Conservation groups collaborate to host climate hustings in Sevenoaks

Voters will get the chance to grill Sevenoaks electoral candidates on their environmental policies in a special climate hustings.

Sevenoaks Climate Action Network (SCAN) and Kent Wildlife Trust are co-hosting the event, which will be presented by BBC wildlife filmmaker Richard Taylor Jones, from Countryfile and The One Show.

Organisers say the climate emergency and restoring nature should be at the forefront of voters’ minds when they enter polling booths next month.

Laura Clout, spokesperson for SCAN, said: “This is residents’ chance to find out what their MP and would-be representatives plan to do to solve the climate emergency.

“We expect questions about reaching net zero, reducing our nation’s dependence on oil and gas, and mitigating the ecological disaster which is ravaging much of our natural habitats.

“As much as we all want to preserve the natural world, it is important to remember that climate change affects the poorest in our society the most. As food becomes more difficult to grow because of unpredictable weather, the cost of living increases.

“Immigration is also key to environmental debate, as Britain offers refuge to people fleeing conflict zones and economies worsened by climate change.”

All published candidates for the general election on July 4th have been invited to attend and local TV station KMTV is set to film and livestream the event.

Laura Trott MP has so far declined the invitation. Her Labour rival Denise Scott-McDonald, Richard Streatfeild of the Liberal Democrats and Green Party candidate Laura Manston will appear on the panel. They are set to be joined by James Milmine from Reform and SDP candidate Adam Hibbert.

Attendees have been invited to submit questions for the panel in advance and there will be a live “Question Time” style discussion and Q&A with the panel afterwards.

Ms Clout added: “We are disappointed that Ms Trott has so far declined our invitation and the opportunity to publicly discuss her voting record on environmental issues and Conservative policy.

“We have no doubt that the debate will still be vigorous in her absence.”

Sally Smith, Kent Wildlife Trust said: "We are delighted to partner with SCAN to offer residents the opportunity to ask candidates important questions about declines in wildlife and the climate crisis. We have recently launched our Vote WILD campaign with helpful information and downloads to give people the confidence to make informed decisions come election day."

The climate and nature hustings will take place on Thursday 20th June from 7pm until 9.30pm at The Drive Methodist Church in Sevenoaks. Free tickets are available on Eventbrite with a limited number on the door.

Kent Wildlife Trust is the county’s leading conservation organisation and has more than 31,000 members. SCAN, run entirely by volunteers, has for the last two years run the successful Climate Fair on the Sevenoaks Vine Gardens.