10th October 2006

I was going to write in support of the local Lib Dems recent motion against ID cards, opposition to nuclear power and their calls for more action on business waste. Then I read that they support Laurence Robertson's view that we must retain and improve Staverton airport (Citizen letters 6/10/06). This contradicts their claims to be 'green'  and exposes their inconsistent policies on the environment.

They can't one minute accept air travel is an unsustainable form of transport with severe local impacts then the next moment support Staverton. Infact a brief wider look shows Lib Dems supporting airport expansions across the country in Exeter, Sheffield, Manchester and Liverpool. They have also voted against tough noise limitation laws, argued that air travel should be made "more affordable" (presumably to encourage people to fly), and their fourth biggest donor in recent years has been the British Airports Authority.

Aviation is heavily subsidised: it is time it was made to pay it's way. The improvements being made at Staverton will encourage more personal and business jet use for the benefit of wealthy companies and individuals. Yet it is the poor in other countries that are already feeling the effects of climate change.

The Cheltenham Borough Council Climate Change Strategy calls for reducing CO2 emissions. It is time our local politicians understood what that means and started to get serious about climate change.

David Wood, Chalford Hill

Stroud District Green party

Additional comment: As I add this letter to the website a link arrived - Click here to read about Lib Dem support for Glasgow Airport. There is just no way that any green tax switch would make it possible to reconcile expansion with a responsibility for the environment. We urgently need politicians to wake up to the reality of climate change. Philip Booth