Badger Trust looks at the main parties’ manifestos and what they all mean for nature

Badger Trust Staff Team
Jul 1, 2024
6 min read

Updated: Jul 2, 2024

With a few days to go until the General Election 2024, we look at how the different manifestos from the main political parties stack up for nature.

Each party's policies will have varied impacts on nature, with some focusing on gradual improvements and others advocating for more radical changes to address the climate and ecological crises. Here we look at some of the key areas for nature addressed in their manifestos.

As the leading voice for badgers in England and Wales, we begin by looking at their stance on the badger cull, before looking at their other pledges towards nature. We have scored each party from A to E* on their badger cull commitments. Each party is presented in alphabetical order.

Next to each party, we have also shown the score given to them by Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth based on the strength of their climate and nature commitments. You will see that the Green Party came out top with a score of 39/40 for nature-friendly policies, and the Conservative Party ranked the lowest with a score of 5/40. Plaid Cymru and the Reform Party were not scored. Details of how the scoring was calculated are available on their website.

Remember that your vote counts and the most important thing that you can do in this general election is vote. Badgers can’t vote, but you can.

*Badger Cull score

A - end the badger cull immediately

B - commitment to end the badger cull

C - commitment to look at ending the badger cull

D - concern at badger cull, but committed to continue

E - commitment to continue the badger cull with no concern

X - no reference or interest in badger cull

Conservatives

Badger Cull Score E

Nature Score 5/40

The Conservatives brought in the badger cull 11 years ago, after promising it in their manifesto of 2010, under a coalition government with the Liberal Democrats. They plan to continue to cull badgers to address bTB in cattle under their revised ‘targeted badger control policy’.

Key Policies:

Net Zero by 2050: Commitment to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Environmental Land Management Scheme: Replacing the EU's Common Agricultural Policy with a scheme that rewards farmers for environmental stewardship.
Investment in Green Technologies: Support for renewable energy projects, including offshore wind and nuclear energy.
Tree Planting and Biodiversity: Pledges to plant millions of trees and create new national parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs).
Waste Reduction: Measures to reduce waste and improve recycling.

Impact on Nature:

Positive impact from tree planting and biodiversity initiatives.
Mixed reviews on reliance on nuclear energy.
Potential concerns about the adequacy and enforcement of environmental and animal welfare protections post-Brexit.

Green Party

Badger Cull Score A

Nature Score 39/40

The Green Party offers the highest standards of animal welfare and nature protection. They have pledged that “Green MPs will campaign against badger culling. The cull has no evidence basis and has failed to effectively reduce Bovine TB.”

Key Policies:

Net Zero by 2030: Rapid transition to net zero carbon emissions.
Ecological Emergency: Declaring an ecological emergency and prioritising policies to address biodiversity loss.
Rewilding and Conservation: Large-scale rewilding projects and protection of natural habitats, and a humane approach to wild and farmed animals.
Sustainable Agriculture: Transitioning to sustainable farming practices and supporting organic agriculture.
Transportation Overhaul: Major investments in public transport, cycling, and walking to reduce reliance on cars.

Impact on Nature:

Extremely positive impact due to the focus on rewilding, sustainable agriculture, animal protection, and aggressive carbon reduction targets.
Potential economic and societal challenges in implementing rapid systemic changes.

Labour

Badger Cull Score B/C

Nature Score 20.5/40

The Labour government used their manifesto to pledge to ‘end the ineffective badger cull’. Yet they have confirmed the cull will not end immediately and they would allow existing licences to run, ending in 2026.

Key Policies:

Green New Deal: Ambitious plan to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030.
Public Ownership of Utilities: Bringing energy, water, rail, and mail into public ownership to drive a green industrial revolution.
Investment in Green Jobs: Creating millions of green jobs through infrastructure projects and renewable energy investments.
Biodiversity and Conservation: Comprehensive plan for nature restoration, including rewilding and expanding green spaces.
Pollution Control: Stronger regulations on air and water pollution and moving towards a circular economy on waste.

Impact on Nature:

Significant positive impact from aggressive carbon reduction targets and extensive rewilding projects.
Potential economic and logistical challenges in transitioning to public ownership of utilities.

Liberal Democrats

Badger Cull Score D

Nature Score 31.5/40

The Liberal Democrats bought in the badger cull under a coalition government with the Conservatives 11 years ago. The badger cull is not mentioned specifically in their manifesto other than “Developing safe, effective, humane, and evidence-based ways of controlling bovine tuberculosis”. However, Lib Dem candidates have confirmed that badger “culling would regrettably be part of our integrated strategy”.

Key Policies:

Climate Emergency Plan: Achieving net zero by 2045 with interim targets for reducing carbon emissions.
Nature Act: Establishing a statutory nature target to restore the natural environment.
Biodiversity and Green Spaces: Doubling the number of nature reserves and ensuring everyone lives within a short walk of a green space.
Renewable Energy Expansion: Major investments in renewable energy and infrastructure.
Circular Economy: Policies to reduce waste and promote recycling and reusing materials.

Impact on Nature:

Positive impact from strong focus on renewable energy and ambitious nature targets would significantly enhance conservation efforts.
The feasibility and practicality of implementing these policies within the set timelines without significant negative economic or social impacts will need to be carefully considered.

Plaid Cymru

Badger Cull Score E

Nature Not scored

Plaid Cymru, the party of Wales, has a strong focus on environmental sustainability and the protection of natural resources. They will, however, continue to cull badgers, stating in their manifesto that “Plaid Cymru will introduce a broader approach to tackling bovine TB which includes controlling the disease in wildlife”.

Key Policies:

Net Zero by 2035: Commitment to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035, ahead of the UK target.
Renewable Energy: Major investments in renewable energy projects, particularly in wind, tidal, and solar power. Plaid Cymru aims to make Wales a leader in renewable energy and to create more green jobs.
Biodiversity and Rewilding: Comprehensive programs to protect and enhance biodiversity, including large-scale rewilding projects and the expansion of protected areas.
Sustainable Agriculture: Support for sustainable farming practices and the promotion of local, organic food production. They advocate for policies that benefit both the environment and rural communities.
Circular Economy: Policies to reduce waste, promote recycling, and encourage the development of a circular economy.

Impact on Nature:

Significant potential for positive environmental impact through aggressive climate action, conservation efforts, and sustainable development whilst aiming to balance ecological health with economic and social well-being.
Likely transition challenges for industries impacted by rapid environmental protection and growth.

Reform Party

Badger Cull Score X

Nature Not scored

Previously known as the Brexit Party, the Reform Party has a different approach to environmental policies than the other major parties. The badger cull has not been mentioned anywhere by them.

Key Policies:

Scepticism of Net Zero Goals: The Reform Party is critical of the 2050 net zero target, arguing that it is economically damaging and potentially unachievable without significant cost to taxpayers and businesses.
Energy Policy: Focus on energy security and affordability, advocating for a mix of energy sources including nuclear, natural gas, and renewables. They emphasise the need to maintain traditional energy sources for stability.
Environmental Pragmatism: Support for environmental protection measures that do not hinder economic growth. They argue for practical and cost-effective solutions to environmental issues rather than ambitious, large-scale projects.
Infrastructure Development: Prioritising infrastructure projects that improve efficiency and reduce congestion, which indirectly benefits the environment by reducing emissions from transportation.
Opposition to Green Taxes: The party opposes new green taxes and regulations that they argue place undue burdens on businesses and consumers.

Impact on Nature:

The Reform Party UK prioritises economic stability and affordability over ambitious environmental targets.
Their approach may result in slower progress on reducing carbon emissions and implementing large-scale conservation projects.
The party supports practical and cost-effective environmental measures, focusing on incremental improvements rather than transformative changes.

Summary

Conservatives: Incremental changes with a focus on economic feasibility; positive steps in tree planting and renewable energy. Committed to continuing to cull badgers.

Green Party: Most aggressive environmental policies with a focus on rapid transition to sustainability and extensive conservation efforts. Committed to end the badger cull.

Labour: Ambitious, systemic overhaul aiming for rapid decarbonisation and extensive nature restoration. Call the badger cull ineffective but have said they will respect current licences that run to January 2026.

Liberal Democrats: Balanced approach with strong commitments to biodiversity and renewable energy, aiming for net zero by 2045. No commitment to end badger culling.

Plaid Cymru: Significant investments in renewable energy, large-scale biodiversity and rewilding projects, and sustainable agriculture, with an emphasis on balancing ecological health with economic sustainability. Want to extend culling wildlife, including badgers, into Wales as part of their bTB strategy.

Reform Party: emphasises economic stability and practicality, advocating for a balanced approach to environmental protection, opposing green taxes and regulations that burden businesses and consumers. No comment on badger culling.