important. In addition, almost half (45%) of those asked said that a parties' commitment to tackling environmental problems "will influence" who they vote for on June 10th.

everyone coalition spokesperson, Fred Edwards, said:

"It is clear that where a political party stands on the environment could be the difference between electoral success or failure this June. If politicians want the public to vote for them they must start putting the environment further up their agenda. The environment is just as important as jobs, economy or health. If anything, a prosperous, healthy Scotland is highly dependent on having a good, clean environment. It is time for political parties to demonstrate their commitment to the environment or fail to pick up the votes of the hundreds of thousands of Scottish voters who say they care.

"The European Parliament plays a major role in helping to improve the environment not just in Scotland but elsewhere around the world. If we are to tackle international problems such as climate change and global injustice we need a European Parliament full of people who are committed to such aims. The public needs to begin to challenge all the candidates on environmental issues. They can do that online, on the phone or face-to-face at this evenings event."

For more information contact:
Lang Banks 0131 554 9977 or (pager) 07654 200937