Tory MEPs defy Coalition and threaten crucial climate vote22 June 2011
Friends of the Earth is warning David Cameron to control rebel Conservative MEPs who are refusing to support his Government's pledge for tougher European action on climate change.
The MEPs say they will vote against proposals for an EU-wide 30% cut in carbon emissions in a crucial European Parliament vote tomorrow.
This is despite the clear green pledges set out in the Coalition Agreement.
Cameron's Government promised to push for the EU to lead the way in tackling international climate change and back a 30% emissions reduction target by 2020.
Cameron's pledge to lead the greenest Government ever will be seriously undermined if he can't even get his party's elected representatives to back official climate change policy.
Andy Atkins, Friends of the Earth's Executive Director
So far, Cameron's reaction to the Tory MEP revolt has been less than convincing.
More than 70 leading businesses, including BT and Eurostar, are backing the call for more ambitious cuts. These would help create sustainable growth and new jobs.
