8th November 2007

Stroud Greens are highly critical of the Government's Queens Speech - it will lead to less democracy, threatens nuclear disaster and is woefully inadequate to tackle climate change

The Government’s Queen’s Speech is deeply worrying.  Where is the leadership we were hoping for on the big issues that confront us?  Not only does it propose measures that undermine democracy and threaten nuclear disaster but the measures are also woefully inadequate to tackle climate change.

The Government support for nuclear power is wrong, and means committing us to a dirty, dangerous and astronomically expensive future: exposing Britain, and the world, to greater risk of terrorist attacks and nuclear war. It ignores the advice of its own Sustainable Development Commission (established to advise the Government on environmental issues), which concluded the dangers and costs of nuclear outweigh any potential benefits.

In terms of the Climate Change Bill it is surely irresponsible to adopt the inadequate 60% target that not only flies in the face of science, but also undermines the UK's commitment to limit temperatures to what scientists say will avoid catastrophic consequences.

Meanwhile the proposals for a separate planning system for major infrastructure projects like airports and nuclear reactors mean undermining democracy in favour of an increasingly centralised and authoritarian government. Lastly in terms of housing Brown needs to ensure that new build is for those who need it most. What proportion of eco-town homes will go to the 100,000 homeless households currently living in temporary accommodation?

We urgently need a Government that is prepared to put social and environmental justice at the heart of it's policies to build long-term economic security.

Martin Whiteside
Hillside, Claypits Lane, Lypiatt, Stroud
Green Party Parliamentary Candidate - Stroud