Would You Buy A used Planet From these People?
Climate Change
Tony Blair Says:
“There is no doubt that the time to act is now.” – September 14th 2004
Labour Do:
26th October 2004: Plans to curb industry’s greenhouse gas emissions are scaled back. Allowable CO2 emissions by power generators go up 6·6 million tonnes a year. Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett says the plans could have damaged industry. Transport
John Prescott Says:
“I will have failed if in five year’s time there are not many more people using public transport and far fewer journeys by car. It’s a tall order, but I urge you to hold me to it.” – June 6th, 1997
Labour Do:
By 2002, there was a 36·6 billion km (8%) rise in annual motor vehicle journeys. Traffic levels are still rising.
Sustainability
Alex Salmond Says:
“This latest discovery coupled with high oil prices demonstrates the enormous oil wealth that is still to come.” – 8th December 2004
“Our oil industry will remain one of the engines of the Scottish economy.” – 1st March 2005
Alex Salmond Does Not Mention:
Climate Change! Nor does he mention that the North Sea’s oil production peaked in 1999 and conservative projections put global peak oil at 2010, only five years away. A truly sustainable Scotland can only be built by preparing now for life without oil. Oil is becoming a luxury item which ever fewer will be able to afford.
Corporate Accountability
Michael Howard Says:
“The environment needs a government that is prepared to set a regulatory framework that is fair.” – at a Green Alliance conference in September 2004
Michael Howard Also Says:
“I want to praise the profit-makers, because too often in our country, profit is used as a dirty word. We’ll cut the regulatory burden you all face.” – at the CBI Annual Lunch, 2005
Civil Liberties
Charles Kennedy Says:
“The Liberal Democrats will take a stand on our civil liberties.” – Launch of the Liberal Democrats’ Five Point Plan for Civil Liberties, 8th February 2005
Charles Kennedy Does:
He was one of 17 Liberal Democrat MPs who missed the crucial vote on draconian anti-terror legislation on 28th February 2005 in the House of Commons. The Government won the vote by only 14 votes.
“It was a miscalculation by everyone at every level. There was chaos in the chamber and we had no idea at all ...” – Mark Oaten, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary
- On the Greens’ successful motion against ID cards in Scotland, the Liberal Democrats abstained en masse.
Environment
Liberal Democrats Say:
“In cities and towns where traffic congestion is a problem, ... Liberal Democrats will extend congestion charging ...”
“No commercial GM crops until we know they’re safe for the environment.”
– Liberal Democrat “pre-manifesto”, September 2004
Liberal Democrats Do:
Liberal Democrats led the campaign against a congestion charge in Edinburgh. Their MSPs voted against moves by Green MSPs to prevent GM crops being planted in Scotland.
SSP Says:
“The SSP has always had differences with sections of the environmental movement.” – Rosie Kane MSP
The SSP claim that Scotland’s leading environmental NGOs, Friends of the Earth Scotland and TRANSform Scotland, exhibited “fake environmentalism” over congestion charging.
The Chair of TRANSform Scotland had said:
“The kneejerk reaction of the SSP is particularly shameful. Their decision to take sides with the Tories rips to shreds any environmental pretensions they may have had. Until now, we have had a productive working relationship with the SSP. We are now unsure whether we are able to work with the SSP in the future.”