A JOINT initiative by the RSPB and other conservation organisations seems to have fallen into disrepair.
Six years ago, parliamentarians were invited to put themselves forward to become 'species champions' - in effect, to act as guardian angels for certain creatures deemed to be under threat.
A total of just 17 (out of 650) MPs nominated birds, and, since then, the project seems to have floundered.
The list has shortened rather than lengthened, and MPs seldom speak up for birds - a notable exception being Matt Warman (Con, Boston and Skegness) who recently described his constituency, which includes the RSPB reserve at Frampton Marsh, as "one of the best in the UK both for breeding and migrating birds".
Wetlands enthusiast Mr Warman, who 'champions' the redshank (pictured), was particularly chuffed that, this summer, black-winged stilts are nesting at Frampton - the first record for Lincolnshire.
The rest of the Class of 2017 comprises:
* Jake Berry: Curlew* James Cartlidge: Turtle dove* Therese Coffey: Bittern* Mark Garnier: Lesser spotted woodpecker* Nick Herbert (now in the House of Lords): Lapwing* Kevin Hollinrake: Puffin* Kerry McCarthy: Swift* Jess Phillips: Dunnock* Rebecca Pow: Snipe* Angela Smith (no longer an MP): Hen harrier* Dame Caroline Spelman (no longer an MP): Willow tit * Derek Thomas: Manx shearwater* Kelly Tolhurst: Nightingale* Anna Turley (no longer an MP): Little tern* Gavin Williamson: Barn owl* Sarah Wollaston (no longer an MP): Cirl bunting
The RSPB has its own dedicated parliamentary officer, so perhaps the time has come for the 'champions' scheme to be refreshed and revitalised.
Perhaps one MP on this list - or the RSPB - might even establish an All Party Parliamentary Group for birds just as there is one for trees and many other subjects (including philately, women's football and professional wrestling).
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
I’ve got my own views at present on politics and politicians. But I would rather not discuss politics. The politics section on that subject as I’ve seen in other forums get out out of control and particularly worse in recent years. One forum I know of has discontinued its politics section and another forum I know is considering doing the same, if as at present the situation doesn't improve on that other forum.
Regards,
Ian.
I can understand why Tuwit would feel aggrieved to discover her MP was a member of a parliamentary group supporting a religious position, especially if she had suffered an unfavourable experience through association with that particular religious organisation. Re Clare's observation, apparently the Pro-Life Group exists "to provide a forum for discussion of pro-life issues including abortion, euthanasia and research upon the human embryo". It is chaired by Carla Lockhart of the Democratic Unionist Party. I fully agree with Thomo - from my own experience, there's a lot to be said for belonging to a Local RSPB Group. To return to Birds, I still can't get my head why there is no parliamentary group to fly the flag, especially as there are dedicated groups for Bingo and Cats to name just two.
Unknown said:It is chaired by Carla Lockhart of the Democratic Unionist Party.
Why am I not remotely surprised? That party needs to learn we're in the 21st century now and that women aren't breeding machines. This is something I feel very strongly about.