Labour MPs object to nuclear power

A group of Labour MPs has urged the government to reject calls to build new nuclear power stations.

In a newly published pamphlet, eight Labour MPs said the government's energy review should instead focus on energy conservation and the promotion of renewable power generation.

Former environment minister Michael Meacher was amongst those backing the call.

He was joined by Alan Whitehead, Joan Walley, Colin Challen, Helen Goodman, Nia Griffith, Mark Lazarowicz and David Chaytor.

Their move comes amid speculation that the prime minister is prepared to back a new wave of nuclear power plants.

And the government's chief scientific adviser, Sir David King, has also backed nuclear power as a means of lowering Britain's carbon dioxide emissions.

But opting for a new generation of civil nuclear power plans would cause major political controversy.

And Whitehead said ministers should focus on renewable technologies combined with better systems of energy management and efficiency.

He added that "many of the arguments put forward for nuclear power have not been adequately made and are often based on false premises".

"The idea that nuclear power is free from CO2 emissions, or that we can only achieve a low carbon energy economy by relying on it is simply untrue," argued Whitehead.

"Yet much of the discussion on the future of energy supply seems to rely on these two myths. Nuclear power is neither safe, secure, cheap nor renewable.

"However, as long as the debate remains focused on the fors and againsts of nuclear power the full potentiality of renewable energy will not be realised.

"I am therefore keen to see an open and evidence-based debate in which all the future elements of the 'energy mix' are considered.

"This means that the reality of renewable energy must be assessed in its own right - and when it does, it can clearly play a key role in filling future gaps in supply and anchoring a low carbon energy future."