Wychavon's Tories vote down Cameron's Green Agenda

8.39.13am GMT Wed 9th Dec 2009

Wychavon's Conservatives showed their true colours when they refused to accept the Liberal Democrat Group's call for the Council to sign up to the 10:10 campaign last night.

At the Council meeting Liberal Democrat Group Leader Margaret Rowley proposed that the Council should reduce its own carbon emissions by 10% in 2010 and also become part of a national drive to reduce the entire country's carbon footprint. The proposal was supported by the 11 strong Liberal Democrat Group.

Under the UK Climate Change Act 2008 the UK is due to cut its emissions by 34% by 2020 and according to climate change scientists a cut of 10% in 2010 is in line with what is now needed to avert runaway climate change.

Climate change predictions show that without severe cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, the world will be hit by drought, flooding and famine affecting all of us and the poorest countries in particular. Some of these countries are already suffering from the effects of climate change. This is an issue of social justice as well as a call to take environmental action.

Despite this compelling evidence, Deputy Council Leader Cllr Judy Pearce claimed global warming to be part of a natural cycle of events. Other Conservative Councillors ridiculed some of the suggestions made by the 10:10 campaign as to how individuals might make a reduction in their carbon footprint.

Council Leader Paul Middlebrough proposed that the Council should not support the 10:10 campaign, despite being reminded that David Cameron and his entire shadow front bench have signed up along with 100 other Councils including Worcestershire County Council. His proposal was supported by all but one of the members of the Conservative Group present.

Speaking after the meeting Councillor Margaret Rowley said "We were very disappointed that the Conservative Group did not support the 10:10 campaign. It shows yet again that David Cameron's attempt to put a green tint on Conservative policies is pure spin. The issue of climate change is the most significant factor affecting the future of the planet as we know it but the Conservatives on Wychavon District Council refused to take the matter seriously.

"The Liberal Democrats are the only party in the UK to have committed to ambitious and detailed plans to cut carbon emissions. More Liberal Democrat Councils than either of the other two parties have signed up to the 10:10 campaign. We have clear policies that will make Britain carbon neutral by 2050."