Thank you for contacting me about the Nature’s Rights Bill.
I understand that this bill is a Private Members' Bill (PMB) which has been introduced in the House of Lords.
The Bill seeks to improve legal protections for nature and introduce new duties on public bodies, business and individuals. While I appreciate the sentiment behind the Bill, it proposes radical changes. My Conservative colleagues in the House of Lords have highlighted that these risk failing to take into account the everyday economic realities of UK citizens and of national security, which should be the first duty of any government.
Furthermore, I note that Peers in the House of Lords have questioned the practicalities and implications of measures included in the PMB on individuals, businesses and policy-making. There is the possibility that the Bill would create all-powerful governance structures which potentially override democratic decision-making.
As the PMB has started in the House of Lords, it will only receive scrutiny in the House of Commons if it passes all stages in the House of Lords first. I hope that Peers in the House of Lords closely scrutinise the Bill and consider the impact of the measures included in the Bill.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
