Official Candidate Responses
Helen Godwin
“We need to think very carefully about farmland and that we don’t go down the route of over-farming.
We need to think about re-wilding where possible and about protecting our rivers and making sure we’re closely working with the Labour government and have a Labour mayor to do so to ensure vital direct funding to protect nature in our part of the world.
I will absolutely commit to working with partners to deliver the Nature Recovery strategy. We need to make sure all our decisions across the region are aligned with the strategy.”
Oli Henman
“I commit to nature – if elected as West of England Mayor, I will work with local residents, community groups and land owners to deliver the Nature Recovery Strategy.
I commit to an ambitious plan to restore nature in our area, working in partnership is the best way to ensure thriving and resilient local food production, improved ecosystems and natural flood management.
I would continue the Green Recovery Fund and I would work in partnership to support the creation of green and nature jobs for the economy of the future!”
Mary Page
“It’s so important that we prioritise biodiversity, nature and all of our wonderful environment because it is so important to human beings to be in touch with our natural selves and the natural world.
I would definitely prioritise the Local Nature Recovery Strategy. I would prioritise the Nature Recovery Partnership. I would also prioritise the Green Investment Funds.
These are deep commitments from both me as a person and the Green Party together.”
Steve Smith
“The biggest threats to our environment, that the next West of England Mayor can actually do something about, are loss of the Green Belt and lack of access to public transport.
My plan is for a massive focus on ‘brownfield first’ house building – which means providing the homes we need, whilst easing the pressure on the Green Belt. The loss of the Green Belt to urban sprawl will irreversibly damage our local environment and habitats.
Secondly, we have to give more people a practical alternative for them to choose as an alternative to the car.”
