Save Our Forests Petition

Dear readers, if you happen to live in the UK you will be aware that the Coalition Government is planning to sell off our publicly owned forests and woodlands. It is my opinion that this would be an exceptionally bad move, and given that it was in no party manifesto, the public have not been asked for their opinion on this policy. It is plain to see that the public mood is against this privatisation, and instead favours the retention of Forestry Commission woodlands in public hands which will continue to ensure that all are able to enjoy access to this resource for recreation.

The Government has admitted that the transfer of this public asset into private hands would raise little money, and yet it still seems intent upon forcing this unpopular measure through. The Condem Coalition is using the budget deficit as a pretext for ransacking one of our few remaining common and treasured resources. This privatisation is being driven by ideology and private sectional interest, not by the will of the people. These forests and woodlands are ours in common, and should not be placed in the hands of any Westminster politician to dispose of. Please read the following statement from the 38 Degrees website, and irrespective of your ideological position, I would be obliged if you could join with me in signing this petition. Let us ensure that our woodlands are retained in perpetuity for the enjoyment and recreation of the whole nation.

The government is planning a massive sell off of our national forests. They could be auctioned and fenced off, run down, logged or turned into golf courses and holiday villages.

We can't let that happen. We need to stop these plans. National treasures like the The Forest of Dean, Sherwood Forest and The New Forest could be sold off. Once they are gone, they will be lost forever.

A huge petition will force the government to rethink its plans. If we can prove how strongly the public are against this, they will have to back down. Please sign the petition now.