Baker warns on global warming

The Liberal Democrats have mounted a pre-emptive attack on Conservative environment policy.

Ahead of a Tory-led Commons debate on the environment on Monday, Lib Dem spokesman Norman Baker slammed the Opposition's "blatant hypocrisy".

"Michael Howard's appalling record as environment secretary tells us all we need to know about the 'tarmac Tories'," said Baker.

"They are tilting at windmills and are clearly on the wrong road."

Baker claimed that the Conservatives' pledges could result in a road building programme that could concrete over the equivalent of half of Greater London.

"The Tories' call for greener transport policies to bring down emissions is either unashamed electioneering or blatant hypocrisy," said Baker.

"By seeking to build more motorways, the Tories could concrete over an area half the size of Greater London."

"Tim Yeo claims that green fields are an irreplaceable asset, so are we to assume that the Tories will build their roads on fantasy land?"

Ahead of the opposition day debate Baker went on to question Tory policy on renewable energy.

"The Conservatives have completely missed the point by ignoring the benefits of on-shore wind power," he said.

"Despite leading the world in new technology, under the last Tory government Britain was at the bottom of the EU renewable league table."