Liberal Democrats in Selly Oak back calls for UK energy independence

5.17.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 22nd Aug 2008

Local councillor Dave Radcliffe is supporting the call for a green revolution in the way we produce power.

Liberal Democrats in Selly Oak are backing ambitious calls by Lib Dem Leader Nick Clegg for Britain to become self-sufficient in energy.

Nick Clegg has called for a major programme to build up Britain's own energy supplies through green wind, tidal, wave and biomass technologies.

Mr Clegg said: "We have an enormous opportunity to create real energy independence for the UK, freeing ourselves from the shackles of foreign oil, coal and gas. This will require the kind of ambition and political will that succeeded in putting man on the moon."

Parliamentary Spokesman Dave Radcliffe said: "I am delighted to support the call for a green revolution in the way we produce power.

"The recent Russian invasion of Georgia and the ongoing troubles in Iraq and Iran show just how dangerously reliant Britain is on energy from unstable parts of the world.

"We have to build up our own energy supplies and as an island nation, we have an abundance of natural and clean energy sources that both Labour and Conservative governments have failed to develop.

"Whilst Labour and the Conservatives joined together earlier this year to agree Britain should have a new generation of nuclear power stations, Liberal Democrats know that this will leave a legacy of radioactive waste for future generations. It will also leave us dependent on foreign supplies of uranium.

"Liberal Democrats in Selly Oak welcome Nick Clegg's call for Britain to develop clean energy supplies and become self-sufficient in them by 2050. This is an industry in which we as a nation should aim to be world beaters."

Related Links:

Clegg: 'Apollo Project' to secure UK's energy.

Policy paper: Energy Independence for the UK.