Big Issue founder calls on next government to give future generations a ‘seat at the table’

The founder of The Big Issue has urged the next government to give younger generations a say in future decision-making, with just hours to go until the next general election.

Lord John Bird MBE has united politicians from across the political spectrum, including Boris Johnson, in a pledge to “use their voices and their votes” to effect “long-lasting change.”

The British entrepreneur and life peer is pushing for an end to short-term thinking in government, where plans are hatched according to “the whims of whichever party and politicians take power”.

In an open letter, signed by 120 candidates and would-be MPs from across the political spectrum, Lord Bird has pledged to prevent problems including the climate crisis and poverty, “instead of dealing in short-term emergencies”.

The Prime Minister is among those to endorse Lord Bird's initiative. He said: “I applaud The Big Issue for raising these critical issues, which are about the future of our children and grandchildren."

The move is part of drive to pass Lord Bird's Wellbeing of Future Generations Bill, which aims to “balance the needs of the present with the needs of the future in the decision-making.”

His letter, titled the Future Generations Pledge, reads: “As candidates standing in the General Election on 12 December, we pledge - if elected - to use our voices and our votes to make a long-lasting, positive change in the lives of current and future generations.

“How? By acting today for tomorrow, and working to prevent problems - including the climate crisis and poverty - from happening, instead of dealing in short-term emergencies.

“We will also ensure future generations have a seat at the table by taking their needs into account in new policies, budgets and laws.

“And we will back Lord Bird’s all-party-endorsed Wellbeing of Future Generations Bill, which - if enacted - will deliver a new, sustainable vision for the country by prioritising the environmental, social, economic and cultural wellbeing of both current and future generations.”

Future Generations Pledge signatories include

Jonathan Bartley (Green, Dulwich & West Norwood)

Lauren Bennie (Conservative, Glasgow North East)

Julian Burrett (Independent, Forest of Dean)

David Drew (Labour/Co-op, Stroud)

Leon French (Yorkshire Party, Doncaster Central)

Andrew George (Liberal Democrat, St. Ives)

Neil Gray (SNP, Airdrie & Shotts)

Delphine Gray-Fisk (Brexit Party, Slough)

Adrian Heald (Labour, Mid-Norfolk)

David Henwood (Independent, Oxford East)

Ryan Houghton (Conservative, Aberdeen North)

Dinah Keal (Liberal Democrat, Thirsk & Malton)

Cass Macgregor (Scottish Green, Glasgow North)

David Mawson (Brexit Party, Darlington)

Philip Randle (Northern Ireland Green, East Antrim)

Liz Saville Roberts (Plaid Cymru, Dwyfor Meirionnydd)

Richard Thomson (SNP, Gordon)

Marc Tierney (Welsh Labour, Carmarthen West & South Pembrokeshire)

Steffan Webb (Plaid Cymru, Cardiff North)

Amelia Womack (Green, Newport West)