Leicester Friends of the Earth have presented a certificate to me for being the first candidate in Leicester West from one of the three major parties to get something in the local press about the environment.

Earlier this week Hilary Benn, Labour’s Environment Secretary, joined our campaign in Leicester West. Our first stop was in the West End, meeting young people who’ve got work through Labour’s Future Jobs Fund helping to clean up and improve the environment in local communities. Then I took Hilary to visit Groundwork’s award winning EcoHouse in Western Park, which shows how we can all make simple, practical changes to reduce energy use at home and to live more environmentally sustainable lives.

The Leicester Mercury published an article about Hilary’s visit, including a comment from me that the Government and Council need to make it as easy as possible for people to recycle.

Malcolm Hunter, from Leicester Friends of the Earth said: “So far the environment has been conspicuous for its absence from most coverage of the election campaign, so we thought that Liz deserved some recognition, for getting reported saying something about it.”

I was really chuffed to get the certificate. But I know there’s a lot of work to do to keep climate change at the top of the political agenda, in this election and beyond (see my video interview with Citizens’ Eye). Leicester Friends of the Earth does fantastic work to raise awareness about green issues, and how we can all live more sustainable, environmentally friendly lives. I’m determined to play my part too – this won’t be the last that you hear from me about the environment!