Wera Calls for “Power to the People” through Local Electricity Bill

1 April 2021

Last week Wera Hobhouse called for the Government to make time for a debate on the Local Electricity Bill – a backbench bill that has gained the support of 258 MP’s, including Ms Hobhouse.

Bath’s MP asked the question during Business Questions to the Leader of the House, and North East Somerset MP, Jacob Rees-Mogg. She also stated that investing in community energy was an “excellent way to bring people behind our ambition to reach net-zero by 2050”.

Following the question, Wera Hobhouse said:

“Clean, communal energy is something that has widespread political – and public - support. We all want to have secure, cheap, and sustainable ways of powering our homes. That’s why this policy is so, so important for reaching our climate goals.

This Government had become used to ruling by ‘decree’, undermining the democratic process, and failing to seek out new ideas from backbenchers. This means that vital initiatives like the Local Electricity Bill are being neglected.

We are in a climate emergency. This Government must stop procrastinating and act now.”