Vote Bob! It’s in our nature

Bob the red squirrel is Britain’s new environmental ambassador challenging politicians to take better care of our natural places to ensure a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.

His campaign, supported by the RSPB, asks members of the public to pledge their support by signing a petition and asking their MPs to back Bob in his quest, imploring “a vote for Bob is a vote for nature”.

Thousands of jobs depend on the protection and maintenance of our natural environments. Political neglect and misuse not only endangers these jobs, but also threatens the economy, health and well-being of our nation.

When the government made plans in 2011 for a £250m sell-off of England’s public forests more than half a million people came out in furious opposition and saved 258,000 hectares of woodland.

The public outcry left David Cameron with little choice but to U-turn on the proposal, but to even consider selling public forests to privateers shows how out of touch this government are with environmental value.

Julia Long, Unite national officer for rural workers, said, “The success of the Save Our Forests campaign should show this government that people from all over the UK care about the environment and understand how the country can benefit in job growth and politically by being more involved.

“But there is still a threat of privatisation in this sector and we would never rule out privatisation through the back door. Environmental issues have to be a priority and so must run through every election pledge from policies on energy, jobs, housing and business.”

In July, the Wildlife Trust and the RSPB called on political parties to pass a nature and wellbeing bill that would legally secure the future of our natural spaces.

Paul Wilkinson, The Wildlife Trusts’ head of living landscape, said, “Nature underpins our health, wellbeing and economy in many ways, yet society continues to let special wildlife-rich places and much-loved species disappear.  This has to change.

“We must value – and recognise in the decisions we make – what nature provides us for free and we need to plan for its recovery as a matter of urgency. A nature and wellbeing act is an essential way to make this upturn happen and all parties need to rise to the challenge.”

More than 75,000 people have already voted for Bob the red squirrel and pledged support to his cause.

A spokesperson for Bob said of the campaign, “We believe that politicians hold the key to halting the decline of wildlife.

“We want to see real commitments to nature in election manifestos  – all political parties can be ambitious when it comes to protecting our threatened wildlife.”

Though the campaign is less than a month old MPs are starting to take notice.

Grahame Morris, Labour MP for Easington is one of the 29 politicians ‘backing Bob’.

He said, “Far too often, politics doesn’t appreciate the importance of preserving the UK’s natural places and wildlife.

“The danger is, if we don’t start protecting our animals and their habitats now the joys of our nation’s rich natural heritage will be lost for future generations. That’s why I’ve voted for Bob.”

You can pledge your support to Bob here.