5th February 2008

Clive Phillips responds to two letters in the Gazette advocating nuclear power

William Gill slating the Green Party for being “misleading “ and “mischievous” is  somewhat ironic in support of an industry whose conception was a deceit. It has continued to mislead ever since over the economics, safety, zero carbon, energy deficits and security etc. The millions he claims concerned campaigners have ‘wasted’ through enquiries, seems to neglect the fact that the industry has cost the tax payer tens of billions in liabilities and has consistently needed to be rescued from bankruptcy. 

Nuclear is not safe, it’s a risk. Granted it’s mostly a well managed risk, but not safe and under political and economic pressure sadly risk increases significantly. New Labour aims to squeeze the Radioactive Contaminated Land Regulations 2007 through parliament, without a vote, ensuring again it’s the tax payer and not nuclear operators who will be liable for clear up costs in the event of an accident. 

Greens do not have their heads in the sand, they represent a proportion of the electorate, in an increasingly debatable democracy, that believes nuclear is not the solution to climate change and/or energy deficit. It’s the Greens that are often accused of scare mongering but the nuclear lobby has its own gem - back us or the lights go out. Finally Mr Gill the Green Party is not an environmental group but a political party and one that is not alone in opposing new nuclear build.

Clive Phillips (Green Party)
Bowcott
Wotton-under-Edge