Lib Dems 5 out of 10 for Theory, 2 out of 10 for Practice
Following Charles Kennedy’s visit to Brooks Hill Country Park to unveil Lib Dem environment plans (Mercury, April 16) a Green Party candidate has given the Lib Dems 5 out of 10 for theory, but only 2 out of 10 in the practical test.
“Compared with Labour and the Tories, the Lib Dems appear to take environmental issues seriously,” said Geoff Forse, Green Party candidate for Leicester West, “but a different picture emerges when we look at the decisions made by their elected representatives. The Green Party of course approves of Lib Dem promises to cut back on road building, generate more power from renewable sources and recycle more household waste, but thinking Green is not the same as acting Green, especially on transport issues.”
He continued: “Lib Dems on Leicester Council supported doubling the car parking capacity of the Shires. The Lib Dems on the London Assembly opposed the westward extension of the congestion charge. The Lib Dem MP for Newbury supported the Newbury Bypass. Lib Dems in the Scottish Parliament supported genetically modified crops. Manchester Lib Dems supported the expansion of Manchester airport, including its second runway. Charles Kennedy himself, like Labour and Tory leaders, has relied in this campaign on air transport, which is more polluting than the traditional battlebus.”
Geoff Forse concluded: “Even in theory, Lib Dem concern for Green issues is often contradicted by their economic policy. Their support for economic globalisation (which is shared by Labour and the Tories) means that local farmers and manufacturers often struggle to compete with imported goods produced to lower standards of environmental responsibility and human and animal rights.”