Our philosophy

Forwards, not back

Tackling climate change does not have to mean going backwards to a dark age. It is an opportunity to build a more advanced, more successful and wealthier society for all, which enjoys abundant cheap, clean energy and lives in harmony with its planet. It is the next exciting phase in our human development.

Stop worrying about your carbon footprint

Forget your carbon footprint – we are a No Guilt Party. Our party does not go in for moralising, and we are not concerned with individual carbon footprints. So-called petrol heads and eco-sinners will find themselves in good company with us. We recognise that we are all trapped in the same carbon-powered world together, and there is little that individuals can do about it. Some of us drive 4x4s and many of us take foreign holidays and want to continue to do so. But instead of giving these things up, we simply need to invent clean-tech versions, so we can all enjoy our lives without harming our planet. Invention is a far more useful tool than guilt or sacrifice.

Focusing on individual carbon footprints is counter-productive - it causes guilt, resentment and division. It is also ineffective, as only the minority can or will make the effort. It is rather like asking individuals to each defend their own house in time of war, rather than join together to make an army. The only footprint that matters is our collective one. We need to pull together to create an entirely new economic system, where being green is taken care of automatically in the background of our lives, without us having to worry as individuals.

Why now?      Our strategy      Election 2010     Our policies     clean technology