Defra's Environmental Contract pages are a masterpiece of woolly-thinking nonsense. Take a look at this:
Who are the parties to the environmental contract?All are welcome to take part but it is too late to wait for the unconvinced. Action must begin today and from this action it is hoped that others will be inspired to play their part in the process.
The contract a very over-extended analogy. The idea seems to be to avoid giving the impression that the government is forcing 'green' behaviour on individuals and firms, but is instead somehow entering into a contract with them, doing it's part in return for green behaviour on the part of them.
The problem is that the essential nature of a contract is that both sides enter into it willingly. But it is quite clear that the government will prosecute citizens who fail to carry out some (or possibly all) of their obligations under the 'contract'.
It beggars belief that Milliband when he was at Defra could have agreed this complete rubbish being published. One dispairs of the thought that his is not in charge of foreign policy for this country.
