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Chris Packham is IHe praised the government’s manifesto calling for the protection of Britain’s rivers as “a fantastic and inspiring initiative” and urged all political parties to support it.
He is an environmental activist and broadcaster. I “If Labour and the Conservatives don’t sign the manifesto before the election, we will make sure they do so afterwards,” he said.
Amid growing public anger over the state of Britain’s waterways I The party called on all political parties to sign a five-point blueprint to save the country’s rivers, seas and lakes from sewage and other pollution.
The declaration has already been endorsed by more than 20 environmental organisations, including the National Trust, the UK’s largest conservation charity, with 5.7 million members across all political lines.
The Liberal Democrats and Green Party have signed the manifesto, but Labour and the Conservatives have yet to fully endorse it.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer previously said: IThe manifesto was realized, but the five pledges were not fully implemented.
I He met Mr Packham on Saturday ahead of the “Restore Nature Now” march in London, where more than 300 environmental groups called on the government to take bolder steps to protect Britain’s natural environment.
He said: “This is a great initiative. I By putting together the manifesto, we have taken action.
“The Manifesto is straightforward, simple, limited and very direct. That’s how a manifesto should be.”
“What we want to do is distill it down to its simplest form in terms of problems and solutions. I Did it.
“This gives people a focus to support. I “A platform to inform people. This is responsible journalism and responsible media. This is what we expect from the media.”
Mr Packham added: ” I Newspapers are a responsible media sector that does the right thing.
“If Labour and the Conservatives don’t sign the manifesto before the election, we will make sure they do after the election. The rest of the UK is on our side.”
“Who wants dirty water? Who wants to go out in the summer without their kids being able to splash around in the river? No one in the UK does.”
“Who wants to turn on the tap and make a cup of tea that might land them in hospital? No one in the UK does.”
“We’re going to win this.”
The Labour Party said: Special Measures To clean our water.”
The party also promised to give the water regulator the power to stop bonuses paid to water company executives who fail to keep waterways clean, and the power to prosecute those who “oversee repeated misconduct”.
The Conservatives have vowed to legally force water companies to cut emissions and increase investment.
The Conservatives have also pledged to ban bonuses from being paid to water companies who commit criminal offences.
Richard Benwell, chief executive of Wildlife and Countryside Link, one of the main organisations behind Saturday’s march, said: “Wildlife and Countryside Link I “I oppose the newspaper manifesto on saving Britain’s rivers because it is an urgent issue and one that concerns many members of the public.”
IThe government’s manifesto includes a promise to strengthen environmental land management systems within a year of taking office and provide more grants, support and advice to farmers working to improve water quality.
Mr Benwell said: “I think it’s entirely right to focus not just on resolving the sewage scandal and making sure the big water company polluters are held to account, but also on the need to support and encourage farmers to adopt cleaner working methods around our waterways.”
Mr Benwell was speaking ahead of the start of the “Restore Nature Now” march. I“We want it to be a day of joy and unity, but it’s also a day with a serious message.
“We hope that politicians will consider how big an election issue this is for a lot of people, listen and restore nature now.”