Calls to Limit Political Campaign Leaflets to Two Per Year to Reduce Environmental Impact

Councillors in Bath and North East Somerset are advocating for a cap on the number of political leaflets distributed by local politicians, suggesting a strict limit of two leaflets per year. This motion, driven by Independent and Conservative members of the council, aims to reduce the environmental footprint of political campaigns ahead of next year’s local elections.

Independent Group leader Shaun Hughes from Midsomer Norton North emphasized the urgency of addressing environmental concerns, stating, “At a time when residents are being asked to protect our planet and given the declared climate emergency, political groups must lead by example and take responsibility for the environmental impact of their actions.”

Supporting the motion, Conservative councillor Tim Warren from Midsomer Norton Redfield acknowledged that while this is not official Conservative Party policy, it is a sensible local initiative. Reflecting on past practices, Warren noted, “I have been as guilty as anyone else in using excessive paper. But with the rise of digital platforms, there are now better ways to communicate. The volume of paper used historically is unnecessary.”

The motion highlights that Bath and North East Somerset Council has declared a climate emergency and adopted strategies to reduce avoidable paper consumption. It points out that the extensive printing of campaign materials during election periods results in significant paper use, carrying environmental consequences even when recycled paper is used, due to associated energy consumption.

While recognizing that paper leaflets remain important for reaching digitally excluded voters, the motion urges political group leaders to request their parties minimize paper usage and limit physical leaflet distribution to no more than two per year.

Though non-binding, such motions express the council’s collective stance and are put to a full council vote. The Liberal Democrats currently hold the majority on the council with 39 of 59 seats, while the Independent Group and Conservatives hold five and two seats respectively. Notably, Councillor Ann Morgan of High Littleton recently switched allegiance from the Liberal Democrats to the Independent Group.