At its recent party conference in Bournemouth, Ealing Liberal Democrat member Elsie Gisslegard spoke and had her motion on fast fashion get passed at the conference.
The motion, Fixing Fast Fashion – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, by Elsie Gisslegard, is said to be the first on the topic to be passed at a UK party conference. The motion highlights the importance of local initiatives including clothes swapping both for school uniforms as well as workwear.
The motion also called for a series of measures such as levies on new clothes as well as offering incentives to reuse and repurpose clothing.
Click here to read the motion by Elsie Gisslegard.
Following the motion being passed, Ms Gisslegard who lives in Chiswick said: “Today’s decision is a testament to the Lib Dem’s unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability, ethical practices, and the well-being of workers worldwide. As liberals, we believe in the power of choice, innovation, and progress. This motion is a significant step towards ensuring that the fashion industry aligns with these core values.”
Among the measures the Lib Dems approved in the motion:
● Introduction of a 1p levy on new garments for sale in the UK, with proceeds dedicated to improving local recycling facilities.
● A ban on incinerating or landfilling textiles that can be reused or recycled.
● Mandatory full traceability in supply chains to ensure ethically sourced materials and safe working conditions.
● Stronger enforcement of labour rights, including compliance with minimum wage requirements.
● Favourable VAT rates for resale shops, rental services, and tailoring and repair services to encourage garment reuse and repurposing.
● Calls for further research into design techniques that reduce synthetic fibre emissions.
Ms Gisslegard added: “This is not just about fashion. It’s about justice, sustainability, and our shared future. We are proud to lead the charge in championing a fashion industry that reflects our highest liberal ideals.”
