If retailers won't voluntarily reduce plastic bag usage in the UK, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is prepared to enforce measures that will do so, saying it is time to “accept our own responsibility for ending the environmental damage we are causing."

“I want to make clear that if Government compulsion is needed to make the change, we will take the necessary steps. We do not take such steps lightly — but the damage that single-use plastic bags inflict on the environment is such that strong action must be taken. The important thing is to come up with a scheme that will be of most benefit, most quickly — and ideally at the same time secure funds for organisations that help protect our environment.”

One proposed solution is charging a fee for each one given to a customer. Considering that UK shoppers go through 13 billion plastic bags each year, Brown's decision doesn't come as a huge surprise, though he has said initiatives being used in different parts of the world would first be examined before any action is taken.

Ironically enough, Brown was (figuratively) caught with his pants down when opposition released the number of plastic bags (1.2 million) containing political logos and slogans government officials have purchased during the past two years.

Indeed Prime Minister Brown must be a pretty big hypocrite if he's ready to nail retailers for their use of plastic bags when it doesn't seem like he's done anything to eliminate them internally. Just a thought, but he may want to examine his own departments and consider playing a round of Follow the Leader before demanding supermarkets change their ways.

» Times Online