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Rt. Hon. Sir Alan Beith MPLiberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Berwick Upon TweedWorking for you and the Berwick upon Tweed Constituency all year roundin Northumberland and in Westminster |
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Tory scepticism on climate change could threaten economic recovery - Beith
April 15, 2010 12:00 AM
Liberal Democrat Sir Alan Beith has raised concerns about climate change scepticism among the Conservatives in the House of Commons.
Speaking last week, before the dissolution of Parliament for the General Election, Sir Alan asked the Secretary of State what steps were being taken to challenge Tory scepticism, saying
"Does the Secretary of State share my party's concern that a number of active Conservatives, including parliamentary candidates, do not believe that climate change is happening or believe that if it is happening it cannot be changed by Government policy? What steps will he take over the next few weeks to assist us in challenging that?"
The Secretary of State replied
"If those Conservative candidates are successful, there will be less of a consensus on the issue in the House. That is why we need to maintain the consensus and convince everyone around the country that climate change is real, happening and man made."
Speaking later, Sir Alan said
"It is very worrying indeed that so many Conservative candidates are denying that climate change is man made, or even that it is happening. If we are to tackle climate change, on which almost all scientific opinion is agreed, we need to work together locally, nationally and internationally, and this will be harder to achieve if Parliament is not united on the issue.
"We need to build a green economy as part of our strategy for coming out of recession and I am worried that Tory scepticism could threaten this."
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