President’s bulletin: general election special

CIEH general election campaign: Building healthier futures together

As we approach the 2024 general election, CIEH is taking decisive steps to ensure environmental health is at the forefront of the political agenda.

Our campaign is designed to engage prospective parliamentary candidates and highlight the critical role environmental health professionals play in safeguarding our communities. Our efforts will not end on 4th July but will continue with the new Government.

CIEH pledge for environmental health:

We are calling on parliamentary candidates to pledge their support for environmental health by:

1. Engaging with CIEH on key issues highlighted in our manifesto.
2. Elevating the profile of environmental health in parliament.
3. Collaborating to establish an All-Party Parliamentary Group on Environmental Health.

With over 120 MPs standing down at the next election, there is a golden opportunity for us to put environmental health on the radar of MPs who will be entering parliament for the first time. This fresh wave of parliamentarians presents a unique chance to influence and educate new leaders about the importance of environmental health.

By placing a focus on fostering engagement with prospective candidates, coupled with the aspiration of launching an All-Party Parliamentary Group on Environmental Health, we have a golden opportunity to use this ‘changing of the guard’ to raise awareness of environmental health among parliamentarians.

Our Manifesto:

Our refreshed manifesto outlines our vision for a safer, cleaner, and healthier environment. It serves as a comprehensive roadmap for action, detailing the crucial areas where environmental health can make a significant impact.

Key areas of focus:

• Housing standards: Addressing poor housing conditions to reduce ill health.
• Food safety: Ensuring the safety and quality of the food supply.
• Supply chain integrity: Maintaining rigorous health and safety standards for imports.
• Workplace health and safety: Protecting employees through enforcement and support.
• Air quality: Combating pollution to improve public health.
• Disease control: Managing infectious diseases and public health responses.

Public health contribution

Environmental health professionals play a frontline role in protecting the nation’s health, from controlling infectious and communicable diseases like Covid-19, enforcing workplace health and safety regulations, managing air quality and inspecting local food businesses to ensure quality control.

Our policy team is actively reaching out to candidates, aligning CIEH's messaging with their respective party's priorities. This strategic engagement ensures that our key issues are recognised and supported by a broad spectrum of political stakeholders.

Get involved:

We encourage our members to participate by writing to their local candidates using our downloadable letter template. By advocating for the pledge, members can help ensure environmental health remains a key priority. I will be writing. The more members joining me in doing this small but effective action will make a difference.

Join us in our mission to promote and protect environmental health. Together, we can build a healthier future for all.

Call to action:

Read all about our pledge campaign, download the letter template and learn more about our manifesto on the CIEH website here.

Thank you.

Mark Elliott CEnvH, FCIEH.