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Nationalist nuclear policy 'a disaster'

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Published Date: 30 March 2008
By Jenny Percival
Westminster Editor
THE SNP's non-nuclear policy will be a "disaster" for Scotland, a UK Cabinet minister warned last night.
Business Secretary John Hutton said that the Scottish Government's decision to oppose any new nuclear power stations would have a detrimental effect on the nation's economy, with the loss of 10,000 jobs.

He also raised concerns that Westminster wa
nts to strip Alex Salmond of his power to veto nuclear power when he insisted that "energy security" – generating enough power to keep the lights on – was a UK matter.

"For energy security to work for every part of the UK, we have to work together. We can't have a pick-and-mix approach to energy security in different parts of the country," said Hutton.

Mike Weir, the SNP's energy spokesman at Westminster, dismissed Hutton's comments as "nonsense" and promised that the SNP would "fight tooth and nail" to stop the UK Government "grabbing powers back from the Scottish Parliament".

A Scottish Government source added: "The Scottish Government's non-nuclear energy strategy is absolutely right for Scotland, and is based on the responsibilities devolved to the Scottish Parliament. If John Hutton wants to take these powers back to Westminster he had better say so loud and clear and not be mealy mouthed about it – in which case he will get an extremely dusty answer from the people of Scotland."

A spokesman for Hutton said later he was not out to undermine the existing devolution settlement. However, as Scotland on Sunday revealed last month, Westminster MPs, including former defence minister Adam Ingram, and the Confederation of British Industry in Scotland want Salmond stripped of his ability to block nuclear power stations.

In an online article for Scotland on Sunday, Hutton said: "An energy policy that ruled out one of our key energy sources would be a disaster for both our energy security and for the economy in Scotland."





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  • Last Updated: 29 March 2008 9:34 PM
  • Source: Scotland On Sunday
  • Location: Scotland
  • Related Topics: Nuclear energy
 
1

druidh,

edinburgh 30/03/2008 02:38:13
Who was it that was supposed to be "picking fights"??

It's been generally accepted by all parties that the majority of Scots don't want more nuclear power stations. This is just another Westminster politician that needs to "think again".
2

The west awake,

Argyll 30/03/2008 09:51:41
Make no mistake, Labour are seething about the SNPs ability and willingness to satisfy the clear wishes of the Scottish people through clever use of existing Holyrood powers. Most notably in opposing nuclear power but also in scuppering the chances of Trident replacement being housed 30 miles from Glasgow.

This is why we are seeing this otherwise unaccountable pursuit of a policy of "2-way transfer of powers".

Labour want Holyrood neutered of any ability to influence anything of any impotance to the UK.
Are they capable of such scurrilous things... Oh Yes.
3

Guga II,

Rockall 30/03/2008 11:00:16
We already produce a surplus of energy in Scotland, which is why we don't need either nuclear power stations or massive wind farms just to supply power to England. If the English need more power, then they can build all their nuclear power stations and wind farms in and around London. The Nimbys would, of course, squeal loudly if that was to happen; but they are quite happy to have all their junk and detritus dumped in Scotland.
4

,

30/03/2008 11:14:35
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
5

Richard M,

Scottish Raj 30/03/2008 11:35:56
#4# Jwil

I agree, but you'd better tell the French that as well as they have a habit of building nuclear facilities close to the borders of neighbouring countries. Cap de la Hague on the Cherbourg peninsula is less than 100 miles from the south coast of England, slap bang in the path of the prevailing south-westerly winds. At Gravelines, in north-eastern France there are SIX large nuclear reactors, each bigger than Torness and just a few miles from the Belgian border, and also only 90 miles from central London
6

Media 1,

cape town 30/03/2008 15:52:20
Look at Africa, the Freedom Fighters take over and the wheels come off. Scotland will be no different, the SNP are a liberation movement not a political party.
7

Robbierunciman,

Romney Marsh 30/03/2008 16:33:49
I think Alex Salmond has got this one right. I think we should question the sanity of BERR and John Hutton.

We are supposed to have evidence based policy making in Whitehall as opposed to 'policy by Grade 5'. However, BERR seems to have missed this change. their view seems to be, we have out goals, if the evidence produces the wrong result, change the evidence!

I hope that labour supporters in his constituency can find a candidate for the next election. Taking these comments alongside his other recent pronoucements, he seems to be in the wrong party.
8

,

30/03/2008 17:37:31
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
9

Eve,

Scotland 30/03/2008 20:55:54
"THE SNP's non-nuclear policy will be a "disaster" for Scotland, a UK Cabinet minister warned last night."

Two words:

Aye, Right!!!
10

Eve,

Scotland 30/03/2008 20:58:56
Aye, right, what do they really know about energy and the future!!

Nuclear = Land poultion!!!
11

connaughtboy,

stonehaven 31/03/2008 00:05:22
#7 Media 1

A liberation movement? So are you suggesting that Scotland needs to be liberated? At last you are coming around to the nationalist way of seeing things. Good to have another convert on board.
12

Scotindy,

Los Angeles 31/03/2008 03:01:52
Bring it all on London,and the weak brainwashed labour mp's down there. We will resist all efforts to deminish the SCOTTISH PEOPLE their WISHES!!!!
13

Klaus Dubois,

Ed. 31/03/2008 12:45:07
Unpalatable as it may seem to some, from an environmental perpsective, nuclear energy is the only technology available to meet the demands of the global warning scare-mongerers (unless, of course, a large dent is made in the global population numbers).
I suspect if Westminster had ruled out nuclear power, the SNP would have demanded to pursue it.

 

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