from Sunday Herald, 21 May 2006
BACKERS of Tony Blair’s push for nuclear power in Scotland will run into serious opposition this week when a former Labour minister nails her colours firmly to the anti-nuclear mast.
Sarah Boyack MSP, a former transport, environment and planning minister at Holyrood, is to lodge a motion in the Scottish parliament tomorrow arguing strongly against a new nuclear power programme.
Her move reflects growing anxiety in Labour’s senior ranks that the party could be rushed into a decision on nuclear power without proper consideration of the alternatives. Last week, Blair said nuclear power was “back on the agenda with a vengeance”.
Building more reactors would be “inconsistent” with environmental sustainability, Boyack’s draft motion says. They will add to the existing legacy of “highly toxic nuclear waste” and the “huge public cost” of decommissioning and storage.
The case for building more nuclear stations “has not been made”, the motion states. “Even with an accelerated planning system, new nuclear power stations could not contribute either to plugging the ‘energy gap’ or to carbon reductions by 2020."
Boyack, usually a Labour loyalist, is currently convener of the Scottish parliament’s environment and rural development committee. “It would be a mistake to be sidelined into a debate just about nuclear power and electricity,” she told the Sunday Herald.
“It’s vital that we look closely at other solutions, such as heat, and exploit the opportunities for innovation in new technologies, such as hydrogen and carbon capture, and capitalise on the global opportunities for clean coal technologies.”
Her initiative was welcomed by Labour’s influential green wing, the Socialist Environment and Resources Association (Sera). It is currently in talks with trade unions over how to make a “just transition” to a sustainable energy policy without nuclear power.
Sera’s spokeswoman Claudia Beamish said: “I would encourage MSPs to sign this motion and to recognise the positive opportunities for renewable energy and energy efficiency in Scotland in pursuing a sustainable policy without the risks of nuclear power stations.”
Boyack’s motion is closely modelled on one lodged in the House of Commons last week by one of the victims of Blair’s latest reshuffle, the former environment minister, Elliot Morley MP. So far it has been signed by 13 MPs, including Mark Lazarowicz, who represents Edinburgh North and Leith.
Together, the two motions suggest that Blair is not going to get his way on nuclear power without a fight within the Labour Party. In Scotland, insiders say, there is much argument to be had before the manifesto for next year’s Holyrood elections is finalised.
Meanwhile, the Scottish Executive has come under fire for failing to make a submission to Blair’s energy review, despite the fact that consultations closed more than a month ago. “It’s a disgrace that Scotland’s interests will be ignored,” said Green MSP Chris Ballance.
In its defence, the Executive said it was “fully engaged” with the review process, and Westminster was aware of its position. Its response was still being finalised and would be submitted before the end of the month.
Comments