New Lib Dem MP Rejects "Binary" NIMBY VS YIMBY Debate

The new Liberal Democrat MP for South Cambridgeshire, Pippa Heylings, has said she rejects the concept of a “binary” fight between ‘YIMBYs’ and ‘NIMBYs'.

The Lib Dems have a record 72 MPs in the House of Commons, having won many seats across the south of England in particular at the 4 July General Election. In South Cambridgeshire, a new constituency created by the most recent boundary review, Heylings defeated Tory Chris Carter-Chapman by over 10,000 votes.

In their election manifesto the Lib Dems advocated for a “fair deal for the environment”, but have come under fire by some even within the party for courting the anti-development ‘NIMBY’ vote at a time when many voters — particularly younger people — want more houses to be built.

Leader Ed Davey might be hoping that with the inclusion of professional mediators such as Heylings in their parliamentary cohort, the party can begin to dispel this narrative.

“I don't like the binary stuff – you know, it's either you're a YIMBY or you're a NIMBY,” Heylings told PoliticsHome.

“We can absolutely find a way which is win-win on this.”

Heylings was recognised on the first ever ENDS Power List of political environmental champions earlier this year, alongside London Mayor Sadiq Khan and former Green Party MP Caroline Lucas. The Power List recognised her career negotiating between national and local governments on climate issues, attending UN Climate and Nature summits, and spearheading the creation of the Galapagos Islands Marine Reserve. She also acted as a key mediator in the successful reintroduction of beavers to the UK.

Having been elected to South Cambridgeshire District Council in 2018 and now voted in as an MP, Heylings said she thought there should be more “conflict management”