Every time you think the Lib Dems can't sink any lower, they manage it, on cuts, on electoral reform, on privatisation. Today it's energy. Here's Chris Huhne from 2007:"Ministers must stop the side-show of new nuclear power stations now. Nuclear is a tried, tested and failed technology and the Government must stop putting time, effort and subsidies into reviving this outdated industry.
"The nuclear industry's key skill over the past half-century has not been generating electricity, but extracting lashings of taxpayers' money."
Since then, of course, he and his colleagues have gotten into bed with the Tories (pictured), and we know the Lib Dems accepted nuclear as an area they'd lose out on. As the responsible Minister, it would be perfectly reasonable for him to say:
"Everyone knows our party's position on this issue, but it's a coalition, a compromise, and the Government's policy is supportive of nuclear power."
I wouldn't do it - opposition to another generation of nuclear plants was our only red line issue for any coalition talks after the 2007 election - but it would be understandable.
Instead the BBC quote him indirectly as follows:
Mr Huhne, seen as anti-nuclear power in the past, said his previous position had been misunderstood and he had merely pointed out there had been no private investment since the Three Mile Island accident in the US in 1979.
Disgraceful and dishonest.
Update: Jeff and I are on the same page, it seems.
Double update: Justin found an even better Huhne quote from the vaults.
And here’s 2006 Chris Huhne:
> “Our message is clear, No to nuclear, as it is not a short cut, but a dead end. Yes to energy saving, yes to renewables, and yes to a sustainable energy future.” – http://www.chrishuhne.org.uk/news/51/energy_efficiency_not_nuclear_is_the_answer_to_energy_needs.html
The title of this post is perfect. Here's one person who will not be renewing his LD membership.
We need to remove politics of Green. Thankfully the CSR didn't change the need to switch to more renewable energy sources.
Solar panels are an important tool in reducing emissions and meeting the renewable energy targets. We at http://www.HomeSun.com believe solar pv is a practical and achievable way to be greener - and enable households to cut their electricity bills! See if you are eligible.
You cannot remove politics from environmental matters, they are all tied together. Sustainable energey needs public investment and we pay our politicians to manage our spend. If you dont like the proposals of a particular party in enevironmental or any other matters - dont vote for them.
Politics can never be removed from any situation unless we live in a non democratic state.
Green issues need to be top of the agenda but as we have seen over the last few weeks no matter how much people want Green Policies to be top of the agenda saving money is more important to the Government than saving the planet.