Totnes Traffic and Transport Forum
This was the first hustings of the election campaign with all five mainstream parties represented, and an opportunity to raise points about all of our approaches to transport issues within the constituency and nationally.
My message is simple, you can vote blue if you want to go green. One of the reasons that I felt comfortable about joining the Conservative Party was their strong environmental commitment.
All the major parties, with the exception of UKIP, have a clear green agenda. My own feeling is that we will achieve far more by persuading 90% of people to make a 10% reduction in their carbon footprint than we will by having 10% cut by 90%. It is important that people do not feel alienated by environmental policy. Nothing is achieved by lecturing people about their cars and far more by making it easier to make greener choices. For the South Hams and Brixham that must include better, integrated and affordable public transport and safe cycle routes.
There is huge potential for an expansion in eco tourism in the South Hams; we should make it possible.
