National Trust calls on people to ask their MP to step in over nature crisis, as research reveals stark divide between Government and public attitudes

The National Trust is calling on people to join a campaign aimed at stopping the unravelling of nature protections and instead persuading Ministers to step up the pace to help British wildlife recover.

It comes as polling for the charity by the independent research agency More in Common reveals that the Government’s lack of action to restore nature is out of step with the priorities of the public. From a survey of 4,000 people, 6 in 10 said the Government cares less about restoring nature than they do personally, and only a fifth said the Government’s care toward nature is in line with their own.

The research also reveals that nature is a major source of pride for the public, second only to the NHS, and, despite the pressures of daily life, 83 per cent say that restoring it is important or a top priority to them personally. This rises to 91 per cent for Labour voters, the highest of all the main political parties.

But in the last 12 months, the Prime Minister and Chancellor have presented wildlife as a “blocker” to growth and changed longstanding nature policies, including making it easier for developers to build without improving the environment.

The last time the Trust led a similar campaign was in 2011, when it initiated a petition that succeeded in stopping proposed planning reforms.

Hilary McGrady, Director-General of the National Trust, said: “We would never launch a campaign like this lightly. But nature is in a state of freefall in this country and our Government doesn’t appear to be taking the issue seriously enough. In fact, it seems way behind voters on this incredibly important issue. So we’re calling on the public to ask their MP to step up.

“Because regardless of their political views, Britons have a shared love of nature. It is a major source of pride and a unifier. Our research shows that wanting to restore nature is the mainstream view: it is the Government that is out of step.

“Nature is essential for our economic prosperity, for national security, for our wellbeing and for all our futures. It’s time politicians listened to the electorate and started to implement change. Clean rivers and seas, natural places for children to play and healthy local food are all within grasp with the right political action. But we must raise the level of aspiration. Nature can and must be restored to our islands.”

The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. Millions of birds have disappeared from our skies in recent decades and only 14 per cent of English rivers are in good ecological health. A recent Government intelligence report warned of the risks to national security and the economy by not restoring nature. Unpublished extracts of the report, seen by journalists, even warn that nature loss could result in a 12 per cent reduction in GDP by 2030.

Regardless of their political views, the majority of respondents, including 62 per cent of Labour voters, felt it was the Government’s job to lead on restoring nature in the UK - yet only 15 per cent think the Government is doing a good job at protecting it in the first place.

While the survey found that proposals to loosen wildlife protection aren't well known, they are deeply unpopular when voters are made aware of them. According to recent polling, they are almost as unpopular as cuts to the winter fuel allowance.

The charity is calling for three commitments ahead of The King’s Speech in May:

1. Restore nature now – the Government must honour its commitment to manage 30 per cent of land for nature by 2030. That means designating more space for nature and paying our farmers properly to help nature thrive.
2. Defend nature and wildlife – stop weakening the laws that protect them. Introduce a strong Water Reform Bill to clean up our rivers, streams and seas, and make polluters pay.
3. Build places to be proud of – demand that neighbourhoods are rich in nature and end unfair access to green space, starting by publishing the Government’s long-promised action plan by the end of the year.

Luke Tryl, Executive Director (UK) of More in Common, said: “This research lays bare the political risk for Labour if it is seen as an anti-nature party. Britons of all political stripes are nature-lovers, but the majority of the public thinks the Government cares less about nature than they do. With Labour voters being more likely than those of any other political party to say that restoring nature is a top priority, the Government may find itself on the wrong side of public opinion - and its own voters. If others can present themselves as nature's champion, they may reap considerable political rewards.”

People can find out more and write to their MP at: campaigns.nationaltrust.org.uk/nature