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).
MPs did themselves proud in today's debate on swifts - in particular on whether the incorporation of swiftbricks should become mandatory in all new housebuilding developments.
Those who took part seemed strongly in favour, with many excellent contributions.
Unfortunately, neither the Government nor the Labour Frontbench support such a project to be mandatory, preferring to leave it to local authorities of which only eight so far have been supportive via their Local Plans.
Another consideration is that they do not want to impose what they consider to be an "additional burden" on housebuilders. .
This exasperated Caroline Lucas who protested: "Warm words won't get us anywhere - we need action."
At the end of the meeting, Government minister Dehenna Davison agreed to a further meeting where MPs will have another opportunity to press their case.
The debate can be watched at:
https://www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/cc4e997f-9399-49d3-9d9b-805710f6ce50
Unknown said:neither the Government nor the Labour Frontbench support such a project to be mandatory
It bloody well should be. I'm with Caroline Lucas on this. It's a pity she's standing down - I have a lot of time for her. Perversely, though, I don't vote Green - when they rethink their stance on firearms certificates for target shooters (as in change their stance completely!) they might yet get my vote.
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
tuwit said:Guns vs. female reproductive rights. Sounds a bit like US politics...
Er ....... I'm very much pro-choice. And I'm all for firearms legislation there as it seems that almost anyone there can just buy guns. I'll never forget seeing the footage of people queueing up at the gun shops when Covid hit the country. What the hell?
This country is very much stricter. Every five years I have to renew my certificate and each time someone from the police firearms licensing department comes over to interview me and to check my storage facility. I also have to pay for a doctor's report to show there's no medical reason to stop me shooting. I'd say we're already strict enough ........ though it sometimes seems that any idiot can buy a shotgun to blow our raptors out of the sky. You don't want to know what I think of those people. I don't think I could ever target a living thing.
Does no MP have a kid word to say about gulls?
This exchange came in the 'Commons on Wednesday.