General election 2019

We wrote to all local general election candidates asking them for commitments on phasing out plastic pollution; two simple questions:

  1. Do you and your party support the aims of the Plastic Pollution Bill?
  2. Do you and your party support a permanent ban on fracking?

To clarify:

  • We asked for candidates support for the aims of the Plastic Pollution Bill as it would implement a timetable of plastic reduction that would be backed by legislation. This is important to move us away from an unsustainable system of recycling that continues to pollute.
  • We asked for candidates support for a permanent ban on fracking as ethylene from fracking is used to further plastic production, as has happened in the USA. Fracking causes a number of serious environmental and social problems. A moratorium (pause) on fracking was put in place before the election.

We have simplified the responses into the tables below. Click on a candidate's name for their full response.

South Swindon
Candidate Party Supports Plastic Pollution Bill Supports permanent ban on fracking
Personally Party
Conservative Yes Not stated Conditional
Labour Yes Needs further clarification Yes
Liberal Democrats Yes Yes Yes

North Swindon
Candidate Party Supports Plastic Pollution Bill Supports permanent ban on fracking
Personally Party
Conservative Not stated Not stated Not stated
Labour Yes Needs further clarification Yes
Liberal Democrats Yes Yes Yes
Green Yes Yes Yes

The two Conservative Party candidates were re-elected. So, we have a commitment from Robert Buckland to support the aims of the Plastic Pollution Bill and an offer from Justin Tomlinson to meet to discuss ongoing work. We will meet with both MPs after lockdown.