Dear Friend,

I am delighted to ask you to support me in the forthcoming election for Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee. Let me tell you why I’m standing:

As a shadow Environment Minister in the last parliament, I am conscious of the perilous state of nature and the urgent need to ensure that government’s actions match the scale of the dual nature and climate crises facing us. The government must rise to the challenges we face on water, species abundance, tree planting and much, much more.

As a former business owner and Councillor I know how important it is to make sure that schemes proposed by government actually deliver. The Environment Act commits us to ambitious and essential targets to avert nature’s decline and achieve species abundance, but it is not yet clear what actions government will take to ensure that we finally get on track to achieve these goals. The role of the Committee will be crucial in scrutinising how government meets these objectives.

As an MP for a flood-hit community I will make sure that government’s approach to addressing the growing numbers of communities at risk of flooding is properly scrutinised.

If elected chair, I will build on the good work the committee has done holding water companies to account, scrutinising progress to net zero and highlighting the costs of deforestation. It is also important that the good work not yet published on soil health, the link between climate change and security, and natural capital is not lost. The EAC scrutinises the environmental impact of all government departments so working collaboratively with colleagues across parliament will be key.

My approach to chairing:

• The chair doesn’t need to be the loudest voice on the committee, but rather ensure that all voices are heard.
• I work consensually to explore options and the implications of decisions rather than impose my own view.
• The Committee has a crucial job to do as a critical friend that holds the government to account and sheds light on the issues that really matter.

The government’s large majority makes the role of select committees all the more vital.

In October the world will gather at COP 16 for the international bio-diversity conference. Britain must play a leading role. The committee will be crucial in ensuring that Britain takes full advantage of this crucial event to work with our global partners and raise our ambitions at home.

I will try and get in touch with you in the coming weeks to tell you more about my approach to chairing the EAC, but if you would like me to arrange to call, please drop me a line and let’s talk.

Yours sincerely,

Toby Perkins MP