Andy Burnham became Prime Minister on Monday facing a daunting in-tray of problems, from the cost of living crisis to a stretched NHS and forgotten towns and cities. Calls of a 'broken Britain' echo in his ears as he seeks 'growth in every postcode'. But according to Craig Bennett, chief executive of The Wildlife Trusts, a key solution is right outside the window: nature.
Nature as a Solution
As Burnham takes the train from Manchester to No 10, Bennett urges him to look at the fields, woods and rivers that fill the horizon. 'Evidence shows that nature can play a key role in tackling Britain’s problems,' Bennett writes. More nature means long-term food security, clean water, improved public health, and boosted community pride. The public, of all political persuasions, understand that the foundations of Britain rest on the natural world – when it flourishes, we do.
Burnham's Green Record in Manchester
When mayor of Manchester, Burnham created the city’s first new park in a century, established an annual Green Summit to bring new green jobs to the area, and set up a £4 million fund to bring nature to people. Bennett contrasts this with Sir Keir Starmer’s record of 'scapegoating nature at every turn, falsely blaming bats and newts for a lack of growth'. He says Britain cannot afford another prime minister who turns his back on wildlife, and the British public who unanimously want to see it flourish in all corners of the UK.
A Call for Green Growth
'If Mr Burnham is serious about fixing the nation’s problems, he must unlock nature’s potential to help achieve growth in every postcode,' Bennett concludes. 'By helping birds, bees and trees to thrive in Britain, we too can thrive alongside them.' The new PM faces a bulging in-tray, but nature-based solutions offer a proven path to a healthier, more prosperous Britain.
