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Molly Scott Cato, Bristol’s Green MEP, has condemned the government for its decision not to back the world’s first tidal power lagoon at Swansea Bay but, on the same day, give the green light to expand Heathrow airport. She said:
“On the hottest day of the year so far, the government announces both its plans to shelve the Swansea tidal lagoon project and expand Heathrow. The two decisions, coming just hours apart, are a reflection of the utter contempt the government has for future generations facing the prospect of climate breakdown.
“In rejecting the Swansea tidal lagoon project, Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark told MPs that no individual project or technology can proceed at any price. Unless of course, it is nuclear or fracking. The £1.3bn price tag for the Swansea tidal lagoon – a pioneering project that would have generated enough electricity for 155,000 homes – is dwarfed by the cost of Hinkley costing at least £30bn and rising.
“It’s clear that the climate change sceptics and deniers in government are taking back control and Green Brexit will lie buried under the rubble of the hundreds of homes that will be demolished to make way for Heathrow’s third runway.”
Molly is also highly critical of Labour MPs, 119 of whom defied their Party’s position on a third runway at Heathrow and used a free vote to support the government. Three South West Labour MPs, Exeter’s Ben Bradshaw, Plymouth’s Luke Pollard and Bristol South MP Karin Smyth, sided with the government and voted for Heathrow expansion. Molly Scott Cato said:
“Labour’s hypocrisy on climate change is breath-taking – condemning the government for pulling the plug on the Swansea tidal lagoon project with one hand and waving through Heathrow expansion with the other.
“Jeremy Corbyn is happy to whip his MPs into line to support a disastrous hard Brexit, yet refuses to do so when it comes to a climate-wrecking decision like airport expansion. Given a free vote, Labour MPs have revealed their true colours when it comes to safeguarding our climate and environment. It’s clear that only the Greens are consistent: no expansion of airports, no fracking, no more fossil fuel subsidies but a 100% commitment to a renewable energy revolution.”