3 Dec (NucNet): The leader of the UK’s main opposition political party has told the country’s business leaders that restrictions that make it difficult to build new nuclear plants would be removed if his Conservative party came to power.
David Cameron told the UK’s influential business organisation the Confederation of British Industry on 27 November 2007: “…We need to secure our energy supply while meeting environmental obligations. But again, a complete lack of long-term planning has put our energy security at risk.
“In 10 years, no action to increase decentralised energy. Nothing to open up the grid. No action to change planning law so it’s easier to open new power stations. We will remove those restrictions and enable nuclear power to make its case on a level playing field.”
Mr Cameron’s endorsement of nuclear signalled a new approach. He has previously been criticised for not being clear about his party’s position on nuclear energy. In November 2006, former UK prime minister Tony Blair accused Mr Cameron of “sitting on the fence” concerning nuclear energy.
The country’s governing Labour party said last month that it will issue a decision on the future of nuclear power in the country in 2008 – later than previously expected.
>>Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers)
Blair States Case For New Nuclear Power Plants (News No. 250, 16 November 2006)
UK Decision On Nuclear New-Build Put Back To ‘Early 2008’ (World Nuclear Review No. 47, 24 November 2007)
The NucNet database currently contains around 12,000 reports published since 1991. To subscribe or ask for any further information email [email protected]
