What to do now

In Wednesday’s debate in the House of Commons Caroline Spelman said she received over 4000 letters from concerned constituents before the consultation document was published. She alluded to the idea that because these letters arrived before the consultation was published the fears expressed by the public were misguided by “ludicrous speculation in the media”.

We’ve had the opportunity to read the consultation and we find no option in the proposals for the Public Forest Estate to remain in public hands managed by the Forestry Commission.

Now is the time to continue the pressure on all MPs who back the government’s proposals to sell the forests.

Search the list of MPs who support the government’s proposals. This site also gives you the option to contact your MP by email or telephone. We urge you to do this to maintain the pressure MPs are under in backing the proposals.

How to contact the House of Lords

The Public Bodies Bill contains specific clauses relating to forestry. Many Peers are concerned by the government’s proposals but some Peers agree with a PFE disposal.

Generic emails sent to Peers can, more often than not, be overlooked. Save Our Woods have put together a plan of action to help you communicate with Peers in a more effective way to enable you to ask them to oppose Clauses 17, 18 and 19 of the Public Bodies Bill.

The Plan

1. The House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW. You can find the name of your local member of the House of Lords here.
2. Write down your views about the Public Bodies Bill clauses 17, 18 and 19 that will enable the Secretary of State to sell all our forests without debate.
3. Many Peers prefer letters to emails. We suggest you use good old-fashioned snail-mail to contact them. Peers also want to know how trees, woods and forests make you feel. Get passionate, share your joy and love of the woods.
4. Write your letters, post it and, should you get a reply, let us know.

One thing clear to us – campaigning works!

Signing petitions, writing emails and letters works. The debate on Wednesday is only the beginning of the fight to Save Our Forests.

Keep up the pressure. Together we can win this!

Tagged as: Forestry Commission, House of Commons, House of Lords, Public Bodies Bill