FRUSTRATING START TO NEW JOB FOR GRIMSBY'S FORMER LABOUR MP, MELANIE ONN

Saying it how it is - Melanie Onn delivers a forceful speech in parliament

IT has been an exasperating couple of months for Grimsby's former Labour MP, Melanie Onn.

When, on March 9,  she started her new job as deputy chief executive at RenewableUK, she could scarcely have been more upbeat.

“This is an incredibly exciting time to be joining this innovative sector," she declared.

"In my new role, I want to champion the wide range of clean technologies we will need to accelerate the UK’s successful transition to net zero.

“The transition to a net zero economy is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the UK to create new industries and jobs.

"I only need to look at my hometown of Grimsby where investment in offshore wind is playing a major role in starting to revitalise the local economy and supporting regeneration."

Ms Onn's main brief is to bang the drum for wind energy and other renewables with public speaking. lobbying and media work.

But, to the former MP's dismay, most of this activity has had to be put on hold because of the restrictions imposed by the coronavirus lockdown. 

So far since the emergency, she has issued just three statements, all related to the pandemic.

In the most recent, she stated: "Government has identified energy as a critical sector in the national response to Covid-19, and we are providing hospitals, homes and supermarkets with the power they need.

"Keyworkers in the energy sector are carrying out vital work around the clock to keep the lights on and support consumers across the UK.

“While energy companies and their employees are working from home as much as possible, some tasks have to be carried out on site.

"Ensuring that we maintain, connect and build the energy sources the country needs is vital to keep our economy running and we’re doing this safely, in line the latest guidance.

"The industry is working with Health and Safety authorities to follow public health guidance, and ensure that works are carried out in a way that keeps our workforce safe and reduces risks from the Coronavirus”.

It is not clear yet whether the international climate change conference, due to be held in Glasgow in November, will go ahead.

In the meantime, kind words were recently said in the 'Commons about Ms Onn, both by Lia Nici, her Conservative successor as Grimsby's MP, and by former parliamentary colleague and MP for Barnsley Central, Dan Jarvis.

Said the latter: "We on the Labour benches remember Melanie with great affection."

Renewable energy - the ex-parliamentarian is one of its keenest champions