Extinction Rebellion target Chippenham MP's office over voting record

A team of “Dirty Scrubbers” acted out “cleaning up” her office, protesting against Ms Donelan's record, including her recent vote against amendment of the Environment Bill to reduce the amount of sewage entering our waterways.

The protestors were all part of Extinction Rebellion from Chippenham, Bradford on Avon and other local XR groups.

As well as the theatrics, the activists talked to the public and handed out mince pies with messages.

The protestors argue that COP 26 failed to provide any confidence that the wealthy nations of the Global North, including the UK, are serious about addressing the climate and ecological emergency.

Climate activist from Bradford on Avon, Nick Aslett said: “We have huge concerns about Michelle Donelan’s voting record and her unquestioning support for the current government.

"Many people in her constituency feel she is deaf to their pleas for action on the climate emergency.”

Protestors talk to public in Chippenham

Louise Weissel an environmental activist from Bradford on Avon said: “We are now facing the devastating collapse of our ecosystems. Our best chance of ensuring that our government takes decisive, prompt and effective action is the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill, currently awaiting debate in parliament.

"It will require the Secretary of State to put a strategy in place to achieve climate and nature targets. 118 MPs support the bill but Michelle Donelan voted against it. She has voted against nature and the environment.”

Michelle Donelan also voted against the recent amendment of the Environment Bill to reduce the catastrophic amount of sewage entering our waterways.

Mel Moden, an Extinction Rebellion activist from Chippenham said: “In 2020 our local water company (Wessex Water) discharged raw sewage from storm overflows for 235,325 hours and this is deemed acceptable by our local MP who voted against measures to prevent this from happening. Once again the environment has come off second best to corporate profit.”  

'Dirty Scrubbers' protest outside MP's office

Chrissie Aslett, an Extinction Rebellion activist from Bradford on Avon said:  “The HS2 rail line is the most environmentally catastrophic project currently under construction in the UK. It is leaving a scar on our countryside and destroying many sites of special scientific interest and ancient woodlands.

"It has been sold to us on the basis that it will take cars off the roads and reduce CO2 emissions, but the project construction is pushing immense quantities of CO2 into the atmosphere, so much so that it will take 120 years before there’s any benefit!

"It is costing us over £100 billion. In a climate emergency this money could be better spent on projects such as the insulation of homes, businesses, and the development of an integrated public transport system for the whole of the UK.

"Michelle Donelan promised this ward in July 2019 to witness the destruction of HS2 on our environment and yet over two years later she is still avoiding her promise to do so. So, we are here today to highlight the atrocious environmental voting record of our local MP.”

Susie Chambers from Chippenham Extinction Rebellion said: “I am participating in this protest to highlight the hypocrisy of the government, supported by Ms Donelan. Public protestations of a commitment to “show global leadership in addressing the climate emergency” are countered by the licensing of new oil fields in the North Sea, a new coal mine in the Northwest and the largest road building programme ever undertaken in this country. These are not the actions of a government committed to addressing climate change.”

The group of climate activists shouted “Michelle Donelan, clean up your act!” as they cleaned the front of her constituency office with mops and dusters.

Then they moved on to the centre of town where they spent over an hour talking to local residents and handing out leaflets outlining Ms Donelan’s voting record over recent months.

In response Michelle Donelan said: “I didn’t have the opportunity to chat to the protesters as they didn’t give advance warning but I’d love to set up a meeting to discuss the issues they are concerned about.

"Unfortunately, on sewage only half the information has been reported on and a number of misconceptions have developed. I want local people to know I do not support us pumping sewage into our rivers which is why I voted to reduce it in our Environment Bill.

"I am strongly encouraged by the progress and agreements achieved at COP26 in Glasgow in November and was very pleased to attend in person to hear the commitments made.

"The Environment Bill will tackle the biggest environmental priorities of our time, signalling a historic step change in the way we protect and enhance our precious natural environment.”