Meon Valley MP Flick Drummond has criticised campaign groups like the RSPB for misleading the public about the Government’s environmental record.
Flick has received identically-worded emails from constituents who have been asked to send them by the RSPB. They wrongly allege the government is about to abandon its commitments to the environment and agriculture.
The emails were sent after the Government announced Investment Zones in England where development and infrastructure could be speeded up.
“I am concerned at the misinformation some campaign groups are putting out, suggesting without evidence that recently-enacted legislation to protect the environment is going to be removed,” she said.
“This is utter nonsense. This Conservative government and others have put in place world-leading legislation and a 25-year environmental Plan to ensure future generations have a diverse and healthy environment to grow up in.”
Flick said she was surprised groups like the RSPB were suggesting that these commitments, many of them put in place via Acts of Parliament, could be abandoned.
“The new Investment Zone policy makes it clear that planning policy will only be streamlined in areas specially-designated for development to build homes and create jobs. And it is a fact none of these new zones are situated in the Meon Valley constituency,” Flick explained.
“I am all for constructive discussion with pressure groups like the RSPB, but when this leads to dozens of identically-worded click-and-send emails it is a very shallow form of engagement and it does little to advance policy.
“The RSPB accusation that I will be remembered as the MP who stripped protections from the Meon Valley is childish and nonsensical.”
Flick said she had held public meetings to listen to the public, environmental groups, and experts.
She added she was a member of the Conservative Environment Network, the leading environmental group in the party.
“I have spoken regularly in Parliament to urge the Government to support the environment locally, and the farmers and groups who do so much to protect our landscape and diversity.”
There was no attempt on the part of the RSPB to distinguish between MPs who do a lot for the environment, and those who do less, she added.
