North East Herts MP Sir Oliver Heald discussed environmental issues such as climate change in Letchworth last Sunday.

The talk at Wilbury Hall was held as part of Christian Aid’s week of Speaking Up for the Climate, and Sir Oliver was kept well on his toes.

He said afterwards: “It was good to be able to discuss environmental issues following the success of the international conferences in Paris and Rwanda.

“Britain is currently ranked second behind Denmark in the prestigious Climate Change Performance Index, but we all agreed that there is far more to do.

“I undertook to respond in writing on one or two detailed points.”

Attendees included one woman who posited: “I installed solar panels, but if they go wrong who do I contact? Following the drastic and sudden withdrawal of feed-in tariffs for solar at the beginning of this year, many companies have gone bust.”

Another asked what the government was doing to enable those on low incomes to embrace everyday energy efficiency and sustainability, noting that ‘only the well-off can afford an electric car’.

An argument in favour of ‘de-growth’ – stepping back to a more sustainable lifestyle and using resources more sensitively on moral grounds – won applause.

Organiser Peter Willcox said: “I am really grateful to St Thomas’ Mothers’ Union and Transition Town Letchworth Food Group for an amazing feast – and to those who brought material for our exhibition, showcasing climate change mitigation activity in our beautiful garden city.

“I was encouraged by the amazing turn-out. People in Letchworth really do care about climate change.”