New Conservative leader's appointments signal rising importance of environment issues
Wed 12 October 2005
View all news
The new Conservative leader, David Cameron, announcing the launch of a policy group to look at "quality of life" issues, said that environment concerns will be a key priority for his party.
The group, to be chaired by ex-environment secretary John Gummer, will examine a series of issues including climate change, transport policy and energy. Mr Gummer is joined by Zac Goldsmith, the founder of the Ecologist magazine, and by Peter Ainsworth the new shadow environment secretary.
Mr Ainsworth has a long history of interest and involvement in environment issues as a former shadow minister and also as member and, lately, chairman of the influential Environmental Audit Committee. He is joined in the Defra shadow team by Greg Barker who also has a track record of concern about energy efficiency issues and is a colleague of Mr Ainsworth on the EAC.
The former shadow environment secretary, Oliver Letwin, is the Conservatives new policy director.
Related Links
BBC news link - Cameron's main appointments
E-Politix story on Cameron's 'green team'
< Back to news list