I'm a (social) liberal democrat (don't let that put you off too much) and I don't usually post on this site (although I have my own blogging site at http://aradicalwrites.blogspot.com). However, some issues go beyond party lines and the environment should be one of them. The first obstacle of getting people to accept that there is a problem has been overcome, but finding a way to deal with it is going to be far more difficult.

Interesting announcement from Blair and Miliband happening now. They've rounded up the likes of Tesco, Sky, M&S and the insurer MORE TH>N to announce some pretty innovative stuff. Worth a look.

In a recent speech to SERA Hilary Benn has argued that the Labour party must put the environment at the heart of its renewal.

I have written this piece on The Guardian's Commentisfree site on how green taxes fail. I'd be grateful if you would take a look and let me know your thoughts.

*

Between David Cameron's announcement of a "holiday tax", Lib Dem commitments to replace direct taxation with environmental levies and the government's doubling of air passenger duty from £5 to £10 in February, there is a tangible and welcome political will to take unpopular steps to curb environmental damage. Yet there seems to be a lack of understanding of the basic principle of environmental taxation: it doesn't work.

Speaker: Rt Hon Peter Hain MP

Date:  Tuesday 13th March 2007

Time: 6.30 - 8.00 pm

Venue: Conference Hall, Mary Sumner House, 24 Tufton Street, Westminster, London SW1P 3RB

RSVP: emma.burnell@sera.org.uk

The BBC is reporting that local governments are urging DEFRA to drop plans to introduce "pay-as-you-throw" type charging scheme on refuse. At present, I agree that it is a rubbish idea.

Has Blair gazumped Cameron again?