Solihull Conservatives in denial over Climate Emergency

Councillor Ade Adeyemo compares Solihull Council Leader Ian Courts’ WMCA Climate Emergency declaration to ‘Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus’.

On the 28th of February, Ian Courts was one of the Conservative Councillors who unanimously supported the then Leader of Solihull Council, Councillor Bob Sleigh, as he refused to support Councillor Karl McNaughton’s motioncalling for Solihull Council to declare a climate emergency.  Instead, Councillor Sleigh resolved for the motion to be ‘referred to the relevant Cabinet Member for further consideration’, effectively kicking it into the long grass.
 
Commenting on the WMCA declaration, Councillor Ade Adeyemo said, “I and my fellow Lib Dems Councillors welcome the WMCA Climate Emergency Declaration.  It is a step in the right direction but there’s much more to be done to make sure that our children can live in a greener, safer and more prosperous world.
 
“The climate emergency is an existential threat.  Air pollution is damaging too many lives.  The Conservatives in Solihull haven’t taken this problem seriously.  We have no time to lose: this is an urgent crisis that demands real action now.
 
“I was dismayed when the Conservatives, on the 28th of February, refused to back Councillor Karl McNaughton’s motion to declare a Climate Emergency in Solihull and commit to achieving carbon neutrality, even if it was "just an aspiration", as I recommended in the Council chamber.
 
“Yet, just four months later, there was their new Leader, Councillor Ian Courts, "spearheading" the WMCA's Climate Emergency Declaration. Quite frankly, the Conservatives' change of heart is tantamount to Saul's Conversion on the road to Damascus!
 
“It is shocking just how out of touch Conservative Councillors and the Solihull MP are on the big issues of the day that affect the lives of local residents. Everyone can see that they are having to be dragged kicking and screaming into the modern age.
 
“It is not that long ago that David Cameron ordered his aides to ‘get rid of all this green crap’.  On current evidence, it's clear that Solihull’s Tories still can't shake off the ‘green crap’ mentality.

"Solihull deserves better.  Demand better".