22 September 2021
Around 60 people that have been involved in Insulate Britain’s two weeks of motorway protests spoke in front of the home office today before ceremonially burning their Police release papers. [1]
Reading out carefully prepared statements, the diverse group of individuals introduced themselves and spoke of what had driven them to take action with Insulate Britain. A common thread that unites all our supporters is their sincere desire to protect humanity and our way of life from the ongoing threat posed by climate change.
The group of spokespeople included a science teacher, a student, a bricklayer, a single mum, a retired doctor and a retail worker.
Louise Lancaster from Cambridge said;
“My name is Louise Lancaster. I’m a teacher with 3 children. I feel let down by my government and I ask, that now, the government steps up and acts to save our country, starting by insulating the homes of Britain.
“Priti Patel must decide which side she is on – that of law and order, of culture and heritage or that which is a reckless gamble with our future, and our children’s future?”
Christian Murray- Leslie from Derbyshire said:
“My name is Christian, I am a retired doctor and I have spent my life trying to help people and I believe what I am doing now is one of the most important things I have done in my life.
This campaign to Insulate Britain is logical and sensible, really it’s a no-brainer. We must do it.’
Meanwhile Insulate Britain released a further statement addressing the Home Secretary, Priti Patel:
Public Message from Insulate Britain to Priti Patel
“We have to move quickly. What we do, I believe, in the next three to four years will determine the future of humanity,” Sir David King, former chief scientific advisor to the UK government.
Home Secretary, do you know what to do?
For ten days now, campaigners from Insulate Britain have been blocking motorways to urge our government to make a meaningful statement we can all trust on insulating and retrofitting the houses of this country. Doing anything less would be a betrayal of any UK government’s first duty: to protect the British people. We urge you to ensure this meaningful statement is made swiftly so ordinary people can stop blocking roads.
But, if you believe, as you say, that our acts are outrageous and illegal, and if you believe there is no right of necessity for citizens to cause disruption to prevent the infinitely greater threat of destruction to our economy and way of life, then you have a duty to act decisively. The offence of creating a public nuisance is already there to be used, you didn’t need an injunction.
Take us to court, charge us, and put us in prison.
Alternatively, if you think we have a case, you have a responsibility to the country to at least meet and talk with us. And you will find we are entirely reasonable in our demands which will save the lives of 8500 from fuel poverty this winter. We want to stop the roadblocks as much as you.
The climate crisis is the biggest threat to Britain in its long history. It requires decisive action. The country is waiting to see if you have what it takes.
ENDS
Press contact: 07737 457105
Email: insulatebritainpress@protonmail.com
High quality photos and video footage available here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Kucq-NfhnZLGJWwLx1HX03cWR7M9Y2-m
Website: https://www.insulatebritain.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/insulatebritain
Twitter: https://twitter.com/insulatelove?lang=en
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8N5mAeeCLbD-AFUqtPaF0g
Notes to Editors
[1] The majority of Insulate Britain’s supporters arrested during the M25 protests have been released under investigation by the police forces involved – Sussex, Kent, Hertfordshire,Surrey and Metropolitan.
About Insulate Britain
Insulate Britain is a new campaign group that is calling on the UK government to put in place policy and funding for a national home insulation programme starting with all social housing.
We demand the Prime Minister and the government to #getonwiththejob, face up to their responsibility and lead our country through the climate crisis.
We are ordinary British citizens with simple and achievable demands to #INSULATEBRITAIN
The UK government must immediately promise to fully fund and take responsibility for the insulation of all social housing in Britain
We demand a national home insulation strategy that gives British people the justice they deserve: a future for our loved ones, lower energy bills and safer living conditions
We are scared: our livelihoods are at risk and the futures of our children are uncertain
The Climate Crisis is a threat to all: we demand the government to act now
Our Demands
1. That the UK government immediately promises to fully fund and take responsibility for the insulation of all social housing in Britain by 2025;
2. That the UK government immediately promises to produce within four months a legally binding national plan to fully fund and take responsibility for the full low-energy and low-carbon whole-house retrofit , with no externalised costs, of all homes in Britain by 2030 as part of a just transition to full decarbonisation of all parts of society and the economy.
Further information about Insulate Britain and our demands here: https://www.insulatebritain.com/
Technical Report on home energy efficiency here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HtOQmArzkDxhIYJrv9lBcl9lOUwfKoe7/view