KINGSNORTH DECISION A VICTORY FOR CAMPAIGNERS - HUGHES

“Liberal Democrats will only support new coal if carbon capture and storage technology is ready from day one," said the Liberal Democrat Shadow Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Simon Hughes.

Commenting on E.On’s decision to delay plans for a new dirty coal power station at Kingsnorth in Kent, Simon Hughes said: “This is a deserved victory for environmental campaigners across the UK.

“We are facing the very real threat of catastrophic climate change that will impact all of our lives. If the Government takes this seriously it cannot build new dirty coal power stations.

“E.On’s decision exposes the Tories’ irresponsible scaremongering about the lights going out.
“There are solutions other than dirty coal and nuclear power which can maintain energy security, make bills fairer and protect the environment.

“Liberal Democrats will only support new coal if carbon capture and storage technology is ready from day one. Funding for CCS demonstration must be focussed on retrofitting existing power stations.”

EUROPHOBES WHO SECURED CAMERON’S JOB WILL NOT BE HAPPY WITH LISBON SHIFT - DAVEY

“David Cameron sold out to hardline Europhobic Tories in order to secure his leadership," said the Liberal Democrat Shadow Foreign Secretary, Edward Davey.

Commenting on David Cameron’s hint that the Tories would not hold a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty were it to be ratified, Edward Davey said: “David Cameron sold out to hardline Europhobic Tories in order to secure his leadership.

“He is now struggling to square this with his own guiding principle of political expediency.

“If this is the start of a gradual realisation by Cameron that his position on the Lisbon Treaty is not only hopelessly unrealistic, but also dangerous for Britain, then we can expect the knives to be out at Tory Conference next week.

“Europhobic Tories secured Cameron’s job for him - they will not be happy if he lets them down now.”