The Government recently hyped-up allowing new wind farms to be built. this with minimal financial support, and as a cynical attempt to show green credentials.

Meanwhile, nuclear power company British Energy, have been losing tens of millions each month and getting bailed out by the Government. To add to this the local council in Lancaster deferred a business rates payment of British Energy, costing their council an estimated £18000 in lost interest. This was all done behind closed doors under Labour Party legislation (a clause in the code of conduct introduced under the Local Government Act 2000 states that a councillor "must not disclose information given to him/her in confidence by anyone, or information acquired which he/she believes is of a confidential nature, without the consent of a person authorised to give it, or unless required by law to do so").

We know about this secret deal only because a Green Councillor in Lancaster thought it in the public interest that it was revealed. She now faces a tribunal under the legislation above.

Why is this relevant here in Gloucester?
1) If this sort of waste of public money can be covered up in Lancaster it can be covered up here. Though, I'm not implying it is: I would after all have no way of finding out, the council would not have to tell us.
2) Other Council Tax and Business Tax payers are having their taxes increased by large amounts. If this sort of deal were being done with British Energy, or any other business, we would know nothing about it and we would be subsidising it.
3) We should all be allowed our conscience and principles. Any legislation which restricts this and puts gagging orders on democratically elected public officials is anti-democratic. No wonder the public are losing faith in politicians and feel it is not worth voting.
There is an alternative. Vote, but vote for people/parties with principles or stand yourself if you don't trust parties.

Bryan Meloy Gloucester Green Party