On 12 April we wrote to the government requesting positive advice and action in response to the news of conflict impeding food and fuel supplies. This letter was sent to Keir Starmer, Prime Minister as well as Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer; Yvette Cooper, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs; Shabana Mahmood, Secretary of State for the Home Department; David Lammy, Secretary of State for Justice and Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
Dear Prime Minister and Cabinet members
Urgent action to strengthen our economy, resilience and quality of life
The UK Section of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF UK) is very concerned about the current wars in the Middle East and their very serious effects across the world. We have been reading the Defra Food Security Report (2024) and the white paper A New Vision for Water (January 2026) and absorbing the current news of conflict impeding food and fuel supplies. We believe that, as our government, you could be sharing positive advice and action with our people without causing panic, while preparing legislation to address related serious issues.
As you know, and as set out in the National Emergency Briefing, there is clear evidence that urgent action is needed to strengthen our economy, resilience and quality of life, and that the government is aware of the problems and solutions. Our government also has a responsibility to ensure that the public is well informed about risks facing the nation.
Here in the UK we urge you to develop policies and advice to:
- reduce wasteful energy consumption, for instance all-night outdoor advertising, illuminated shops and garden decorative lights
- encourage and support projects to expand council allotments and community cultivation of under-used urban and rural spaces
- subsidise farmers to expand vegetable and soft fruit cultivation and to convert to organic growing methods to reduce the demand for synthetic fertilisers
- stop water companies discharging waste into rivers, lakes and the sea
- stimulate tree planting and natural environmental methods including introducing beavers to controlthe flow of watercourses
- develop an advertising campaign to reduce meat consumption, to encourage a healthier lifestyle,reduce obesity, free land for rewilding, and reduce the need to import animal feed
We hope that you recognise that the effects of the current international situation and the reckless war initiated by the USA and Israel are likely to need domestic legislation – for example, to initiate different forms of rationing, and that you have planning in hand.
Above all we need to know that you are supporting all efforts that will lead to a diplomatic solution to end all conflict in the Middle East.
Yours in peace
