Press release
Divest East Sussex [1]
9 May 2023
More info: 07596 483 272
PHOTO: https://tinyurl.com/ffdebate1 and https://tinyurl.com/ffdebate2 [CAPTION: Lead petitioner Sarah Hazlehurst (with ‘Affordable Green Energy’ placard) and other campaigners outside County Hall in Lewes this morning, 9 May 2023. Photo: Steve Lewis
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CONSERVATIVE COUNTY COUNCILLORS REJECT CALL TO CLOSE ‘MASSIVE LOOPHOLES’ IN WINDFALL TAX ON BIG OIL
Green, Labour, Liberal Democrat and Independent Democrat Councillors join forces to support fossil fuel divestment
Tuesday 9 May, County Hall, Lewes: Conservative Councillors on East Sussex County Council (ESCC) voted unanimously to oppose a motion [2] calling on the Council’s leader to write to the Prime Minister urging him to ‘close the massive loopholes in the existing windfall tax’ on Big Oil, following a debate at County Hall this morning. The motion – which was raised by Green Councillor Johnny Denis, and was supported by Green, Labour, Liberal Democrat and Independent Democrat Councillors [3] – also took the Council’s continued investment in fossil fuel companies to task, noting that ‘a public commitment …. to fully divest from these companies would send a powerful signal policymakers about the need to get serious about tackling the climate emergency.’
Today’s debate was triggered by 5,236 people from across East Sussex and Brighton & Hove signing a petition demanding that ESCC ‘stops investing in fossil fuels, and that it publicly supports a proper permanent windfall tax on Big Oil and a rapid transition to a system that provides affordable green energy for everyone.’ [4]
Continue reading Press release: Conservative County Councillors reject call to close ‘massive loopholes’ in windfall tax on Big Oil