LIB DEMS IN MELTDOWN OVER NUCLEAR

Lib Dems in Somerset face a meltdown after a split emerged over a key policy.

Even though national Lib Dem policy is strongly anti-nuclear, some Lib Dem Councillors on Somerset County Council voted for a Conservative motion supporting nuclear power, and may now face disciplinary action from their party.

The split took place during Wednesday's meeting of Somerset County Council, when the Conservative Group tabled a motion supporting climate change initiatives as part of the Council's commitment to low-carbon energy, including nuclear. The Leadership of the Lib Dem Group ordered their Members to vote against it, but 8 revolted and supported the Conservatives.

Ken Maddock, Leader of Somerset County Council, commented, "I am very pleased to see that some Lib Dems have put party politics to one side and supported a motion that is in the best interests of Somerset. In the week that the Government announced Hinkley Point was likely to be the first new nuclear power station to start generating low-carbon energy, it is important that all elected representatives in Somerset get behind the plans. It is sad that at a national level the Lib Dems have buried their heads in the sand over nuclear, but at least some of the Lib Dem County Councillors in Somerset are not afraid to vote for what is best for the people of Somerset.''

Councillor Maddock added, "I am reassured to see that Nick Clegg did not cancel his scheduled visit to Taunton the day after this vote, which hopefully means that these brave Lib Dems will not be punished too severely for disobeying party orders by displaying their integrity and putting their residents' interests ahead of party politics.''

END

For more information: contact

Ken Maddock, Leader of Somerset County Council: 01458 850906 kmaddock@somerset.gov.uk

NOTES TO EDITOR:

On Wednesday November 11th, Somerset County Council resolved to adopt the following resolution:

"This Council notes that:

1. Climate change predictions show that without severe cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, the world will be hit by drought, flooding and famine affecting all of us and poorest countries in particular. Some of these countries are already suffering from the effects of climate change. This is an issue of social justice as well as a call to take environmental action.

2. Under the UK Climate Change Act 2008 the UK is due to cut its emissions by 34% by 2020, but that, according to climate change scientists, a cut of 10% in 2010 is in line with what is now needed to avert runaway climate change.

3. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which meets in Copenhagen in December of this year, may be the world's last chance to negotiate a deal that will avert the worst consequences of climate change.

4. To ensure a breakthrough at the critical Copenhagen conference government ministers need to know that their public supports more dramatic cuts in emissions than have hitherto been proposed.

5. Increasing numbers of councils are signing up to the '10:10 Campaign' (see www.1010uk.org) initiated by Camden filmmaker Franny Armstrong, which seeks to persuade individuals, businesses, organisations and the UK government to reduce their CO2 emissions by 10% in 2010.

6. In February 2008 this Council adopted the "Responding to Climate Change in Somerset" strategy - which identified risks to Somerset, including increased flooding and coastal erosion.

This Council therefore resolves that, while needing to recognise the financial position in which the Council currently finds itself, it supports such aims which are relevant and appropriate to an agricultural county such as Somerset and so will sign up to the 10:10 Carbon Reduction Campaign as part of the Council's commitment to tackling climate change and its support for low carbon sources of energy, including nuclear."

Of the 58-seat Council, 39 Councillors voted for the resolution, including 8 Lib Dems.

Nick Clegg, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Party, visited Taunton on November 12th, but made no mention of the party split that took place the day before.

Ref: 13Sep09